I'd like to live here

via flickr

I'd like to live here

via Flickr , via tumblr

Saree curtains

It was these saree curtains from Lisa Corti (pic 1) that got me thinking. Our heritage home has 20 ft+ ceilings with really tall Dutch doors. I was just looking at our bedroom windows one day, and thinking about what kind of window coverings would work here and not be too inexpensive because of the height. Sarees came to mind straightaway. With their 6 yard length, one could play around with cheap sheers to expensive silks, simple cottons and colourful ones from every region of the country. You could have one for every month of the year and not have to stitch another hem in place!

Google helped me find several examples of saree curtains. These will work well anywhere, although I'd skip the silk versions in India because they'd make a room look very heavy and over-dressed. I love the idea of using sheer cottons that filter sunlight and make a room look cosy, not stuffy.

Sari shower curtain (!)
Photos above via saffronmarigold.com

via myhomeideas.com (stitch saree panels to simple Ikea curtains)

via bhatik.co.uk

and my favourites for their simplicity, versatility and elegance:

via jamaligarden.com

Hide your Air Conditioner

An air-conditioner is one of those really ugly things that you can't live without (especially in India). Whether it is a row of ghastly boxes on an office building or one in your own home, most of us don't pay much attention to how it looks.

I once read an article somewhere about how Monaco (I'm quite sure it was Monaco, but could be wrong) requires its citizens to cover their AC grille with something a little more aesthetic. The photo accompanying the article showed a lovely lattice work box covering the ugly monster. What a great idea!

I live in a heritage house where due to lack of wall space, the AC compressor sits on our wooden verandah looking like something from Orwell's 1984. It's huge. And ugly.

Monaco has come to mind and luckily, the internet has lots of similar ideas. All I need to do now is find a carpenter who will build me a screen like one of these. The New York magazine found some other alternatives.

Do you have any creative solutions for hiding your AC?

Via
(1) Woodworkersworkshop.com (2-5) Patterncut.com (3) redcanyonironworks.com

Love...The Regional Assembly of Text

First of all, what a great name.

I found this website through Design*Sponge, which had featured this incredible typewriter cake that TRAT had for their 4th birthday. What ingenuity!

The store, run by Rebecca Dolen & Brandy Fedoruk focuses on text as a theme and has books, zines and even a letter writing club. That last one is such a great idea, I'm tempted to try it here myself.

Their cute store has everything from journals, pillows, stationery to wooden boxes. If you can't visit them (or even if you can!), try their online store for some lovely stuff.
Top marks to creativity on the website. I love the designations that Rebecca (Co-founder, Partial President and Answerer of Telephone) and Brandy (Co-founder, Partial President and Locator of Lost Items) use.

Quilt heaboard

So easy to do. Via Martha (of course).

Purchase a wooden drapery rod, two brackets, and hanging hardware from a home-supply store. Paint the drapery rod and brackets to match the bedroom walls, and let dry. Install the brackets above the bed, positioning them at the desired height, and put the rod in place. Drape the quilt over the rod, lining up the bottom edges so that it hangs evenly.

I'd hang something like a grand old silk sari to give it an Indian flavour and a burst of rich colour. What do you think?

Wrought iron tables

I'd like to live here