Day 16: Ever inspiring to me

This is one of those rooms that’s ever inspiring to me. Bar Palladio in Jaipur, designed by the inimitable Marie-Anne Oudejans.

Where do I begin? I love it because it’s pretty, elegant, interesting everywhere you look, intricate, detailed, innovative, traditional yet modern. Just beautiful! Don’t miss the orange scalloped edging at the top of the wall and the bordered columns and arches. Insane.

Marie-Anne Oudejans

Marie-Anne Oudejans

Marie-Anne Oudejans

Marie-Anne Oudejans

Day 15: Easy art - framing objects

A couple posts ago,  I’d shared the idea of framing vintage coins to make custom art. I had a friend ask me how to go about doing that, so I thought I’d share an example here. How to mount & frame objects into art! There’s 4 key steps to it.

  • Select what you’re framing (this could be coins, vintage objects, botanicals etc - more ideas below)

  • Select what you’re mounting it on to (board/fabric)

  • Mount & back it 

  • Frame it (the frame should be deep enough to contain the objects. Use a shadow box or a deep frame)

Here's a step by step with pictures.

I’d picked up this skeleton key at a vintage shop sometime back. I chose a light grey pebbly fabric to mount it on to. Because the frame was going on a white wall, I wanted the fabric to have some texture (as opposed to a flat white background), hence the grainy fabric. Plus, the key looks pretty on it!

Step 1 - Position your objects (in this case, the key) and cut & size the fabric. Glue it on.

1 sizing.jpg
 

Step 2 - Mount the fabric onto your backing (this frame came with an additional piece of glass that I used as backing. Professional frame shops apply it on a backing board).

2 mounting.jpg
 

Step 3 - Frame & hang! (the fabric is creating this ribbed effect that I’m liking very much)

3 framing 2.jpg
 
4+textured+fabric_e.jpg
 

There’s lotsa interesting objects that can be framed into art! It can be as simple as taking a walk in the park and picking up a few fallen leaves, or looking into your memory box for a few things. Or you can source online or go to a vintage shop as well. A few examples below.

Intaglios (here’s a set on Ebay)

Vintage keys

Colorful scarves

 
Erin Gates Design

Erin Gates Design

 

Letters (from the home of Michael Korrs)

 
Architectural Digest

Architectural Digest

 

Pressed leaves (like here)

small pressed leaf framed 2.JPG
small pressed leaf framed.JPG


Framing textiles! (I don’t mind at all that the extra large framed ikat on the left isn’t perfect & that you can see the breaks in the print. Imho, it adds to the beauty of it!)

Pottery Barn - framed hand painted textile  (you could do this with a colorful, artistic fabric you have at home!)

Pottery Barn - framed hand painted textile (you could do this with a colorful, artistic fabric you have at home!)

Day 14: Favorite finds on Chairish

While browsing on Chairish today, I came across some beautiful antique and vintage pieces. I find myself being drawn to seasonal colors and materials right now - spring greens, aqua, bamboo, wicker & some giltwood for good measure!  Rounding up a few favorites on the blog today.

I’m obsessed with the wicker pagoda headboard (#5) - would be so great in a guest bedroom or kids room. Other favorites - the french mid-century sunburst mirror (#2), hand-painted floral lamps (#7) and colorblock ikat pillow (#8). And of course, that fabulous chinoiserie wallpaper (#4). Don’t balk at the prices! Antique and vintage pieces tend to be expensive because of the history attached to them or the design/cultural movement they represent - and are hence, values as such.

chairish roundup.png

Day 13: On the Amalfi coast

Came across these pictures of the Villa Treville in Positano and man, I’m just going to allow myself to dream today. Who else wants to transport themselves to this relaxed wisteria-covered terrace? With everything going on right now with the pandemic, and particularly how Italy has been affected by it, this picture felt HOPEFUL. A reminder of the great beauty of the Amalfi Coast!

terrace - villa treville 2.JPG

Another view of the terrace, with the Tyrrhenian sea in backdrop. Bonkers.

terrace - villa treville.JPG

Dreaming up the relaxed elegance of this Mediterranean-inspired terrace with a few home decor items today -

Villa Treville Inspired.png

Links below


Day 12: Bouquets for under $50

I always try to do fresh flowers when entertaining or sometimes, just because.

A quick tip to make drugstore flowers look great - cut the stems! The shorter and closer to the rim, the “fuller” the arrangement will feel.

Some flowers for a friend’s recent (virtual) birthday celebrations

Some flowers for a friend’s recent (virtual) birthday celebrations

 

But once in a while it’s nice to splurge on a curated bouquet. Make a loved one feel extra special on a birthday or anniversary, give as a hostess gift, or a thoughtful way to congratulate a friend or colleague. A beautiful, carefully curated bouquet is always a good idea. And it will likely mean the world to them! (Trust me, it will :) Husbands take note, your wives will love you for this! :))

I recently came across The Bouqs and LOVE their modern bouquets. Too bad they weren’t on my radar earlier! They have some beautiful bouquets (roses, lilies, peonies, pink ginger etc)  for under $50 which is an amazing price for custom flowers. And they offer same day / next day delivery in most cities, including the Bay. I’ve rounded up a few below that are both seasonal and gorgeous - a visual treat + an idea for future gifting? :) have a look!

SUMMER LOVE - $49

Peach & yellow roses, mini calla lilies, eucalyptus stems.

Peach & yellow roses, mini calla lilies, eucalyptus stems.

Let the romance begin!

Let the romance begin!

EXUBERANCE - $39

Pink, orange, purple, red & ivory roses

Pink, orange, purple, red & ivory roses

Bursting with JOY.

Bursting with JOY.

SPOTLIGHT - $49

Asiatic lilies

Asiatic lilies

Break a leg!

Break a leg!

FARMER’S CHOICE - $39

Grower’s choice of stems

Grower’s choice of stems

A fresh surprise.

A fresh surprise.

PROMENADE - $49

Orange loofahs, mini bananas & pink ginger

Orange loofahs, mini bananas & pink ginger

Super unique. Would be lovely in the fall.

Super unique. Would be lovely in the fall.