I happened to find a fun glass jar a few weeks ago and wanted to fill it with decorative accessories or pebbles- nice but a little boring right! Meanwhile, I came across TERRARIUMS. It is in simple words a small glass garden or as some others may say, a perfect example of how the Eco system works. The temperature inside is controlled by a very basic principle. Read more here.  My job here is to help you make your space beautiful. Lets leave the science apart for now and learn how to make one. 

You need:

• a glass container with a top preferably
• pebbles
• charcoal- a thin layer
• moss
• soil
• assortment of plants- succulent plants would be great

What you do:

• layer container with materials 2-5 in the exact order
• plant plants, the tallest in the center.
• water the container
• cover the soil with marble chips or small pebbles
• seal terrarium with cover.

 

  

Maintain your terrarium.

No's
• No direct sunlight.
• No over watering your terrarium. if you see too much water on the walls, wipe it down

Do's
• When the plants start to droop, water your terrarium then

Photos: Room Therapist
Execution: Sukanya Reddy ( my mother-in-law with the super green thumb)

Did you enjoy making one? Are you making one? Already made one? Let me know. Leave your comments for me!

We all know god is in the details. What we don't do often is use these little details to make our spaces beautiful. Here are a few examples of the simplest things in life, that are the most gorgeous design elements. 

These are a few of my favorite "simple" things or SIMPLE THERAPY in our language!

                     

The reason this rod appeals to me is the simplicity in the design. How many times do we pay attention to that rod that hangs our towel. It's pretty in itself and yet so so simple.

 

 

An old unused boat, with the paddle lined up against the wall and a small vintage style window to create that cozy corner you and me want. .

This antique wooden spoon used to scoop spice out earlier; now used as a fruit bowl. Gorgeously simple!

 oh these old wooden chairs!

The above two pictures are my personal favorites

hibiscus in the stone urli (Kerala's traditional decorative vessel) and the basava(stone cow), cant stop wanting them for my own house

Beauty has a lot to do with character.
Kevyn Aucoin

..........and I feel that a pop of colour always adds character. You have to use it the right way to not overdo it. Not going to say much. I am going to let the pictures speak this time. Embracing RED all over again -  I say that cause this is my second post after that post  about the same topic. Look at that "one red element" in each one of these pictures. This place and these pictures are definitely a new dimension of decor for me.

all the above pictures are shot by moi and it is shot at the Vaamika Island

please do leave your comments for me

Wrapistry

The first time I payed attention to a gift wrapped present was when I was between 5-10 years old. I'm almost positive that all of you reading this post will be able to identify "that one time" when you got a gift or two and couldn't wait to tear the wrapping away. I for sure grew up in an age where we weren't big on wrapping gifts. And then came this transformation phase where gifts were wrapped- well with ugly wrapping sometimes/most-times. Anyways, now I'm at a point- where I cant do without wrapping a gift and I am bent upon wrapping it well, I like to add a bow or a flower or something to make it more desirable. Something about it; even if it is a box of cookies or a bottle of wine, there's something about wrapping them before gifting! I met one of the most creative genius last month in Pune. Miss WRAPISTRY herself- Amruta Walvekar. She brought a bunch of boxes to show me as we sipped on some tea and I was in love. Again, you have to see it to believe it! She has the eye when it comes to the colors, textures, font, ribbon and many more details. I know its a small thing but that's what we like at room therapy: small additions BIG difference. She makes gift boxes in many different sizes and retails them at selected stores and takes orders and custom makes them too. You have to see these gorgeous pieces of art to agree with everything I have said above,if you wish to learn the art, Wrapistry will be in Hyderabad on 27th April 2013 to conduct a Gift wrapping and bow making workshop.

The good news is Amruta has been kind enough to grace Hyderabad with her presence and teach us how to master the art of wrapping. 

 (the above few pictures are from WRAPISTRY's last workshop)

 I hope you enjoyed/enjoy WRAPPING THERAPY!

 

Amruta at a workshop

photo: Joesph Radhik 

Mail her at info@wrapistry.com or call 98239 81810 for more information

don't forget to leave your comments

.......country or should I modify it a bit to God's own THERAPY! I'm visiting a small island close to Kochi this weekend. I want to share this post in detail,  but I couldn't resist!!! Here's a brief preview.

 

 

                       

                       Don't forget to stop by soon, I'll be back with a lot to tell. 
                                                        Signing off from Kochi!

I lived by the beach in Los Angeles (Hermosa Beach) for a good two and a half years. The whole ambiance is so different from living in any other city. Summer 12 months of the year, beach volley ball, the water, the sand, the bars, the food....SIGH! We would BBQ at the beach sometimes and just lay on the sand all day long. I'm a water baby and would live by the water any day. Someday! I say someday...will wish to make that happen again. Until then here's a very "chill" backyard of a house in Manhattan beach. I remember walking by this house many times and I was fortunate to find the link to the pictures to share with you guys.

        

these pictures are from the designer's website

click here to see other projects as well.

don't forget to leave your comments my lovelies!

An office on a budget lets you come up with the most incredible outlets for creativity- or so I claim. We found an old table at the market which was once used as a salon table. Converted now into a reception desk. The office is still "work in progress", however the table is ready. I couldn't wait till the office was complete to share the details.

The table was in a decent shape. We added a steel pipe and a glass top to get more surface area. The 4" pipes were used to support the glass - to rest on the table. The other end/leg was drilled to the floor. You can add another flat steel plate if you prefer moving it around.

table at the old buy and sell store: INR 2500
12 mm glass top: INR 1000
duco paint and labour: INR 2000
total cost:INR 5500