Cherishing Spaces

Check out for my columns on Prismma - India's first online magazine on Design, Travel & Lifestyle

2012-03-28T09:25:00.001-07:00

Hello all,

Have been busy this month with a lot of things happening. Here are a few articles of mine published on Prismma. Please read and enjoy.....

Please click on the captions of the pictures to access the links

Please click here & turn to page 16

Please click here & turn to page 72

Please click here & turn to page 74

Hope you all enjoyed these. Will come back with many more interesting articles. Please leave your comments:)

Forest Themed Bedroom for your kids.....

2012-03-09T02:44:00.000-08:00

As children, we always wished we had our own rooms, a place where we could simply get lost in our thoughts and into a dream world. Here is one such theme to convert your kids bedroom into a ........

Forest Hideout

Board created using Olioboard

All products that you see on this board are available online. Contact me if you are looking for anything specific. I could guide you to the online link.

South Indian Temple Architecture....a guest post by Bharathi Palle

2012-02-28T03:11:00.000-08:00

Although my blog predominantly emphasises on Interior Styling and Decoration, I cannot stop myself from sharing some architectural wonders. The temples of India tops this list and I always stand for hours admiring the intricately carved pillars, the ornately decorated ceilings, the carved facade depicting historic stories and the Gopurams (Towers) colourfully painted. Here is one such experience shared by my cousin Bharathi Palle, whom I have always admired for her wonderful writing skills. This temple is located in the Southern State of Andhra Pradesh and is called as the;

Penchalakona NarasimhaSwamy Temple.

Our gods are just like we humans. Sometimes they are happy, at other times sad, or just plain angry. Actually they can become extremely angry, really engulfed by rage, when evil tries to rule over good. Lord Vishnu was in a rage when he took the avatar of Lord Narasimha to come down to earth to overcome the demon Hiranyakashyapa. The demon had been terrorizing people on earth and no one could deal with him except for God himself. The two parts of the God's avatar name Nara (man) and Simha (lion) explain the God's state of mind and appearance, that of half man and half lion. In fact his anger was that of a wronged wild beast. Even after slaying the evil demon, God's anger did not abate. He was wandering the earth under the grip of intense emotions when a kind gentle Goddess took pity over this restless divine spirit. She appeared as a tribal woman of the forest, Chenchu Lakshmi. She embraced Lord Narasimha, directed him to the waters of a soothing river, and cooled his anger down. He was so happy to be calmed, he decided to stay there permanently by the side of the river and solidified into a rock. This is the story of how the Penchalakona Narasimhaswamy temple came to be by the side of the Kandaleru river. The image of the God in the temple is swayambu or the self made rock image of Lord Narasimha. Today it is covered in a layer of fine bronze metal
with exquisitely carved features. The Goddess Chenchu Lakshmi lives within this image of God as one with him. This is the tradition of every Hindu temple, the innermost chamber is called the garba griha or womb chamber and the Gods that dwell in this chamber have both the male and female aspects entwined within themselves. Thus they are able to give birth to positive energy to heal the people who come to them for succor.

Before we enter the temple of Penchalakona, the most striking thing is its location against a backdrop of gorgeous hills. In Hindu tradition, hills attract and are a source of positive energy. When a temple is constructed on or in front of a hill, the positive energy of the hill reinforces the positive energy of the Gods within the temple. We are welcomed into the temple by a tall tower or gopuram. The height of the gopuram symbolizes the generosity of the local rulers who contributed money for the 800 year old temple's construction. Statues of lions sit guard over the entrance - a lion in Hindu culture is brave, loyal, and strong. Guardians called dwarapalikas or those who dwell in the door welcome us into the temple. We enter the temple to be greeted by huge mounds of flowers used to decorate the God as well as serve as offerings to the God. These flowers are grown in a temple owned garden.

There are several huge bronze statues scattered around in the temple premises. These are called utsava murthys or images of celebration. Once a year or more frequently, these images, which represent Lord Narasimha, are taken in a procession outside the temple so that all the people from local villages and towns can pray to the God who comes to their doorstep. It is not necessary for us to visit God every time, sometimes he comes to us. The garba griha is off limits to everyone except the priest who serves to draw the attention of the God to our prayers. The God's eyes are enhanced by bright paint on the bronze cover. This makes it look as if the God is looking at us directly. We make our prayers and leave. Outside the temple, there are several cows wandering about. In Hinduism the cow or gow is next to mother in her kindness and giving nature. The temple conducts early morning gow puja or prayers and feeds the 24 cows that live in the temple compound.

Outside, we also see images of Lord Vishnu's symbols Shanku Chakra or conch and wheel. The child God Krishna plays with a serpant in another statue. All Gods are one but we can always picture our own favorite version of God. We left Penchalakona enriched by the positive energy of the temple and the hills behind it. Penchalakona is about 90 kms from the town of Nellore in Andhra Pradesh.

Thank you so much for this wonderful piece of writing Bharathi.

Readers, please leave a comment if you have read this post and liked it as much as I did putting it together.

Concept creation to Execution - my work in progress...

2012-02-07T01:16:00.000-08:00

Do you remember this concept board that a I created few days back???

A contemporary bedroom with a photo wallpaper from Somanathapura (Photo - from my album)

Here are some 3D views of the same concept created for execution.

Hope you all liked it !!!!

Home Tour - Vidya & Jagan's Eclectic Home

2012-02-06T02:00:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Readers!!!!

Here are a few pictures of my sister's home in California. The beautifully done eclectic home reflects the warmth in this house.

Hope you all enjoyed this home tour !!!!!

Enjoy your week !!!!!

Introducing a Maestro Artist ....Mr. B.P.Karthik

2012-02-02T01:24:00.000-08:00

I am very happy to introduce a maestro in Art (Oil Paintings on Canvas). He is my friend's father Mr. B.P.Karthik. His works include Abstract and Figurative art. The uniqueness of his art is the depth in his paintings. There are times when I have sat for hours looking at his paintings. The strokes range from bold to hazy engaging the viewer's eyes. I admire his fusion style of paintings and his portrayal of Buddha. Take a look at his collection on his website here.

ABSTRACT ART

RELAXING BUDDHA

THE PEACEFUL LOOK ON BUDDHA'S FACE ENRICHED BY THE RICH GREEN

YOUNG BUDDHA SEEKING ENLIGHTENMENT

These are a just a few of his works. Please visit his website to see more of his works.

Tattoos for your walls.....

2012-01-31T02:49:00.000-08:00

I am sure there have been times when you have seen paintings on the walls of Hotels or Frescoes in palaces and wished you had a similar one on the walls of your homes too. There are some who take the risk and attempt one on their walls...but there are others who only wish that they were artists too.... Don't worry, here is an easy option for all you people out there who wish to have some instant art on your walls that could magically transform the look of your rooms. They are called Wall Decals or in simple words wall stickers. There are a variety of them available online and they also allow you to choose from a list of sizes and colours. Isn't that wonderful?. These fine quality stickers blend along with the walls making them look like art on walls or tattoos on walls. I have a few in my house.....take a look...

As I was browsing the net today for some wall stickers, I found this website called Wall Art. They sell some of the best wall tattoos for every room. Take a look at some of their themes. All pictures below are from Wall Art website.

Border

Neo Classical

Indian Mehandi Design

So, check out the website of Wall Art here and choose your desired theme and colour.

Easy and cost effective storage solutions from IKEA

2012-01-30T04:42:00.000-08:00

Every time I go to Ikea, I am always looking for more and more storage solutions. Here is what I liked during my recent visit.

Bed Room

Kids Room

Kitchen

Utility Areas

Living Room

Will keep posting more such useful information:)

All pictures from Ikea

Theme Based Decor....

2012-01-23T07:46:00.000-08:00

Check out my article on Theme Based Decor in the recent issue of Prismma - an online interior design magazine (Page 40). I put together a few more boards for you.

Theme: Tuscany, Italy

Theme : Kerala, India

Theme: Country yet Contemporary

Theme: For the love of red and green

Theme: Whispering water colours of the ocean

Theme: A Dancer's Paradise

Theme: A Newyorker Sports Fan

Theme: An Artist's Dining Room

For more boards on Theme Based Decor, Please click here, & here.

For the full article on Theme Based Decor, do check out this Prismma Magazine Link (Page 40).

All pictures above are created by me using Olioboard.

Stress - Free Colour Schemes....

2012-01-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

Check out my article on " Stress- Free Colour Schemes" (Page 58) in the latest issue of Prismma - an Online interior design magazine. I put together a few more pictures for you.

Visualise the cool expanse and the soft colours of the sea.

Self printed patterns and various textures form an interesting mix.

An all-white scheme would be a good option with a few accents in a different colour.

For a Warm and Cosy ambience, tone down bright colours by mixing them with black or brown.

Maintain a constant look throughout the room.

Add different shades of brown for a warm feel.

Try a peaceful Zen look with greenery.

For the full article on Stress-Free Colour Schemes....Please do check out page 58 on this Prismma Magazine Link.

All pictures above are created by me using Olioboard.

Photo Wallpaper....

2012-01-12T03:23:00.000-08:00

I have always loved Wallpapers on my walls. They not only add colour to your walls, but enhance them with textures, patterns and the effect is instant. There are many types of wallpapers. My favourite is the Photo Wallpaper or Wallpaper Murals. Thanks to my dad, I had a huge photo wallpaper of the Alp mountains in Switzerland on one of the walls in my bedroom. Whenever I got bored, I would sit looking at it for hours. I truly enjoyed it. While I was browsing through the net, I found some very interesting websites that offer such interesting and beautiful wall papers for your homes and offices. The greatest advantage today is that you could give your photo and that could be printed as a wallpaper. Here are some interesting wallpapers from Foto Tapete. Please see their website for more.

Theme: Asia

Theme: Own Photo converted to a Wallpaper

Theme: Africa

Theme: Mountain

Theme: Flowers

Theme: Newyork

Theme: Beach

Theme: Nature

Theme: Abstract Motifs

Theme: City

All pictures shown above are from the official website of Foto Tapete.

Here is a board I created with a photo from my personal album. This board is created using Olioboard.

Hope you all enjoyed this post !!!!

Introducing TUSSE from Portugal......

2012-01-10T06:39:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 to all my lovely readers.

My first post for this year brings some unique furniture designs from Tusse, Portugal. One may call it art and the other may call it design...but for me it is exceptional art and design and stands true to its punchline. Geometric forms finely blended with artistic skills and handcrafted to perfection explains the end-result of Tusse's line of designer furniture. Here are a few pictures from Tusse. Please do visit their website for more information.

This is called the Gorgeous Lamp in a neo-classical look

This Gorgeous Gold and Purple bar can truly feature as a focal point of any room.

This Rainbow Armoire features 78 pieces of coloured glass and just imagine you have one of these in your rooms

BLUES is a majestic and an unusual piece inspired by the Gothic Architecture

NOVEAU - Art deco inspired furniture is highly glossy with an illusional pattern

Rainbow Screen - Instantly creates a magical ambience as light enters through it.

Rainbow Lamp

Hope you all enjoyed this post on Tusse's unique and interesting furniture.

Watch out for more such interesting posts this year !!!!!!

Interior Design Trends of 2012.....

2011-12-23T02:03:00.000-08:00

With 2012 around the corner, everyone is looking to revamp their space and start fresh. Why not kick off the new year by redecorating your house? Some new paint on the walls or a couple of fixture replacements could help you get a fresh outlook on the new year. If you need some inspiration, we’ve got you covered. Here are some interior design trend projections of 2012 to get you started:

Color Forecast

The color forecast for 2012 is looking bright for those who love vibrant colors. Black has been replaced with warm browns and Popsicle orange, raspberries, rose, royal purple, and bamboo tones are taking hold of the household.

BAMBOO TONES

POPSICLE ORANGE

RASPBERRY

ROSE

ROYAL PURPLE

WARM BROWN

Nature’s finest

Bring nature into your home with wood floors. Wood details and wood floors are rapidly gaining popularity as the staple of every contemporary home. Cherry wood finish is particularly a la mode next season, appearing in everything from floors to armoires.

Nature details can also be brought into the home with tree details, like Shawn Lovell’s tree bed. You can also simply add colorful plants to a space to bring a little bit of nature indoors. Orchids can add a delicate element to a soft space (though their upkeep is notoriously difficult).

CHERRY WOOD FURNITURE

NATURE INSPIRED ELEMENTS

Emphasis on Private Spaces

Unlike the past decade, interior design is starting to shift to private, rather than shared spaces. This mainly includes bathrooms. Where kitchens and living rooms were once the reigning and pervading force of house plans, bathrooms will start being some of the most important rooms of the house with garish bathroom vanities, gilded wall paper, mosaic patterns, and enormous, copper, claw-foot, or iron bathtubs.

PERSONALISED BATHROOMS

Text: by Lisa.

Lisa is a guest blogger who likes to work with people to get their Austin homes for sale off the market.

Photographs: Collated by me on Olioboard.

I hope you all have enjoyed this post as much as we did in putting it together. Hope you have a great year ahead with re-decorating your homes.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 !!!!!

Traditional Rajasthani decor with a contemporary twist.....Suryagarh, Jaisalmer

2011-12-09T05:09:00.000-08:00

I was watching Master Chef - India - Season 2 and saw the contestants cooking in the kitchens of this gorgeous hotel, SURYAGARH in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. This reminded me of my recent trip to Rajasthan and our stay at this hotel. I decided to do a quick post with some of my personal picture collection.

Jaisalmer, also known as "The Golden City" is very popular and a dream destination to many tourists.

This hotel is also built using yellow sandstone to preserve the tradition of Jaisalmer.

This super-luxury hotel has an entrance with a typical medieval fort look.

The Neo-classical Reception and the Lounge areas.

The illumination as you enter the courtyard and the puppets getting ready for a traditional show.

Dinner at the illuminated court-yard with folk musicians and dancers - Truly Rajasthani!!!

Seems like Heaven on Earth

Restored artifacts and furniture can be seen in the corridors throughout the hotel.

A beautiful blend of the classical elements like the columns with luxurious contemporary furniture sets this hotel apart from the others.

Intricate Lattice or Jaali is creatively used wherever necessary.

The Bathroom motivates one to totally relax....feels like the Kings and the Queens

I specially loved the block work of golden paisleys on the walls in the room and the door displays in different colours with traditional illustrations.

The Peacock inspired Swimming Pool - Neel, is a place when one can spend hours....truly!!!

Dramatic brass ornamentation on the walls with peacock inspired motifs, the accent lighting and the blue pool is a divine experience.

Verdict - A great place to stay with entertainment for the complete family.

More posts on Jaisalmer to follow soon. Have a great weekend!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

2011-12-06T00:09:00.000-08:00

What I love about Christmas is that it is celebrated all over the world with a touch of its cultural own in every country. I am so fascinated with the way it is celebrated in Germany. Christmas wreaths, cakes, cookies, ginger bread, hot & spicy wine, traditional pine wreaths decorated with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, miniature gift wraps, glass balls and candles.The feel of Christmas starts right from the first week of December. Here are a few pictures of some wreaths getting ready. Thanks to my friends Renate and Marie for making them and teaching me how to make such beautiful wreaths.

Every town in Germany boasts of its Christmas markets traditionally known as the Weihnachtsmarkt. I simply love these markets because of the rarities that you find here. More on these Christmas markets in my next post. Meanwhile, do check out the old post on a traditional market here. A few pictures from the Christmas market near my house.

More posts on Christmas Market to follow soon. Enjoy your Christmas season!!!!

Tagging this to In the spotlight - Santa Stories at Colours Dekor

Bringing your inspirations home....an addition to the previous post

2011-12-02T13:50:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of boards that I created just as an addition to my previous post. Inspired by grey architectural wonder of Somanathapura, I decided to use the picture that I photographed in different ways.

Option 1

Print a huge poster of the photograph. Treat it as a wall paper and stick it directly to the wall as if to form a focal point. Frame it all around using a wooden or a metal frame. Identify the feel of the photograph and then choose the right textures, patterns and colours to create the desired ambience.

Option-2

Get the complete picture screen printed and treat it as a wall paper. Alternatively, get the picture printed on ceramic tiles and fix them to the wall.

Option - 3

Crop the picture in different patterns. Make 3 pieces or 6 pieces of equal or different sizes. Print the picture and box frame it. Arrange them on the wall with little gaps in between them. This engages the

viewer's eyes and creates an interesting focal point.

Have a great weekend!!!!

Hoysala Architecture at Somanathapura.....

2011-11-27T02:29:00.000-08:00

After a brief rest from a nagging shoulder pain (thanks to wrong posture and continuous use of computer), here I am back again to my blog. My post today is an interesting one and that which is pre-dominantly seen in parts of Karnataka, India. This is called the Hoysala Architecture.

For anybody travelling to Mysore from Bangalore or vice versa and have a flair for design, this place is highly recommended. This is a small, quiet town located approximately about 35 kilometres from Mysore and is called Somanathapura. This town boasts of an architectural marvel. It is the famous Chennakeshava temple in Hoysalan Architecture.

The view of the temple as you enter through the smoothly textured columns which form the highlight of this architecture.

According to me, this town which is located on the banks of river cauvery goes unnoticed as it is hidden from the commercial areas. It is now a protected monument. This temple was built by Soma (also known as Somanatha) who was a commander under the king Narasimha III.

The temple is built using a soft grey stone with tints and shades of yellow on ít. It is also called as Soapstone and is a sculptor' delight

The original deity of Chennakeshava is missing but one can see a similiar deity as you enter. The ceiling carved out in several layers highlights the work of the skilled sculptors

Thís symmetric structure has a rectangular mantapa at the center and is surrounded by 3 star-shaped towers called vimana

The finely finished stone pillars adds character and form to the temple. Also notice the stone lattice (Jaali) behind the pillars which is the only source of light into the temple.

Most Hoysala temples are built on a platform called Jagati

The outer wall consists of various sculptures of gods, goddesses and members of the royal family

The Venugopala deity

This temple houses 3 deities namely Janardhana, Venugopala and Chennakeshava

The other carvings include processions of elephants, horsemen, warriors. The paisleys and the florals follow a rhythm.

Hope you all enjoyed this and will surely plan for a week-end getaway to Somanathapura....

A look at the Deepavali and Halloween decor at my home...

2011-10-25T05:07:00.000-07:00

Hello Readers,

Here are a few shots of the Halloween and Deepavali (Diwali) decorations at my home.

Happy Diwali to all you lovely readers!!!!

Linking this to ....of Spooks & Sparkles at Patricia's Colours Dekor blog

My Dream Concepts...

2011-10-14T04:24:00.000-07:00

Ever since i discovered Olioboard, my addiction to creating concepts have increased two-fold. These are some of my concepts that I would love to see in reality.

A Warm and Cosy Bohemian Bathroom with a fine blend of the old and the new

A Breezy country bedroom in blue-green colour scheme for a perfect summer experience

An extension of the farm into the kitchen with a traditional European touch

Can a Halloween party ever be more orangggy in this Living Room??

This is the colourful bedroom of a Newyorker sports fan

A refreshingly inviting pink lounge for the cancer awareness camp

A teal technofreak's den

A welcoming brick and yellow foyer in achromatic accents

I hope you all liked these concepts. Do write to me if you are particularly looking at re-creating something at your home or office.

All concepts shown above are created by me using olioboard.

Beautiful Touches from India......A guest post from Susi of Arcadian Lighting

2011-10-08T23:16:00.000-07:00

Today’s guest post is from Susi, a writer for Arcadian Lighting, a wonderful online resource for lighting and lamps for your home. Visit their website and cool blog for the latest in lighting trends. Eclectic style is all about mixing and not matching. Incorporating design elements from around the world can give a space an eclectic style that is unique to you. Adding beautiful touches from India, in fabrics, textiles, patterns, light fixtures and furniture, is a gorgeous way to bring eclectic style to your room.

The beautiful Indian mural, inspired by traditional style Indian art, sets the tone and palette for this bedroom. Golds in the textiles and lamps stand out against the cooler tones of the beautiful mural.

Indian textiles add intense color and bold patterns to a room or table. Embroidery is a traditional craft that can be beaded or decorated with small mirrors.

Patterned outdoor lanterns adds color and light to a room, porch or outside living space. Hang a group of three in a corner of a room for a beautiful touch of India.

This gorgeous door and arch showoff the Indian love of layers of pattern and deep, rich colors. The shapes and colors would make great patterns for textiles and paint.

Anglo-Indian style furniture and accessories feature gorgeous patterns inlaid into wood with bone or shell. A box on a table or shelf is a great way to add a touch of India.

Pink is a popular wall color in India and looks lovely in a bedroom. Layers of India textiles and pillows, plus more traditional lamps, give this room a chic bohemian style.

Indian textiles can be incorporated into a number of styles of decor. Used as upholstery on accent pieces, like these ottomans, or as a throw, Indian textiles will add color and tons of pattern to a space.

The paisley is a classic Indian design motif. Paisley shawls can be a great place for inspiration. Look for paisleys in woodblock textiles and wallcoverings to add a touch of India.

For more inspiring lighting fixture ideas... head over to Arcadian Lighting.

Images ( 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 )

Havelis of Mandawa, Rajasthan

2011-09-20T03:39:00.000-07:00

Back from a special trip to India. I call it special because we not only went home to Bangalore this time...but also visited Delhi and Rajasthan. Rajasthan had been on my list of places to see for a long time...but could only make it now. Feels so refreshed and I am currently having too many things to blog. So, without wasting time.....here is a post on the Haveli town of Rajasthan.....Mandawa.

Most of the first timers to Rajasthan are advised to see this beautiful little town of Mandawa, which is roughly about 290 kilometres from Delhi by road. We were on our way to Bikaner and so stopped here for a few hours to see the havelis. The guide told us about how Mandawa became famous as a trading outpost for merchants from China. Therefore, the large community of people still settled here are traders.

Most of the local guides have mastered some popular foreign languages like French and Spanish. Our guide could speak a few sentences in German too....

The whole town of Mandawa is all about FRESCOES........FRESCOES and more FRESCOES!!!!!

In simple words...A Fresco is a mural where natural colour pigments are used with water and painted directly on wet plaster. The pigments therefore get directly absorbed with the plaster and the murals brighten after they are dried. This is also one of the reasons why these frescoes last longer.

I appreciate the effort of the localites in preserving this culture. They still paint their houses and shops with beautiful motifs depicting rajasthani daily life. Most of these havelis are now converted to Hotels.

Out of the many havelis, we visited the Jhunjhunwala Haveli, famous for its gold leaf painted room. The Singhasan Haveli, which is again converted to a hotel and the Goenka Haveli.

I was so totally lost in the beauty of these Frescoes that I almost forgot about my family starving after a tiring journey. With a huge craving for Gatte ki Subzi....we went looking for a restaurant.

Look out for more posts on Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Jaipur......

The Surprise revealed!!!!

2011-07-29T03:31:00.000-07:00

A set of 3 sheets of Window Stickers for each of the winners of the Mood board contest. Here's a look at the motifs.


Maple Leaves in Fall Colours

Pumpkin themed Stickers

Various types of leaves with a gold line

Congratulations once again to Harshita, Kamini and Nidhi for making this contest a grand success. Hope to host many more such contests in future.

Design Challenge at COMMON GROUND...

2011-07-28T00:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Readers !!!!

I am very happy to note that Debra who blogs at common ground, has come up with a new feature of providing home decor solutions through her blog using the blogger community. Here is how it goes...

Anybody looking for some design solutions for their homes can send in pictures of their walls, furniture or rooms to common ground. This will be responded to by the blogger community. They can then decide what is the right solution for their problems. I highly appreciate debra's thought process and the desire to help.

Great Going Debra!!!!

Giveaway at Liven Things Up!!!!

2011-07-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

Good Day!!!

Its raining giveaways!!!!

Check out the giveaway at Emreen's blog Liven Things Up.

Winners of the Mood board Contest !!!!!!!

2011-07-26T04:37:00.000-07:00

My sincere thanks to my friend Catherine Turnbull, who was kind enough to judge this contest. Catherine is an interior designer by profession. Although a Mechanical Engineer, her passion for interior designer led her to choose this as her profession. Her extraordinary creativity and sense of style can be seen in all her works. Don't forget to check her website here.

Here is what Catherine says about the contestants and the boards.

"Well, the judging is complete. This was incredibly tough as everyone who entered has done a fabulous job. I had to really study the boards looking for the combination of elements and how they were brought together. Please tell your readers I believe they are all winners. I was incredibly impressed.I arrived at a decision by picturing the rooms. I wanted to understand how they would look and feel. With the top boards, I was able to walk through the room in my imagination".

When I put up this contest, I was not really sure about the response I would receive and so I was only planning for one prize. But now, I have decided to part with 3 prizes as it has been a wonderful experience putting up this contest.

Winners list:

First Place - Harshita Dakoju Tegi (co-blogs with Patricia at at Coloursdekor)

Second Place - Black Board - Arabian Night - Kamini Raghavan (blogs at saffronandsilk) shared by Harshita Dakoju Tegi again

Third Place - Nidhi Hegde (Freelance Interior Designer and a student of mine)

Congrats to all of you ladies. Please mail me your postal address and you would receive your prizes soon!!!

Thanks to all of you especially to you Catherine for the time you spent on this.