Happy Holidays From My Dream Canvas

Hi! I am just popping in to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year :) I am enjoying my last few days in India. My kids are looking forward to celebrating Christmas in two time zones :) They are in for a special treat as Santa will visit them here in Delhi as well as in Seattle! Sigh....to be a kid!

Its been a wonderful month spending time with family and friends. I feel truly blessed. My Dream Canvas is all set to usher in the New Year with a bang. I hope to continue this journey with you for a million more years :) Thank you my loyal readers, you make me so happy :)

Happy Holidays people................


Image: My Dream Canvas

A Walk Down Memory Lane

I am in India, travelling around and thus my long absence from the blog. I do hope you have missed me as I sure have :) After landing in India, hubby and I drove off to Ajmer ( Rajasthan) for a reunion. It was my husband's 25 year school reunion. Mayo College is a boys boarding school founded in 1875 by Richard Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo who was also the Viceroy of India from 1869 to 1872. The school is one of the oldest and most prestigious boarding schools of India. 

I have visited Mayo before, but spending three days here with hubby made it extra special :) It was funny to see grown men acting like a bunch of excited school boys. There were tales galore, nostalgia, emotions, jokes, laughter and endless walking around the campus. I watched in amusement as the "boys" rediscovered their school after 25 long years :)

 There was endless partying of course and we all returned happy and tired with fantastic memories. The  picture above is of the main building. The building is imposing and the setting is very grand and palatial. I took many pictures and I am going to share a few with you here. Over the next few days.....I shall share postcards of my vacation in India.

See you around :)

Images: My Dream Canvas

Hello There and Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello there! I have been missing in action for a while but I am back :) Its been wonderful......as I am spending time with family after a fabulous trip to Istanbul, Turkey. We as a family love to travel and I am so grateful for the opportunity :) A detailed post on the trip will follow soon. I took the picture above as I was wandering through the alleys of Istanbul lookling for treasures ad admiring the fabulous sights :) 

This cafe looked like the perfect place to hang out. The carpets, kilims and suzani's danced before my eyes. Armed with a cup of Turkish coffee and my faithful guide book, I could see myself spending a lifetime here :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I want to thank each and every one of you for being a part of this incredible journey called My Dream Canvas!

See you around! 

Designed By MOMIQ

Here is something pretty to shake off those Monday blues :) When French design is paired with a beautiful vintage Uzbek Suzani the result has to be visually stunning. The chair in the first image is a Fauteuil à la Reine style chair. This style was style was popular during the Regènce period in France (1715–1723). 

Here's a little information about MOMIQ, the design house which creates these masterpieces. " MOMIQ travels beyond time, cultures and history. By blurring the boundaries between countries, we unite all worlds’ beauty and create designs that represent ancient traditions from the makers and the ones who used them. Bringing the beautiful old into the beautiful new, that is what we believe in. "

This venture was started by two sisters in 2012. With a keen eye for detail, guts, sense of style and creativity, they designed a first collection of furniture upholstered with fabrics mainly from the old Silk Road, marking the birth of MOMIQ which means cotton in the Uzbek language. 

MOMIQ is based in Netherlands and you can visit their website for oodles of inspiration and one of a kind treasures!

The Engrave Canvas Giveaway is ending soon, Make sure you enter here :)

Images: via and subject to copyright.

The Perfect Rooms For Winter!

Winter has arrived in my part of the world. Its time to dress up the home and make it look warm and cozy! Here are some lovely spaces that to me showcase a lot of winter love :)

Which one is your favorite?

Have you signed up for our fabulous Giveaway?

Image 1 : via, Image 2 & 3 : via, Image 4 : via

Giveaway Alert from Engrave India

I am kicking off the Holiday Season with a wonderful Giveaway from Engrave.in for my readers based in India. Engrave is an India-based design agency engaged in the pursuit of creating unique lifestyle products. Engrave brings beautiful images to life with a fine eye of detail. They offer an ever expanding range of canvas prints and laser engraved products. You can view their entire collection Here!

Engrave is giving away a personalized Watercolor canvas print to one lucky reader of My Dream Canvas. If you win, all you need to do is upload your photo and the team at Engrave in will create a dreamy watercolor image of your favorite picture :) The watercolor color picture works best for scenic shots and is my favorite from their collection :) You can also have the choice of a Painted Edge Canvas which works better for images with people in it. The size of the canvas  for the Giveaway is 9"x 12". 

Are you excited, I certainly am :)

Here are a few simple rules for the Giveaway :

1. For the First entry: Browse through the Engrave site and tell us the name of your favorite product/s. Let us know on Facebook right here by leaving a comment. (u need to be logged into Facebook)

2. For the Second Entry: Follow Engrave on Facebook. 

3. To triple your chances, leave a comment on this post too.

4. We will announce the winner on November 18th. Do remember that this Giveaway is open to readers in India. For those of you living abroad if you have an India address then you are eligible as well :)

All the best!!

Image : Engrave.in and subject to copyright.

Holiday Brunch Inspiration

I am heading out of the door in a few minutes as I have a crazy few days ahead of me.  My posts for the next few days will be brief but I will keep blogging :) I Spotted these stunning images of a Holiday brunch that I simply had to share with you!
With a gorgeous feminine palette of pinks, nudes and gold, it looks incredible!

What do you think?

Images: via

Monday Musings and Some Quick Ideas For A Room Makeover

I got off to a late start this morning. My Monday post got delayed as the kids are off  from school and therefore its been busy at the MDC Casa :) It is beginning to feel a lot like the Holidays! Today, I had a few kids over for a play date and it was a fun morning! The mom's chatted and of course there were tea and cookies :)

I have a question for you today. What do you do to give your space a quick makeover? Nothing elaborate, just a spur of the moment kind of thing... for me its fresh flowers, changing a few pillows on the couch and rearranging the look of my coffee table. 

A few simple touches can liven up a room and give it a new look. Do leave me a comment with your "one" special trick to get that instant new look :) It will be fun and interesting to share ideas and compare notes. I can then publish a post sharing all the comments so that we all have a bunch of ideas to work with. Does that sound good? 

So hop on, I am looking forward to hearing from you:)

Image: My Dream Canvas

Fabulous Finds Marika Wagle

There are times when the images in the blog post do all the talking and this post is one of those :) This week's Fabulous Find is Marika Wagle. Marika's online store is a treasure trove of goodies sourced from India, Morocco, Turkey and Africa. Marika has spent over a decade managing merchandising and buying for high profile designer fashion brands in New York City. Recently, her passion for travel combined with her love for finding treasures across the globe led her to start her own venture.

Intrigued?  Do visit her store  to view her entire collection. I promise that you you will be swept away just like I was :) 

Images: via and subject to copyright

Jewelry By Mitti Designs

Rachana Saurabh of Mitti Designs creates the most unique jewelry using polymer clay. Rachana's designs are one of a kind. She creates her magic and designs these beauties from her studio in in Maryland, USA. I am always amazed by how creative people are and Rachana is certainly right there at the very top :) Do visit her on Facebook and shop for these beauties on Etsy. 

Rachana is also a fellow blogger, painter and photographer. You can visit her blog to know more about her work. 

So are you ready to go shopping?

Images: Rachana Saurabh Mitti Designs and subject to Copyright.

My Love For Suzani's

This image says it all....a pretty Suzani displayed in an elegant setting. While I love the bold beauty of Suzani's, I like them more when it is used to add a dash of color to a neutral palette. Somehow, the beauty of the fabric gets lots when it is paired up with too many patterns. In my opinion beautiful things need to be artfully displayed and given its due!

What about you? Do you like multiple patterns and an array of colors or are you drawn to a more subtle palette? 

Image: via

Hello Monday and An Eclectic Home In California

I am kick starting this week with images of a lovely home in California. I love the bright airy space. The home has an effortlessly beautiful look that looks charming! It is warm and cozy without being overdressed. I like the neutral tones and the splash of indigo :) The home is layered with textiles and gorgeous rugs to give it an eclectic feel. You can view more pictures of the house here!

So, tell me, does this home speak to you?

Images: via Designed By Amber Lewis.

Rug Crush!

I am completely in love with the rug in the image below and the chairs :) The space looks lovely. I am drawn to the the beige,copper and gold hues.....the getaway for Autumn! 

So what's your favorite element in this room?

Images: via

Pillow Love: Maud Interiors UK

I have a weakness for pillows/cushions! I can't help it :) I have an entire closet filled with pillows much to my husbands dismay :) I can't buy everything I like but I can certainly admire them :) So when I spotted these striking cushions, I had to share them with you. Available at Maud Interiors these cushions are inspired by Morocco and made in Marrakesh. Designed by Sylive Pissard, the cushions make quite a statement in my opinion! The cushions are crafted from vintage kilims, using ribbons, silk screened  patterns and silk screened images of  Berber women.

To browse the entire collection, click here. Maud interiors is an online boutique offering an eclectic mix of travel-inspired, quirky, contemporary and vintage home accessories and gifts all handcrafted by global artisans.

So do you love them?

Images: via Maud Interiors and subject to copyright.

Istanbul Beckons...

I've got travel on my mind as I am heading to Istanbul in a few weeks. Yay :) Turkey has been on my list of places to visit for a while now. While there is so much to see in Turkey, for now we are focusing on Istanbul. As a family, we do a fair amount of research before we travel. However, we are not big on conducted tours. The Rick Steves Guide Book is a constant companion and of course some extra research on the web always comes handy.

I would love to hear from you. For those of you who have traveled to Istanbul, please do share your experiences with me. Any tips and suggestions would be welcome.......favorite attractions, restaurants, shopping advice or anything else that comes to your mind??

I am eagerly waiting to hear from you :)

Image: via

Monday Musings

Hello there! I am looking forward to an exciting new week at MDC.  It has been a busy month and October seems to be whizzing past :) I have some travel plans in the near future and I am really excited.

Will keep this post a short one or now. I am popping in to wish you a great week ahead. I would love to sit in this beautiful veranda with a good book and a cup of tea :) 

Image: via

"The New Bohemians" Cool and Collected Homes

Happy Friday people!  I am so looking forward to the release of this book and had to share it with you. Justina Blakeney's much awaited book called " The New Bohemians" is now available for pre order on Amazon. So hop on over and grab yours :) Here is a bit of information about the book. 

"In The New Bohemians, LA-based designer Justina Blakeney defines the New Bohemians as creative individuals who are boutique owners and bloggers, entrepreneurs and ex-pats, artists and urban farmers. They embrace free-spirited, no-rules lifestyles and apply that attitude to all areas of their existence, including their homes"

Sounds interesting, don't you think? 


Image : Copyright Justina Blakeney

Reminiscing With Mom ( Diwali Edition)

Hello! I am back with a Diwali post :) Blogging is indeed a fascinating medium. I am thrilled that I can talk to you all, sitting at home, and from any part of the world. I have to thank modern technology and my daughter for giving me this wonderful opportunity. Believe me, I am enjoying it immensely :)

  The beautiful glow of warm colors, twinkling lights and fall hues look so attractive, be it here in India or around Anu's home. Here in Delhi, the sun has a mellow golden tinge, with a welcome nip in the air after a long hot summer. It is time for fun and festivities, for shimmering diyas and colorful rangolis, hectic shopping, goodies to feast on and warm exchanges with family and friends. In all this, lets not forget the busy streets and traffic snarls :)

        As I look back, I remember Our first Diwali in my new home 41 years ago. My In laws were visiting me those days. I had long letters from my mother with instructions. The letters took more than week to reach to reach me. I certainly needed it :) The letters were my lifeline and my only reference in those days. Those were the days when you could not get ideas and inspiration with the click of the mouse but from experienced elders :) I remember being happy and excited and yet a wee bit nervous . It was important for me to ensure that my first Diwali goes off well. Luckily, it did :) Thanks to the helpful participation of my in laws, and my enthusiastic planning.  I have always loved to write things down on paper when I am planning something. I did it then and do it even now. This amuses my children a lot. They have now tried to make me " savvy " and adept at using my Ipad or mobile. I do manage to an extent, but I also like being in my comfort zone with my paper and pen :)

          The warm enthusiasm  of my In laws put me at ease, and we collectively worked towards making it a memorable Diwali 41 years ago. It was a fun time. I do remember us all working together. I helped my Father In law mould and cast beautiful earthen Diyas. Yes, we actually made them :) We then had an idea to place the diyas on the pegs and shelves of a mirrored coat and hat stand. The stand was a pretty standard piece of furniture in most homes those days! It was usually placed right at the entrance. On that day, it was the perfect backdrop for our handmade diyas. The diyas were meticulously painted in vivid colors.The effect, I have to say was quite stunning! It looked unusual and the vignette we created as a result was extremely attractive. The diyas sparkled against the backdrop of the mirror on the stand. It caught the eye and fancy of all our friends. I wish, I had some photographs to show you, but I guess the description will have to do :) 

Today, we have a lot available to choose from, but it was not so then. Though, with a bit of ingenuity and creativity we managed pretty well. While, this entire process made our home look attractive, I was pleased about something else as well! Working together with the In Laws was great bonding for a new bride. We certainly broke the ice and made some great memories :)

I have enjoyed reminiscing and sharing my first Diwali with you. I would like to wish you all a very Happy Diwali.

Best wishes

Madhu

The coat and hat stand in those days looked something like this!

Images: My Dream Canvas Image 2 : Pinterest

The Festival of Lights at My Dream Canvas

Its that time of the year! Diwali -The Festival of Lights is just a few days away! For me Diwali  is all about family, love, laughter, blessings, happiness and twinkling lights :) 

How I miss being in India and my parents home for Diwali. Diwali was always so special at home. Numerous parties, shopping, lights, rangoli, new clothes and gift from parents!  My mom cooked up a lot of yummy food and the mithai (sweet) supply was endless. My Grandmother being my roommate was an an added bonus. She pampered me a lot:) My job during the festivities was to decide on the decorations..... and fuss about clothes to wear :-)  I have fond memories of all the Diwali's growing up at home. I tend to reminisce a lot this time of the year. I want to carry on the traditions I grew up with.  My children too look forward to Diwali and love it as much as I do :)

My inspiration for Diwali this year was simple. A subtle palette of amber hues, silver and gold!  I made a trip to the farm close to home to scout for the perfect flowers. I wanted the flowers to remind me of the colors of Autumn. These dahlias are the perfect blends of the fall colors outside my window :)

The dahlias are floating in silver plated ice cream cups that belonged to my Grandmother. My mother gifted these to me a few years ago!

I have used my Grandmother's silver anklets to add a touch of bling to my tablescape! The candle stands are an antique store find!

This is the first painting that I hung on my wall as a new bride in my first home. My mom gave it to me when I was leaving India. My Ganesha watches over my home and my family!

A few Instagram pics taken earlier in the day! So what's your favorite Diwali tradition or a fond memory??

Images. My Dream Canvas and please do not reuse without written permission

Autumn Hues and Diwali

Hello there! Today was one of those days where we did not look at the forecast before we stepped out. Yes, we are a crazy lot in the Pacific Northwest :) We check the forecast numerous times before making any plans! We dress according to the weather, right down to the shoes and the thickness of the jacket :) A hood is a must, umbrellas are a big no..no despite the incessant rain.

We got into the car to run the usual errands....Costco was to be the first stop! Two miles down the road from home, our plans got derailed!! We parked the car on the side of the road and I began to take pictures. My kids humor me for a while, they pose for me, even scout out the prettiest tree etc. However, soon they have a pained expression on their faces. They realize that a 5 minute stop drags on quite a bit! They smile on cue, but I can sense their frustration :) Thankfully, a big fat squirrel appeared from nowhere and they got distracted :) God bless the squirrel!!

Back to the weather now, it started off as dark and gloomy. The clouds were threatening to burst and then suddenly it was as if a veil had lifted. The sky became blue, the clouds looked happier and I got to take many many pictures. So you are getting to see the before and after pictures!

I was mesmerised! These are the colors that I have picked as my inspiration for Diwali. So stay tuned for an Autumn inspired Diwali post on MDC :)

Keep on smiling and have a great week ahead!

Images: My Dream Canvas

Home Of A Florist Turned Artist

Sigh! This was my first reaction when I spotted this weatherboard country cottage located in New South Wales, Australia. It manages to look quirky and dreamy all at the same time! The cottage has been rented by Laura Jones who is a florist turned artist. This is a home full of color, passion, love and warmth.

Do you love it as much as I do? You can view the entire home here!

  

Images: via