Aakanksha's Wo Gharwali Feeling

Home tours are so exciting! Here's one that recently caught my eye. I spent some time thinking about the title, about how to introduce this home ,but then I realized that Aakanksha has summed up her style and her home so aptly by calling it "Wo Gharwali Feeling". Simple and yet so effective , it means "that feeling called home". Our homes are personal to us. They are the safe haven we feel most relaxed in. It evokes feelings that are filled with joy and happiness. 

After leaving India nearly 20 years ago, my home is also a slice of my childhood that I have kept with me here in the United States. Aakanksha's description of her home and her nostalgia for Delhi is something I instantly connect with. Read about Aakanksha's "gharwali feeling" in her own words....

"I have only recently started documenting my experiments in home decor on Instagram and am pleasantly surprised and eternally grateful for the (mostly) positive response. I moved to the US 10 years back and as it usually is, it has not been a smooth sailing always. From yearning to move back to India to almost moving and then deciding to stay put in the US, it has been roller coaster ride for sure. My home has seen me thru these different phases and evolved along with me. It has a transitional feel where I am trying to achieve a balance between the traditional and modern elements of design. Growing up in Delhi, my childhood home was filled with all-wood furniture and a lot of natural light. Those are the two elements that you will find extensively in my home in California as well. I love how a place is instantly grounded by richly stained wood and how it comes alive with natural light. I gravitate towards a more neutral palette as it is the perfect canvas for me to experiment - a simple backdrop not screaming for attention, that allows accents of color or texture to be the hero. I am a restless soul, most at peace while creating something beautiful. Be It a painting, a sketch, a tiramisu or a home. I truly believe a home is a canvas where one gets multiple chances of a do-over. I know I have had a fair share of mine :)"

I have enjoyed reading about your home Aakanksha. I completely agree with the home being a canvas. That was the thought behind naming my blog My Dream Canvas :) I like to think of my home as a canvas bringing my thoughts to life. As the thoughts keep evolving, so does the home :)

I am drawn to so many elements in this home. The clean and crisp look, the neutral palette which is a huge draw for me. The chic accents and wall art around the home and the simple feeling of warmth it exudes. 

This vintage sepia toned map of Delhi has my heart :)

A cosy and minimalistic bedroom 

Her pretty living room  with an eclectic vibe 

Wooden accents and natural light is a winning combination. 

The last image is the grand finale. This looks absolutely idyllic, the perfect spot for chai, books and some day dreaming :)

Thank you Aakanksha for sharing your home with the readers of My Dream Canvas. Follow Wo Gharwali Feeling on Instagram for more images of her home and her journey. 

Images:  Subject to Copyright Aakanksha Gupta @ Wo Gharwali Feeling. 

Reeti's Green Oasis

Today I am delighted to share a some images of a childhood friend's home. She  also happens to be my sister-in-law as she is married to my cousin :) Now I may be in trouble with my cousin for calling her my childhood friend first :) Reeti and Rishi met at my parents' house and their love affair blossomed :) As kids Reeti, her twin Preeti and I were rather inseparable. We were neighbors too so it was easy to hang out!! We are in three different cities now and it has been years since we hung out properly. However, as they say, childhood bonds never go away!

Reeti and Rishi live in Noida, India. These are images of her stunning terrace garden. She spends a lot of her time there. More so during these lockdown days. I see many delightful images of her terrace garden on her Instagram stories. We all need an oasis to get away from the daily humdrum and this seems like the perfect sanctuary to unwind and relax. 

Reeti is a successful entrepreneur, an avid runner and a marathoner. A fitness fanatic, an avid traveller and a mom to her beautiful dogs. She is the Captain of Adidas Runners' Delhi where she coaches runners from across the NCR region.

Reeti and her sister Preeti will always be two friends with whom I share a lot of fun memories:) They were also the duo my mom liked having around more than me, especially at a party, as I was always running away from housework :)

I love Reeti's plants and her aesthetically designed terrace garden and balcony. So enjoy the views as they are such a pretty sight.....

Vintage style brass lamps, the exquisite wall art and the prayer flags add so much charm to this space.

Reeti and her dog Rustam on the terrace.

Thanks Reeti for sharing your beautiful green oasis with the readers of My Dream Canvas. Follow her on Instagram for more images of her home and her fitness journey.


Images: Copyright Reeti Sahai @thedefaultrunner

An Enchanting Home in Coimbatore Part 2

Hello There! I gave you a sneak peek into the home of Sigappi Annamalai in  Coimbatore in my previous post and today is Part 2 :) Exquisitely styled with traditional elements that exudes warmth, this a certainly a gorgeous home!

Her design style is both unique and authentic . Her eye for texture, art and other details are exquisite. There is no doubt about how gifted and skilled she is the area of Design and Decor. With an eye for picking 

up interesting pieces, she weaves them seamlessly into her interior style. By defying design rules and stereotypes, the end result feels airy  and fresh.

 Sigappi Annamalai  stays true to her instincts. Her Chettinad background is clearly evident in her home. Traditional brass pieces and artwork combined with unique, fun and artistic finds from her travels come together to showcase a talent which is truly one of a kind.

I do hope you have enjoyed this virtual tour of a beautiful home! What are some of your favorite elements?

Images via