Deriving Colour Schemes from Nature....

I am sure this post would be more interesting to non-designers as you can start training your eye in identifying some colour schemes from the nature. One of my personality traits has always been my plus point.....I Observe....Observe and simply Observe.....As soon as I am out of my house....I look at the pavements for anything new that has grown....I observe the sky for the lovely shades of blue and grey and on the bright day one can see the blue sky with patches of white clouds in it. Let me assure you that if you pick up such colour schemes from nature and directly use them in your decor, you need not be afraid of the outcome. In this post, I have borrowed a few pictures of nature from various professionals and used the same colour scheme in decorating some interior spaces. I am thankful to all the people for the lovely photographs.

Photo Credit: Wynand Van Poortvliet (Flickr)

Interiors using the above colour scheme done using Paint editor from Dulux Photo Credit: tomanthony(Flickr)Interiors using the above colour scheme done using paint editor from DuluxPhoto Credit: African Grey Parrot againt a red background (http://flyfishtips.com/images/African-Grey-Parrot.jpg) Interiors using the above colour scheme done using paint editor from DuluxPhoto Credit: Wynand van Poortvliet (Flickr)Interiors using the above colour scheme done using paint editor from Dulux Photo Credit: http://i.pbase.com/u48/rtwo/large/40115939.Bougenvilla.jpg

Interiors using the above colour scheme done using paint editor from Dulux

Photo Credit: Janny Brocken (Flickr)Interiors using the above colour scheme done using paint editor from Dulux Photo Credit: Kuzeytac(Flickr)
Interiors using the above colour scheme done using paint editor from Dulux

Photo Credit: Vamapaull (Flickr) Interiors using the above colour scheme done using paint editor from Dulux
Photo Credit: Magnummavis(Flickr)

Interiors using the above colour scheme done using paint editor from Dulux Photo Credit: Philippe Sainte - Laudy (Flickr)

Interiors using the above colour scheme done using paint editor from DuluxPhoto Credit: Nicolas Valentin(Flickr)

Interiors using the above colour scheme done using paint editor from Dulux So, now you know what to do.....the next time you go out....train your eye by observing each and every detail in the nature. That is the best way to understand more about colours.....how they are in nature and how they can be made use of while decorating. Try to keep your camera handy and picture everything that you like. In the next posts, I will discuss the colour Psychology in detail.

My motivation to become a Designer....

In 2005, I decorated this beautiful 1900 sqft home of mine.... solely by whatever I found interesting and beautiful to decorate. I was not aware of what style I was choosing........what colour scheme I was going in for............but the outcome was very satisfying. This apartment made me pursue my interest further and today I am a full fledged certifed Interior Designer. I stumbled upon some pictures of my home. Please take a look.

Verandah....or simply the Entrance to the apartment...

Living Room

Textured Wall with Slate wall murals depicting traditional vedic designs....Dining area...A traditional kerala door for the pooja area...My Kitchen...My grandmother's 100 year old cane fruit basket...

Common BathroomBaby Nursing Room.....

Study / Computer Room....Master Bathroom....Terrace ....open to sky..........Master Bedroom in Blue....

Do-It-Yourself.............FANTASY.....COLLAGE

This is a treat for a do-it yourself enthusiast like me. I have a very beautiful book named Ideenwerkstatt - Fantasievolle Collagen by Anna Galkina/Alice Rögele and Monika Reiter - Zinnau. This book is in German Language. Try finding a copy of this in English. Please contact me for the ISBN number of this book. The authors of this book have beautifully used general materials that are easily available in every house like pearls, wood pieces, paper, glass, straws, metal lids and many other items with oil paint on canvas to come out with beautiful modern art collages. I am currently working on one and will post a picture of that shortly. Here are a few pictures of the artwork from this book for your inspiration. This book has lovely illustrations and step by step instructions to do this artwork. Theme based items are collected to form a beautiful Collage art work.

Are you already thinking of what you can start with??????????

PINK is in.........

In the last 3 days, I have been seeing that many people are opting for various tones and tints in Pink. This makes me think that Pink is in.....This reminded me of my first moodboard that I made in my college when I did not really know what a moodboard is.... So, Please excuse me if you think this board is slightly amateur....ish. But I wanted to share this on my blog. We were asked to envision a living space, select our own colour scheme and make a moodboard of the same. Since I was very attracted to this Sofa, I decided to work around the colours used on this. So chose Grey and Pink. Going by the phrase........in the pink of health...... I called this living room........The Pink Relaxation.............. Some Closeups of the same....

So, what do you all think of pink? please share some views.............

Spontenous decoration combining Glass and Fabric

Are you also like me..? and get bored every 1 month looking at the corners decorated with the same things. Are you also constantly entertaining guests and so wnat new look every time they visit you? Then, this is something you will love. I constantly keep changing the decorative spaces in my house because i get bored and tired of seeing the same things every morning and evening. In this post...I am trying to create new looks with the some glass accessories....and some beautiful fabrics.

India, as everybody knows, is a land of colourful fabrics and the interesting part is that these fabrics are not terribly expensive and can be bought at retail outlets at very interesting prices. I have this hobby of collecting some exotic fabrics everytime I visit a new place. I also store some beautiful duppattas (stoles) of my old salwar suits which i try to collage and frame to make it a unique art piece. In India, every state produces a different kind of fabric and each fabric can be used in a variety of ways. One need not have a great expertise in tailoring these fabrics to use them in home decoration. Just buy a fabric that interests you and combine it by colour co-ordinating it with accessories that you already have at home to create a new look. Just ensure that the edges are either piped or folded to give a neat look. If you are using some Jute fabric, then the rough edges will look amazing for a country look. Here are a few pictures of combining some glass that is generally available at home with some beautiful fabrics....

A complementary colour scheme in blue and yellow. Some Orange flowers to accentuate. Create a very simple deco like this when you have to invite some guests for tea and have to serve a lot of snacks. This is a beautiful yellow self embroidered silk fabric. Place some simple candle holders in a row. Put some flowers in a few and light a few with aroma candles. A very warm tea evening this will be.

A warm analogous Scheme in bright red and traditional yellow prints. These fish glass plates are from Japan and can be used to serve some snacks when u have guests. This alongwith some yellow vases of different sizes with some greenery in them will become focal point of the whole deco.

Another warm analogous scheme in shades of Bright pink and orange. These candle holders are from Denmark (The Royal Copenhagen Trademark). When they are lit, they will create a very warm cosy atmosphere to the whole setting.I have used a beautiful red and silver embroidered Benares fabric as a table top. A very special crystal bowl from Bodenmais-Bavaria (Germany) which was gifted to me by some German friends. Let a single white zerbera float in it alongwith some beautiful white Baby's Breath flowers. Sprinkle a bit of silver sparklers....a small aroma floating candle and these are just too much for a beautiful weekend evening with your loved one.
This is a Complimentary scheme in Orange and Blue. The fabric is silk with some self embroidery. The effect is purposely made subtle by mixing some orange thread with the gold thread. This is the beauty of this fabric. Since the fabric and the bowl are extremely beautiful in themselves, I would simply go in for some simple small picture frames (with family photos) to display alongwith it. A triad colour scheme using primary colours of blue, red and a bit of yellow. A glass crystal jar(with lid) filled with cookies, a novel by the side and a couch to lie on. What more can you ask for on a lazy sunday afternoon?
I honestly do not know what to call these........beer glasses.......or wine flutes....or simply juice glasses? This is the question i have been asking myself ever since I bought them. But trust me, They are so beautiful and elegant to hold, that I have never used them for anything except for decoration. When the mood is festive, try some vibrant colour mix... like in here... blue glasses, brass jar, red and yellow flowers......all spread on a sunshine yellow silk fabric. Light some traditional oil lamps and some incense sticks to create the mood.

Spontenous Idea number 1:

A simple complementary scheme in Green glass fixed with a crystal bead inside to sound like a bell. This with some red flowers will be perfect for a refreshing morning.... Sponteneous Idea number 2
This is best when you meet your old friends at home and want a simple wine talk. Small red wine glasses spread on a table with loads of snacks and cushions on everybody's lap.....So very relaxing.....

Have a great weekend !!!!!! I am off to a friday tea party now :)