BOULDER PROJECT UPDATE

I got home from Boulder Friday night and hit the ground running.....I had a client who was having a party on Saturday so I had to do some accessorizing for her!

Sunday I just chilled cause Mama needed some down time you know:)

I have some new pictures of the demo over at #fieldcourt and it's coming along.  When you are working on a budget you have to weigh every decision.....deciding where to spend and where to save.  What is going to create the biggest impact!

We are slowing putting plans together for many of the areas.

First up is the foyer....

The iron railing went in!

Nice huh!

Master bath before

It's certainly not very special.....

Gutted.....

t

Opening it up and just leaving a pony wall for the shower.  Nice thing about the space is there is so much light.

Since we aren't adding any square footage we have to give a lot of thought to the other elements of this bathroom like tile, vanity and lighting.

The floors will be black hex and actually go up the back wall by the shower. The subway wall tile will be hung vertically.  Adding the wood vanity helps to warm up the space.

Heading into the dining room.....

Here is the real estate shot.  What's good:  Love the sloped ceiling and it's a large room.  That being said with so much space we decided to break it up, remove the bookshelves and move the dining room into the area.

Gone......

OK here is where it gets crazy.  Deciding on a light fixture and the style of the space.

Now that the walls are all down you will be able to see 4 light fixtures......so they have to look good together.

Since the middle closet has been removed....

There are 3 places for fixtures but we aren't doing anything in the middle.

We picked this Arteriors metal pendant

Then above the staircase.....

From All Modern

Which is why the DR fixture is so important.  I have put together 3 boards using different elements.

# 1

Using the Rejuvenation Pendant I used on the Madison Project.

# 2

Using a new pendant Brian Patrick Flynn designed for Crystorama

# 3

Last using this Nelson Bubble from DWR.

These are all large light fixtures to help fill the space but are simple in style.

So there you have it....would love to know your thoughts if you have a moment:)

My eyes are crossed from looking at so many fixtures and trying to narrow it down.

Shayoverit

MADISON PROJECT

I sure did enjoy my one day off:)  Although I did spend most of the day [when I wasn't stuffing my face] on the internet searching for light fixtures for the Madison project.

We've made some decisions on how to update this place to make it special starting with the outside....

After much thought.....

This became my inspiration!  Go dark!!

Sherwin Williams Black Alder stain.  Now to sell it to my neighbor:)

But hey she was totally up for it.  I'm starting to like her better :)

I picked this color for the window trim and front door....Benjamin Moore Knoxville Gray

Get rid of these suckers.....

Add these....reasonably priced [99.00] clean and modern.

Replacing the dining room chandelier....

With this one from Rejuvenation

And putting this one in the great room 2 story ceiling.

Switching out the great room sconces with the ones below from Bellacor

And the bedroom sconce [above] with the this one from Bellacor

There are 2 sconces on the FP mantel....so I picked these from Bellacor

And 2 sconces for the mudroom.....and I picked these from Bellacor

Updating the lighting is going to be a game changer for this place....yes there is yellow pine everywhere.....but we are also bringing in some dark accents to help break it up using SW Iron Ore

Painting out some doors and windows starting with this kitchen island....

In the guest room upstairs we decided to use a rug and dresser she already had, whitewash the pine walls white [enough is enough with the yellow pine people] and add this Ikea bedding.

Replace this rug in the great room which only amplifies all the brown and yellow....

With this rug she already has....

On the porch we need furniture but there was this cute vintage iron bed that we will repurpose with white paint [remember the walls will be stained dark] and some cute bedding for great napping right!

Here is the wall where it will go....

Scary huh..... stuff explosion :)

And we found this great painting at Lakewood Flea market last week to hang over the bed!

Swell huh?

Can you tell I am pretty stoked about this project? Nobody loves a good before and after like me right?

So stay tuned as we bring this place from dull and boring to a modern cabin!

One more thing....we all know that blogging has brought so many people together.  I tell everyone that it's been life changing for me and the relationships I have made here in Atlanta and all over can't be measured!  Beautiful Michele from Hello Lovely Studio wrote this blog post that touched my heart and made me cry.  I am constantly amazed at the kindness of people in a world where it seems like all we hear is bad news.

I think I will just stay in my blogging bubble:)

Happy Black Friday!  I am about to get my online shopping on.

Shafab

Diwali Decor With Brass Lamps

After the grand success of last year's "Diwali Decor Ideas" blog post,
 this year also Design Decor & Disha in association with Shalu Prasad of Templebells bring to you Diwali decor ideas and inspirations to make your Diwali decor even more special. Shalu's home tour(click here to see) has already crossed 15k views (and counting) on my blog. Now you can imagine what this passionate decorator has for you in store.

Today's post is dedicated to the festival of light- Diwali and is all about lights and lamps.

Shalu has impeccable taste in home decor. Her ever growing collection of brass oil lamps can make you weak at the knees. She is joining us today with her dramatic and spellbinding cornucopia of brass lamps. Brass lamps collected over the years in all possible sizes and delightful shapes are Shalu's proud possession. Let's take a look at her stunning collection of various brass lamps and pick up some inspiration to incorporate this gleaming metal in Diwali decor. Now you really need not worry if you don't have such beautiful brass oil lamps. I have good news for you, let this Diwali be the special one for you and your home too. Below the image of every brass lamp you can find a link that will take you to the shopping destination where you can buy exactly the same brass lamp on heavy discounted price. DIWALI BONANZA just for you dear readers.!!

Brass Hanging Lamps:
Brass has its own charm and elegance. The amazing shine and texture of this metal can easily add the much-needed drama to your decor this festive season. Hanging brass lamp when lit adds the warmth and the gleam of it is a sure thing to bring in the festive cheer.
Hanging brass lamps can be hung anywhere inside the home or even outdoors to make the place look cheerful. Hang the brass lamp, light it up and add some petals or flowers (preferably marigold or rose) for the easiest way to create a perfect festive ambiance.

Click here to buy this beautiful hanging lamp

An antique brass lamp in a company of folk art of India or any beautiful artwork with India inspired theme for that matter makes an unparalleled combination of grace and beauty. 

Click here to buy this peacock hanging brass lamp

Whether lit or not brass lamps are the sure shot way to add the vintage charm. These lamps are used for ornamental purpose too for their attractive appearance and hence can be hung outdoors without even lighting them up. Mix them up with terracotta and clay hangings for a sophisticated and elegant look.

Click here to buy Brass Hanging Peacock Diya with Bells
Click here to buy hanging brass oil lamp 

Hang them in an entryway, patio or garden and pair them with some greens for an appealing to the eye display.

If you have brass lamps/diyas that can be hung on the wall then possibilities of styling them are endless. You can place flowers, petals, colored powder, pearls, pebbles or tealights. Seen in below image Shalu has styled her Lakshmi brass lamp with a single bright red rose. Red and gold have always been a perfect color combination for festive decor.

Click here to buy the variation of this Laxmi brass lamp

Traditional Brass  Lamps:
Traditional brass lamps encompass a rich south Indian culture and have been used as a decor accentuating element for ages. Brass along with bronze is an unusual but aesthetically appealing combination. See yourself how these two exquisite metals are creating a pleasing vignette and wall behind in warm color is setting a perfect background.

  
Click here to buy standing lady brass lamp
or here

The mystical bronze diya/lamp below is called Esha lamp and is considered very sacred. Shalu is absolutely lucky to possess one as it is very unusual and rare bronze lamp. It has Shiva and Sheshnaga and along with diya it also has a pot to fill holy water. 

I am a big admirer of Shalu's sense of styling. She has styled this sacred Esha lamp with her handmade coaster (which is actually a framed kolam hand drawn by her) and a brass Ganesha idol. A brass pot filled with pothos and peach rose is making the vignette lively. To complete the look of the whole set-up a canvas in warm colors is placed in the background. 

I couldn't find the Esha lamp anywhere on the internet but I have something similar for you to buy.
Click here to buy bronze parrot lamp.

Niche in a wall in Shalu's home has given her the opportunity to not only showcase her proud possession of brass lamps but also to style it differently on various occasions. She followed a simple rule of 'less is more' here. 

A bunch of flowers in a brass pot can be placed along with the brass lamp to make the vignette more cheerful.

Click here to buy Nine Avatar Goddess Laxmi Diya in Antique Brass
Click here to buy dancing peacock brass lamp
Click here to buy peacock brass oil lamp
Click here to buy Annapakshi brass oil lamp

The brass lamp in below image is called Annapakshi sakhi lamp. In Indian mythology, Annapakshi/Annam/Hamsa is a bird which is described as pure, divine, eat pearls, can separate milk from water from a mixture of both and said to possess the knowledge of brahmin. Owing to its purity Annapakshi has acquired a special space in brass and bronze lamps hence it is considered auspicious to light such lamps on festivals and celebrations. 

The lamp itself is so magnificent and pure beauty that it needs no other objects to enhance the beauty of it. 

This Annapakshi Sakhi lamp is also a lucky find but something similar you can buy here. 

In below image, the three sakhis(friends) have been replaced with a mystical pattern but the lamp is quite rare and can't be found easily. Shalu has paired this lamp beautifully with a lovely combination of bougainvillea and Amaltas (golden shower) flowers. 

A dancing Ganesha brass lamp with parrots in below image is surrounded by colorful glass tealights and lanterns for a warm and pleasing display. Rajnigandha or tuberose flowers placed here are making the display uncontrived. 

Click here to buy this exquisite dancing Ganesha brass lamp

Traditional brass lamps are clubbed together with brass pots and a peacock wood carving in the backdrop is making this display an eye pleasing one. Shalu has filled all the brass pots with flowers and greens. A framed kolam art is serving as a beautiful stage. 

Click here to buy left most Annapakshi brass oil lamp for Diwali
Click here to buy right most brass oil lamp

A collection of traditional silver oil lamps (silver lamps are a thoughtful gift to Shalu by her mom) and brass tealights with chrysanthemum and marigold strings in below picture is creating an apt display for the festive season. 

Click here to buy the lamp in the middle
Click here to buy small lamps

If you have kids in your home then you should not be lighting these brass oil lamps inside your home. What to do with them then. Well, you can club them together just like Shalu did and fill them with colorful petals. A perfect festive vignette in no time is ready to please the guests. 

Click here to buy left most peacock brass lamp
Click here to buy the right most brass Kerala Lamp

Stone, Terracotta And Moroccan Lamps:

Not only brass and bronze, Shalu has a stupendous collection of stone, terracotta and Moroccan lamps. The soapstone lamp in below image is mostly found in south India and is quite unique. It has a dual purpose of floating flowers and lighting lamp too.
Draw a beautiful kolam or rangoli and place this lamp on it. You can place some terracotta lamps around it.

Check out some interesting and contemporary soapstone oil burner here

Moroccan lamps are paired with some greens and figurines. Colorful Moroccan lamps never fail to add a style quotient to your decor.

Browse through some Moroccan lamps here and
some decorative lamps here for Diwali

A terracotta peacock diya in below image is painted and decorated by Shalu. She has styled it beautifully by lighting it up and placing flowers alternately. A mat below in color that coordinates with the color of flowers is creating a cohesive look. 

You can buy beautiful terracotta diyas here

In the last, we have a collection of the images that show how beautifully Shalu has styled her proud possession of brass, terracotta and Moroccan lamps. To pick her style sense you need to give attention to the platform also on which you will be displaying your lamps. Shalu has used numerous objects as a stage to showcase her knick-knacks like a tree trunk slice, carved wood, wooden box, mat, framed artwork, beautiful table runner and many such eye-pleasing things.  Once the platform has been chosen, place the lamps and pair them with stylish vases filled with fresh flowers or greens. Place a figurine that creates a pulled together look. 

I am utterly thankful and grateful to Shalu for sending such cheerful and spellbinding images of her lovely(need I say enviable) collection of lamps. 

Dear readers! I hope you were able to pick some Diwali decor inspirations from this blog post which is a joint effort by Shalu and Design Decor & Disha. Keep watching this space for Diwali craft idea and Diwali DIY. Also, my Indian art gallery wall is almost ready. Will be sharing the complete details shortly. Thank you for being patient!

Happy Decorating!!

P.S: All the images are provided by Shalu Prasad and subject to copyright. Please seek her permission before using them!!