A few corners from our new home...

Been completely submerged in home work and playing the role of a domestic goddess;-)
Here are a few casual captures from our new home, where I am still in the process of decorating & re-decorating. Athangudi tiles travelled all the way from Tamilnadu to our new apartment. Love the feel of these handmade tiles under my feet. (The more you walk barefoot on these tiles, the more they shine:-)I have open shelves in many rooms, it breaks the monotony and creates space for adding interesting elements.I love open shelves in the kitchen. Yes, the little black board has found it's place in the new kitchen too:-)A quiet corner with morning light filtering through the coloured patterned glass windows.
Will be back to some serious blogging the coming year:-) See you all then.

Wishing all of you happy holidays!

Happy Holidays...

Wishing all Rang Decor readers Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year, 2012!

Signing-off for the year, will see you all in the brand new year!

(Our bokeh-licious christmas tree)

The Painted Hive Christmas Tree

Is it already a little too late in the season to finally share my Christmas tree?

Truth is, I've actually had it up since the first weekend in December (truly-ruly I have!) though with my 'real' job being in the events industry things can get a tad busy this time of year so sadly my blog's been on patient pause.

I LOVE Christmas time. Whether for reasons of nostalgia or the promise of new beginnings to me there's just something magical about it.

In the evenings when dusk begins to creep around the corner I switch on the tree lights and sit content in the semi-darkness, wrapping gifts as old-fashioned carols hum in my ears (yes, I am truly that dorky - Judy Garland's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and Bing Crosby's "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" are two of my favs).

We bought our dodgy faux tree the first year we moved into our house about a week before Christmas on clearance from the local supermarket for $10, so needless to say, it's not the grandest of specimens. This year I used some snowy green garlands to bulk up its central sparseness then smothered it in baubles, silver stars, sparkly snowflakes and pretty lilies to create a glittering 'White Christmas' for our Aussie summer.

And yes, the few pressies currently under it are actually real!

MN Home Feature: Holiday Decor at Home.

With just a week left for Christmas, the festive mood is on the ascend. Yesterday's snow showers have got our hopes up for a white christmas.

Last two Christmas' we were away from home, travelling, visiting new places. 

This year we are enjoying the holidays at home here in Minnesota and hence I have had the time to put things together in our home that brings holiday cheer and festivity.

The stores are buzzing with a mind-boogling array of holiday decorations, ornaments, wreaths and what-nots. 

Miniature Christmas trees grouped together at the entryway mirror.

As for me I am drawn to vintage, hand-crafted and simple one of a kind decorations. I love picking up things that have a special meaning to me and my family.

We live in a place where we are covered in snow almost six months of the year. White trees are special.

I like to spread the holiday spirit through our home and not just to one room.

Our guardian angel spreads her rosy glow in one corner.

Our 1968 built home has a beautiful exposed brick fireplace, which is a perfect backdrop for our family stockings.

Mr. Vintage Santa was a lovely find from The Cottage House. 

Wooden blocks can convey so many happy emotions.

Holiday decor on our centre table.

Continuing the holiday decor onto our kitchen table. I decided to bring few branches of an evergreen tree, placed it in a glass bottle filled with water and hung some miniature wooden ornaments on it.

Silhouette of the miniature Christmas tree on the kitchen table with winter morning light filtering through.

Moments of happiness derived from such frames forms a large part of the holiday spirit. Sitting on the table planning recipes for cookie parties with large mug of masala chai by my side or lighting twinkling candles at dusk everyday when the sky turns a deep shade of cerulean blue.

A vintage handcrafted mitten ornament for our christmas tree from the holiday market.

Support local artists, buy handmade, buy from small business' or just DIY! There are so many simple holiday DIY's. If you plan to try then do check out my Pinterest

A Swedish Dala horse ornament from American Swedish Institute holiday market.

Add your own style to decorating, change the bedspreads to red, white or gold. A fresh dishtowel with holiday prints or even a simple star on the shelf can bring in the holiday spirit.

Our christmas tree shimmers adorning vintage and hand-crafted ornaments.

A season to reflect on the year gone by, a deep sense of gratitude for all the good that happened this year, of all the accomplished tasks, life lessons learnt, of first snowflakes softly falling to the ground, a prayer for peace in the world, more appreciation for family and friends who touch our lives in so many ways and to be a better person.

The glittering lights at dusk always brings a sense of calm.

Reflection of the christmas lights on the mirror.



Wishing all lovely readers of Rang Decor a very merry Christmas & Happy New Year. May each one of us find the strength to make a difference in this world of ours in our own way.

Citrus season wishes from my home to yours!

As I sign off for the year, I share this quote that totally says it all:-)

'Maybe Christmas,' he thought, 'doesn't come from a store. 
Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more?'

~The Grinch from, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas

( Images by Arch and are copyrighted. Please do not use without permission)

Refresh Studio

The day I set my eyes on one of the lamps made by Rabi of Refresh Studio, I knew I had to meet him and see more of his creations...

My first reaction was "Is that lamp base made of stone?" then looking at it closely I realised it was as light as a feather. It was Paper Mache!

Rabi makes eco-friendly, paper mache lamps, artistic vases, containers, boxes out of old newspapers.

For his lampshades he uses dried pressed flowers, leaves and ferns that add such delicate beauty to the lamps.

Love this vase!

A collection of vases in various shapes.

Another lovely creation by Rabi.

Details on the lampshade.

Rabi spends a lot of time creating each of these lovely products, since paper mache takes a while to dry after being moulded.

He does take custom orders and can be reached at rabfrank@yahoo.co.in

( Images by Arch)

A Nordic Christmas | American Swedish Institute | Minneapolis.

The delightful holiday season is in full swing here in Minnesota.
Twinkling lights outline homes, there are shiny angels and festive wreaths on doors, as you pass homes you catch a glimpse of the festive atmosphere with families sitting cosy near fireplaces and the bright christmas trees.

Weekends leading to Christmas are filled with holiday markets and events.
We decided to visit Winter Wonderland: A Nordic Christmas at American Swedish Institute and the
Julmarnad last weekend.
Minnesota has a large Scandinavian population and I have always admired their design style characterised by simplicity, minimalism and functionality.

It was a bright sunny day with a thin blanket of snow.

The exterior of American Swedish Institute.

 A snowflake welcome:-)

The Institute was bustling with festive fervour as people walked around trying to pick up one of a kind Swedish holiday gifts.
The aroma of Glogg permeated the high hallway. With the snowflake sticker stuck firmly to our jackets we made our way into rooms filled with wonderful handcrafted and unique gift items.

Loved the simplicity of the tree.

With Christmas music filling the building we wandered into rooms of the Turnblad Mansion with winter light filtering in through stain glass paintings and lace curtains.

You bet we were entering the Winter Wonderland!

During the holiday season the rooms of the Turnblad Mansion are decorated in the different styles of Scandinavian countries.

I was completely distracted by these massive chandeliers and had to click them before concentrating on other elements in the rooms;-)

Each room had a table which displayed a holiday table setting depicting  each of the Scandinavian countries and their quintessential style.

 A bright yellow and black pattern table setting from Finland.

 Vibrant red and white combination with elements of nature from Denmark.

 Loads of glass and black elements in Swedish table-setting.

 A traditional Norwegian Christmas table-setting.

To experience the traditions of the Scandinavian countries all in one place in Minnesota was a very enriching and lovely experience. A lovely holiday tradition.

We came home with a Swedish Dala Horse and these miniature vintage mitten ornaments by Steller Handcrafted Goods.

Hope you liked A Nordic Christmas in Minnesota:-)

Stay tuned another Christmas post coming up soon!

( Images by Arch and are copyrighted. Please do not use without permission)