Bring a zing with talavera tiles

Lately I am trapped in a “too busy” cycle with ongoing work at the home front and when excessive grind and stress come into play, my mind rebels and needs a gentle prod to keep low and patience thinking of new chapters, new possibilities and new spaces of decorating taking shape ;).

 

With my racing mind, catching many thoughts and pinning down for inspirations and today I am gathering my swirling thoughts on talavera tiles that exude the history of craftsmanship and beauty.  In the course of my social scroll, these ornately patterned, hand painted Mexican talavera tiles seem to be leading the crush of my browsing.

Image

With their historic color scheme and nature motifs any eclectic space can be enliven. Flight of stairs is the perfect place to add an element of drama drawing an eye irresistible to them.



Image

One can never go wrong by introducing more color in the kitchen with their melodramatic settings. Seemingly unlimited pattern and design potential of these handsome tiles will beg your combinations skills at test before making any final decision on their arrangement.  Perfectly placed here in the kitchen will rivet the eye to highlight the otherwise dull space.

 

Image

Cranny use of color will be equally effective in washrooms. Most distinctive features of talavera tiles will add the perfect amount of glamour to add rich glow and freshness in small spaces.

 

Though nothing can beat the charm of handmade tiles, their work of art and lavish texture but the wall stickers or decals on Etsy offer endless inspiration if you are eyeing for easy on pocket ideas to brighten any corner.

Image

 

Replica of actual tiles is easy peel off decal to add a zing in any décor of the home from fireplace mantels to back splashes in washroom and kitchen, or on any piece of furniture to stairways. Their whimsical style will certainly add the pop of color you always craved in any otherwise unadorned wall.

 

Image

No need to conform to a certain style or fret over any design, decals can be incorporated in myriad styles in a fun and hassle freeways to a larger or smaller areas.



Image

With melting pot of styles of talavera designs, trust your instincts and follow the freedom. Don’t stay locked in a particular scheme but embrace the diversity of these cost effective solution to add the soul and personality to your décor.

 

Signing out wishing you a wonderful weekend, until we meet again, stay connected on growing family of Pinkz Passion on Facebook and Instagram, toodles!

Svatma (Luxury Tanjore Hotel)

Learn from the past, live in the present and create the future befits for our today’s destination. The luxurious boutique hotel with cultural journey that will appeal to any modern day traveler and stand out as a unique destination. Tanjavur, is a city where depth knowledge, passion of architecture and love of art shines through and with an aim to educate guests on the very same art and craft of the region, 'Svatma' (one’s own soul) rewrote the history.

 

Seduced by rare and remarkable newly poured foundation with specific aesthetic taste of 'The Subrahmaniam’s' (Krithika& Sumant) 'Svatma' is a thrilling place for a perfect holiday. The couple, who clearly cared for preservation with their own personal stamp made an accurate interpretation of the original interiors of a century old former grand residence of Carnatic musician Rama Kausalya. 

The entryway is championing fresh and unconventional open concept with 'no reception' approach to steal your heart upon arrival. Heavily influenced by familiar ancient Tamilnadu ethics, the entrance is embellished with characteristic South Indian style pillars.  

Historical Tamil design is represented in antique furniture glut, framed portraits and varied collection of art, furniture and objects with dramatic designs that add the touch of times gone by.  

Traditional color palette is woven throughout giving sophisticated yet relaxed look where guests can indulge in the abundant charm of history. With dramatic designs one can easily get lost in this comfortable retreat for a social chit chat or unwinding after a long day playing tourist in the city. 

The dining room has all the hallmark of history, where old fashioned settings with crisp modernity set the stylish tone. Organic and vegetarian 'Aaharam' is served to please your taste buds.  

Moody bedrooms are layered with vividly patterned “kanjivaram” textiles giving it a fresh and vibrant look. The feel of ‘Being home’ ingredients is peppered with perfect blend of elements that promise relaxation swapping the concrete and chaos of the outside world.  

My flirtation started with ‘Svatma’ the moment I glance at it and I knew that I have to share with you all lovely readers. Lightly traditional and modern accents live in harmony in this ‘wanna be there soon’ kind of a place where feeling of a bit of history is intact. Leaving you dreaming about lolling in the lap of this luxurious hotel. Until we meet again, stay connected, toodles!

(Image Credit: Svatma) 

Kaleidoscope of colors (Home tour of Mallika Sinha)

With the right amount of chutzpah, our today’s home tour is a giant step away from any ordinary one where; the ability to look at things differently has work in our home owner’s favor. A home where esthetics are defined by its youthful energy and bursting bold colors, that will leave you audibly gasped, just like me. 

I, for being one Buddha fan, fell in love the moment I clapped my eyes on family's brilliant collection of Buddha and decided to kick start the tour with their grand collection curated from around the globe. 

Our today's feature is on the Bengal native “Sinha family” who now calls Abu Dhabi their home with two darling daughters and a grand mom. Mallika Sinha, a bundle of talent, leads the pack of homeowners and takes us through the journey of her home, which is a treasure trove of memories of their distant travel and bringing their adventurous personality to the fore.

The Sinhas are globetrotters, and there is nothing more exciting for them, than to travel and explore. The touch of their well versed travel life is intact and evident in their slice of heaven. Wondering what they bring in their backpacks? Keep an eye on as you start reading to discover what fun little trinkets they have curated from their travel.

Mallika, an art and DIY pro, is also a head honcho at jewelry line “Agomoni” where she has a knack of creating one of a kind jewelry inspired by colors. Similar fervor can be seen throughout her home, where she has debunk all the myths and upped the game concocting her own design fundas. Her own art creations, vividly patterned bright cushions and an African chest from her dear friend greet you upon arrival at her entry way.

The lady who marches to the beat of her own drum revels in colors. Colors absolutely thrill her and her unique and daring décor choices with interplay of color throughout the home, very much dictate her flamboyant personality.

Sinha's art passion overrode home is loaded down with the masterful use of colors, patterns and textures creating a calm, carefree and expressive space that blends arts and souvenirs.  

The bold and brimming living room is willingly given a lick of vivid emerald green accent wall to hang Mallika's art work. She takes hint of pride declaring about that lamp which is a DIY from a tripod stand. 

Mallika, a shopping freak and an avid antique collector, draws inspiration from her travel life and has managed to pull together polished look not only in the corners of her home but also in her personal jewelry collection.

Mallika effortlessly alters the look of this open concept living room by using removable covers for sofas.

Striking color palette and interplay of different tones makes her open concept living room alive and engaging.

The influence of ART has steered her interest in kicking up quite a few projects under her belt as she channels her talent through various art forms.

The jetsetter family latches on the idea of exploring local markets on their every vacation and many memories of their travel life has been scattered around home. Mallika beams that her fetish for collecting is often rewarded with some new and unique pieces by her daughter or husband’s distant travel also.

Mallika comes away enchanted by her travel vibe and has collected pieces from Indonesia, Africa Japan, USA, Thailand, Malaysia, and of course India, which her home truly reflects! 

Art maven lady is poised for success in her home life and often loves to loose herself in a world stitched together in art and DIY. She gives new spin to old bottles by coloring or painting on them. Few of them are given the creative freedom and set as a lamp also.

Mallika opted for the bank of windows that frame the beautiful sea-facing view outside, where nature can be observed in its complete glory throughout the day and breezy evening.

Before we conclude today’s home tour, I have to share few more corners of style savvy Mallika’s previous home. Her husband Sanjiv’s work has made their life evolving at many different countries which permits her plenty of more opportunity to play around with her decor. As you may notice many personal treasures have followed her from her previous home of Kuala Lumpur, displaying her life.

Sinha Family's previous residence in Kuala Lumpur:

 

And as we wrap up this home tour cribbing few notes from her steer clear decor, hope you would also take a leaf from her tasteful and generous collective home. Thank you Sinha’s for graciously allowing us in your home and sharing your personal treasures. Leaving you with an apt quote of Fashion Designer Carlos Miele which fits perfectly for our today's home tour.
"I don't see boundaries between styles, such as modern or contemporary. I've collected each piece from a different experience or period of my life."

Until we meet again stay connected on facebook or Instagram for your more décor inspirations, toodles!

(All images belong to Sinha Family and can not be used without prior permission)

Half a year is gone..it's June!

As we welcome June, half a year is gone and even though we still have couple of weeks to announce official summer in my part of the globe, the scorching heat, since last few weeks, is painting a complete different picture of spring for us Torontonians. I gargled enough about unfaithful Canadian winter and now fairly earn to quip about the sunny days :). Seeing Mr. Sun shining splendidly intense here, every day, makes me nostalgic, reminding me of Indian summer where we grew up without a weather apps or having a glance at meteorological conditions.

 

Life is chiefly busy these days donning several caps at a time. As we unleash the long held idea of making room for summer fun, we are browsing through and running across the list of things to be taken care at home front. Struggling between my demanding personality and buffering thoughts, hubs dear, who is frazzled enough, is turning a blind eye and letting me cut and paste my dream projects at home front by waging a battle here with contractors and workers ;). 



To blur the trauma, “Keep calm and carry on” dictum is in effect with my ‘Zensational’ Buddhas on the coffee table. The beautiful snapdragons, my next favorite flowers after tulips, are adorning in a brass vase. Pop of red votive glasses add that color punch on the vignette. Accompanying also our new addition of darling li'l Buddha who constantly reminds us, "Not to dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment". 

Even though, I have my hands fiddled in many happenings, I have got you covered for June with:

· A hometour with enough eye popping wallop to keep you glued on the screen at the blog front.
· Few frames of my warmly traditional entrance, where I follow my own whimsy and alter the look as and when my mood strikes.
· Our urge to wander this month will land us at another exotic location of Indian ethnic hotels.

Everything bubbling this month at Pinkz Passion is worth pleasing , so stay connected until we meet again, toodles!

Traditional Touch

I absolutely love the natural color and rustic appeal of terra cotta. Though, unlike India where there is an abundance of such artifacts found almost everywhere, sadly in my part of the globe, to enjoy their charm, we only have to cautiously lug them in our handbags from our visits to India. Few slices of such earthy clay wonders are shifted on the coffee table.

 

 

As you know my personal treasures are the essential finishing bits around my home, and few of these long forgotten treasures are called in service. Ever changing eye catching display  on my coffee table is always welcomed here with artfully placed vignettes of accessories.  

To complete the ethnic vignette I have paired my kutchhi handbag as a base of the vignette. Few clay wall plaques which have followed us from our previous home are placed to link them visually. The darling little Ganesha here is a thoughtful gift of a dear friend who knew our collection was lacking a clay Ganesha, and he is now added as our cutest member in the growing gang of Ganesha :)  

The colorful and bright effect is making me wonder how an artisan creates these tiny details and textured pieces in many shades with just a fistful of clay. Whatever will be the era, the charm and instant glamour of terra cotta will always be pretty inspiring, until we meet again, stay connected on my passion feeds of facebook or instagram, toodles!

Feature at Once Upon a Tea Time!

Social media and blogging has bridged the distance with many like minded people and once such personality is Priya, who blogs at Once Upon a Tea Time blog and circulates a monthly e-magazine. She has also accomplished an online market with global vendors offering variety of different products under her belt.

Her blog OUAT proudly featured our home, highlighting how we have preserved our traditional bone by layering our treasured collection of “Ganesha” while reflecting global appeal.

 

Our home for us is an epitome of our passion and dash of our individuality and similar fervor can be seen throughout our home.

 

 

Head straight to her blog and have a look at the complete tour right here and stay connected on facebook and Instagram, until we meet again, toodles!

 

Award winning chutney (B'khush recipe contest)

I'm ecstatic and over the moon! This yours truly, Pinkz, seized a recipe of chutney at 3rd place in a recipe contest on B’khush (an online magazine for South Asian Women and run by South Asian Women from around the world). Here is my take on the recipe and the story behind it, down the road you may read the recipe of my chutney and give it a try. 

Many childhood memories lurk when I try my hands on a spiced up, mouthwatering recipes similar to my mommy dear. Though, my culinary skills are not impeccable like her, but after dealing with patience, disaster, wonder and finally approval from my family and friends, I consider myself lucky to have honed the cooking skills to some extent after trying out most of the signature dishes.  

Though, today`s recipe, an epitome of goodness, is an impressive fusion recipe of chutney made with generous amount of walnut will not only jazz up any meal or snack but will leave your taste buds tempting for very long.  We, Gujaratis, are versatile eaters and ever willing to try any global dish with great glee but without frazzling for any other global recipe; I reached out to this traditional chutney for B`Khush contest.  A bit sweet, bit spicy and perfectly flavored with whole lot of fresh spices is a sprinkle of applause for my friends who have always been there to rescue me with my cooking encounters.

To prepare this easy-peasy chutney:

1 bunch of fresh Coriander (thoroughly washed)

2/3 chopped green chilies

2/3 cloves of garlic

Fistful of walnut and sesame seeds

Salt, cumin powder, lemon and jaggery according to your taste.

Whip everything in a mixture (Add bit of water if needed)

Chutney is ready to complement your favorite snack or meal. There is a fat chance of you falling in love with this recipe if you like your food, fresh, flavored and fully loaded with healthy goodness. So, when you host your next crowd to bond over a long chit chat or to tackle any happy moment, try out this spicy, tangy chutney to please all the senses.

A big thank you to each and every one and a big bear hug to those who took the time to vote and show your love and support for me. Until we meet again, stay connected, toodles!