Loving your home: Veronika of Sarah and Bendrix

 When I first wrote to Veronika about featuring her home, I was very excited. All those wonderful browns and creams called out to me. Veronika's lovely home is in Surrey, in the UK.

              

And I thought to myself, all it needs is a dash of red. And voila, there was red! Shimmering pops of red warming you. Veronika is an artist- she sews, paints, designs, blogs- and runs a store on Etsy, sarah and bendrix where she sells her beautiful heart creations and vintage collages.

       

            

Browns, cream and reds make a most light and modern interior.

 Don't you just love the chalkboard paint covered- closet?

 You can find Veronika at her blog, A few things from my life and her Etsy store, Sarah and Bendrix. I am thinking those hearts would make wonderful Christmas presents. 

Did you enjoy this home tour? Write in with your comments as I would love to hear from you!

Goodbye November, And Hello December

(I took a photograph of this picture from my April '09 Gourmet magazine. The original photo is by Roland Bello. If I ever ran a tea room, I would like it to look like this. Cozy furniture, big windows and many different prints living happily ever after.)
How was your weekend? Did you have fun? I watched many movies (including Fantastic Mr.Fox which is really wonderful), went on long walks and had a great time with friends and family. December is almost here! It is a special month because it marks the 1st anniversary of Once Upon A Tea Time..Design Stories. I can't believe how fast the time has flown. I can almost divide my life into two halves- before I started the blog and after. For me, discovering the blogging world was akin to going through a Looking Glass and stumbling into this wonderful, parallel world where every individual is wildly creative. I am celebrating the anniversary with lots of posts, some of them from very special guests. Let's party!
If you liked the photo, Roland Bello's extensive portfolio can be found here. He makes the most ordinary setting seem vivid, extraordinary and full of depth. 
Have a great week!

Saffron Marigold's India Rose collection

This holiday season I have been tempted by the color of blushing pinks rather than bright reds and as if they were mind readers, Saffron Marigold introduce their new India Rose collection. I am really liking this one. Shop the India Rose collection here. 

All images copyright Saffron Marigold

Amy Butler Designs Bags

I am in love with the new bags from Amy Butler Designs. Perfect for that holiday trip you are planning or maybe a gift for someone? Honestly, I sound like an ad! But I am doing this for love...










You can see them all and buy the one you want here.
All images copyright to Amy Butler Designs.

Happy Thanksgiving

Giving thanks today for love, family and all of you friends! Happy Thanksgiving! 
I am having a wonderful week and hope you are too! So many creative people to feature and so less time to blog is my only complaint. Do keep reading as I showcase different homes and their wonderful owners. What I am really loving is the diversity in styles!


I took this photograph of a greeting card that I bought, designed by Challis and Roos.

Loving your home: Sarah of Oh, Kirby

Today's home tour takes you to the state of Georgia in the southeastern United States and combines two of my favorites. I have a special affection for Georgia as that is where I first set up home, right on the banks of the Chattahoochee river. I am also especially partial to the artwork of Sarah of Oh, Kirby. I have blogged about her paintings twice before (here and here) and today, she shares pictures of her lovely home in Georgia.  


"My husband and I recently moved into our first house, a big old Edwardian, so we're in the process of making it a home and making it our own. We are still trying to fill in empty spaces and it is a work in progress. Our style is a combination of whimsical Victoriana, shabby chic, and clean simplicity. We're decorating with lots of vintage, antiques, and Ikea!" 
The house was built between 1900 and 910. There is an air of serenity that permeates all the pictures. Moody grays are punctuated by the creamy slipcovers...

Sarah dressed up her Ikea chair with vintage doilies and below, a vintage chair in their home with Sarah's handmade Marie Antoinette pillow.




"Our kitchen table, adorned with a vintage embroidered tablecloth, an Anthropologie teacup, and our charming kitchen gnome, Orlan. :) (too bad he doesn't magically come to life and do the dishes for me!) "
I love the timeless feel of the house and the use of so many vintage items. It suggests a simpler way of life.

"Our beautiful antique mantle. The brass candlesticks were a gift from a friend in Sweden, the two porcelain doves are vintage and were centerpieces at our wedding, the vase and flower are from Ikea, the mirror is from a flea market, as is the framed rococo print. "





This beautiful 1940's cabinet is filled with her collection of teapots and teacups..sigh!! The house takes me back to a different, more gracious time. 
And of course, this home tour wouldn't be complete until I share the pictures of her studio...

"My inspiration board, which holds everything from Victorian postcards to Maasai beaded jewelry! "

"My main work area in my studio, comprised of a white Ikea table (which I LOVE), my sewing dress form (named Martha), my inspiration board, and a variety of pretty vintage knick-knacks. "

"Art by me, painted frames, canvases, and a vintage pink dress waiting to be altered."


I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Sarah's home and am sure you did too. To view more pictures, visit her flickr photo stream here and you can visit her Etsy store and shop for her artwork here. 

Loving your home: Divya and Praveen

The living room makeover pictures that I have been talking about are finally here. Divya and Praveen share pictures of their Northern California apartment. It recently underwent a makeover and the objective was to de-clutter yet reflect the couple's diverse interests- travel, photography, music and books to name just a few.

Divya wanted to bring in more colors and textures without giving the room a "trend-of the -moment" feel. Out went a lot of tchochkes and in came stylish pieces that make a statement...

Lanterns from Morocco, blue and white papier mache lamp from India, incense burner from the Persian Gulf, old teapot from a market in Singapore..I could go on and on. 

There are stacks of books and old gramophone records that invite you to settle down with your favorite cup of something hot and idle the afternoon away.

A lovely nook also serves as a computer desk for Divya... 

On hand is a vase filled with wooden blocks traditionally used for block printing fabrics but now in use for personalizing stationery and as a stamp on pottery. 

I thoroughly enjoyed photographing these pictures to share with you. Every corner of the apartment held a new delight and I clicked away at a furious pace. I love a home that reflects the lives and personalities of the people that live there.

Hope you enjoyed it too. It would be great to hear from you!

Hello Monday

A big Hello to you! 2-3 days away from blogging seems like a lifetime. The forecast for this week is bright and beautiful with a chance that you will fall in love. Gorgeous homes, creative people and a cup of tea, all here on Once Upon A Tea Time..Design Stories. 

If you are in Los Angeles...

Visit Alexander Gorlizki's Soft Succulent Sublime exhibition at the Daniel Weinberg gallery. I have talked (okay, I have gushed) about Alexander Gorlizki and his take on Mughal miniatures here. 

Reception: Saturday, 21 November, 6-8 pm
On view until 19 December, 2009

6148 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90048
323 954 8425 tel

If you are in New York..

John Robshaw Sample sale, Nov 18-20th. 
245 West 29th St, 11th floor New York.

Web Inspiration: The Well-Dressed Home Blog

I have said this before but it still amazes me how one site leads to another and soon you are far away from where you started. And so it was that I happened onto The Well Dressed Home, Annette Tatum's blog. She is a fabric designer and also the creator of House and Little House, two decor lines offering fabric, bedding, furniture and accessories. She is also an author and her first book "The Well-Dressed Home" came out in October. Her design mantra is use your personal fashion style as the inspiration to create a stylish home.

I remember reading about Annette in an older issue of Country Living. And of course, I remember the gorgeous pictures...

(How gloriously pink is that!)

If you are curious and want to find out how your home can reflect the fashionista/style diva in you, grab a copy of The Well Dressed Home by Annette Tatum.

More inspiration: The Well Dressed Home Facebook page here or visit her blog here. 

Images from Country Living magazine and Annette Tatum dot com.