Home Tour - Residence of Rushika from California

Hey everyone… I hope this finds you all in good health and happiness, especially during this crazy COVID phase. And I hope we all continue to be safe. I am back with my favorite segment, Home Tour and today’s home tour gives all the good feels of a zen home.

Rushika Veerareddy, based in California, has graciously opened up her beautiful home for us to have a tour. She has created a beautiful oasis that exudes warmth, serenity and coziness. There is a beautiful mix and balance of ethnicity and boho chic in her décor style. I always believe that your home is an extension of your personality and here Rushika has reflected her personal style through the things she has collected over the years and displaying it in beautiful vignettes and wall décor. And what I loved about her home is that there is a good amount of pop of green in her space as she loves nature.

Let’s hear more from Rushika herself and gear up for a beautiful tour of her home.

• Tell us a bit about yourself.

 

I am born and raised in Hyderabad. I met my husband, Dikpal in 2014 and moved to California shortly after. I am a bioengineer by day and a decor enthusiast at heart. We love to read and explore, be it places, food or ideas and are always chasing new experiences.  This is our first home together. It is a small 700 sq. ft. apartment in the heart of Palo Alto and is over 50 years old. It does have a bit of a vintage charm to it. We have lived here for a little over five years now. 

 

• Where do you get inspiration to do up your home?

 

 A big part of my inspiration comes from nostalgia and history. I have always been a person who has kept pieces that have been a part of my life as memorabilia. Objects that remind me of my ancestors and loved ones. I’ve felt a need to treasure them. Through these pieces I wanted to keep their stories and memories alive. Eventually, I started collecting some vintage and antique curios, intrigued about their make, time in history, location, artwork and the interesting hands they might have passed on through. 

Hence, my inspiration also comes from traveling and looking at historical grandeur. 

And also Pinterest, Instagram. 

 

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• What's your favorite décor style?

 

My decor style is evolving. Currently, it is a mix of eclectic and modern bohemian. This is largely because I’ve had to work with my husband’s already existing pieces of decor. Pieces from our travels have been picked up without hesitation and have blended so beautifully across the house adding to the eclectic vintage charm.  

However, the aesthetic that appeals to me the most is a blend between the French chateau and Parisian chic style. I would eventually love living in a space like that, with high ceilings, lots of light and neutral backgrounds with pops of gold and color. 

• What's your favorite décor element or accent in your home?

 

I am particularly obsessed with my brassware. Especially the brass candle stands. Absolutely love them and feel like I never have enough.

 

• Do you have a favorite corner or space in your home? And why is it your favorite?

 

The year 2020 has been a year of a lot of introspection and zero travel. Not being able to escape outdoors, my current favourite space is the balcony area. It is my slice of green paradise and a chance to catch a bit of sun and breeze and have a lazy summer afternoon reading my favorite books. 

 

• Any tips or advice for décor lovers out there?

 

• Experiment with caution. I love the idea of an evolving decor style. However, decor is expensive. Think about what works for you and start slowly.
• If you rent like me, visualize your space and think about what you like: art, books, pottery, pillows, rugs, etc. Start from there. Take your time to make it your home and add elements to it that you might keep. 
• Living in small spaces has made me creative with storage. Find functional pieces of decor that can double as great storage to keep the “things that must not be visible” out of sight.
• In the end, enjoy the process! Happy decorating. 

  

Thank you so much Rushika for opening your doors for me and my readers. There were so many inspirations to take away from your beautiful home!!

I hope you all enjoyed this home tour as much as i did... Stay tuned for more inspirations coming your way. Stay safe and take good care!

Recipe Time: Khow Suey

Khow Suey is a Burmese comforting noodle dish with coconut milk broth and served with an assortment of toppings like fried garlic, fried onion, cilantro...The dish is traditionally made with meat but this vegan version includes veggies cooked in the coconut milk soup which turned out so comforting and soulful. This is a regular dish in our home and I keep tweaking the recipe around as per my taste. The winter is approaching and what better dish to make!

 This recipe is absolutely simple to make and use your choice of veggies and meat. The recipe is adapted from @sprigandvine.in ... please keep me posted once you try out this recipe. Its always good to hear your feedback🤍

INGREDIENTS

To make the Khow Suey paste:

3-4 dried red chilli (Kashmiri or other), soaked in hot water for 15 minutes
1 medium sized onion, roughly chopped
6-8 cloves of garlic
1 tablespoon chopped ginger
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

To make the curry:

2 tablespoons oil
3 heaped teaspoons chickpea flour
1- 1.5 cups water
2-3 stalks green onions, white parts only, finely chopped
1 cup diced veggies — mix of carrots, beans, zucchini, mushrooms
600ml coconut milk
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Salt, to taste
1-2 tablespoons lime juice


To serve:

Boiled rice noodles or wheat noodles, spaghetti or linguini

Garnishes: green onions, crispy fried shallots, fried garlic, crushed peanuts, chopped coriander leaves, red chilli flakes, lime juice

METHOD

Add all the ingredients for the Khow Suey paste in a food processor or grinder and make a smooth paste. Add a tablespoon or two of water to help the paste come together.

Heat the oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the curry paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 4-6 minutes, until the paste takes on some colour.

Add the chickpea flour and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Add 1 to 1.5 cups water and whisk fast and well, until no lumps remain and the mix is smooth.

Add the diced veggies into the wok and sauté for 5 minutes. Add coconut milk and a splash of soy sauce and bring the curry to a mild boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer for another 5-7 minutes. Season with salt. Taste and adjust seasoning. Turn off the heat and finish with a squeeze of lime to balance out the flavours in the curry.

To serve, divide the rice noodles/spaghetti among bowls. Top with a generous amount of the Khow Suey curry, and garnish with crispy fried shallots, fried garlic, green onions, crushed peanuts, chopped coriander, red chilli flakes and a squeeze of lime.

Above pictures are copyrighted 

Artist of the month - Shalini Kumar

Today’s feature is on an artist who accidentally started experiencing her passion for art, which took her to a beautiful journey and there was no turning back. Shalini Kumar, a well-known artist in the art community in Oman, did her doctorate degree in Economics from Agra University. She is a versatile self-taught Indian artist based in Muscat, Oman. She is also a passionate poet good orator, dancer and trained laughter yoga teacher.

Most of her works are inspired by the scenic beauty and culture of Oman and its people. Her love for Oman can be seen in her beautiful paintings. She paints in all mediums but loves to paint in Acrylic and more of contemporary arts.  She works on commission. Many of her art Works sale is to help underprivileged. Her art works are also a part of private collector’s collection which is a huge honour for her. And she is a member of Omani Society of Fine Arts for last 11 years.

She has exhibited her art work in many countries like Brunei, Oman, Russia, Indonesia, Uganda and Dubai etc. She has done many solo and joint painting exhibitions in Muscat and Internationally. Over the years, her passion for teaching art grew as well. She has conducted workshops for past 11 years at different community centres in Muscat and also taught art to children at Shell school at Sakhalin in Russia.

She runs a laughter yoga club for free for ladies. She also teaches mosaic work and loves silk painting too specially stoles of self-imaginative designs. Recently she was honoured as a judge and co-host of Alwar International Film Festival January 2020.

Her last big project was to participate in GRATITUDE 50, project (a masterpiece of Sultan Qaboos Portrait of 7 meters by 6 meters), represented by 19 countries artists, Her last solo exhibition was in December 4 until January 3rd 2020 where the media has applauded her work.

Grab a cup of coffee or tea and have a look at some of her master pieces

 

The recent lockdown has brought out more creativity and new skills on to her canvases. If you wish to get in touch with her for more updates please email her at shalinikumar46@gmail.com