Cheap and Easy - Kids' Room Decor!

I had twins! I never expected that. I'd always been fascinated by the concept of twins. My best friend Hari, is a twin. And imagine my surprise and disbelief when the ultrasound tech, suggested that what she thought was an artifact in the scan, could very well be another baby!! 

Whew - a whirlwind of emotions, mountains of diapers, and eons of sleepless nights later, my girls are almost four now and spouting opinions ranging from cool nail polish colors to ways to disagree with people without hurting their feelings! Ahem.

And, opinionated as they are, it is challenging to design a functional, stylish, captivating play and stay space for them...and still stay within budget! 

Today's post is about designing a kids' room on a dime, and still letting the room grow with your kids! 

Cheap and Easy ways to make your kids' room fun, educational and sustainable..

Bring in sustainable toys like this wooden animal set, use colorful pictures you found on the internet to adorn inexpensive wooden frames, use imaginative wall art...go crazy in your kids room!!

First of all, do NOT  buy furniture for your kids room. Couple of reasons. You do not want to spend money on two cribs, two chest of drawers, two changing tables (one of each if you are having one baby) etc etc..AND risk your kids falling off the changing tables, or bumping into furniture or outgrowing the chest of drawers. In fact, when it comes to design, it is perfectly fine to be a little non-conformist. If the baby magazines and the HGTV shows are preaching for you to BUY stuff that your kids and you will definitely outgrow in size and style, then, don't listen to them. 

That is why I did not buy also, the bottle warmers, boppy pillows, bouncers, rockers, walkers and a myriad of other baby stuff that clutter the baby stuff landscape and move to your garage in a jiffy! 

This is what I did, I made the whole room floor level. The bed (our old queen mattress laid on the floor), the reading nook, the play area - so as infants learning to crawl, or as toddlers learning to walk, my girls always had a "level" playing field!! And now, as lil imaginative storytellers, they have their play nooks in different corners of their activity room (I am using our formal dining room as a day activity room for the kids) and bed room. 

Plus, all the sitting down on the floor and getting back up again (think Padmasana folks!) while changing or dressing or playing with your baby(ies) is FANTASTIC exercise for the post-partum figure. No wonder I fit into my pre-preggers jeans 2 months after the girls were out. Ahem again!

Not investing in furniture has helped me keep my kids room fresh and timeless by constantly rearranging the layout of the room to suit my and my kids' fancy. A bunch of colorful carpets, tons of softscaping in the nature of toys, pillows, floor cushions  and cozy blankets - Voila! You have a room to suit any child's fancy. It is important however to use a solid neutral for the wall color, so you don't outgrow the baby pastels as your lil ones get not so lil! 

The only piece of furniture in the girls' room is an up-cycled book shelf, which I have got Dad to nail onto the wall. I have used colorful bins to line the shelves. In these bins I have put the girls' daily school clothes, toys, books and other essentials that they cannot live without. This shelf acts as a easy and functional way for me to store things outside of the designated closet.

Maybe, as the girls get older, I will invest in a solid study table. And two twin beds, with bold print and global fabric linen and softscaping to bring in that chutzpah!.  I can dress up their room with a young adult flair - no princess and fairy themes for me please. And I will not have to worry about putting their bunker beds on Craigslist!!! :)

Now that we have the living arrangements figured out, lets talk about how we keep the girls engaged in our house, during the evenings, interminable weekends and the occasional sick days! And yes, and how YOU can create that play space to keep the creative juices flowing. Without having to turn on the TV!!

Theater puppet shows with handcrafted Winnie the Pooh puppets and some Circus friends thrown in!

Incorporating imaginative play into everyday fosters a creativity, improves kids' vocabulary, and of course keeps them off the couch! I swear by play acting, finger and sock puppets, dance and drama to keep my young uns positively preoccupied. 

For the Winnie the Pooh tableau above, I used handcrafted finger puppets from Germany (thank you microbiologist sis!), conveniently used as props on paint brushes and Circus pals from IKEA, in a homegrown stage setting with some table napkins and chalk board! 

p.s. I really wonder, how I would have raised kids without the friendly neighborhood IKEA! 

Pre-school at home! Why not?  Just get all the resources ready for everyday teachable moments! 

We also make sure that our day room (also known as the activity room) is full of inspiration and incentive for these lil rascals to read, write, count and basically have tons of fun! Check out the abacus, the chalk board which also doubles up as a white board on the back, the wooden desk and chairs and loads of educational toys, which stimulate their tactile and cognitive learning. 

And of course, don't forget to nurture the artist! You may have a budding Michelangelo in your own home! So, stock up on never ending supplies of paint brushes, paints, card stock paper, crayons and markers! We have spent many a rainy afternoon in our activity room journalling about what we saw in the garden that morning, or recreating scenes from "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Hansel and Gretel". 

I want to share a cool idea that I have incorporated throughout our home, especially in the kids' rooms to showcase quirky toys and childhood accents. BASKETS!!!!! Mounted on the walls, they act as transient and eye catching shelving! And when you are ready to change the flavor of the room - this room you see above is actually a formal dining room, you have no major renovation or furniture moving necessary. And you have BONUS gorgeous baskets to add to your accent stash!! WIN WIN!

The next big ideas I am toying with  for the kids' rooms are a chalkboard wall (think Starbucks coffee shops), and a miniature theater replete with  retractable screens, spotlights and wings! I need to do it quick, before they outgrow the imaginative play stage!

In the meanwhile, I gotta lot of studying, learning and practice to do on the science of parenting. As I am sure you all agree, I am playing it by the ear at the moment. But, hey - whatever works right?!

Do share your parenting (and kids room design) conundrums! I would love to hear how you handled creating a functional, easy and educational space for your kid(s), while maintaining sanity, control and smiles!!  Do tell!!

Love,

Supriya

Home Tour- New Age India!

We are switching gears! After our virtual vacation to the Pacific Northwest, we are heading to Gurgaon, India's real estate Mecca, for a home tour!

A sun dappled living room in merry colors!

Some of you are probably already familiar with our home owner today because she is also a blogger!

Meet Shalini Pereira of All Things Nice blog!

On her blog, Shalini writes…. "Hi there! Here's a little about me and my blog... I'm an Interior Designer and Architectural consultant by profession and run my own design firm, SPDA. Besides design, I am passionate about cooking, reading, traveling and writing. In my spare time I like to read or cook up a storm! When I'm not doing either, I like to blog about design, my experiences as a designer or my experiments in the kitchen. I call my blog All Things Nice, because, well it’s basically about everything I think is nice!"

I frequent Shalini's blog often. I like her blog. It is an easy read and she always has good literature  accompanying her pictures. I also like how she draws attention to the architectural details in her home decor posts and I feel like I always learn something. The other day, I thought to myself  "I wonder what her home looks like" and I wrote to her rather impulsively. And I am so glad I did because Shalini very graciously agreed to feature her beautiful home on Aalayam.

A pair of adorable elephants take centerstage on her coffee table- Shalini shares my love of elephants!

Shalini and her husband Abhishek live in a gorgeous home. When I saw the pictures, the immediate term that popped in my head was "New-Age India" and I am sticking with that. I think eclectic is so overrated, anyway! With a lot of ingenuity and diligence, they've converted their rental into a cozy and welcoming nest. In the main living/dining area, pops of vibrant hues merrily share the space with lighter shades and the whole ensemble is anchored together by a sublime olive green. It is a perfect retreat to spend a sunny Gurgaon afternoon.
 

A room that speaks for itself!!

 Dressed in white and teal, the bedroom exudes a calming feel- just what the doctor ordered after a hard day's work! 

Serenity is the mantra!

Shalini's professional acumen is evident in her harmonious use of interesting artwork, quirky curios and ethnic elements all in the same space for a cohesive pulled-together look! I love it!

 A modern space  + traditional Indian elements + chic western touches = New-Age India!  I think Shalini and Abhishek have nailed this look to a tee! Don't you think? 
Shalini and Abhishek's home is also a great lesson in creating a statement look with minimal but cleverly selected  colors and accessories!  

Form meets function in this stylish space!

Now, over to Shalini as she tells us more about how she has put a personal stamp on her place..

1) What makes your home "your home"?
 
I try and surround myself with things I love, or that have some special significance to me. So, my home is full of knick knacks that I have collected over the years, it may be a small curio that I picked up while traveling, or a picture that marks an important moment in my family’s life. I’d like to think of my home as a happy place, where people are always welcome and I think that’s reflected in the use of colors, artwork and odd knick knacks.

2) Does the decor in your home fit the bill for any one particular style - if so, what drove you to that style?
 
Firstly, we live in a rented apartment so it didn’t give us too much freedom in terms of really making it our own. If given the chance, there are several things I would change, such as the flooring- I would lay wooden floor boards over the dated marble flooring. Also the electrical fittings are not my favorite. But given the constraints, I am very happy with what we have done with the place, although it is still a work in progress. I don’t think that it fits perfectly into any particular style. I could only try and describe it as eclectic, with a little touch of the contemporary, a little Indian, but mostly a casual, happy place with a laid back feel.

Another view and equally beautiful!

3) Who calls the design shots in your home?
 
I’m an interior designer and my husband is a management consultant who is also one of the least artistic people I know. In fact he thinks grey, beige, brown and cream are all the same! So I guess I call all the design shots. But both of us have contributed to the home with small D.I .Y projects. For example, my husband and I painted the green walls in the house over a weekend. Our next project is painting our dining table chairs which we intend to paint in different colors.

4) How does your personal decor style influence your work professionally?
My personal decor style is very different from the homes I design for my clients. My home is casual and laid back, whereas most of my clients expect luxury, contemporary interiors that fit in with their lifestyle. I think my home will always be a work in progress, because it tells the story of our lives.

The aged look on the side board/buffet adds interest and drama!

5) What are your favorite places to shop for your home?
I don’t really have a particular place, but I do like FabIndia, Delhi Haat, Good Earth, Apartment 9. But I also get a lot of things from flea markets, craft fairs and local antique stores. 

6) Where do you draw your online inspirations from - any favorite resources that you can share?
I love Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, We Heart It, Home Trends Magazine, Archdaily to name just a few.

Home is where the heart is!

I love featuring home tours on Aalayam. I think real life home owners have such great insight into the home making process - it really allows you to put things in perspective. 

 Home is where the heart is, after all!

Thank you Shalini and Abhishek for sharing your charming home with us and the readers of Aalayam.
Also, a special mention- Shalini's sister-in-law Ujwala Menon for capturing their home beautifully through her lens and making this photo tour possible. You can check out more of her work here.

And you can always find Shalini here!

Cheers!
Deepa

p.s: Supriya is back next week, yay!  And  psst psst, we have three decor posts lined up....

Voyage to Vancouver

Art gallery, Vancouver, BC

Supriya is on vacation this week and I thought we should all go on a vacation too! A virtual vacation albeit.  We are going to Vancouver!  I am afraid this will be a picture heavy and lengthy travelogue and therefore I will exclude the rest of British Columbia. However, I recommend that if you are planning a trip to Vancouver now or in the future, you include Whistler and Victoria in your itinerary. British Columbia is simply gorgeous - the sights will leave you spellbound!

On a family vacation back in 2010, we took over 1700 photographs (!) and to filter and distill, just a few, for this post was really hard as you can imagine. Here are a few postcards that capture the allure of Vancouver!

The city tourism website has a curated collection of quotes from different online and print resources which I will use throughout the post.  The experts have succinctly captured the essence of the city in a few words!  

All images used in this photo essay are taken by my husband. kindly write to me at aalyaminspiration@gmail.com before using.

The skyline as seen from Stanley Park.

Vnacouver Harbor shimmers under the night lights.

"You’re gorgeous, baby, you’re sophisticated, you live well...Vancouver is Manhattan with mountains. It’s a liquid city, a tomorrow city, equal parts India, China, England, France and the Pacific Northwest. It’s the cool North American sibling." – The New York Times

Vancouver by night!

Whistler!

"Vancouver is a city unlike any other. Wherever I look, I see water or mountains -- or both. And everyone looks so healthy." – The Daily Telegraph (UK)

Tourists queue up to see more of Vanouver's wonders!

The setting sun paints the sky with brilliant hues over the pacific ocean at English bay

A-MAZE-ING Laughter, 14 intriguing bronze statues at English Bay

"In winter, the heart of downtown [Vancouver] is 30 minutes from the ski slopes. In summer, sun seekers crowd its beaches and seaside promenades. And despite a rain-prone climate, it displays a perpetually sunny disposition. Consider it the supermodel of North American cities." – USA Today

Tourist buses and street artists - a common Vancouver phenomenon!

India in Vancouver

Granville Island - Urban market at its best!

"Vancouver is one of North America’s most under-rated tourist destinations. It is a modern, travel-friendly city with a unique mix of cultures. The relatively mild Pacific Northwest climate and an energetic restaurant and nightlife scene are other features that make this such an attractive city." – LowFares.com

Personally, the mountain-scape, the glistening water bodies, the cool mountain air, the crisp multi-cultural vibe, the extremely convenient public transport and the spectacular sights were the highlights. We planned this trip on a whim and without much forethought and were pleasantly surprised by what BC offered us and how easy it was to find our way around. We felt right at home! I came away with a longing to explore the rest of Canada. 

With its global flare, international appeal and and a buzzling multicultural scene Vancouver makes the cut to be featured on Aalayam's Around the World series! Vancouver is not your run-of-the mill metropolis. There is a palpable vibrant energy at every turn!

Totem pole at Brockton point, Stanley Park - First nations artistry

Now, here's a few more postcards (from Victoria) this time! Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and is very British in its roots and appeal. Quaint little tea rooms and antique stores abound. The city has much to offer its visitors.

This is probably where I found a slice of heaven on earth - the majestic Butchart gardens!

Beauty of the Butchart!

Paradise on Earth?

If I were to use adjectives to describe the beauty of this place, the ones that automatically come to mind are immaculate, pristine, impressive, stupendous - you get the drift... This place awakens one's senses like no other!  The blooms, the butterflies and the birds - there is so much life and energy - it's ah-mazing!

 And finally, the waterfront Victoria destination - the Inner Harbor! If you like to take a stroll, then there is no other place like Victoria's Inner Harbor. Architecturally impressive buildings, street musicians, ferry boats, plenty of photo points, food vendors - The Inner Harbor has it all!

Parliament building soaks up the evening sun by the Inner Harbor, Victoria, BC

There you go! Beautiful British Columbia brought to your doorstep by Aalayam. Hope you enjoyed this travelogue? Write to us if you are a traveler and would like to guest author and add to our bank of Around the World feature posts.

Cheers!
Deepa

Spotlight on the Tanjore Style of Painting

 50

We are fifty posts old! The number brings with it a milestone and a lot of pride!  Our journey has only just begun and yet it seems right to pause for a moment and address this number. Hello FIFTY!

To see Aalayam evolve into something beyond a mere idea that Supriya and I shared brings much happiness. Personally, it is also a guilty pleasure! On many weekend nights, I silently peel myself away from my family and retreat into the quiet recesses of my study to work on a blog post. What joy it is too! I feel blessed to have a platform to express my artistic side!  Aalayam speaks to our love of writing as well and often our posts are wordy but if you linger long enough you will see that we write from our heart and consistently bring a lot of passionate energy into our posts. Supriya and I have a robust pipeline with all kinds of beautiful inspirations waiting to be shared and we hope you will stay with us as the next phase of Aalayam unravels.

 Fellow bloggers - thank you for letting us bounce ideas with you and for inspiring us, friends and family - thank you for cheering us from the sidelines and dear readers - thank you for propelling us on!

And because the golden 50 deserves a golden post - I will shine the spotlight on Tanjore paintings - an Indian art form with glittering gold! How about that?

An ethnic vignette brings in some traditional splendor to our home

A shopping stop  many years ago took me and my husband to a busy street full of art retailers in Chennai, India. We were novice art collectors back then but somehow we had set our heart on acquiring a Tanjore painting - that was our mission that sweltering afternoon. Baggage and weight restrictions implied we could only buy one maybe two art pieces and therefore the challenge was to pick  "the" perfect Tanjore painting among 1000s (yes, that street had several stores carrying atleast 100 paintings each!)

The central subject of the Tanjore painting is a Hindu God/Goddess. Since our acquisition did not have any religious motives, we went back and forth deciding on which deity would suit our decorative needs best. The discussion included the facial expression of the deity- a smile ranked higher than a somber expression (this was the extent of our art appreciation!) Also, in consideration were the finishes - classic or antique or embossed? Then came the colors - luckily, most paintings had the same vibrant color palette with subtle variations. Next, we talked about the frames -  the wood, the carvings, the color and so on. My husband wanted to know more about the artists and engaged in detailed discussions on what went into the creation of the paintings. Each piece was uniquely defined by the skill and artistry of the creator. Then we talked about the guilding technique. Six hours later 
 (I kid you not!) we found ourselves deeply immersed in the fascinating world of Tanjore paintings.  The shimmer and shine of the semi precious adornments mesmerized us as we browsed through several aisles worth of neatly stacked Tanjore paintings. Walking from one store to the next and then back to the first one, we channeled our combined enthusiasm towards finding "OUR"  Tanjore painting. That day is vividly etched in my memory! Eventually, we narrowed our choices down to two paintings. We wanted to bring them both home. But with a heavy heart and a big sigh I left Venkateshwara behind and brought home our Mahalakshmi.

Vibrant hues, shimmering embellishments, artistic details - THE TANJORE PAINTING!

She has been with us since! Life has demanded several moves of us  both for professional and personal reasons. Each move brings with it an annoying feeling of newness. However, the unfamiliarity of being in an unknown place dissipates the minute I hang my Tanjore paintings up. It feels like home again in an instant and such is the comfort that art work breeds. It is yours and it defines your space!

Another corner gets accesorized with art work -the ethnic kind!

Several sources trace this art form back to the 16th century (I know!!, that was a long time ago) and the art flourished under the patronage of the Nayakas of Madurai. If you hear the term Tanjavur Oviyam or Palagai Padam (plank painting)  just nod your head knowingly now - they are referring to Tanjore paintings, that's all!  For more on Tanjore paintings, over to Wiki.

 Since that trip to Chennai, we have added another Tanjore painting to our collection. This one a gift from our dear friends D and K  and depicts Krishna playfully serenading Radha on the Jhoola.  This painting reminds us of our friendship and the good times spent together. 

Krishna serenades Radha  playfully in this rendition and it comes to life in gold foil!

Let me end with this quote. "Decorating Golden Rule: Live with what you love" ~ Unknown
 …….and we live with our  beloved Tanjore paintings - they are tied to fond memories and our ethnic heritage and make our home OUR HOME.

Do you like our spotlight series? Then I urge you to spend a minute browsing through our archives- we have already featured Warli and Terracotta and more!

Next up - a travel feature. Any guesses on where we are going?
 
Cheers!
~Deepa

p.s: All images are from my home and are copyrighted by Aalayam