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Wednesday, January 08, 2014

Great Ways to have a Beautiful Home

When we first bought our house, we were very particular that we would use bright colours in our home. Not the entire home of course but every room was given a breaking wall.
We experimented with bright yellow on our favourite walls, especially the ones which were meant to have paintings with focus lights.

A few years later, hubby decided to try his hand at painting the house himself. He bought the entire store of Asian paints I guess, experimenting with bright shades like code red which was an extremely raunchy red for the bedroom. And lots of metallic shades in gold and chromium. I must say I loved that phase. I loved the gold and he even used stencils to make wall art with gold.

Since we are restricted by space in a two bedroom house, our only available canvas are the walls

The red wall  raunchy? Romantic? What do you say? It's the bedroom after all!




The lady in gold stencilled with multiple coats of the same gold. It is still my favourite piece of art on my wall an remains there In spite of painting another color on the rest of the wall.

Check the below.the lady remains and the bed sheet matches the curtain scheme





The entrance is the first look of the home. I have adorned the shoe rack with money plants in old wine bottles and they make it look lively and welcoming. And we have done what many don't do. Invested in a lovely lamp shade and installed and nerdy saving bulb there. Even if I don't light it on a daily basis, the lamp shade looks grand.

The entrance adorned with the Sun 



I was thinking over and over on how to make a good and unique nameplate, I thought about punning on the word Name- Plate and paint on a plate. But then I thought it would be difficult to punch a hole and mount it on a wall.

Therefore I needed something with a ready made provision for hanging.

I unearthed an old scratched up LP record and this is what I did with it
I first painted the LP with the left over gold paint. 2 coats were needed. I waited for it to dry completely and stuck pictures of all four of us and painted our names with black acrylic paint.
Cool isn't it? (and cheap also!)


The Orissa art goes with the wall decor completely. Whatever art I buy, I try to make it match the concept.




I copied images from warli book and the husband painted them with a fine tipped brush and acrylic 

paint. These are various dancing positions and acrobatics- emphasis on movement more than stills. (It has created a stir in the complex with people asking us -how exactly did you do that?)



I am particular that the sofas be huge not just because there could be more people but because they serve as good recliners. However, my all time fav is wood which I intend to invest in once the children grow up. For now, they serve as diving board, trampoline, etc, everything but what it is meant for. But after all, a home is where even kids feel comfortable, not a showcase or a museum. Much as I would like to keep my home adorned at all times, I have been told that the warmth my home exudes compensates for the lack of decor.


Minimalistic decor in the entertainment section. Check the guitar as a decor!! Expensive!



I  picked up the dancer pieces from the Jharkhand stall in Metro plus show. These black metal performing women with the gold embellishment goes well with the gold wall





Sticking to the living room theme, we adorned the walls with warli and madhubani art in series





And another of the nature series in orange/ yellow tones to suit the gold wall done by the husband. Inexpensive art truly!



In fact, we did not leave the doors even. They are pre designed ply wood that can be stuck on. I loved the design...very Ganesha like. And the peacock painting is done by the husband. Art for free!!

A painted corner...free flowing art! movement and stability!



The other trick to enliven the home is to bring in plants. The good part is that if you make mini planters like these or just put in a plant in a container with water, even if they do not grow, you can always replace them from your main plant in the garden. These tea cups are the four remaining ones from a set of six which broke during, guess what, redecorating and  deep cleaning our home!! Impromptu decor!!



These look good on the dining table!! That's the place they were meant to be any way!!



In fact I put money plants in both bathrooms and I pick up longer stems with some roots so that they create an illusion of growth!!


flowers gathered during my morning walk, impromptu bouquet that immediately brightens the day







Purple periwinkles and globe amaranth in a small glass container form a flower rangoli to brighten up a corner.

These flowers come at absolutely zero cost, that is the best part.




My another favourite way of pepping things up is to put a good bedsheet.
I ensure I pick up unique bed covers wherever I go and especially the thick cotton ones or quilted ones that give a rich look. My next purchase would be a mirror work Rajasthani bed spread!


Or brighten up a corner with a light source. This one is a kalamkari lampshade in leather punctuated with holes to allow a shadow play of dark and light. 


nothing like a real fire to light up a corner
And most importantly, de clutter as much as possible at the same time, create space. I specially follow this with my books. Spaces for specific favourite genres of books are predesignated. I have a different rack for unread books and a different one for to be given away books.


The kids room is a riot of colours, more than what is considered decent!! But since it happened in bits and pieces, it gave an informal wild look. So there are lions and tigers on one side and cartoon characters on the other. 


I am also a great believer in the 5 S principle. A place for everything and an everything in its place- makes life easier. I believe that one must intimately know where each stuff is placed or likely to be placed so that a chore like cooking becomes faster. I hate spending time searching so I ensure all boxes are closed with their lids after proper drying of course else it would stink.


Especially with the homes with lack of space, one's creativity can expand into the outdoor. I have moved from the mentality of plants for ever to being prepared to replace the plants if need be because plants die and one must not spend time moping of lost plants. Buying them is inexpensive and spending a small amount of money gives one the satisfaction that any shopping activity brings.....therapeutic.

A stroke of genius....nostalgic red floor in the garden...I love this especially when  kids sit and play without damaging my plants...
The terracotta pots really last long and look good. Low maintenance. I had bought a couple 10 years ago and they look still new.
This year I picked a few more from the Dastakar and adorned them in the garden.

Notice the rocks that blend with the garden decor


Sometimes it is great fun to follow a color theme in the garden

And I love Urlis, indoor and out door, traditional ones and 
modern ones

Crazier the container, the more creative one looks

a mithai ka matka planted with the ultra slow grower succulent


Terracota cup with lucky bamboo stalks


Lucky Bamboo with glass stones and pebbles 


Being in the fragrance industry, I am a great believer of fragrancing the home in a subtle not too loud way.

Reed diffusors are a great way to fragrance corners of the home especially after a long day at work, when you come home a soft scent welcomes you. Not too overpowering though.


So also flowers especially  the scented blooms 
festivals are a great way to enliven the spirit and I make use of them to redo my home.





So every time we felt that things at home were getting dull, we used paints to liven the home up.
And our latest? We did the entire home in wooden floor. The feel of the wood on the feet and the garden outside fools me into believing I am living in a resort!! Or in a home away from home!

Whether paint on the wall or painting on the wall. 

I have had great satisfaction with Asian Paints both in terms of the range they offer and the quality of paints. I had people coming up to me and getting the exact shade code from me and replicating the same in their homes.
Especially the Sunflower shade and the gold that is so evident on most of the pictures in this post.

Submitted for Asian paints contest



80 comments:

R's Mom said...

Oh My God! your house is gorgeous!!

Itchingtowrite said...

thank u!

Anonymous said...

Love your flowers

Anonymous said...

Wow...lovely.

Anonymous said...

Where did you buy the bed sheet..
NS

ITW said...

Patna. NS ...apnea patna, whad ya thunk!,,,

ITW said...

Thanks anon....lemme know your names so I cud thank u guys

Anonymous said...

Even the boys are matching the walls!

PN

Itchingtowrite said...

Lol pn...I never thought it that way...thanks for stopping by....now come to the real home!,,

Anonymous said...

My fav is the Warli.

Srishti.

Itchingtowrite said...

Thanks Srish...I love it too. I can sometimes almost hear the music I swear

Anonymous said...

Hey did u re do the kitchen? When?
Sandra

Itchingtowrite said...

Two years already sandy...

Sue said...

Love your choice of colours but even more, I love the paintings on your walls. Beautiful work.

Itchingtowrite said...

Thanks sue...all the husband's work. I still regret buying paintings in the early years of marriage. I could hav asked hubby to start then itself.

dipali said...

What fabulous walls and art work!
lovely house!

Itchingtowrite said...

Thanks dips

Prarich said...

Lovely colors, great concept of having a different design for each room, so much thought put in, amazing!

Itchingtowrite said...

thanks prarich....

Anonymous said...

amaranth my fav flower too

love
S

Itchingtowrite said...

they stay for long also S....

Satya said...

bamboo in pottery container...never would have thought of that

Satya said...

Also the bottle for reed diffuser is so different and innovative from what you normally get

Satya said...

Also the bottle for reed diffuser is so different and innovative from what you normally get

Itchingtowrite said...

Thanks Satya!!

Anne Davies said...

There are homes and then there are HOMES. A place you want to get back to, a place where the kids can be kids and a place which will forever be in the memries of te kids. I can the boys being nostalgic about their home when they grow up - the colors, the painting , the plants - they will remember the touch of you and K in every corner of their home and will always be in love with it. And the colours are raunchy or romantic - i think they are lively - so full of life - just like the people living there..... hugs

Itw said...

Thanks Anne. Loved your comment

Swapna said...

Lovely....as good in pics as I saw them when I came over. Warli...hats off.

Mami said...

Where is my painting from K? He had promised me

RSP said...

He he...I remember the time when the kids were younger and you had that green pen scribbled over the wall....

ITW said...

Rsp...i had to come and reply to this immdtly. We used several coats of paint after severe scrubbing and still it did not go . The next round of painting it was finally not visible. Nightmare

ITW said...

Patience Mami

ITW said...

Swapna...my fav too.

Nalini said...

Loved your home ITW. And great tips integrated with pictures.

Cee Kay said...

Love the art on your walls! And the Kalamkari lampshade is just beautiful! Your home looks so beautiful and inviting Itchy!

iTW said...

Thanks cee

Anonymous said...

A new Chhota Bheem fan in the family is going to love the kids' room when he visits them this time!
RP

ITW said...

Thanks RP....most welcome to come and look.

ITW said...

Thanks Nalini

ITW said...

Guys bring them on.....get the comments rolling!,,,

Unknown said...

Amazing tips and tricks to turn a wall into a colorful canvas. Warli art and the "Ganesh" like designs on the door are really very creative. Metallic shades also add a warmth feeling to the house. Simply beautiful home!

Unknown said...

Amazing tips and tricks to turn a wall into a colorful canvas. Warli art and the "Ganesh" like designs on the door are really very creative. Metallic shades also add a warmth feeling to the house. Simply beautiful home!

Unknown said...

Mindblowing house..very beautiful indeed !!!

Unknown said...

Very nice...!!

ITW said...

Thanks ritul

Itw said...

Thanks charul

Itw said...

Thanks wingrider

Mina said...

Loved your pots....

Anonymous said...

Absolutely fantastic stuff. Especially loved the inclusion of Warli print in the decor.

ITW said...

Thanks anon

Itw said...

Thanks Mina

Anonymous said...

Amazing house itw

B o o. said...

Lovely decor, Itchy! Im totally blown away by Ks paintings as I keep telling you whenever I visit you! And you are a great inspiration. I always thought that I need big space to do what I want when it comes to home decor. I love how you take one room at a time, or even one wall and do something there. Come do my house please! :)

ITW said...

Thanks boo. ...u r a star...

Rohini said...

Love love love the wall art. If K ever takes up commissions for other people's houses, I want to be the first to know :-p

Itw said...

Thanks Ro. For sure

Unknown said...

What a lovely home you have Itchy, so warm welcoming and such fun for kids to grow up with so much art around them made by their parents. Hat doff.

ITW said...

thanks Kiran

Anonymous said...

I love your place, Itchy! I saw this come through except the decal quality art work by K! he is truly gifted and kudos the boys to help you maintain this house so well!
- Indu

ITW said...

Thanks Indu

Mira said...

incredibly beautiful home. I love the warli and the red wall

Ram said...

Loved the gold paint. Asian paints I assume as usual?

Suj said...

Lovely home Itchy

itw said...

thanks Suj

ITW said...

thanks Ram

ITW said...

thanks Mira

ITW said...

Ram its asian paints

sweta said...

Loved the colors of your home. I love the free style art

ITW said...

Thanks Sweta. left over paint sprinkled on!

ITW said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
N said...

Lovely home itchy

ITW said...

Thanks N

ITW said...

Indu - specially or you- the boys have got better in terms of not plucking my plants, not writing on walls and helping sometimes with cleaning up. not as good as girls but it gets better everyday seriously.

Itchingtowrite said...

Anne- Manohar zindabad of course!!! not to forget his contribution to the changes that came during the last make over

Itchingtowrite said...

Ritul- the Ganesh style is available ready to do.....

Itchingtowrite said...

Seriously Boo, I wish I had more space.... i have so much to do. so many bed sheets to put

Itchingtowrite said...

Thanks P

Felicia said...

loved the white flowers

Itchingtowrite said...

thanks Felicia

Anonymous said...

inspiring