Missing you..

A post different from the usual.I am deeply sad and shocked  by the sudden death of Bharati Chadha of ETHAAN. The first time I saw her was at a winter dastakar in 2009.From then on she remained friends with me ,a very natural person as she is ,very gentle always and an eversmiling face.I still have the mail in my inbox which says she missed seeing me the last Dastakar............I am still looking at the mail with tears in my eyes.My  love and support to Ritu in continuing the effort of craft work.

                               

                                      I am praying for her and for her family,god be with them.

IN PROCESS: CURRENT PROJECTS

This year sped by at record pace.

I'm way behind in posting pictures of some of the projects I've been working on for clients.

MASTER BEDROOM/BATH REMODEL

Before:

Read more »

ANSWERS TO COLOR QUESTIONS: CRAFTSMAN HOME AND OTHER COLOR QUESTIONS

QUESTION #1

CRAFTSMAN COLOR HELP

Claudine, I would love to send you a photo of our recently purchased 1916 Craftsman home. It is painted yellow, with Green trim and red accents. Many people love the colors, which are historically accurate but we find it a bit much. We need help. Would you share your ideas with us please? If so, where can we send the image?

By Anonymous

Read more »

Christmas cheer and loads of wishes

Splashes of red and green make my Christmas world.The bit of the mood at home.My daughter decorated the tree and  i kept telling her the stories of red and green colours of Christmas.The dark lustrous green leaves and the red ,shiny ,luscious berries of christmas season.The evergreens in winter and the fairies that live with them I couldn't help but keep adding the ideas that inspired me this Christmas,those last minute simple festive decor touches.Simple pieces mixed with bright colours make wonderful Christmas Decor.

All images and content Lakshmi Arvind.

My Christmas Wish for You!

To all my readers, those who celebrate Christmas and those who may not, I want to share with you my personal Christmas wish for all of us. A wish for peace and peacefulness.

Every few weeks I receive a very uplifting story from my friends, Joan, Katie and Meb of The Miracle Chase. I was so inspired reading their story of Rose Mapendo, recipient of the UN Humanitarian of Year Award, that I had to share it with you. Rose’s story brought tears to my eyes and her personal journey for peace filled my heart. Please take a moment and read Rose’s story HERE.

Over the next year my Christmas wish is that we all get better at achieving an inner peace so that we can all become more open, loving and accepting of others. Finding time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and slowing down to appreciate both beauty we bring to others and the beauty they bring to us.

In this humble quest for personal peace may our actions resonate outward – small and slow but begin to radiate and glow stronger throughout the year.

Thank you for continuing to let me into your homes and your lives through Willow Décor. I feel very blessed that we are sharing this journey together.

Much love to you and your families,

xox Gina

CHRISTMAS DECORATING: MAKE A STATEMENT

HOW DO YOU DECORATE FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

Don't be timid

Don't be shy

Don't be afraid to go BIG

because you want your holiday spirit to shine

not be barely noticeable!

MAKE A STATEMENT

by doing something out of the ordinary

Read more »

Holiday Window Boxes III and Giveaway Winner!!!

Every year one of Willow Décor’s most popular holiday posts is Decorating Holiday Window Boxes. Even if your house does not have outdoor window boxes you can use store bought containers to bring the look inside. Here are some new favorites I have collected over the year.

This first window box is beautiful, simple and inexpensive to create. Different pines and boxwood are easily in found out in your yard. Here the owner added blueberry branches and some glass icicle ornaments to add sparkle – Lovely!

From decorator extraordinaire, Martha Stewart, what caught my eye most were the branch trellises she added to hold up the pine branches. What a creative touch which adds so much interest and texture, as well as a wonderful place to thread the bow!

Another simple, beautiful collection of pines and pinecones. This would look as pretty on sideboard in your dining room or mantel as it does outside. Again very low cost to recreate.

Something a bit easier to find for my southern readers; here moss, magnolia leaves and ornaments make a pretty holiday window box.

On of my favorite ideas comes from the Bachman Holiday house in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Here an old shutter creates an indoor window box filled with potted poinsettias and highlighted by a row of birch branches. Simply gorgeous! This is a spectacular mantle piece and would look fabulous in any home!

(

Another example of a more southern style here filled with pines, pineapples and citrus fruits. I adore these window boxes! To see more examples of great holiday window boxes read Willow Décor’s previous posts HERE and HERE

Finally, congratulations to 3 Peanuts for winning the German Grainsack Tree Skirt!!! Please send your mailing address to willowdecormail@gmail.com and we will send out the tree skirt in time for Christmas!! A special thanks again to Kym of A Beautiful Mess! If you are not a winner you can still order wonderful items from Kym by contacting her at (805) 630-3727. Enjoy!!!

(Photo Credit: P. Wexford, Bellewood Gardens, 65 Avenue, Container Gardening, Martha Stewart, Bachman's, Home Ideas, Lu Tapp -A Beautiful Mess)

A Christmas Home

Christmas will be here in a few days. I hope everybody are probabaly well on your way completing the list of all your yearly traditions.Some old pine ones and some colourful patch work sheets just surprised my senses with the home coming of christmas.I really dont think I can run away from the true traditional colours of christmas the red and green..The subtle December  light shines in all corners of my home ,leaving me with shadows that chase my life away..

Old pine cones collected,bunched and hung at various corners,a corner of  my bench

...

a wiping cloth converted cushion cover

pine cones on the centre table

the light the subtle one...mmm

christmasy covers..

christmasy sheets on the bench

Image courtesy:Lakshmi Arvind
pl do not copy nor steal images

Meeting Celeste and Our Best EVER 3 Fine Grains Giveaway!

What a busy few weeks I have had traveling around the US!! I just returned back from a wonderful visit to Palo Alto, California to visit my sister! I was also able to stop by and finally meet designer, Celeste Randolph of Ambiance Interiors. Here we are enjoying the spectacular California sunshine on her back patio!

I am sure you all remember Celeste’s gorgeous kitchen that was featured on WD last year! You can read more about it HERE! And if you missed it make sure you do take a peek – It is just awesome!! Celeste was such a wonderful host and we had a great time getting better acquainted! Thanks Celeste it was such a treat!!

I wish I could have traveled down to Southern California and had a visit with my dear friend, Kymberley Fraser, creator of the 3 Fine Grains textile line and the owner of the fabulous store, A Beautiful Mess.

Once again Kym has “wowed” us with her phenomenal designs made from authentic, original antique German grainsacks. Each year, like an angel from above, Kym gives WD readers a chance to own one of her gorgeous creations!

You might remember the wonderful Grainsack Christmas Tree we gave away last year; above is one of the trees available this year. Let’s have a look at the rest of Kym’s new Holiday Line:

She creates the most amazing ornaments, like these antique linen hearts with crowns. Perfect for the queen of the house!!!

And these fabulous monogram ornaments made from grainsack remnants!

Another new item are the grainsack covered photo albums - Love these!!

Kym has such incredible talent – here are her signature grainsack stockings! Aren’t they beautiful?!

And above is the GIVEWAY – I am so giddy just announcing it! Kym has given us a gorgeous Christmas Tree Skirt. It is handmade from authentic, original, antique German grainsacks. It is lined on the back side with burlap and has a burlap rope trim going all around it. It measures 60" and it retails for $725!!! Awesome, right?!!

To enter to win just leave a comment below. For an extra chance to win begin following A Beautiful Mess on Facebook click HERE. For a third chance to win begin following Willow Décor on my Facebook page HERE. Finally re-tweet this post on Twitter and have another chance!

If you are interested in purchasing any of these items, you can contact Kym at (805) 630-3727 and she will ship them out right away! A huge “Thank You” to Kym and best of luck to everyone! I will announce a winner next Saturday! Good Luck!!

(Photo credits: Lu Tapp Photography, French Kissed)

Bits of Christmas here and there....

 The Christmas men have arrived and so is the Snowman....Silpa ,my dear friend shares the Sunday afternoon pleasure they had at home...Some easy Do it yourself with thermocol,eggs ,red felt cloth and cotton...the bits of christmas here and there...

Image courtesy:Silpa Harish

Christmas Decorations

Swati Seth of Color Caravan shares an easy DIY for Christmas tree craft.Use old bulbs,paints,liners,glitters,jute strings and do it yourself...So easy and so colourful.Reuse and recycle and ecofriendly too...A must try...

Image courtesy:Swati Seth

the Loaded Trunk-

 Founded in 2009 and privately owned by Roni Jaco of Kansas City, Missouri, The Loaded Trunk is an online global boutique conceived from a passion for shopping, traveling and entertaining. Find art objects, artifacts, textiles and other beautiful objects from the U.S., Indonesia, Turkey, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, Guatemala and other remote or exotic locations around the world.I was amazed at the Indian Artefacts Roni collected and is their on shelves  waiting for its customers..


Roni makes it a point to delve in to the unique beauty and awe at the heart of each of her extraordinary destinations. She has a natural eye for art and design, along with a true talent for bringing warmth and beauty into the home.Roni collaborates with her established network of global artisans in the U.S. and abroad to assemble an online catalog of products meant to be both admired and used.Please do check out for the uncommonly cool items that can create a warm and uniquely beautiful atmosphere.


I couldn't get more inspired today...Its now that I am slowly getting back to the routine of more and more posts...get inpired and shop..

lovely ikats

burmese nats

silvery glasses and silver adornments

vintage prints of gods and godesses

lovely turkish bowls

antique silver colander

amazing range of pottery

lovely kantha spreads.

brass etched spoons

miniature paintings

jewellery boxes

feather bowls

small beaten bowls for floating candles

beautiful hand sttiched bags

lovely pillows form thailand

lovely textiles from the world

 All Images and Information courtesy:the Loaded Trunk