warm blush...

It's official, in my home the 'warm pink' is the fall colour:-)

What are the hues that are painting your fall this year?

Master Bedroom Progress

Once again you probably thought I'd forgotten all about my bedroom makeover.

Well, I have actually been s-l-o-w-l-y plugging away at it.

The other day I bought one of these:

And then, cause I needed a black-out option too, I also bought one of these:

Now, before you think I've gone a little crazy buying multiple blinds when I actually only have one window to dress I do have a plan (kinda).

As you probably already saw, I also finished (and have now hung!) this:

(If you missed the post about how I made my massive map you can check it out here).

Which, as I sadly suspected might have been the case, now causes a clash with this:

Though don't worry, I'm sure I'll find somewhere else to show-off my starburst mirror.

Sooo, now I've come up with a fresh idea for dressing the wall that mirror previously occupied which involves some of these:

And these:

And last but not least, I found some AWESOME lamps!

 

Well, when I say “I” I actually mean a friend of mine (thanks Maria!) who graciously came to my rescue when I was stumped on which lamps to go with.

These aren't super, super cheap though they are still inexpensive (I'm lucky enough to be getting them at wholesale price which is ace).

Only problem is....I won't have them til early December - oh poo!

Never fear though, I'm not gonna wait that long to share my bedroom makeover. I'm hoping to post about it sometime soon (featuring my current lamps of course - which, truth be told, actually fit in quite nicely anyways).

Coastal Map Covered Coffee Table

For the first time in a long time we were lucky enough to get away for a few days and spent last week at my parent's beach house in St Leonards, which is on the Bellarine Peninsula along Australia's south-eastern coast.

I'd been looking forward to heading down there for ages. Yeah, sure, for the salty scent in the air, barefoot walks on the sand, laid-back evening BBQ's and the general un-necessity for usual household chores though also because I wanted to finally finish off their living room coffee table so I could blog about it :-)

I picked up this beast of a thing on eBay for just $10.

I got it so cheap cause the glass top was severely scratched, which to most people is probably a major deterrent, though to me (and I'm sure many other crafty bloggers out there) was an excuse to get creative!

If you're not new here you may be familiar with this cabinet...

...and this map...

...which both express some of the love I hold for cartography and both helped influence the direction I took to transform my parent's coffee table.

To give the table extra interest and a personal touch, we (that's Mum and I) decided on a map which incorporated the town their beach house is in. So, I searched the internet and eventually found an awesome zoomable historic yatching and excursions map of Port Phillip Bay circa 1885 - how cool!

If you're looking for a map of your own area try searching the image files in on-line National Library collections.

So, using the same process I used to create my large map of Paris (as outlined in this post) I re-worked the map of Port Phillip Bay to fit the existing glass table top. This process can take some time (fiddling with size, colour, cropping, etc) until it's just right. I then took it to my local printer and had it printed on medium weight paper. It cost around $35 (for full colour and over one meter square in size - not too bad).

(The map had to be printed in two parts because it was too large for one sheet of paper).

Then, using the same process I used to affix the wrapping paper to the top of my nautical cabinet (as outlined here) I attached the map of Port Phillip Bay to the coffee table glass.

Dad repainted the timber base white which gives it a fresh, coastal feel though I think it would look great to colour match it with one of the muted sea-greens or sepia tones in the map too. I lightly distressed the edges with a sanding block.

The top has had about eight coats of sealer so is really well protected and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth just like any surface.

The digital map I used is scanned from an original so shows signs of wear, such as fold lines and tears which I personally really love.

And look, here's St Leonards (on the Bay) - the town my parent's beach house is in!

It's really wonderful to have this map, not only for its aesthetic appeal, though also for its connection of place which makes it extra interesting and somewhat special.

Linking this project with some of these parties.

Oh, and for those who have asked, little Miss Charlotte is doing really well. Three months old now and more cute (and chubby) every day.

Her nursery should be ready for the reveal in early October!

Goddess Lakshmi.

A quick post before a big one later this week...

A beautiful re-painted wrought-iron Goddess Lakshmi grill. Isn't it interesting? Found it in one of the by-lanes of a South Indian village during one of our trips...

A Palace for Ayurveda.

Kalari Kovilakom or the Palace for Ayurveda is located in the old princely capital town of Kollengode in the foothills of the Annamalai range, Kerala, India.

Kalari Kovilakom was built in the 19th century and the name 'Kalari', comes from the fact that it was built on a site that contained a ritual space for 'Kalaripayattu', Kerala's ancient martial art.Hand painted wooden fresco in the 'mandapam'

Today it has been restored by the CGH Earth Group into an unique experience of wellness. The palace has two main wings the Old Guest Wing with old colonial western styled rooms & Palace Wing which has traditional Kerala architecture.
A typical room in the Old Guest wing, a section of the palace built specially for visiting European visitors and see the lovely four poster beds and 30's style floor tiles.Amazing carved wooden panels on the ceiling with vegetable dyes. Kalari Kovilakom with beautiful hills in the background.
Kalari Kovilakom's breezy dining area with plenty of light and fresh air. Look at the red oxide flooring:-)

The empty spaces have been converted into beautiful bedrooms retaining the charm of carved doorways.Go in for the ayurvedic experience, learn yoga or Kalaripayattu, de-stress with many herbal massages, eat simple & healthy food prepared in the ayurvedic kitchen.
So what are you waiting for?
Start planning your next 'Ayurvedic Holiday' soon.
De-stress, rejuvenate, relax and forget about your worldly worries while you are treated like royalties in the Palace of Ayurveda.

( images from http://kalarikovilakom.com/)

Creative Connections: Maheshwari Janarthanan.

Let's talk about my next Creative Connection: Maheshwari Janarthanan

She is an illustrator, an artist.

I had seen her work featured by many of my fellow design bloggers.

Simple, playful, magical and dream-like illustrations with subjects ranging from nature's flora to people.

I was piqued by her description of herself as a dreamer, mother-earth worshipper and healer.

Lady in the water...

K+S Wedding Invitation...

I was in Chennai, India visiting family in July-August this year and remembered that Maheswari lived in Chennai. I dropped her a line to check if she would like to catch up over a cup of chai. She was happy to meet and even suggested the venue, which I blogged about here.

A petite young lady, soft-spoken with a shy smile is how I would describe Maheswari. I instantly liked her. 

Maheswari says, "I believe my work is a mix of fantasy, mysticism and magic. It's a platform where I am able to express my thoughts and ideas about myself, the world around me and the world I want to live in.

A place where I can create my own fairytale and escape into my wonderland."

Love Poems…

"I love drawing people and most of my sketchbooks are filled with them(mostly women)."

We (I also met another talented artist there) spoke about our lives as creative individuals, things all three of us were seen nodding at, things about following our unique paths, our passions and our work.

Dreamer Tote Bags…

Apart from being a talented illustrator, she is a Pranic Healer. I have immense respect and admiration for people who help others. In a world where everyone is out to further their own interest here is a person who heals, who thinks about others.

Maheswari says, "The Universe' is my greatest inspiration especially 'underwater life' and 'space' these are things that calm my mind. I don't know whether I make sense but these are somethings that makes me both dream & be in the present at the same time."

   

The Sacred Journey...
"This illustration is about our journey, our experiences through many lives, many births.
God – Birth – Life – Experiences – Death – Reincarnation – Enlightenment – Oneness – God
I believe it’s a cycle, a process. We go through different lives, different experiences. We evolve, we become enlightened. We become One. We become God.
We are God."

As I dive deeper into this divine sea of her work, I find shimmering pearls that touch my heart and let's me understand this mystical, magic gold dust scattering artist.

Tree of Life…

The awakening...

Self realization / Nirvana - 'Kundalini Awakening' also known as 'Serpent Power' & the Lotus symbolizes Wisdom/ Divine spirit.

The beautiful Maheshwari Janarthanan.

A small photo-shoot with the Love Postcards she gifted me. A tribute to this gentle-soul, talented illustrator, whose work seems simple yet so profound.

Love Yourself…

Dreamer Tea Towel…

Eat. Love.

Dive into Love...

A series of 4 brightly coloured coasters…

 I love Rumi's work and here is an illustration by a kindred spirit, Maheswari.

This very aptly describes the Creative Connection.

"We come spinning out of nothingness scattering stars like dust.
The stars form a circle and in the centre we dance."
 ~ Rumi

You can find her work in her blog little one's doodles
Follow her on Facebook here
( Images style by Arch and Illustration by Maheswari Janarthanan. They are copyrighted)