Happiness is Homemade So Let’s Go Find It :)

 I am a sentimental fool and I am quite happy being one :) I am very zealous and protective when it comes to my family and I love preserving memories......be it scraps of paper, frayed photographs, heirlooms and so much more. Every trip back to India, I insist on working on some project or the other related to the past! It keeps everyone including my parents on their toes :) During this lockdown,I have dedicated even more time to this passion of mine!! While there is lots to do, I have made a few strides that I am proud of. 

I think along the same lines about my decor. I want our home to be a visual collage of our memories, our life and our roots! Do you believe that authenticity works in home decor? I would like to think so and highly recommend it. I think trend, styles, fashion, fads...... whatever you call it has a very limited shelf life. It is always refreshing to come across a home that is not trying to prove something. Many of us share a common desire to keep a beautiful home. However, the key is not to get too swept away by the plethora of fascinating ideas and trends of the design world :)

Maintaining or decorating a house should not feel like pressure. I cannot speak for others but my blog is merely a platform to share my thoughts and present you with a selection of pretty things and interesting ideas. However, I would humbly like to believe that it is also a happy place for you to stop by:) A place which leaves you energized to create, enjoy and appreciate the little things you surround yourself with.

Appreciate the beauty around you and on my blog :-) but be the person you naturally are. Find the beauty and the desire to create within "YOU". Thank you for stopping by. It has been a decade of blogging for me, and its your constant support that has given MDC this longevity. Life in general this year, seems to be throwing a lot of punches, yet, we all have to bond together, stay calm and find some peace and happiness doing the little things. 

Today, I am finding happiness seeing these pretty flowers on my table. I picked them up on my walk over the weekend. I feel a sense of happiness and belonging when I step into my home and I wish the same for you. Happiness is truly homemade. So go find it :)

Sharing the link to my little boutique filled with curated finds for your home! Visit The Shop At My Dream Canvas to view the entire collection. 

Images: Copyright My Dream Canvas and cannot be used without written permission. 

Fiery Hues and A New Week

Good morning! Its a beautiful morning in my neck of the woods.I have some pretty roses sitting on my window. The sun is shining through and  I am singing a happy tune!  I have a lot of things lined up for you this week. For now, here's a post I wrote about Authenticity in the Design World. I hope you enjoy reading it. Please leave your comments here.... and lets take this discussion further! I would love to hear your thoughts!

Image:My Dream Canvas

Entryways and Their Importance

Do you think the entrance to a home sets the tone for the rest of the house? Do you consider it to be an independent space that needs to be given its due? Given that everyone simply passes through a hallway or entryway .... do you feel the need to give it personality. I am loving this entryway today and had to share it with you. 

So what do you have in your entryway that you cannot do without? Is it functional or pretty or both?? 

Image: via

A Church Turned Family Home and A Few Thoughts!

In Australia, an unused Church has been converted into a home by the owner of an artisan candle company and an industrial designer. The Church was built on 1880 and today it makes for an interesting family home! You can view more pictures of the home here!

On another note, here's something that has been on my mind since last night and I wanted to share it with you. Yesterday, we had a friend visiting us after many many years. At dinner, he looked around the room and said "sitting here it feels like coming home".

The comment took me by surprise! It felt good to know that while a lot of time had passed and my home had evolved and changed over the years, it still felt the same to him. I can't explain it better...... but it sums up what I what my home to be. Simply put....a comfortable place to hang out forever!  I truly believe that its not the frills that make a home but how it all comes together:) Its perfectly okay to be spontaneous and unplanned when you decorate. I for one do that a lot:) I like the "lack of rules" that define my decor. I do believe that a casual look can be thought out, and yet not look contrived. I want my family and friends to walk through my door and always feel welcome. So go ahead and make those decorating mistakes Forget the norm, be spontaneous and over time you will achieve the look and feel that you want for your home :) 


Image: via

Is Your Bedroom A Sanctuary ?

I spotted this bedroom recently and immediately fell in love with the style. It appeals to me due to its casual elegance. Is your bedroom your sanctuary? Mine is :) It has everything that makes me feel at ease. Its comfortable without being over dressed. I am going through a phase where I am losing the appeal for over decorated spaces. Cramming the space up with tonnes of stuff is not necessarily layering, its more like cluttering in my opinion :) My bedroom for one has a few simple things.... family pictures, my favorite books, a few trinkets and a comfy bed :)

I think it makes perfect sense to dress up some areas of the house however other areas like the bedroom should primarily be a comfort zone. A safe haven to come back to after a tiring day or a long trip. 

What do you think? How do you balance the two.... comfort vs design and decor?


Image: via

A Los Angeles Home With Personality

I recently spotted the home of actor Matt Jones in Los Angeles. He is best known for his role as Badger on Breaking Bad.  Any big fan out there of the series?  The home has an  eclectic flair and is filled with unique accessories, vintage textiles and interesting furniture! 

For those of you who know me well, probably know what caught my attention ......Yes....it is the turquoise chair :) To view pictures of the entire home click here!

The Shop At My Dream Canvas is selling out of the new collection pretty quickly :) There is a Sale on as well. Make sure you check it out by clicking HERE.

Images: via

Clutter Free Home Decor!

On iDiva today I am talking about striving towards a clutter free home! Antoine de Saint-Exupéry says, “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

I would love to hear your comments on this topic. Click here to read my article.

Image : via

Kiran Ravilious New Linen Cushions

I have blogged about Kiran Ravilious block prints earlier on My Dream Canvas. I really like Kiran's work. Her latest range of linen cushions are fabulous. These cushions are printed and made in England. Kiran will soon have matching wallpapers and upholstery/curtain fabric on her site as well. She uses traditional lino printmaking techniques to produce unique and vibrant hand printed designs on natural linen products.

To view her entire collection visit her website and her Facebook Page.

 

 

Images: copyright © Kiran Ravilious 2013

 

 

Global Influences in Design

I recently wrote an article for iDiva.com and thought of sharing it with you today. Here are some excerpts from the article and a few images from my home!

"There are many ways to incorporate global influences while designing your home. I personally don’t consider this style as traditional or ethnic. There can be modern interpretations of culturally-influenced designs. Tribal-influenced design is all about bold patterns and colors. However, you can present it in the modern environment by tempering it with a lighter color palette and subtler details."

The editor of DÉCOR magazine is quoted as saying, “great design transcends geographic borders, so now is not the time to be timid about getting away and bringing back bits from abroad. Traveling with an open mind, a keen eye, and a willing wallet is the easiest way to give your rooms a lived-in, many-layered, culture-conscious look.” I could not agree more!

You can read the entire article here!

For me each of these exquisite hand-embroidered fabrics come with a story. The bedspread in the first image, the one with the white base was bought by my mother for me.  I think it was the early 90's when I was still in college. We were travelling in Rajasthan ( India) and found this in a tiny village. The bedspread is over 20 years old but continues to be a favorite in my linen closet :)  The dark red rug is from Mexico. I found it at a night market by the beach. There are many stories I could share......but I will stop rambling now :) 

This is the time for craft revival around the world and that makes it an interesting time in the design world. Whether you incorporate just a few elements or more, bringing global influences into home décor seems to be a strong design trend for 2013.

What are your thoughts on this topic? I would love to hear from you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images: My Home and subject to copyright!

 

 

Joining Tuesday Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.

Joining Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage.

Joining the Aloha Friday Blog Hop at What Jean Likes.

Schuyler Samperton

Pink is usually not my color, but I can't help but admire the work of Los Angeles based designer Schuyler Samperton. I like how this room looks colorful, elegant, modern and stylish all at the same time.

Her work has recently been featured in the March issue of Vogue. To view her portfolio click here.

Images: via

THE COLOR RED

Red is bold and beautiful. How many of you would paint a wall or a room Red?  Would you rather go with a dramatic red accent like in the last image? A Red wall or Red accessories ???? Take your pick and let me know :-)

It is an absolutely gorgeous..... bright and beautiful day in my neck of the woods. Hope your week is going well?

Images I and 3: via, Image 2 via

Spring and an interview on Purplehomes

Its almost April and spring is around the corner. Though we are going through a bout of dull, grey and wet weather........ I live in hope!! The trees are beginning to bloom and there is a hint of color everywhere. I am eagerly waiting to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom along Lake Washington. The display is spectacular every year!

As you know, my window sill is an ever changing canvas. Today, I am dreaming of the blue sea, swaying palms and a gentle breeze :-) So, what's on your spring agenda? My son has his spring break coming up, and I am trying to think of creative ways to keep him busy :-)

I was recently interviewed by Prachi of Purplehomes for the lovely series on her blog called Design Talks. I was thrilled to be included, and the interview was a lot of fun. Prachi is an incredibly talented and creative lady and her blog is one of my daily reads. You can read my interview here!