Enviable Summer Entryways and Foyers

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There are your "traditional" elements that no entry or foyer should be without - but shoe storage and a key tray don't necessarily make an entry way that makes you smile when you walk in the door.  Here are a few elements that do...

Art with impact.

via Pinterest via Waiting on Martha

Live plants/flowers.

via Pinterest via 11 Magnolia Lane

An oversized mirror.

via Pinterest via Desert Domicile

A dramatic entry rug.

via Abbey Carpet of SF

...and of course, your best friend waiting for you.

via Pinterest via Chango.co

Bringing Life to the Indoors

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This week I am rearranging my indoor plants and picking out which new ones I want to bring in! I'll be taking a trip to our local nursery and finding some new beauties for our home.

Here's some inspiration I am using:

via theanimalprintshop

via abeautifulmess

via kmackey32

via 6thstreetdesignschool

via bhg

via vitadrommarochbusigabarn

What indoor plants are your favorite?

Spring time Outdoor Parties

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It's going to be gorgeous tomorrow and all I can think about is hosting our first outdoor party! Big or small, it is always a good time. Here's some inspiration to get your outdoor parties ready:

via piccolielfi

via camillestyles

via urbancomfort

via camillestyles

via madefromscratch

via potterybarn

via digsdigs

via thesilverpen

Are you ready for some outdoor fun?

Deepanjali!

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Deepanjali !

Inhale love and exhale gratitude..every breath is a gift of love! (reiki for inner peace.Pray with the moments of the day;offering your heart and life to god this Diwali.

A simple imagery of innumerous lamps worshipping the goddess of wealth.let the fragrant,
flickering lamps and the chants of the prayers fill your life and home with prosperity and happiness.

please do not copy images ..Please ask for permission if you want to use the images

write at dr.lakshmi@live.in

images and ideas Lakshmi Arvind

Subtle touch of Festivities!

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The Gorgeous shades emerald green and white just look  so pretty together.This palette was all about harvest inspired elegance for me .Throw in loads of metallic gold and candlelight and this is about as festive as it gets! Petals of flowers formed rangoli patterns around the candles as an added element that is relatively easy to accomplish yet creates a whole new dimension to the look.

Decorative elements like crystal ittar bottles around the candles , small white shells or a pallankuzhi create a wonderful ambience in any corner or on the dining table.The green kantha bedspread creates a subtle background.

Images and Ideas Conceived and Clicked by Lakshmi Arvind.Please dont copy images!

A Little Decorating Inspiration

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Here are five decorating mantra's to live by that I found off of Pinterest and couldn't resist sharing!

1. The closer something is to your body, the better it should be. This argues for fine sheets and cheap drapes!

via luxsource

2. Surround yourself with quality, not clutter. Buy it once, buy it right!

via trendland

3. Every room needs something living: flowers, goldfish, a pet.

via apartmentherapy

4. Honor the acts of daily living. If it's a habit, make it beautiful!

via janiejellybelly

5. Life should sparkle. Every house needs bling!

 via etc-alltherest

Do you have any mantra's you live by?

Bring on the Spring - pretty up your rooms with spring hues

FREE IMAGES I am so excited for spring flowers and bright colors that are going to fill our outdoor space so I thought I'd do a post about bringing that color in and enjoying indoors as well!  Just last night sweetums brought me the most beautiful pale pink roses.  Having them on my desk makes the room feel so much lighter...

via styleathome

Using hints of color in a room make me happy. Especially when those items are so easy to change out like pillows, curtains, and decor you have around the house like books and frames.  I've been loving gold and pink lately.

via fourgenerationsoneroof

If you are loving the room you have now and don't feel like changing it but you want to tie in some of your favorite flowers, getting one simple throw pillow that pulls out similar colors can do the trick!

via anthropologie

If you want to go bolder, find some wallpaper or upholstery with a floral print/pattern. Anthropologie usually has some unique upholstered items. If you struggle getting real flowers into your home, adding a flower pattern might give you what you need for that spring feeling indoors. I'd love to have one of these in my office!

via cuckoo4design

Most often we forget about livening up our bedrooms since all we tend to is sleep in here, but bringing some fresh flowers in and updating your bedding can really bring you into the season.

Help! I'm trying to identify what flower this is to use in my wedding bouquet!

FREE IMAGES Any green thumbs or floral experts out there?  I pinned this image a long, long time ago because it is exactly what I want my bouquet to be.  I know the pinks ones are peonies, but does anyone know what the little green ones are?

via Pinterest

Could they be baby's breath dyed green?

via Pottery World

I thought maybe they were viburnum but the clumps look too small to be viburnum.  Any ideas?

Anyway, it's dreary and damp in Maryland, so here are more gorgeous flowers to brighten up your Friday!

How stunning is this?
via The Knot

and this!! Stunning!
via The Knot

via Style Me Pretty

via Style Me Pretty

Festival Season at home..Diwali time

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The fragrance filled the air

The musky aroma of the dull oranges,at thy feet

The bubble of warmth and the fragrance of the divine worship at Diwali

Mornings moments fresh and fragrant at Diwali time

Fresh garlands of seasonal flowers , vivid pink lotus buds,shimmering fabric that evoke the prayers

As Dusk slowly enveloped the house,the diwali evening was beautiful

Celebrate...and enjoy...as the house warms up for diwali!

A  Kaleidoscopic view of the festival season at our home

As I wait for another Diwali Morning:)-

Loved these lines on" A Diwali Morning"

On Diwali morning
her childhood returns: dew 
on the burnt grass, birds in flight 
singing, pampering by her aunts, 
the rustling of new dresses, 
delectable meals and sweets 

Joy sugared the air, as bright 
as firecrackers exploding.

On a November night 
the festival would arrive: the perfect 
opening notes of a symphony 
that would decide the fate of the planet. 
Each moment was alive: 
it was like being washed in the geyser 
of memory.

(Charles Fishman)

Home stitched beauties as cushions,Small golden beads that got stitched on to the sides:)-

I never knew how to worship until I knew how to love(Henry ward)

Worship is Divine..Everyday life has become my prayer(Sarah Ban)d caption

The bangles as votive holder

 As i wait for another Diwali Morning:)-

All images and ideas Copyrighted to Lakshmi Arvind

Please ask permission before you use these images from the blog,unauthorised copying from the site and using it otherwise on any other site is prevented.