Design Dreams

I haven't posted in ages! I have been having lots of thoughts about my love for design. I'm sure other people who like interior design, watch HGTV daily, and have homes that are constantly "under construction" can relate. How can we pour so much time and money into a hobby? Well, it's fulfilling. It's the same reason there are thousands and thousands of apps out there. Not every single app made for iPhones has been made by a company. In fact, many have been made my hobbyists. Maybe your hobby could turn into something big, maybe it won't. Either way, you get enjoyment out of it. That's all that matter, right?

Today, I want to share with you all my favorite spaces of all time. These are spaces I dream about at night. Heck--I daydream about them too! Anyway, onto the spaces. I'll leave little notes about what I love * and maybe what I don't love? #yourfaveisproblematic *

Right, so this is gorgeous, kind of old-world-colonialism-chic. I know that's probably super inappropriate to say, but hey it has Indian/Eastern elements with solid wood & large windows prevalent in the western world. I particularly enjoy the canopies for curtains and the fact that the windows actually just look like they don't exist. As in is there actually glass in there?

Cons--this room is probably a sauna. It's a converted attic with basically no insulation. So if there IS an AC unit, it won't be effective. Also I'm not a big fan of the exposed hay/straw/whatever roof. Clearly, I don't know enough about roofs, but I do not enjoy the exposed parts in this place. Also, I could do without that couch cover. 

The bedroom above used to be my inspiration for my freshman dorm room. I had a lot of posters back then (some have ripped in the past four years) and I really liked the idea of white everything. So, yeah I still think this room is cute. Currently, I'm not a big fan of covering the windows with the city scape or whatever that is, but I still dig the lucite chair. The posters are perfectly cute and the light fixture is also soft & sweet. It's no longer my style, but it takes me back to 18 year old me. Good times.

This is the most recent thing I've pinned (I think?) and it embodies a few elements I really love. The first is the LIGHTING. I have been looking for lights like that (vertical string with round bulbs) and I am at a loss. I remember target had something similar but not quite right. What is that thing on the bar cart? I don't know but I like it. The idea of having a bar cart was proposed to me (multiple times) but my lovely friend and former roommate, Shaguna. I'm warming up to it, but I don't exactly want to showcase what I drink & how much I drink. (Because I drink cheap wine and elderflower liqueur) I LOVE THOSE TASSELS ON THE WALL! I found red paper tassels, somewhat similar, at Ikea in England and I jumped. I bought two strings even though I had no idea where I'd put them. The hanging plant, sheepskin rug, very interesting tree-like flooring, and random geometric shapes/flowers just speak to me. I need it all.

Can you say coziest reading nook? I like the idea of piling pillows so high that you cover the wall. I wish the plants were a bit more lively, but the macrame and the dainty lights kind of make up for the lackluster foliage. Also, I have a very similar old camera. I need to display it now. 

Okay, a loft space is the dream. High ceilings are a dream. Also, I have seen that minimal bookshelf ALL OVER THE INTERNET but have no idea where to purchase it. It's maddening. I'm super into tweed-like grey couches and poufs. I could do without the cheetah-print chair, but I do like the oversized candle holder. Or at least that's what I think it is? The illuminated balls just rawk. Hands down.

You guys. I wanted this wall mural SO HARD. I had plans to recreate it, but then got dejected when I realized I can't paint the walls of my rented college apartment. The bed kind of sucks, but LOOK AT THAT ART. Ombre/watercolor/grey/blue mountains. What more could I want? I might get a bed sheet and recreate it still.

So, this room is a bit darker than what I usually like, but I love that I can look at it and kind of guess what type of person lives there. I like that the chairs are mismatched and you could probably get them all at goodwill (except for the Eames chair of course). I just think this could be a good space to share with a significant other. 

Hanging jewelry is my jam. My jewelry isn't pretty enough (not all of it anyway) to be hung in public, but if you've got it, flaunt it. But yeah, this desk is awesome because it has STORAGE!!! I wouldn't need to put everything on top of my desk, which leaves space to style my desk with ART! Also, I have that desk (but with two of the white legs so no storage)

I don't think I need to explain this one. At least I hope I don't. It's an outdoor movie night with like a potluck going on, right? Get a million pillows, a rooftop and some chill friends and you're set.

What spaces have you been dreaming about?

xx Madhu

DIY

Don't be scared of making things yourself. Obviously, they're a huge money saver. Also, not all DIY project involve a lot of work---I can't even sew and I've done a lot of DIY! If you've got string, a glue gun, tape and a thrift store, there's a lot you can do.



PENNANTS

Just click the link because Karen Kavett makes amazing pennants. Everything I know, I learned from her. She has even uploaded a template for us! Isn't she amazing?



There is this "typography" art ALL OVER etsy. But really, it is so simple to do yourself.

Materials:
-old encyclopedia/dictionary
-glue
-frame
-black paint/dark paint
-stencils (for words or figures)
-brush
-OR stickers for letters

1. Carefully rip out pages from the book of choice. To be really "meta" and "cool" you can rip out pages that have to do with what you decide to paint on top of them. (If you want to paint/sketch a coffee mug, rip out the coffee page! If you want to write a quote from Harry Potter, rip out the page with "magic" on it!)
2. You can attach a piece of printer paper/cardboard to the back so your "canvas" is just thicker and sturdier, but it's really not necessary since you will frame it.
3. Now, choose what you want to do. If you just want to put a quote, I would suggest buying stickers for letters. Preferably in black to keep things bold. Or, you could paint the quote on in your own handwriting for a personal touch.
4. If you want to do a picture, make sure it is bold enough to be seen from far away. Don't just paint a small heart unless you want people to put their noses on your art.
5. Stick in the frame (preferably black, again) after it's done drying.

Voila! Personal, cool art. See how easy it can be?

The collage itself is a bit shit, but look at that board! It's a corkboard we have had for A LONG time. It had holes all over it and just never looked good. So, I got a loose bedsheet and put on I think 3 layers. I stapled the bedsheet to the board and there we have it. An UPHOLSTERED board! It was so easy and looks pretty seamless. This is the easiest way to spruce up something you already have & use. I love corkboard, but I don't like the look of cork in anything but my wedges. 

This one is a no-brainer. BUT it's a conversation starter! Who are these people? I don't know! I went to an antique store and bought these old postcards/pictures for 3/$1. I'm pretty sure the closest antique store to you will have them too. Sometimes they are more expensive, but I don't think they are worth any more money. Basically, dig for old postcards that just seem interesting to you. I chose these mainly because they made me want to know what was going on or because they were just aesthetically appealing. I just put them in a cheap frame from wal-mart, but you could put them on a photo mobile! I have one and I love looking at it move at night. 

I have a bit of a button collection. It has actually grown since I took this picture, but not very much. I didn't know how to showcase my interesting collection, though. (The whole thing started with Hitler mustache Ronald McDonald. I found him on the floor of the hallways in my high school. Nobody was around, I laughed out loud and stuck it on my backpack. The rest is history.) At first I had all my buttons on a string, but that was getting heavy and awkward. I bought this hat at a $1 and realized I probably won't wear it. BUT covering it in pins worked! I just stuck a thumbtack in the wall, hung it up, and I'm able to add pins as I get them. I like it. When I have space for my dress form in my room (IF I have space...) I will probably put the hat on my dress form. You could show your stamp collection/pin collection/button collection/sticker collection in a similar way. Get something that is a cool decorative object and stick your stamps/stickers on it! (Like a random animal figurine) It will be a piece of art in your room.

Well, that's my DIY post. It was very low key because I really can't do much. I have a million sewing machines but never learned how to sew. I can knit a bit but nothing too fancy. My main tools are tape, thumbtacks and staples. You can't go wrong with those basics.

Until next time,

Happy Living!

-Madhu

Wall Collages

Every college student has one---you know what I'm talking about. The one place where most people decide to get crafty, the empty wall. My university actually supplied corkboards in each dorm, which was great because it confined the crazy.

Don't get me wrong, I love wall collages. They say a lot about the resident's personality, friends, hometown, priorities and hobbies. They're really interesting to look at and a great conversation piece. Most of them are, sadly, just waaay too crowded or overwhelming. Examples? I think yes!



So, most people put these things up for inspiration/motivation. I'm all for that. In fact, that's why I had collages. I have mixed feelings about this one. I really like that everything has been carefully arranged and spaced so that it looks neat. I don't like the size. Yeah, teenagers should be allowed to personalize their rooms and all, but I'm here to tell you guys what is visually appealing. When you look at this, do you think, "wow that's beautiful" or do you think, "wow he covered the whole wall...". If this person had just divided the collage and put some of the stuff up elsewhere in the room, it would be less visually distracting and more visually enticing.



This is from Karen Kavett's blog. She is a flawless human being. I think the main reason her collage works is because it has dimensions. Yes, it has a lot going on, but does it look TOO busy? No! Because she scaled the collage down and because she stuck to a black&white&green/blue color palette, things aren't too hectic. The fairy lights make sense in the space because they act like a frame and draw attention to the beautiful pennants! Of course, she is a professional visual designer so she knows her stuff. However, if you're bold and have an "eye", you can layer posters and random knick-knacks too. Overall, this is what you want to strive for. Something diverse, but controlled. Not something that draws attention away from the rest of the room, either. Looking at this makes me WANT to see the rest of her room.

See you all soon-ish?
-Madhu