Tea Time with Meenakshi Kapoor

Hi everyone… I know I have not been consistent with my blog as I got sidetracked with a few projects in hand and pursuing my passion and learning in food photography. Please click here to see my work and to know more. I am back now with a new series called “Tea Time Series” where I will feature and introduce a creative whose work I follow and admire and I am super excited about this.

Kick starting the Tea Time series with Meenakshi Kapoor, a Mumbai based interior designer, who is the creative force behind the inspirational blog, called “Behind that House”, who took Instagram by storm with her mind blowing reels, beautiful posts and styling videos. I have been following her work for a long time and I have seen her grow consistently and taking up new challenges when it comes to home décor styling. Her Insta blog is truly a visual décor therapy.

The most striking aspect about her work is her unique, beautiful and elegant styling tips which always have a pop of gorgeous seasonal blooms and plants. Her easy to do DIYs and her simple tips on décor are another striking feature of her work, which gives wings to your imagination when it comes to home décor. She always aims to provide a fresh perspective to her audience when it comes to styling and DIY projects.

So grab a cup of tea and let’s get to know more about Meenakshi

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I studied Chemistry and computer networking and worked at The Taj for few years before I realized my inclination and fascination for furnishing fabrics and interiors. So after a long hiatus in my career while I raised two beautiful children and designed 4 different homes.... I joined DA designs as an interior designer and started blogging about my passion for styling and decor simultaneously

Where do you get inspiration to do up your home?
I find inspiration in the everyday, when I take a walk or when i travel. It could be a leaf a flower a pretty window a medieval arch or even a tiny coconut fallen from a tree or just about anything.

What's your favorite décor style?
I don’t have a favorite style. There’s always something to learn and explore about every style that is defined in books and there’s so much to experiment with and evolve from. I feel it’s an ongoing process and mixing styles along with adding unique pieces of art to create something new each time is what keeps me ticking.

What's your favorite décor element or accent in your home?
I love my plants the most as they always add life to any corner or space.

Do you have a favorite corner or space in your home? And why is it your favorite?
Yes, my balcony. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and switch off.

Do you have any tips or advice for décor lovers out there?
Don’t go overboard when you go shopping for furniture or decor. You will definitely be tempted to buy furniture from one store as it’s the most convenient thing to do but allow yourself to explore and play with different styles. Also with decor accents have fewer but unique pieces of accessories that speak to you. Creating vignettes is a great way to start styling corners of your home.

 Thank you so much for sharing your journey and tips with me and my readers! We look forward to more design and home décor styling tips from you!

Please click here if you wish to get in touch with her and follow her amazing work.

Stay tuned to the Tea Time Series!!! Stay safe!

The above pictures are copyrighted. Please do not reuse.

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!

Decorating with Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is a gorgeous plant that thrives in any weather. It is low maintenance and adds so much of colour to your garden.  My garden has this gorgeous pink bougainvillea and I had to find a way to bring that pink indoors. So I rearranged and restyled one of my living room side tables and paired the flowers with a plain white Japanese ceramic teapot and it looked gorgeous. The only disadvantage with these flowers is it withers away very quickly. So even if you put it in water, it will stay for just one or 2 days. Nevertheless I think it’s a great way to bringing in beauty, drama for that instant happiness and enhance your décor even if it’s just for one or two days.

Have a look at the following pictures on how I styled with my favorite curios.

What do you think of my side table décor ? I would love to hear your thoughts.





All above images are copyright Tickled by Inspirations

Home Tour: Residence of Gayatri Singh

Hello everyone! It’s my favorite segment for the day - Home tour time! Every home is different, with different stories to tell. And today’s home tour tells us a different story.

Gayatri Singh, a professional chef trained at the Culinary Institute of America, has opened her doors for us for a tour of her cozy apartment in Singapore. She has deep passion for interiors apart from food and you can see it in every corner of her gorgeous space. Her home is filled with beautiful artifacts and beautiful vignettes. She has collected interesting curios and décor accents as she travels the world. I love the way how she has struck a balance between traditional elements and global décor. And so effortlessly she manages to tie so many elements together.

Let’s hear more from Gayatri and have a virtual tour of her beautiful space.

Where do you get your inspiration for your home décor?

My love for interior designing started when I moved to Tokyo where the home designs are minimalistic yet elegant. I got inspired by the elegant and delicate Japanese decor as well as the places I traveled. Over the past 10 years I have lived in Tokyo, Boston, Hong Kong and now I am residing in Singapore. My decor style reflects the journey through those 4 cities with heavy emphasis on local tastes. 

What is your favorite décor style?

My favorite decor style is a bit of a fusion of Asian Vintage and Colonial Indian decor.

Your favorite décor accent.

There are many favorite accents but the most favorite one is the wooden ladder I found in a junk shop in Tokyo and bell metal hanging lamp I bought in India. 

Any tip for our home décor lovers out there?

I am no expert but the only thing I can advise is, try to find your style, your choice and then design your home. Don't clutter. :)

Thank you Gayatri for sharing your space with us!

Gayatri is a food blogger and I personally love her recipes and her gorgeous pictures. Please click here to browse through her recipes and here to follow her on Instagram.

All Images are copyrighted

Vignette Inspiration from my Home

Decorating your home with fresh flowers gives an instant make over by creating an oasis of comfort in your space. My chrysanthemums are blooming away making my garden so beautiful and I couldn’t help myself bring these beauties inside my sanctuary. Flowers are the key to any beautiful vignette because it creates the most impact while styling. I paired these gorgeous flowers with books to bring in character, a tealight holder to bring warmth, my favorite birdie to add charm and a little antique box to add glamour to the whole styling…. Voila!!! Enough to bring in a glow to my space…

What are some of your favorite elements in your arrangement? If you wish to share your favorite vignette or styling, please get in touch with me at tbinspirations@gmail.com 

 

 

 

All Images are copyrighted Tickled by Inspirations