Design Decor And Disha – Transforming House Into A Home

Posted on May 19, 2019July 2, 2019 by Disha Mishra Dubey — 6 Comments

Tips For Monsoon Home Decor & Care

When nature starts unfolding its beauty know that the most beautiful time of the year- monsoon is here. The monsoon is short-lived in my part of the world so I leave no stone unturned to make the most of it. But like I said in my previous post that monsoon isn’t only about all things pretty, it also brings with it something unpleasant. I talked about monsoon care for home exteriors in my previous post and today I’ll talk about pre-monsoon care for home Interiors and some tips to style and decorate home interiors in monsoon.

Here’s how I plan to protect my home against the damage caused by the monsoon. Interior of the home reflects the personality of its dwellers. So it is quite important to give attention to internal walls too. With time internal and external wall plaster starts to crack and debond. Timely attention should be given to prevent the ingress of water, peeling of paint and dampness on the internal walls. Seepage can spoil the look of home interiors entirely. I have a niche in my living room and its exterior wall is exposed to constant rains which led to the seepage in the wall. I repainted it several times to save it but to no avail. So here is a tip – do not paint mouldy surfaces as the paint will peel off. First clean and dry the surface then start painting.

No matter how costly your furniture and furnishing are, how beautifully you have arranged everything around your home, if internal walls are not in good condition and dampness, peeled paint and ugly spots of mould are visible then it definitely ruins the look of the home interiors. To get rid of seepage and dampness, I am going to get waterproofing of internal walls done. After that I plan to get the wall painting done. Specially formulated wall paints for interiors are what I am opting for. Silk Glamour tops the list because paint fumes are my biggest concern and I got to know that this product is free of harmful chemicals and is low in VOC (Volatile Organic Compound).

Next issue is mould. Moisture level increases in the air during monsoon which leads to dampness and mould on the wall and ceiling. Here are some tips to keep the mould at bay. Fix all the plumbing and roof leaks. Keep all the materials dry. Moisture control is the key to keep mould from growing. Kitchen sink, bathroom floor and walls are the surfaces that remain wet most of the time so make sure to clean, disinfect and dry these surfaces regularly. Keeping windows open to permit air circulation is the best way to let dry the wet surfaces. Moving furniture little away from the wall for proper air circulation will help in controlling the dampness on the wall and it will limit the growth of mould. Moulds can easily grow and spread in the soil of house plants. Adding mold preventing solutions in soil is the solution to this problem.

Once these monsoon-related problems are tackled, it is easy to decorate and style our homes with accessories that are just perfect for monsoons like plants, blooms, aroma candles, quilts, colorful furnishing and spices. Here’s how.
Monsoon is ideal weather to snuggle up with a hot cup of tea and a warm quilt that will be your best companion in this windy weather. I always place a quilt either on the back of my swing chair or on the sofa so that I can grab it easily whenever I want it. The shades of black and grey start to overpower during monsoon so to add some cheer I place fresh blooms in vivid colours. A bunch of flowers placed on a coffee table or single stem flowers in any corner make an elegant display and perk up any space instantly. Furnishings in bright hues also help in lifting the mood in grey weather.

When monsoon knocks the door nature replaces brown by green. Placing some plants indoors reminds that the season of new hopes is here. It certainly creates a soothing effect and boosts positive energy.
Though the smell of wet earth after rain is just perfect to rejuvenate our senses there is certainly something bad about this season too and that is musty, damp smell that comes with the monsoon. So here I have a tip to get rid of that unpleasant smell, make your own aroma candles. Aroma candles not only create a warm ambience but also fill your home with a pleasant aroma.

One more way to make a home smell divine is to use spices. Spices can be used to decorate our homes too. A coffee table is a place where we can show our creativity and can easily bring about the change according to the season or according to the theme. Here is how spices can be displayed in a beautiful way on the coffee table of the living room. Few cinnamon sticks and a candle can do the magic, arranging the cinnamon sticks all around the candle and securing them with beaded or plain twine will create a whimsical arrangement. When the candle will be lit it will make your space smell divine. One more way to add spice to your decor is a whole array of spices in a bowl or tray with some tea lights on a coffee table. To add some height you can use glass jar instead of bowl and tray to display all the spices.

Don’t shy away from putting up some seashells and conch to bring in the monsoon vibes. Place some good books on the coffee table to read and you are ready to put your feet up, curl up on the couch and pretend you are on the hills or at the beach 🙂
Happy Decorating folks!!!

Also, I have the biggest news to share with you all so stay tuned to my YouTube Channel because that’s where I’ll be breaking the news.
Till then connect with me here:

Posted on May 7, 2019July 2, 2019 by Disha Mishra Dubey — 6 Comments

Prepping My Outdoor Space Before Monsoon

We have experienced more than our fair share of summers and now are waiting desperately for the monsoon to arrive. With the onset of monsoon, there is so much to witness all around superabundant outdoors, petrichor, the soothing sound of flowing water and pleasant weather.

My Outdoor Space During Monsoon

Having said that, it’s not only the good that is associated with the monsoon but it also brings with it something unpleasant too. Seepage, mould, dampness, peeling paint and cracks not only make space look ugly but also result in damage to the structure and for that, I have to prep up my outdoor space. Due to space constraint these days, we don’t have the luxury to have a sprawling front or back yard instead all we have is a small outdoor space in the form of a balcony. In my view, an outdoor space if done properly can be an elegant extension of a living room. So I am not gonna like it if such an important part of my home is ruined by monsoon and my ignorance. So here’s how I have planned to tackle this problem.

Peeling paint

The first and foremost, freedom from ignorance is the key to keep your home free from damages. We often give more stress on aesthetics while doing up any space and not on the durability and quality of the materials that are being used. Walls, roofs and open to sky floors are the most affected areas during monsoon. Talking about the walls first. Paint is the quickest and cheapest way to change the appearance of any place especially when your budget is low. But exterior walls are forever exposed to changing weather and can lead to damage to the home’s exterior and the interior as well. I had heard that the paint on external walls only makes it look aesthetically appealing but can not save it from the bad impact of rain and heat. But a little research online gave me a ray of hope and I found the long life paint for exterior home. This weathercoat long life paint protects the exterior walls from all the monsoon-related issues. So I am kind of sorted and thinking of getting the paint job done before the monsoon arrives.

Here’s a piece of advice from me as I have already faced this issue of water seepage and dampness in walls earlier too. You should plan the painting job well in advance by that I mean before the onset of the monsoon. Keep weather condition in mind. Dry and hot weather is the best time to get the painting job done as the paint adheres well when the weather is dry. Spend money wisely and always opt for good quality paint and painting tools, as this will decide how long the paint will last on house exteriors. Most of the time I paint the walls of my home all by myself and I know it is just too much hassle and moreover, I will be travelling in the first week of June, so I am tight on time and budget too. That’s why I have opted for Berger’s Express Painting Service. When I checked out their website for colours, oh boy!!! I was spoilt for the choice. I know that walls in bright colours help us to transform the space from dull and boring to bright and beautiful. Right paint colour can make space look bigger and brighter, it is also a powerful tool to set the mood and theme of any space. Bold colours deliver the most drama and are in vogue. I kept scrolling down their web page and was quite impressed with the range of paint colours they have. I decided to choose the colour that complements my house architectural design.

Next comes the floor. It is as important as the walls. It needs proper maintenance and care from time to time. Proper floor inspection should be done after every fixed period of time and especially before monsoon to see if there is any damage. If the floor doesn’t have a proper slope to allow water to drain off the floor then there are chances of water clogging which in turn can be a reason for tile damage. The solution to this problem is specially formulated tile grout which works as water resistant.

Painting walls, door, windows and trims just don’t work for me to change the look of my outdoor space I am planning to paint the outdoor furniture too. As the fresh coat of paint will give the furniture a new lease of life. Furniture in hues like teal, blue, red, lime green and bright red can add pizzazz to an otherwise dull and boring space. My outdoor space is open to sky so I have opted for the furniture that doesn’t rot in extreme weather conditions; well you have lots of choices for outdoor furniture these days. If your outdoor space isn’t in an open area then don’t worry at all about the weather and you can furnish your outdoor space with your choice of furniture like wicker, rattan, and wrought iron or wooden. Folding furniture is a great spacing saving idea.

Fresh Coat Of Paint On Furniture

Next, I plan to accessorise my outdoor space in a way that it’s not a hassle to move things quickly when it starts to rain. I will be creating an enchanting setting by placing some eye-catching planters with pretty ornamental plants. Maybe I will paint the planters myself in some bright and cheerful colours that go perfectly well with the colour palette of my outdoor space. As my balcony is a small space going vertical will save me a lot of space. Wooden step ladder, hanging baskets or wall mounted plant holders are the ways to add green without taking much space. Maybe then I’ll add a water body or an attractive sculpture to add wow factor.

Outdoor Accessories

To create a focal point, I’ll place attention-grabbing accent pieces like Moroccan lamp, sea shells, watering can serving as a vase, some waterproof tealights to create a pulled together cosy, warm monsoon look.

I’ll complete the look by hanging some waterproof fairy lights. Nothing other than a soft warm glow of dim and twinkling lights can add a charm to any space. That’s all I have on my “To Do list” to safeguard my outdoor space from the monsoon. Hope you too have found some tips and tricks.

Signing off now. See you all soon.
Happy Decorating!!

Till then connect with me here:

Posted on March 19, 2019July 2, 2019 by Disha Mishra Dubey — 6 Comments

Sanjhi – The Art Of Paper Cutting

In today’s post on our Indian Art form series, I’m gonna talk about the art of paper cutting or better known as Sanjhi. Like the name itself suggests Sanjhi or paper cutting art is an art of paper cutting. The paper is cut in a way that the paper holds together and yet it shows a beautiful intricate pattern on it. For the complete tutorial on Sanjhi, watch the video below.

Origin:
Sanjhi is practised in Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh in India. Though the paper cutting work is done all across the world, Sanjhi is little different. Sanjhi is said to have originated around 400-500 years ago in the 16th or 17th century. So like all the other Indian Artforms I have shared here previously, this art form is also very ancient. Some craftsmen believe that Sanjhi word is derived from Saanjh or Shaam which means dusk, the time of day when temple floors are decorated using these stencilled papers and on the other hand, some craftsmen believe that Sanjhi word is derived from saaj-sajja or sajavat which means decoration because these papers are used to decorate temple floors.

Image Source: The Hindu

Theme:
Since it is a traditional art form of Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the theme mainly depicts the life of Lord Krishna and his leelas. Temple floors and walls are decorated using these stencilled paper and rangoli (powdered colors). This art form is highly refined so it is mainly done by the Brahmin priests. Nowadays only a few families to be precise only 14 or 15 families are there in Mathura and Vrindavan who practice this art. If you are interested in seeing Sanjhi in temples then Radharaman temple in Vrindavan is the place where you can see this art. It is believed that Radhe (Radha) used to decorate her walls and floors using colored papers, foils, colored stones and flowers and leaves to woo Krishna and then all the other Gopis followed the suit. But during the Mughal period, the art form began to depict more scenes like Mughal architecture, floral and geometric patterns and various other scenes.

Style:
Like I said earlier, it is an art of paper cutting so only paper, specially designed scissors and sometimes blade is used to cut paper and then intricate mythological figures, floral and geometric patterns are cut into the paper. And here I would like to share an amazing fact that in its traditional form, craftsmen don’t draw or trace the design on the paper they would just make the paper cutting directly on the paper and it is done precisely that you wouldn’t be able to find any flaw.
Here I would like to mention two names who are still reviving this art form and keeping it alive. They are Mr Mohan Kumar Verma and Mr Ram Soni. They are fourth generation Sanjhi artists.

Process:
The process is simple. I have divided it into two steps
1. Draw/trace/print the design on paper and
2. Start cutting the design

Below are the supplies you’ll need to make paper cutting artwork.
Supplies:
1. Paper
For paper cutting art you will obviously need a paper. It can be a handmade paper, good quality printing paper, watercolor paper or any paper from 90 gsm to 385 gsm. But remember the thinner the paper is, the easier it is to cut but that will increase the chances of making mistakes. The thicker the paper is, the harder it is to cut but then there will be fewer chances of tearing the paper accidentally. I’m using 120 gsm A4 size scrapbooking paper.

2. Cutting Mat
You will need self-healing cutting mat so that your work surface is protected. Otherwise, you’ll end up making the surface of your desk full of scratches. I would suggest you get the bigger mat as having a bigger cutting mat gives you enough working space and allows you free hand movement while cutting the paper. The mat given below has grid and patterns marked on both sides. This is a must-have item for a crafter or for people who love DIYs.

3. Blade or Scalpel
You will need a scalpel for cutting paper. So make sure you have some spare blades too in case you need them during the process. Keep all the spare blades safe in a case to protect yourself from accidental blade cuts.

4. Pencil, ruler and eraser
You will need a pencil to draw a design on the paper and ruler to cut straight lines.

1. Draw/trace/print the design on paper
Place the paper on the work surface and for design either you can draw your own design like I did. If drawing isn’t your cup of tea then below is the template for you to copy. Just download and print it. There are several other websites from where you can download free paper cutting templates (Goole it). The printed side will be the wrong side so make sure you print the mirror image of the design. The design is cut on the printed side of the paper and once the other side will be the right side where no pencil marks or print will be visible.
*Tip: Do not apply cream or moisturizer on your hands otherwise you’ll end up staining your paper.

I drew the fish with Pichwai lotuses especially for you all so that it is easier for you to start the paper cutting art with this easy template. All you need to do here is just cut out all the black or shaded part of the design carefully. For the outline of the fish please draw one more outline as I forgot to click that picture and while cutting that outer outline leave some tabs too (Watch the video for clear instructions) Once you are confident enough to cut complex designs, you can start cutting the fish design with intricate patterns. All the instructions are given in my YouTube video above.

Design Created by Disha Mishra Dubey

2. Start cutting the design
Now place the paper on the cutting mat and hold the knife like a pen and try to keep even pressure. Enjoy the process and relax. Don’t do it in a hurry. This process requires enormous concentration, patience and skills but it relieves your stress and you will love getting lost in it for hours. There’s no set way to learn paper cutting art. Keep practising and you will learn it.

Sanjhi – The Art Of Paper Cutting

For cutting straight lines you can use a ruler but for curved designs it is better to move the paper around. While making cuts hold the paper with the other hand for better control. Cut the paper deeply enough that it goes through the paper but not too deep. Remove the pieces of paper as you cut them out. You can use the blade’s tip to lift the chip of paper and pull it with your fingers gently. If it doesn’t come out easily then use the blade to cut the paper where it is stuck and then it will come out easily.

Sanjhi – The Art Of Paper Cutting

To cut complex and intricate patterns, cut as close as you can to either side of the pencil line. Do it slowly and enjoy every bit of the process.

Sanjhi – The Art Of Paper Cutting

No matter how pro the artist is the blade sometimes slips and can sever the element of the design. Don’t panic. Use either sticky tape to fix the element or use a chip of paper to stick on the tear. Once the design is complete, reverse the paper to reveal the right side of the design. Now either you can get the design framed as is pressed between two glasses or you can stick the design on the contrasting paper to make it more interesting.

I have tried to place my paper cutting artwork on various colored papers and now I am totally confused about the right color background. Please help!!

(From top left to bottom right
Sapphire, Ochre, Maroon, Cyan, Brown, Black)

I hope you liked today’s post In case you try to make this art then don’t forget to share your creation with me on my Instagram or Facebook. I’ll be coming up with more creative posts. Stay Tuned!!

Till then connect with me here:

Posted on December 8, 2018July 2, 2019 by Disha Mishra Dubey — Leave a comment

Kokedama: Japanese Art Of Growing Plants On A Moss Ball

Kokedama is a Japanese art of growing plant on a Moss ball. Word Kokedama translates like this

Koke: Moss Dama: Ball

It is also known as poor man’s bonsai.

Kokedama in my balcony garden

Recently, I tried to make Kokedama for the first time and I loved the fact that it doesn’t require any pot to grow the plants. Just make a ball of soil and moss and grow tiny plants on it. Kokedama can be hung or kept on a desk or floor indoors as well as outdoors. To watch the complete video on my YouTube channel, you can click here.

Things you’ll need to make Kokedama:

Compost – 1 part
Coco Peat – 1 part
Garden Soil – 1/2 part
Tray/bowl to mix ingredients
Scissors
Gardening Gloves
Sphagnum Moss
Ornamental Plants
Water
String/Twine/Yarn

SUBSTITUTES-
Now there is no need to worry if you don’t get all the supplies. Here are the substitutes:
Instead of compost + Cocopeat + Soil, you can take just Bonsai soil + Coco peat OR Garden Soil and mix sand in a small amount.
Instead of Sphagnum moss, you can use moss stick or coco coir or jute or anything that holds moisture for a long.

PLANTS For KOKEDAMA:
Choose the plants that love moisture as Kokedama is a ball of moss that retains moisture. Basically, all the plants that grow on moss are perfect for Kokedama. Though you can experiment with all the plants. As long as you know the light and water requirement of the plants and hang them in a suitable place and water them accordingly, you can grow just about any plant on Kokedama. The best ones are Fern, Ivy, Lucky bamboo, Spider plant, Syngonium. Succulents hate moisture so avoid using them but if you are not watering Kokedama too often then you give it a try.

1. Start by soaking the moss in water. Till it soaks, mix all the components together(compost + Cocopeat + Soil) thoroughly and then slowly add water until all the components adhere together. Now take some soil in hands and form a sphere. Squeeze out excess water and once the soil ball is ready, keep it aside.

Mix all the components together

Make a ball of soil

2. Spread a plastic sheet on the work area and then take out wet moss from the water. Wring it to remove water and then spread the moss on the plastic sheet. Remember that green part of moss faces down as later it will appear on the outer side of the ball. I didn’t get Sphagnum moss sheet so I used moss stick and took out all the moss that it had. Though the moss was all dried and the moss stick also had a lot of coco coir inside but it really doesn’t matter as moss is used because it retains moisture and that’s what exactly coco coir will do too.

3. Now take out the plant from the pot. Loosen the soil around the root. Make sure you are not damaging root ball or disturbing root system. Now crack open the soil ball into two halves like shown in the image below and then place the roots carefully in the centre. Now make the ball of soil again and if required you can add some more soil at this stage to make a perfect sphere.

4. Place this ball of soil on the moss that we prepared in the second step. Gently pick up the plastic sheet from all the sides and press firmly to wrap the moss around the soil ball. Make sure that moss adheres to the soil ball.

5. Now take a twine or string and wrap it around the moss ball in a random fashion and secure the ends by tieing the knots. Now attach a string on the top of the moss ball and there you have it. Kokedama is ready to enhance the beauty of your garden.

To water Kokedama all you need to do is just use a sprayer and spray water until you see water dripping from the sphere. Or alternatively, you can place Kokedama in a bowl full of water for 2-3 mins and then take it out. Water Kokedama every alternate day or according to plant’s need. If it is succulent then you can skip watering for 8-10 days.

So making Kokedama is not a big deal. It requires minimal skill and very few supplies. I hope you like the tutorial. Be little more creative and try to make it different shapes, sizes and colours.
Happy Gardening!!!
Stay tuned and till then connect with me here:

Posted on November 6, 2018July 2, 2019 by Disha Mishra Dubey — 7 Comments

Home Tour: Vineetha Ramchandran

Starting the post with a famous quote by George A. Moore, “A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns HOME to find it.” How succinctly this quote captures the emotion of every home dweller. Home holds a special place in heart of its dwellers.

Today I have a guest on my blog all the way from Dubai, Vineetha Ramchandran born and brought up in Dubai is a true blue Indian. She is also a Buddha lover and loves to surround herself with loads of colors just like me and I am of opinion that “Law Of Attraction” worked and we got acquainted on Instagram and then she gave me a sneak peek inside her home which I couldn’t resist sharing with you all. Recently she took the plunge and started sharing delightful images of her abode on Instagram @The Gramophone Diaries.

Though this home tour was supposed to go live ages ago but creating content for my YouTube channel is taking a toll on my writing skills and despite sitting for hours I couldn’t write. So I decided to revive my passion for writing once again and now I’ll try to post at least 2-3 blogs every month.

Over to Vineetha now as she gives us a tour of her home revealing all the relevant facts.

“As you know, I live in Dubai and working in advertising for the past 10 yrs. I share my home with my wonderful husband. I was born and brought up here. Like most South Indian families, my parents also enrolled me in everything from classical dancing to music to drama to arts. I believe this education in Indian arts has really shaped my outlook towards decor elements and especially color. Probably also why I am so attracted to everything that is boldly Indian. Majority of the decor accents are from travels. There are some that are from Indian vintage stores from down south.”

I love how Vineetha has embraced colors with open arms and mixed them masterfully without making the place look overwhelming. Cool blue happily mingles with warm orange and together they create positive vibes and cosy ambience. Accent pieces range from vintage to modern and traditional to contemporary. One such vintage piece placed on the rug can’t go unnoticed.

Further, Vineetha adds “I respect minimalism but it is definitely not my cup of tea (as you can probably tell :D). More is more and less is bore 😀 Hence everything at home is what I call collected clutter.”

“I am obsessed with colors. I have a thing for quirky and kitsch stuff and it runs across my house. I am not a huge fan of mass retail furniture homes and prefer to collect my accents when I travel. I believe every home needs to tell a story and mine is that of an eclectic enchanted abode.”

I can’t agree more with Vineetha. When it comes to decorating a home we should showcase our personalities.

Vineetha enthusiastically says, “I am supremely fond of Buddhas. I have about 7 just in my living room”.
And why not, when your life is too busy and contributing to yang energy then it is important to bring peace as calm yin energy will balance the active yang energy. Buddha is synonymous with tranquillity and hence placing Buddha can create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

Vineetha has collected many vintage pieces. She says, “I love vintage looking frames”.

“The gramophone is my prized possession. We bought it from a vintage and antique store in a small town in Kerala.”

“The frame in the hallway is something that I made with my spare coasters (again obsessed with coasters. I collect them wherever I go).”

“The shower curtain in the bathroom is one my faves at home”

You can easily breathe new life in your space simply by placing beautiful cushions on the couch. Vineetha knows this trick well and says, “I really go and invest in my cushions. I check online, I look for unique pieces when I travel. Super like statement cushions or cushions with a story.”

Her love for colors and patterns is quite evident in her home. Here is an image of her bedroom that sums it up all. Colors that soothe senses and patterns that make me smile.

With this, we come to an end of this home tour. Thanks a bunch Vineetha for letting us all take a peek inside your gorgeous, vibrant and aesthetically pleasing home. Wish you love, luck & sunshine!!

That’s all dear readers! I hope you enjoyed this post after such a long gap.

This is Diwali week and I wish you all a very happy and prosperous Diwali!! Have a safe and memorable one 🙂

Stay tuned and till then connect with me here:

Posted on September 17, 2018July 2, 2019 by Disha Mishra Dubey — 12 Comments

Indian Festive Decor Ideas

The festive season is upon us and this is very exuberant time of the year.

Monsoon rain has eased in most places and there a nip in the air. There is an excitement and enthusiasm in the atmosphere which is quite infectious. On this cheerful festive occasion, I have some easy tips and ideas to decorate your home to set the mood for festivities.

Image Credit: Shalu Prasad

Strings Of Marigold:
Nothing beats the beauty of real marigold but buying them in abundance during festivities can burn a hole in your pocket. So here is a way to make your own marigolds provided either you have some time on your hands or you have some helping hands. Here’s a video on how to make your own marigold (Audio quality in the video is not very good but instructions are clear).

Now, what if you neither have enough time nor have any helping hand. Then the easiest way is to buy faux marigold strings that can be found in local markets and can be seen in abundance during the festivities. Though these are more expensive than real marigolds (4 feet long string can cost you anything between 70-90 bucks) but on the bright side, they are washable and reusable. So you can use them multiple times and can store them when they are not needed. I have seen some really good quality marigold strings online as well.

These marigold strings create the perfect backdrop for festive decor. You can see the festive cheer added by these marigold strings in below images.

Image Credit: Shalu Prasad

Mirror Hangings:
Apart from the liveliness added by flowers festivals are about adding lots of bling too. So let’s create blingy hangings. You’ll need thread, embroidery mirrors, marigolds and hot glue. Here’s the process:

In case you have got no time to make these hangings on your own then below are the links for you.

DIY Tealight Holder:
Creating something by yourself brings unbeatable joy. The tealights in below image are made out of disposable cups. I already have a tutorial on this. Please click here for the complete tutorial.
Here is how these glistening tealight holders create a warm ambience.

This stone studded tealight holders are a perfect addition to your festive decor.

Lotus Tealights:
One more tealight that is super easy to make and demands less time is this lotus tealight. You can make them multicoloured, double shaded or in a single shade. The supplies you will need are acrylic stones, a cardboard or CD, hot glue, beads and tealight.

Click here for the complete tutorial that I have already published.

See how magical and divine these lotus tealight holders look. I hope you liked the tips and ideas shared here and will be incorporating them in your this year’s festive decor. I’ll be coming up with more such festive decor ideas. So stay Tuned!!
Till then connect with me here:

Posted on July 2, 2018July 2, 2019 by Disha Mishra Dubey — 9 Comments

Themed Bedsheets For Kids

For grown-ups, bedroom is a place where they relax, start and end their day so it should be very relaxing, calming, comfortable and functional. But for kids, it’s a space where they spend a

lot of time playing, acting, imagining, creating and of course sleeping. A kids’ bedroom is a place that

reflects their rainbow personalities. Every kid has a favourite cartoon character and taking the cue from it you can choose a theme for their room. Some kids like Disney characters or superheroes, for some minions are the cutest ones, and some kids are obsessed with Star Wars, as is mine. My son loves Star Wars for obvious reasons because there are laser guns, strange monsters, spaceships, action sequences, memorable characters, and a unique plot.

Decorating rooms in a particular theme is always fun to do especially when the room belongs to kids.
But you don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket. I would suggest investing in some of the key
elements like bed and bedding because the bed is the largest piece of furniture in the bedroom and
bedding that covers it entirely is also very important, and then everything else can be coordinated
easily. Also, bedding is a great way to accessorise any bedroom. Spaces by Welspun offers a range of
bed sheets, especially for kids based on different themes. So I picked the Star Wars themed bed
sheet to turn my son’s lair into a galaxy far, far away.

Choosing right fabric for my son’s bed sheet was the biggest focus as the fabric affects kids’ good
night’s sleep. And thankfully, the Kids Bedsheets by Spaces are of100% cotton make. Synthetic fibres
tend to trap heat and don’t allow moisture (sweat) to wick away from our body. Whereas natural
fibres like cotton are light, breathe well, and allow air to circulate which in turn cools down the body
temperature. So cotton sheets are useful in both warm and cold weather, and it was the right
decision I made. The Star Wars bed sheet from Spaces is comfortable and light which is perfect for
kids.
Next, I was concerned about the colours and patterns. I didn’t want a giant head of a monster in his
room. It’s not my aesthetic but what about his liking. Is it possible to balance what my son wants and
what’s my style? Of course, I let my son select whatever he desires from SPACES kids bedding
collection, and he chose this Black & White with a pop of red Star Wars bed sheet. A great sigh of relief for me as the bedsheet has a very balanced and subtle look.

The bed sheet is durable, and I’m sure it’ll withstand all the countless runs through the washing machine. My son’s room celebrates Star Wars through and through now. His room has a theme
without looking overdone, and the makeover is done within my budget. It is the perfect Star Wars
themed bed sheet I had envisioned for my sleeping Jedi. Are you still looking for theme based quality
bed sheets for your kids? Oh, come on look nowhere else, SPACES is the right place. Go and explore
it. Happy Decorating!

See y’all soon.
Till then connect with me here:

Posted on June 22, 2018July 2, 2019 by Disha Mishra Dubey — 8 Comments

This Summer, I learnt How To Keep Indoors Cool

India is truly a diverse country not only in terms of culture, religion, language
and cuisine but also in terms of climatic conditions. While every season has its own beauty, character and charm, Indian summers can be overwhelming at times for obvious reasons. Though the summers are over in many cities in India some cities, on the other hand, are still experiencing sweltering days. In my part of the world, the weather is quite pleasant now but summers were definitely uncomfortable and here is what I learnt this summer.

We can protect ourselves from scorching heat by avoiding going out in the sun during the daytime but how to combat the heat that is trapped inside our homes. In this blog, I’ll be sharing some tips to keep our homes cool in summers.

First, let’s understand how heat enters your home. There are three ways heat transfers into your home:
Convection: It is the flow of heat from a hot region to a cold region. In simple words, it means that heat rises. Hot air is lighter so it rises up, therefore, upper floors in a building are always hotter than the lower ones.
Conduction: It is the transfer of heat energy from the hot objects to the colder. If there is a greater temperature difference between two objects then heat always gets transferred to a cold object.
Radiation: It is energy that comes from a source and travels in the form of waves through space or a material medium. Roof and walls of our homes remain exposed to the sun throughout the day and absorb the solar radiation all the while. This results in the heat gain and increases the temperature inside our homes.

Now that we know how heat enters and gets trapped in our homes, it is easier for us to find out the ways to combat the heat. Below are some easy and smart tips to keep your house cool naturally.

1. Cross Ventilation:
Opening and closing the doors and windows at the right time when the air is pleasantly cool can replace the stagnant hot air with the cooler air. Keeping all the doors and windows at opposite ends open in the early mornings and at nights allows the fresh air to circulate throughout the home and helps in bringing down the temperature of your home. The key is to keep windows open when outside temperature is cooler than it is inside and keeping them closed when it’s hotter outside. This way warm air trapped inside your home due to convection can be removed easily.

2. Use Khus Curtains:
Another way to reduce the heat that builds up due to convection is to use khus khus curtains. It is an age-old method to keep the houses cool naturally. The dried roots of vetiver or khus weaved together with coir and straw make for a curtain with an organic look and pleasant earthy aroma. Khus khus blinds have to be kept wet to bring down the indoor temperature. Khus curtains not only add to the aesthetics of the house but also keep it light and airy.

3. Add Greens:
Another effective way to block the heat is to go green. Growing garden on the roof can help in reducing the temperature of the rooms below. Mud used for growing plants acts as an insulator by absorbing the heat, water and shades of the plants create a cooling effect around them. Placing the potted plants in balcony restricts the heat to enter the home. Bringing outdoors in not only helps in lowering the temperature but also cleanses the air inside the house.

4. Declutter:
A room packed with furniture feels hot as bulky furniture placed closely to each other can create hot air pockets. De-clutter and move the furniture to create some free space so that fresh air from the windows can flow and circulate easily around the room. This way you can also minimize the effect of conduction

5. Use The Light & Right Fabric:
Dress up your home in a lightweight fabric like cotton and linen in soothing shades of blue, green and yellow. Avoid using dark and synthetic fabrics since dark colours absorb more heat whereas light coloured fabrics reflect the heat. Replace wool rugs with refreshing and lighter cotton rugs. Use lightweight curtains that breathe like cotton fabric and sheers that allow the light and wind to enter your home. Keep the curtains drawn during the daytime to protect the room from getting heated by direct sunlight.

6. Minimize The Use Of Electronic & Electric Appliances:
We all know that electronic devices and electric appliances generate heat even when they are idle. Turn off all the appliances when not in use. Incandescent lights emit a lot of heat so it is better to use CFL or LED lights instead. Minimize the usage of all the electronic and electrical appliances so that heat generated by these machines doesn’t trap inside the house.

7. Ban The Sun:
This is the smartest way to keep the indoors cool in summers. I have already discussed above that radiation doesn’t need any medium to transfer the heat energy. Infrared radiation from the sun is responsible for warming the Earth’s surface. Limiting the amount of solar radiation to enter our homes can help in keeping the indoors cool. Is there any way to do that. Yes, of course. The Sun Ban reflective glasses from Saint-Gobain are specially coated glasses that reflect the solar radiation like UV and IR rays while still allowing just the right amount of natural light into a home. The coating on Sun Ban glasses prevents doors and windows from absorbing the heat and helps in keeping the house cool which in turn, cuts the electricity bill. So the best part of these hard coated glasses is that they allow the sunlight enter your home but reflect the sun-heat back out. These glasses are aesthetically appealing and come in a range of colours that makes the house look contemporary and stylish. Based on the star ratings and thickness the Sun Ban glasses can be chosen for different areas and can be used in windows, staircase glazings, doors, facades and balconies.
Sun Ban solar control glasses offer several benefits like:

Protection from harmful UV rays
Privacy during the daytime
Ample natural light
Reduce the glare
Control the heat
Energy efficiency
Enhance the aesthetics

After knowing so many benefits of the Sun Ban reflective glasses, I’m planning to replace the regular glasses of all the windows in my home. After all, it will result in a huge saving.

In a similar way, reflective tiles can be installed on the roof. These tiles reflect the radiation and lower the temperature of the rooms below. Another cheaper way to insulate the roof is to apply a layer of white lime wash on the terrace and balcony which acts as a reflective surface and prevents the slab from absorbing the heat. But remember this is not a permanent solution as this coat will wash away in monsoon and you will have to apply it again every summer.

That’s all for today dear readers. I hope you find this blog informative and the tips and ideas I shared here help you in keeping your home cool every summer. See y’all soon.

Till then connect with me here:

Posted on June 20, 2018July 2, 2019 by Disha Mishra Dubey — 1 Comment

Home Tour: Suraj- A Home Designed By VBDS

Hello Folks!! Summer break is the time that I always look forward to.

I spend the most amazing time with my dear ones and feel rejuvenated. It’s over now and I’m not complaining because I’m resuming my work completely loaded with energy. Every time I feature a home tour on my blog, I take you to the new city. Today come join me as I take y’all to the Pink City- Jaipur With me. Our guest today is renowned architect Vipin Bakiwala and we are going to take a peek inside the home done up by VBDS (Vipin Bakiwala Design Studio).

Click Here To Watch The Video on YouTube

Vipin Bakiwala, the architect, is deeply connected with the roots of Indian heritage. He continuously draws inspiration from the Indian culture and blends it with the modern elements to create a masterpiece. The residence ‘Suraj’ too was conceptualized with the amalgamation of traditional & modern elements. And in erecting the building, Vipin was being well supported by Architect Abhay Gupta.
The client, Mr. Aseem Jain, pursues his business in Europe, and thus lives there most of the time. He believes that the residence always makes him realize that in spite of living abroad, his soul is deeply connected with Indian heritage and cultural values. The client further added that luxury is no longer confined to fine dining or designer label rather it’s about peace and comfort. The design of the residence is a thorough reflection of his own personality through a designer’s vision.

The entrance lobby is enhanced by a beautiful tree wall mural in bright golden colour. The mural surrounds itself with a small water body and garden area loaded with numbers of planters and traditional stone jaali.

The traditional symphony is accentuated right from the outset of the house. The main door in wood exhibits intricate hand carving with little brass flowers.

The same carving is replicated on the ceiling of the duplex area in living to praise the traditional essence.

The 3 story bungalow has a small lift lobby at the entrance with an adjoining staircase. The lift has a golden colour door and is designed in wood inlay, Italian flooring and brass strips in wooden panels at cladding.

On the ground floor, we see a formal drawing area, lobby and guest bedroom. The first floor, where the owner spends maximum time has a living area cum lounge, a dining, a kitchen and two bedrooms. The rest of the three bedrooms are on the second floor.

The living area has a fine balance of elements. Interiors are tastefully done wherein the choice of decor is kept to earthen shades with a glint of brighter shades of purple to make it more welcoming. Wooden panelling is done on one of the duplex walls.

The elegant decor is complemented by pleasing furniture, upholstery, floor coverings, curtains, carpets and other accessories.

The dining has customised table with an onyx marble top while the chairs are upholstered in earthy tones just like the living room sofas. An interplay of Italian flooring, stone cladding, dark colours and dim lighting exudes warmth to the muted decor. Warm yellow lighting is majorly used in the interiors and has been kept dim to match the effect of earthen shades. Wide glass windows give a good view of planters placed in the broad balconies that make a perfect setting to laze and soak in nature.

To avoid monotony, the decor of the bedrooms exudes a distinct appeal. The bedroom is confined to very few accessories while it does include furniture pieces in different textures that break the monotony. The bathrooms also follow the similar tone of the bedrooms. Customised carpets used at different spaces makes a significant impact & compliment the decor theme.

The grandparents’ bedroom is designed with glimpses of the contemporary feel with Statuario used on the flooring and wooden panelling done on one of the walls.

The master bedroom is styled simple with wooden flooring, raw finish furniture and walk-in closet. It has a spacious attached bathroom with beautiful landscaping that doubles up as a walk-in dressing area.

The children’s room, on the other hand, is done up in orange, contrasting with the
shades of grey. One of its walls has prominent geometrical cut-outs with ambient lighting that add a dramatic effect to the space. Outside the master and kids bedroom is a small sofa sitting to sit and talk or watch TV.

That’s how Vipin masterfully mixes contemporary with traditional. Thanks to VBDS team for sharing their work with Design Decor & Disha. Wish you guys a great success ahead.
Dear readers, I am sure this is what you wanted to see after a long time. I have lots of videos ready for you that I’ll be posting every week now. For more Home Tours Click Here!!

Stay connected!

P.S All the images are provided by VBDS (Vipin Bakiwala Design Studio) and subject to copyright. Please seek our permission before using them. Thanks!

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Posted on June 1, 2018July 2, 2019 by Disha Mishra Dubey — 2 Comments

Design Trends To Look For In 2018 And Gyproc’s Innovative Products

In this blog I’ll be talking about design trends and let me take this opportunity to share with you all the theme of “World Interiors Day” 2018. WID theme for this year is “Design Without Borders”. In my opinion, borders and boundaries are double-edged swords. On one hand, borders are important and good because they provide and define a structure and also because we get along well when there are borders between us. Just like the old saying goes, “good fences make good neighbours”. But on the other hand, borders can’t define us. Whether physical or symbolic, borders restrict and guide our creative thoughts and design choices. Think about the “Design without borders” and what comes first in mind is a well-designed space that reflects the world around your home. I am a firm believer of Sanskrit phrase “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” which means the whole world is one family. The concept of design without borders brings the talents and inspirations from around the world together.

Now let’s talk about the design trends that will rule 2018

Being a design and decor enthusiast I always keep an eye out for the latest design trends. This year we’ll get to see fantastic design trends to be incorporated into our homes to freshen up our interiors. So what we can expect in 2018 in terms of design? Well, patterns will rule the design world this year. Be it timeless floral patterns or contemporary geometric patterns, we can see them in exaggerated proportion and eye-catching high contrasting colours. Neutral hues will no longer be in trend this year though you can use them in furnishings. Be prepared to embrace rich hues that are moody yet soothing for both walls and furniture. Replace the whites and stainless steel with natural elements like brass, copper, stone, concrete and granite. Plants can never go out of trend so add as much green as you can and use fancy decorative and colourful planters for your plants. Artisans will get the due attention this year. Lighting fixtures created by artisans or by small businesses will make their way into our homes in 2018. Ceilings will get the attention too. Innovative designs in false ceilings and dry walls are here to stay for long and enhance the beauty of space.

Talking about false ceiling and dry walls, I have to mention Gyproc. Saint-Gobain’s Gyproc is a world-leading manufacturer and supplier of gypsum-based plasterboard. It offers high-quality solutions for false ceiling, dry walls and gypsum plastering for a variety of spaces like homes, offices, hotels, hospitals and other such structures. Not to mention, Gyproc Indian takes care of the environmental impact of each product they manufacture right at the initial stage. Gypsum false ceilings and dry walls by Gyproc are eco-friendly, energy efficient and heat resistant. Are you still thinking what else these two elements can offer in terms of design? Let me share few more details here…

While designing our homes and office spaces, all the attention is given to four walls only and ceiling remains neglected. While decorating your space, you can take advantage of the fact that the ceiling is the uninterrupted space spread across the room and can perk up your space easily. False ceilings can beautify your space and add to the elegance. Whereas, dry walls offer you the opportunity to create partitions inside your space in an elegant way. Dry walls are lightweight, easy to install, fire retardant, offer sound insulation and enhance the beauty of any space. They are making their way into design world at a fast pace. Since both false ceiling and dry walls are made of gypsum, they offer several benefits. Dry walls are especially convenient in spaces of business and recreations such as office spaces, hospitals and hotels. Building from this trend, in commercial spaces – architects and interior designers are now exploring its inclusion in future Indian homes

Heat insulating property of gypsum keeps your home cool which results in energy saving and cutting down the electricity bill. False ceilings and dry walls are the answer to all your lighting worries. With proper planning, you can get an elegant and better-lit space of your dream. Since all the electrical wires are concealed there will be no more ugly sight of wires hanging here and there that make your space look cluttered.

Why restrict your imagination when you can do so much with the ceiling. Walls in neutral shades in a big room with plain ceiling can make it appear dull. Turn it into cheerful space by making your ceiling an ‘accent wall’. With false ceiling, you can not only add curves but also coloured lights to the ceiling. This simple trick can transform the look and feel of your space. For example, adding a cheerful burst of warm white light on the ceiling can make a room look bright and warm, whereas blue light looks cool and has a calming effect. There are so many false ceiling designs you can choose for different rooms and areas of your home.

Dry walls, on the other hand, provide privacy and separation. These walls are gaining popularity because they are readily available and speed up the construction process as they are easy and fast to install. Since dry walls are versatile interior walls, they are replacing conventional concrete walls in homes, offices and high rise towers. There are different types of dry walls and depending on the requirement they can be installed in different areas like rooms, shafts, bathroom etc. If you compare it with wooden and concrete wall partition then dry wall wins because it is cost effective and durable. And that’s not all… it saves time and is faster to install when you compare it to the traditional format of brick partitions. In a world where we need to be more conscientious about the scarcity of natural resources such as sand mining and water, this gypsum-based drywall solution is a great replacement of traditional materials that typically need sand as well as water.
Because of faster and easier installation it reduces the overall installation cost.

You can carve out space within space as per your requirement using dry walls. Like if you don’t love an open kitchen or want to separate living and dining or there is a need to create a kids’ room then you can create an elegant partition with dry wall and decorate it to suit your taste. Similarly foyer, walk-in closet, shelving and niches can be created using dry wall.

False ceilings and dry walls are the design elements top interior designers swear by these days. These elements can be incorporated into a variety of spaces like residential, industrial, hospitality and many more.
I hope you will take a cue from this blog and give your interiors a luxurious look.

I’m working on a home tour and a blog on something special for summers. So stay tuned!!
Till then connect with me here:

P.S All the images are provided by Saint-Gobain (Gyproc) and subject to copyright. Please seek our permission before using them. Thanks!

#LatestDesignTrends #DesignTrends2018 #WID2018 #DesignWithoutBorders #Gyproc #GyprocIndia #FalseCeiling #DryWall #SwitchToDryWall GyprocCeilingWithoutBoundaries #IndianDecorblog #IndianDesignBlog