Tea Time with Alaknanda Kumar

 Alakanda Kumar, a creative consultant by profession, is making a mark in the world of décor topped with her passion for photography. I have been following her work for a while. It is absolutely pure joy to see her work and experiment with colours, vignettes, creative ideas and vignette. If you follow her work you will also find her home so tastefully done up. Every corner in her home has a story to tell. Her aesthetic touch is what keeps her work unique and her eye for photography is an extension of all the beauty she sees around.

To know more about what drives Alakanda, please read the interview where she speaks about design, culture, interiors, textures and more

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

 When not satiating the shutterbug in me, I find myself juggling between my job as a creative consultant and chasing my preteen for homework. Born in a Konkani-Managlorian family, I spent a fair share of my childhood in Gujarat (which had a big influence on my hobby), before moving to Mumbai. Though a science graduate, I pursued my passion for arts and built a career in graphics and design.

 

2. Where do you get inspiration to do up your home?

 Growing up in Gujarat, the vibrant colours and rich textures that embodies its culture was etched into my mind. Having a strong fascination for bold and contemporary Indian art intrigued me to try my hands on it. And that's how painting became one of my hobbies. During my early years in 80s when there was no Pinterest, home interior TV shows and art and decor magazines served as the greatest source for an ultimate design. Today we have inspiration just a click away. 

 

3) What's your favorite décor style?

 I have always found myself trying to strike the right balance between Indian and contemporary styles. As much as I adore white and open spaces, I tend not lean towards minimalism or even maximalism. That said, I keep experimenting with different styles.

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

 It’s hard to zero-in on a single element. Candles and cushions are like wine and cheese; they complement each other so perfectly that you’d be hard-pressed to leave them out. Another element that I swoon over are mirrors. A perfectly placed mirror doesn’t just add glamour and pique interest, but accentuates a sense of space and maximizes light. Thanks to my penchant for pottery, I always find myself styling my space with earthy accents like vases and figurines.

 

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

 As much as we adore our home, we all have that corner where we could retreat to our little cocoon after an exhausting day. Mine is a space in the living room that is our reading nook. The beauty of this corner is that I could be lost in a book or in the tunes my son plays on his piano and not strays away from what’s happening around in the house.

6) Any tips or advice for décor lovers out there?

 - I believe that your home is a reflection of your personality, and if one starts understanding this, every nook and cranny of your home will brain out the artist in you.

 - Before discarding any old furniture or accent, think if it can be repurposed. An old, rickety wooden window could be an excellent wall piece (I tried that ;) )

 - If your place is too cluttered, one’s mind would be overwhelmed with all the elements, and hence, my advice would be to do less with more.

 Thank you so much for sharing your journey and sharing some amazing tips of home décor. Looking forward to seeing more inspiring work from you.

If you wish to see more of her work and get more updates, please click here to follow her on Instagram.

Stay tuned for more tea times stories!!

All the above pics are by Alaknanda Kumar

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!

Positivity in your space

Hey everyone… how is your week going? Since we are all spending a lot of time indoors, at home… do you feel positive enough in your space?

If not, here are some tips for you to create that positive energy in your space and I hope it will work for you…

Natural lighting:

Place your seating close to your window where you can work and read easily. Keep rotating your seating arrangements from one room to another.


Surround yourself with things that make you happy:

If you are sitting at your desk, have pictures of your loved ones close by or a favorite book or something that has sentimental value and brings a smile to your face every time you look at it.


Indoor plants:

Have at least one indoor plant in your space. That pop of green always brings life in your home.


De-clutter:

De-clutter your space as it directly affects your mind and productivity. Throw away papers, bills and things that you don’t need. Donate toys, old books and clothes.


Music:

I always play music in the background when I paint, meditate or read and even when I create recipes… it just sets the tempo for my task.


Aromatic Oils:

To set the mood in your home, burn your favorite aromatic oil or incense. It will uplift your mood as you do your task.


Move things around:

Since we are all home bound, it’s natural for all of us to crave for a change of scenery,  so the best way to tackle this is, move around your wall hangings, pictures and paintings…. Move your furniture around a bit or your décor accents. you can also add a few accents here and there that have a pop of colour.


Favorite Couch:

Always have your favorite couch ready for taking a snooze in between or read or to watch your favorite television show. And keep a throw ready to snuggle in.


Take breaks:

Please don’t forget to stretch and workout in between. If you have a small balcony, you can stretch there and get a bit of sunlight as well. And if you have space outside, try workout or do a spot jogging or skip.

Let me know if these tips are helpful and is working for you… I only wish you all lots of peace and calmness as the lockdown continues. Please stay safe, stay healthy, eat healthy and stay home!

Above pictures are copyrighted by Tickled by Inspirations

Tips to Revamp your Deskspace

After a long and hectic week, it is always good to revamp your desk to make an environment that is functional and motivating. My desk was cluttering up with papers, documents that needed filing and books. And the whole cluttering process affected my work progress, productivity and balance. So I finally sat down to clear up my desk and revamped it by de-cluttering, filing and throwing away papers that I don’t need and I set the vibe with some fresh flowers and Indian basil arranged in a vase. And my desk got an instant makeover! What do you think of my desk space?

This was how it looked!... Can you see the stack of papers and books piling up?

And this bunch of flowers and basil, just changed the vibe

Here are some tips to revamp your desk and set it in the right tone:


Create a Mood-board:

Treat your desk space as your mood board. Use calm colours or black and gold or even browns by using books, desk accessories, your brand posters or art and motivational quotes.  And the best part is you can keep changing your desk look. There are no rules here.


Always de-clutter:
My desk always keeps piling up with books, papers, documents that needs to be filed and bills! Towards the end of the week it’s always good to de-clutter so that you can start the new week with a clean desk. File away papers and throw away things that you don’t serve any purpose.


Good Lighting: 
To boost your productivity, you need good lighting, be it natural light or artificial. Use warmer hue desktop light and adjustable light levels to avoid eye strain. Invite as much light as you can to make your space look bigger.


Green or flowers: Fresh indoor plants or flowers instantly set the vibe for your work space. It instantly sets a zen vibe to your space.

I hope you get to revamp your desk space and if you do, please keep me posted on how it goes!




Above pictures are copyright Tickled by Inspirations

A Glimpse of Lyla John’s Gorgeous Apartment

This is my first official blog post for 2020 and the best way to start the year is with my favorite segment, home tours and today’s is more of snippets of a cozy home. Lyla John, an interior designer by profession based in Kochi, has created a tidy, serene oasis for herself. It is a beautiful apartment that has a view… There is a striking mix of simplicity and beauty, topped with a perfect balance of functionality and aesthetics.  I just love the serene, uncluttered vibes of minimalism, ethnicity and eclectic. To save space she has converted the alcove into a smart storage unit which serves as a bar as well. Her collection of gorgeous classic wooden furniture speaks volume when it comes to style. And what struck my attention is her collection of beautiful illustrations and décor accents.


Here is a snippet of her beautiful home and let’s hear more from Lyla herself.

Tell us a bit yourself.

I am Lyla John and I have been an interior designer for 30 years. I predominantly work on interiors for homes and small hotels. I find that my passion revolves around working on small projects where I have a close relationship with the people who will end up inhabiting the space I create. Talking with them, understanding their quirks, likes and dislikes and designing a space with them is deeply satisfying. 

 What is your décor Inspiration for your home?

I have inherited a lot of the big pieces of furniture in my home from my husband’s family as well as mine. So while they are big, traditional and wooden, I try to offset those by using classic colours combinations for my upholstery and curtains, accents are a mix traditional knick knacks and quirky of off pieces.

Tell us a bit about your Décor style

I would say my decor style would be eclectic at its best. 

What is your Favorite Space or part of your home?

The favourite space of my home is my balcony. After spending many decades living in an individual house with a large garden around it, it was an adjustment for me to fit all my favourite plants into a tiny balcony. But having my green oasis when I sit for my morning coffee or evening tea is one of the best ways to unwind and gather my thoughts. 

Any décor tips for my readers?

I would suggest - invest in your home- all the time. Don’t think to do up your home in one shot and assume you are done. Be slow, be deliberate in the furniture and accessories you pick for your home. It should reflect you and not just the latest trends. When you sit in your home, it should make you feel warm and comfy.

"Thank you so much Lyla John for opening up your doors to me and my readers and sharing your décor inspirations with us all!! You home is just beautiful"

If you would like to share your home space or favorite space with me and my readers, please write to me at tbinspirations@gmail.com . Meanwhile stay tuned for more!!!




Above pictures are via Lyla John

A Christmas DIY centre piece

I say it’s about time we start gearing up for Christmas… and it’s never too early…


One of the most important element of Christmas other than food, baking and family, is the décor… the tree needs to go up, along with all the lights… you need to decide on what crockery to use and on the colour theme…  It can get busier as Christmas is approaching so you would rather stick to some simple DIY which you can handle. Christmas table centre pieces are an integral part of décor in your home … for your coffee table and for your dining.

I have a simple centre piece for Christmas that is simple, elegant and that too it just takes ten minutes!


Here is a list of things that you need :

• a single tier or double tier cake stand 
• your favorite Christmas sparkly ornaments
• a few pine cones 
• a few Christmas tree branches (if you want but I didn’t use any) 

Arrange all the above elements on the cake stand.. you can even use a string of lights and voila! your centrepiece is ready!

Let me know what you think of this DIY décor...and if you have any DIY decor to share, please get in touch with me at tbinspirations@gmail.com .

Above pictures are copyright Tickled by Inspirations

Style your bookshelf

There is a lot more to a beautifully styled bookshelf than decorating it with just books. It is always good to add something to your bookshelf to express your creativity and make your bookshelf a focal point. It has to be functional and look cohesive as well. And to get that perfect look you will end up rearranging because it is like trying out a new recipe and you are testing it with your ingredients that suit your taste. The whole process is a trial and error but eventually you will end up with a perfectly styled bookshelf. In modern décor a book shelf is considered as the window to your stories and memories.

Picture via Décor fix

Here are some pointers that will help you to achieve that perfectly styled look

1.       What can you put on the bookshelves?

Different sizes of books that can be displayed vertically or horizontally to create a visual interest.

Small artwork or paintings can be used as a layer while styling the shelf.

Photo frames can be placed at eye level for a personal touch but avoid cluttering with too many frames.

Baskets are good to fill up spaces and useful for storage. And it is always good to place them at the bottom of the shelving unit for easier access.

Indoor plants are a great way to add for that pop of green.

Décor Accessories are another way to style up your bookshelf. It could be a treasured family heirloom and something that you collected on your travel.

2.       Size and Balance: When you start styling your bookshelf, start to fill with large items and balance it out with smaller things. This will help you get the basic layout and will help you avoid cluttering. 

3.       Pattern: If you want to add more colour and pattern, try wallpapering the back panel of your shelf. You can stick to a theme is you wish, for example tropical leaves or maybe neutrals.

4.       Lighting: you can use a small lighting fixture if you want to keep a painting or artwork.

5.       Step back and Edit: like any interior designer it is always good to step back and study your bookshelf. Check if you need to add more colour and if it’s too cluttered you can take away a few objects or books. You can also check for empty spaces to fill or balance out the display.

Image via Marika Meyer Interiors , notice the wallpaper at the back panel of the shelf. Isn't it beautiful?

Image via Pottery Barn

Image via Allium, a colour coordinated bookshelf

I hope the above pointers were useful and if ever try to style your bookself, please write to me at tbinspirations@gmail.com and share your work. I will be happy to share it with my readers!

Monday Series on Beautiful Rooms

Monday Inspirations is all about beautiful rooms… a beautiful room speaks volumes about the homeowners… it is not just the décor style but it is also about the homeowners lives and loves…  but we all know how hard it is to get it right and balanced, especially when you have to get all the elements right like layout, planning, colours, lighting, fixtures, textures and the interior design.  Thanks to Pinterest and décor and interior magazines, we get to see gorgeous rooms from all around the world. So get ready to feast your eyes, grab a cup of coffee, listen to some soothing music and inspire the decorator within you…

Photography by KRISTA KELTANEN FOR LIVING INSIDE VIA INSIDE OUT

Starting with monochrome style, simple and elegant

Photography by JAMES MERRELL

Love the pop of blue and lemon green

Photography by MELANIE ACEVEDO

The warm colours in this room making the room more inviting!

Photography by Julie Shaver

the bed and side table styled so beautifully, just enough to get you cozy on that bed!

Photography by SEAN LITCHFIELD FOR HOMEPOLISH

The lighting and the furniture are going so well together keeping neurtals as base

Photography by SEAN LITCHFIELD FOR HOMEPOLISH

Love this wallpaper in the powder room, keeping neutrals as the base

Photography by JEREMY LIEBMAN

Black and white kitchen is always timeless and easy to achieve

Click here for the source, Look at that gorgeous decayed brickwork as the backdrop,

the pops of colours, high ceilings and the arched window...  

I hope you enjoyed browsing through these gorgeous rooms! Which one was your favorite?
More beautiful rooms coming up in the Monday Series.... Meanwhile stay tuned for other inspirations from the décor world!




Above pictures are via Domino