Hanging Baskets In My Small Balcony Garden | Luxury Home Decoration 2019

I had always wanted hanging baskets in my balcony garden, but I couldn't find big wrought iron hanging baskets with coir lining here in Pune. So I bought these plastic ones. I didn't like their dull colours though, so I painted them in vibrant colours.

I planted Money plant, Jade, 9 O'clock, Purple Wandering Jew and Singapore Daisy in some baskets, that my mother had given me and sowed seeds of Virginia Stock and Nasturtium in two baskets, that my mother-in-law had given me. I was desperate like a kid, who just wanted seeds to sprout the moment they were sown. I wanted to see, how my baskets will going to look when they will be full of foliage and blooms. And slowly it happened.........

Kid in me was so happy to see some blooms and Virginia Stock sprouts, that were filling the blue basket.

And finally the day arrived when I saw 9 O'clock, Nasturtium, Singapore Daisy and Virginia Stock blooming and Money plant & Jade thriving and spreading cheer in my small garden. This was the sight I was waiting for. It was so heart warming to look at these baskets.  

Some close ups.........

And some different angles.........

And Purple wandering Jew has become the main attraction in the garden for its lovely purple leaves and the way it's covering the basket.

But now because of cold weather Nasturtium has died :( and 9 O'clock plant has stopped blooming. 

Waiting for Spring to arrive now.

Have a great weekend ahead dear all!!

DIY Lippan Work: Video Tutorial | Luxury Home Decoration 2019

Thank you so much dear all for appreciating my Lippan Work Wooden panels. I am overwhelmed by the response I got. So I created a video tutorial exclusively for my wonderful readers who want to try their hand on this art.

In my last post about Asus Zenfone 6 you saw how I am super impressed with ZenFone 6 and exploring its wonderful features every passing day. So this was the perfect time to test its video recording feature too. I just picked up the ZenFone 6, gathered all the supplies needed for making Lippan work wooden panels, started shooting video and without any editing published it on YouTube. It was extremely easy and quick to make a video tutorial with ZenFone 6 and the most amazing thing was publishing it on my YouTube channel right after I finished shooting it. 

I watched the video I shot, over and over again in great disbelief that how a mobile with some amazing features can save so much time. I had spent around 4-6 hrs in making video tutorials earlier and it was hassle to shoot and then edit the video.
While making video with ZenFone 6, I noticed that I can pause the video number of times whenever I want and can resume it later, it is wonderful feature specially when I am shooting DIY tutorials. Video and sound clarity is excellent.
Below is the video tutorial of Lippan work. You can check out the video and its sound quality. I found it wonderful.

Few more things that I am trying to do with ZenFone 6 is that I am creating a movie with its 'Movie Maker', using series of pictures or videos and then I can edit it.

I captured lots of pictures too, will share them in my next post with all the other good features that I am exploring in ZenFone 6

Want to see more images of my Lippan Work then click here.

My Wishlist!! | Luxury Home Decoration 2019

I love online shopping because I don't like to go to overcrowded markets. Often times I make hurried purchases just to avoid the crowd. For me online shopping is the best option any day and if some great deals are going on then it's like icing on the cake  and I go berserk shopping. One such amazing deal is going on on eBay. It's eBay Republic Day Sale. I am totally amazed to see the discounts and deals they are offering. I have created my Wishlist and will not let go this opportunity. Here's my wishlist- 

1.Wooden Bench/Sofa:

My home is an ever evolving place. I love eclectic style of decorating. When I explored eBay deals, I found this beautiful wooden bench. I liked this wooden bench for it's ethnic look. I love everything Indian and this beautiful Sheesham wood bench is what my living room is desperately waiting for. Its colour will blend perfectly with the rest of the furniture in my living room. It looks comfortable and cozy. 

Few days ago when I checked it was not in my budget but now eBay is offering 16% discount. Win win situation for me.

2. Telescope:

This 75X /150X refractor  telescope would make a perfect gift for my son, who loves astronomy and wants to be an astronaut. He loves to watch the night sky and his curious mind wants to know how the celestial bodies actually look. This telescope would be the answer for his numerous questions.
The best thing about eBay Republic Day Sale is that they are offering international hot deals too. And I am picking this telescope for sure.

3. Casual Shoes:

The man of the house whenever goes out, just heads towards the shoe stores. Not only he loves sopping for shoes but also loves to explore more about them in various stores like latest trends, designs, durability, quality, material, make and what not. We have more shoes than socks in our home. That is why this pair of casual shoes is in my wish list. 

These brown suede leather fashionable boots are available on eBay on 30% discount. That's a great deal, I must say.

4. DSLR Camera:

Being a lifestyle blogger, I always need lots of images and that's not the only reason, I love photography too so need an excellent camera. I have been wanting to buy this DSLR camera since long now, but found it too pricey on various online shopping portals. It has always been on top on my wish list.

With eBay offering some best deals, I am so sure that now I can own this amazing camera and would be able to click some lovely shots for my blog.

5. Watches:

I love watches, especially couple watches. Earlier also my husband and I have bought few beautiful pair watches and we love the look and feel of wearing same kind of watches. 

This white silicone chronograph Armani watch is too elegant and would love to have it for it's beauty and elegance. 

What's on your wish list readers! Explore the #eBayRepublicDaySale to know more about all the hot deals.

Lippan Work Wooden Panels | Luxury Home Decoration 2019

Lippan work or mud mirror work is an exquisite art form of western India, 

mainly Kutch in Gujarat. I love its ethnic look. Mirrors in different shapes and sizes give it a glittery look while curvy patterns in white make it elegant and pleasing. I like all Indian art forms and I had promised myself that I will create a gallery wall in my living room exclusively with all kinds of Indian art forms. 

I am reaching towards my goal. I have painted Madhubani painting, Warli painting, my blogger friend gifted me Kalamkari painting (though I have to fill colour in it) and last year my sister and I made these Lippan work wooden panels. 

Check out the video tutorial of these Lippan work wooden panel on my Youtube channel. 

Here is a closer look. I made the patterns those are very close to authentic Lippan work and my sister chose a contemporary design.

I am not sure whether I am going to put them as they are or I'll get them framed. Though I think framed ones will look better. What do you suggest?

I have one more idea bubbling in my mind, soon I am going to make one Lippan work tray too. What say?

You may want to check the intricacy of my artwork :) joking!!! It was super easy to make these panels. 

Gearing up to create a gallery wall full of all Indian art forms. Mural painting, Miniature painting, Tanjore and many more paintings are left to try my hands on. Though walls in my home are in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint. So first thing first. 

See you all with images of some corners of my home, clicked with ZenFone 6
Hope you liked my Lippan work wooden panels.

My latest Crush - Asus Zenfone 6 | Luxury Home Decoration 2019

You can call me gadget geek. I just love trying my hands on latest in technology devices and appliances. I love the fact that how technology is shaping our lives and can be a great help, provided you are using it in proper manner and for better. For me it has always been a great help, be it blogging, online interaction with clients, raising a tech wizard kid or fun with family and friends far away from me, I always need a good device that is packed with latest technology. Sometimes this is how I work.....

Recently I have been given Asus Zenfone 6 to use and write my experiences about it. I have been using Zenfone 6 since past 4-5 days and found it quite impressive phone. It is the most beautiful phone that I have ever used. It has very useful features and it's quite robust mobile.

How I am using Zenfone 6:
 Lets see how I am using it. I found some unique features in Zenfone 6 and here they are...

Sleek and light:
The moment I picked up the Zenfone 6, the very first thing that I noticed about it is, it's sleek body and light weight, which is 196 gms only. It perfectly fits in my palm but, yes, I have to use other hand to operate it. Back cover of this mobile is in a matte finish that allows perfect grip. My earlier phone's screen shattered because of its glossy back, that doesn't allow perfect grip and it slipped from my hand. Zenfone 6 screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which is a benefit for user like me.
Though it's a bigger phone but, it fits perfectly in my jeans pocket, bigger and better it is. And because  of its light weight I will give few extra marks to Zenfone 6, because unlike my previous phone I can hold Zenfone 6 for longer with feeling any discomfort or pain in my hand.

Bigger Screen:
Zenfone 6 screen is quite bigger. With its 6 Inches LCD display, it is a large beautiful phablet. I loved the device for its better and wider display. Brightness level offered by display is quite good that results in brightly lit visuals. I love watching videos and playing games on Zenfone 6  because of amazing picture and graphic quality. I am a big music lover. I love to listen to music whenever I am stressed out but, with Zenfone 6 not only I enjoy music, but I can write my blog post also at the same time. Isn't that icing on the cake.

One more thing that I liked a lot about Zenfone 6 is its touch, which is quite sensitive and accurate. I faced lots of problem with touch screen of my previous mobile. Thankfully Zenfone 6 offers wider screen and sensitive touch, now no more typing mistakes. Writing a blog post and replying to mails have become pretty easier and time saving. With my previous mobile it was a hassle to write post, upload pictures in a blog and then editing a post. I tried writing blog post using Zenphone 6 and I was quite amazed with the result. I wrote the entire post with great ease.

See the size of virtual keys in type pad, it allows your finger tip to freely tap the specific key. Zenfone 6 earned extra bonus in terms of touch screen sensitivity and accuracy. You can switch to glove mode too when you are using the phablet with gloves on, useful feature specially in winters.

I am exploring the device and finding something new, exciting and extra ordinary everyday, I will share more of Zenfone 6 unique features and how I am using it. Stay tuned!!

Coming up next "Lippan work panel made by me".

Inspiring Eminent Artist: Trishna Patnaik | Luxury Home Decoration 2019

As I promised in the last post, here I am with an artist who was doing great in her professional life, but then she realized that 'Art' is her first love and now she is following her heart. So without further ado, let me introduce you to a very talented painter- Trishna Patnaik

Please let us know a little more about you.  

Disha, Thank you for this opportunity. 

Well, I am Trishna Patnaik , a Bsc (in Life Sciences) and MBA (in Marketing) by qualification but an artist by choice. A self-taught artist so to speak and, I have been practicing art for 13 years now.

I have had a few professional stints in various corporate of repute. Three years of my corporate stint made me realize that I�m designed for something more meaningful.  I found my true calling in my strength, my hobby, my inner voice, my freedom/ platform to express, my passion that is painting.

I�m now a full-time professional painter pursuing my passion to create and explore to the fullest.  Contemporary Art is what gets me going. I am working smart on developing my unique style. It�s a road less traveled but a journey that I look forward to everyday.  

I am glad to know that you are following your heart now. When and how you realized your passion about Painting.

Painting for me has been synonymous to meditation. It has been my stress buster, my get away, my platform to express, my energizer for as long as I can remember. 

Coming from a service sector inclined background getting a decent job after a decent degree was always a priority in the family! But there was a perpetual uneasiness in everything I pursued .Because I was doing it as I �HAD� to do it. Only when I use to paint I felt �Free�. There was no �Have� to do it then!

Also the other part of the story is that I use to dislike the whole thought of an art class in my school. It was so rule book based, so full of marks and grades etc. Draw and paint a rainy day or accident on a road or a mela etc. were the usual topics in school.  I could never really understand that I am good in this or inclined towards art!Probably because of which the thought to go to an Art School never occurred to me at all.

I preferred art which I learned and did as my hobby with various artists during weekends and vacations. It was in my 10th std vacation that I enjoyed the whole learning process a lot more! I kept coming back to it in every vacation or even weekends till my graduation. In fact I began even painting my own artworks. Then my MBA happened and then I got a job.

As I got more and more into the routine of a desk job, I felt more and more claustrophobic, disoriented. It was because I lacked a goal! I found my solace only when I painted! So I moonlight as a painter. In the process I worked for almost 16 hours a day for almost 2 years! Finally I took the call to be a Full Time Artist. 

I believe I am born to paint. I believe I am fluid. In other words creative, hence sticking to a routine for a lifetime would be ridiculous! I am glad I am a self taught artist, as it keeps the spark of the perpetual need to learn going. I am learning till date and will always continue to do so!  

That's very inspiring Trishna. We would love to know more about your passion. How many mediums and techniques of painting you have worked on. 

I have dabbled with all mediums right from pencil to charcoal to colour pencils to pastels to water colours to acrylics to oils!

Each medium is beautiful and has something unique to offer. 

I have applied techniques as per the artworks requirement. The purpose of using a technique is not to �USE IT� to prove a point but to add value to a painting without making that �VALUE ADDITION� obvious.

I believe the whole point of been a painter is to express rather than impress.

And once you are set to only express, the medium of expression can vary and the techniques could be straight out of the book or even something which has never been seen before.

I really admire your thought process Trishna. Though for a passionate painter like you it's difficult to answer this but I would love to know which one is your favorite medium and why.

Now that�s difficult to choose. It actually depends on the painting.

I never paint on the paper or canvas. I always paint in my mind first and then I only manually pursue my artwork with my hands.

Sometimes I need Charcoal to complete my rendition, sometimes its water colours and sometimes even Acrylics!

I love the fact how a small Charcoal stick or crayon can create fire on paper!

I love the ease with which water colours leave their base transparent and are so intriguing!

Acrylics, well what can I say, it�s the fastest and the least messy of all the mediums. A masterpiece can be created in no time!

What inspires you to paint. Is it nature, human, everyday life or something else.

Everything around me is inspiring. If not to the conscious mind then definitely to the subconscious However, I am more inclined towards three different themes within the Contemporary Art arena.

One theme is Abstracts, the second is Graphics and the third Faces.

I like the inflow of colour in various modes, directions, paths etc. to make my abstracts.

I like the amalgamation of shapes, silhouette, forms etc. to make my graphics.

I like to work around faces of woman with a contemporary touch to it.

What other than Painting excites you.

Well, it�s a cliche, but I guess I eat, live, breathe painting only as it�s my passion.

I want to pursue a course in Curatorial Studies in the near future to expand my wings in the arena of Art.

I do enjoy the thought of baking though and would like to explore the idea of been a film critic some day.

And I am planning to learn the guitar this year, as I enjoy music on a very basic level! 

Please share the links where we can find your Art work and where my blog readers can get connected with you.

I am planning on having my own website by next year maybe.

Last but not the least, as everyone dreams of being something in life, what you have dreamed of.

My dream is to leave a legacy behind me. I don�t want to live a regular life where after 60 years, I get a pension and have a farmhouse and I say to myself I have lived my dream so now I will relax and enjoy! I want every day to be a challenge. I want everyday to be new. I want to wake up every day with a smile on my face and clueless of what life throws next at me. My dream is to be a perpetual stream of water that is in no hurry to find a shore.

____________________________________________________________________________________________
Trishna it was great pleasure to know about you and your true passion. I wish you all the success ahead. Thoughts play a major role in determining the quality of life and your thoughts just reflect that you are living a beautiful life. Thanks for inspiring all of us.
Dear readers what do you think about this amazing artist. Do drop a line or two. You can read about other inspiring eminent artists by clicking this link.

Stay tuned!! I am exploring a new device and will be talking about it in my next post.

P.S. All the image are provided by Trisha Patnaik and subject to copyright.

Gratitude!! | Luxury Home Decoration 2019

I have so much to be thankful for. As the new year begins I strongly feel that it's a time to say 'thank you' to each and every one of you. You all have been my strength, courage & support throughout my blogging journey. I was nothing and you all made me a beautiful person, I feel content and happy all the time. I find myself very fortunate that I got connected with such wonderful and lovely people in this virtual world of blogging. Now I have friends from many different countries, religions, and cultures and that's what I love about blogging. 

I am grateful to God for giving everything that I had in the past, I have today and will have in future. I am grateful to my parents, siblings and my wonderful, lovely, sweet & small family for their endless support and selfless love, for their precious time that they spend with me and make me feel special, for their encouraging words that keep me going, I couldn't ask for more. I am grateful to all fellow bloggers who are always there to help and keep inspiring me. I am grateful to you all my friends and readers, you never fail to encourage and support me, no matter in which part of the world you are, you are always there for me whenever I need you. Thank you! Thank you very much.

I would like to thank those friends too, who always see negative in me, who try to put me down, who always discourage me and try to create negativity around me, who criticize me in every way possible, who never even congratulate me on my success, people....believe me you are my best friends because you bring the best out of me. Every time you try to put me down I rise and run with strength double than earlier. I am very grateful to you friends, but I request you to stop being jealous, instead be grateful for what all you have got, as gratitude blocks toxic emotions :) look in the mirror, think about me and SMILE :) kill those toxic emotions as soon as possible. 

My dear friends and readers, I read somewhere and would like to share the secret to happiness with you, it's Gratitude!!

"Gratitude is not only the greatest virtues but the parent of all the others".

                                                                                                                   -Cicero

The secret to happiness is- express gratitude, practice kindness, spread cheer and savour joy. 
I have experienced this many a times that when you become grateful for everything that happens in life, you see the world with new eyes, you find yourself calm, happy and content, your life becomes full of wonderful opportunities.

I have a lot to share but I wish I had at least 36 hrs in a day to make it possible. Let me quickly share some very important things that happened in my life after I started blogging:

1) My blog is considered as one the best Indian design blogs. Thank you, Hindustan Times :)

2) It crossed more than 4,50,000 hits recently. Thank you, readers :)

3) I earned money in six figures in just 4 months and that too through blogging. Thanks to Blogger, Google and my clients :)

4) I did very first commissioned wall art project, post about it will be coming shortly. Thanks to the wonderful client :)

5) I took a plunge into the video blogging and it's also paying me handsomely. Thanks to viewers :) You can subscribe to my Youtube channel here.

That's all from me. Stay tuned lovely people, a very talented artist will be joining us shortly.