Easy geometric art

I worked on this canvas for 3 hours last afternoon and this is the result. Looks amazing, doesn't it?

Check out the how-tos

Floral arrangements for non-florists

For me, the home is incomplete without fresh flowers and I always make it a point to get my hands on pretty blooms at least every forthnight. If you are relatively new to simple floral arrangements and are intimidated, don't be! Here are some tips that may help you get by.

1. Start simple. There's no need to spend a bomb on vases and even flowers. Just recycle wine bottles, candle containers, use whiskey glasses, pretty much any suitable container you have. I used to buy only fancy flowers like the wild ones that grow in cool climates, hydrangeas, calla lilies or cymbidium orchids but soon realized it's not economical when you have your own home and to buy those every fortnight. So I reserve them for special occasions and learnt to appreciate tropical orchids and green palms as they are not as pricey as the imported ones in our country. I also look out for, flowers that keep relatively long. I once bought green palms (like the one pictured below) for like $3 and they lasted almost 2 months!

2. For long flower stems, you have the option of cutting it into 2. The flowers can then go into 2 separate vases or arranged in the same vase. This method is especially useful if you only have normal short glasses. The following picture illustrates this step.

3. To keep flowers longer, I tend to trim the stems diagonally to allow it to absorb more water. If you're feeling it, every 2-3 days, trim the stem slightly more to get rid of the soggy/browned portion.

4. The result - Master bath-room.

5. The result - Master bed-room

6. The living room - Bar area

7. The result - The entry console table

Just 4 stalks of purple mokara orchids gave me pretty arrangements in 4 different areas in my home. Going cheap does not mean compromising on beauty ❤ 

Art Deco at Home

The blogworld is all abuzz with excitement for the release of Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Have you read it or planning to read the novel before heading to the big screen? I would love to but it's just that I am more excited about the design, glamour and absurdly opulent sets than the story.

I have always been into clean lines, geometric shapes and gorgeous metallics that are inspired by the Art Deco era or the roaring twenties. I'd love some easy DIYs that are affordable, easy and not mess up. Something that can completed in perhaps one afternoon.

here

Check out the How-To at The Glamourai
 

lorenzo castillo_madrid

3-D art that is not too difficult to replicate. Use 3 tones of the same colored paper on a black background.

here

Perfect at for covering ugly doors or make a statement in a boring hallway.

Go a step further. Use foil tape to perk up an entire wall. Check out the How-To at Kara Paslay Designs

Christian Bérard and Faux Architectural Details

I have this large wall next to the main door and I have no idea what to do with it. I ever toyed with putting up a gallery of photos/art but am afraid my living room will appear too cluttered.

Pictured are the trompe l'oeil architectural details Christian Berard designed in collaboration with Jean-Michel Frank for L'Institut Guerlain. Perhaps I can attempt to mimic these faux architectural details?

Pictures by Simply Smitten

How-to make sangria

It's early Saturday AM and I was feeling unusually chirpy. I decided to grab a bottle of wine and make  my favorite Spanish drink, Sangria. It is SO easy to make I was laughing through the steps (!!!) Laughing at the way I was forcing myself to hold the DSLR on one hand and actually DO the Sangria on the other.

So, here goes. The ingredients -  Fruits (you can use anything you have, really. If you have apples, strawberries and berries, I'd suggest make white wine sangria 'cos they'd look really pretty) For this one, I used orange, lime and some grapes. And then we have Ginger Ale, some Gin (pictured later) and sugar.

Sangria can be kept for at most 4-5 days. But, I heard the rind (from oranges/lemon etc) will make the drink bitter after a couple of days so I decided to remove the rind, just so I can hold on to my sangria longer!

... and then slice up the fruits.

All set!

I used the plastic Ikea water pitcher. Quite handy. Throw the fruits in ...

Add a couple of tablespoons of sugar. You may add more or less according to your liking. The ones in Spain were ridiculously sweet. So I decided to go easy on the sugar.

... maybe a 2-3 shots of Gin. You can soak the fruits in Gin overnight, if you have more time. *warning* this drink looks harmless but it can be quite potent.

... Add a can of Ginger Ale. Don't worry you can't tell its in the drink at all!

.... and the Star! Red wine. Don't forget to stir the drink (make sure the sugar dissolves) and leave it in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours. It tastes best the next day.

I decided to have it on Saturday night while watching TV. I also had some during Sunday lunch as well *hic*

Cute bedroom

... check out the sheep!

{via}

Phase two: Decor

I am loving this shoe storage (look behind the glass table in the first photograph) and the idea of a daybed/a plush 2-seater in a corner (just like in the second photograph). We ripped off the already existing wardrobe in the study room to make room for more space. We set the tone for it by painting the walls in mysterious, a dark grey - almost black with a slight sheen. I already have pretty things in bits and pieces eg. oversized mirror, expedit book case, a ghost study table, a tibetan rug with a tinge of turquoise and a black chair which is an eames replica ...

{here}

.Now the challenge is ... pulling it all together.



Pretty entryway

Have been thinking long and hard about our entryway. We have plenty of shoes and we are planning to get a shoe-rack from Ikea. But I think using a magazine rack (pictured below) to store shoes is a brilliant idea!. Perhaps the hubz' can go into the Ikea rack (thats enclosed) and mine can be displayed.



{via here}

*Updated: You don't have to be rich to be clever

I love to d-i-y even though I never finish what I start. I think these are clever ideas worth exploring.

An idea rug, painted with the dry brush technique with latex pain in 2 different shades. Click here to find out how.

I will definitely do this as its SO practical for small kitchens. Herbs and spices at the side of the fridge. There's no need for extra storage area in the cabinet. Now, where do I get magnetic containers? *UPDATE: SAW 'em at ikea!

{via caitlin wilson}