Post cards from Kenya

A chance encounter with Marie and Paul Pelle's Siani Plantation Estate in a travel magazine led me to these gorgeous properties in Lamu, Kenya. Lamu, an archipelago, has a  distinctive Swahili culture, the result of an intermingling over the centuries of many different influences – African, Arabian, Indian, Persian and European to name but a few – brought to Lamu by merchants, travellers, colonisers and conquerors. These influences show themselves to this day in Lamu’s religious and social traditions, architecture, furniture, cookery and many other aspects of daily life. 

Apart from these distinctive influence,  for me, these beautifully restored homes are yet another testimony to the magic created by simple, hand restored interiors...  

Niches or Aala's...a mughal/persian legacy

Window to the world..

Love the bedsteads and the floor..

Do read more on traditional Swahili architecture and the restoration process

Of kittens and roofs..

[All images Lamu Island Properties. Creative mosaic by moi]

Ornè De Feuilles...

... global inspiration from Japan

It's black...
 
I couldn't figure out much from the site about the store - Ornè De Feuilles. It's in Japanese. And well, google translate didn't help much. But what I could instinctively understand and feel is that the person/people running this online boutique have their design heart in the right place. Their collection of an completely eclectic range of products made me go weak in the knees. 
Here, take a look for yourself... 

What a brilliant idea! A new kettle with a flick of a cover

I don't know if it's acceptable to gurgle on the blog...but will you just look at those pens, and those scissors!

If some one from Japan, ever, wants to send me an impromptu gift (oh alright, not impromptu..send it on my b'day, ok?), then that someone can please just send the chandelier and the lamp in the first image. Thank you.

You gotta check their site...they have such cute birds! More gurgling..


And of course, I had to sniff out gorgeousness from India and Asia too...

 Camel leather bags from Rajasthan. I love these bags...the only issue is that you can't really use them for personal use since the leather isn't soft. Great to use as part of home decor though

Beautiful collection of embroidered fabrics (some vintage) from Gujarat and Rajasthan

Waste not, want not! Or something like that. Bits and pieces of fabrics recycled into charming bags. 

Quilted long jackets for autumn! And why doesn't any one make these in xs/petite sizes? Why? Anokhi - are you listening? I am pointedly looking at you right now.

Kilim - my favorite rug in different avatars

 Fabrics of all kinds...linen, khaadi, kantha and french printed silk

Closeup of embroidered textiles from India - imagine the hard work and skill that must have gone into making these!

Plastic chattais (rugs)! These have been designed by an Italian designer. I remember similar chattais from my childhood - a must have for any picnic!

Pill boxes!

...it's white

[All products: Ornè De Feuilles. Image mosaics by me]

Weekend Giveaway!

What better way to start the weekend

Than to participate in a giveaway!

A giveaway by the delightful store

Pergolina

Bianca, from Pergolina, has designed a very interesting giveaway on the store's blog, especially for you - An Indian Summer readers! All you need to do is hop over to Pergolina's blog and:

"Tell us about your best Indian Summer! Describe away or perhaps keep it simple! The best story wins a lovely floral and stripe scarf... it is the perfect light scarf for summer or layered for winter. Colorful, bold, easy to clean and of course stylish. The winner will be announced September 1st"

Don't wait! Click here now, and leave Bianca a note about your best Indian Summer! It could be a summer in India, or, an Indian Summer anywhere in the world. And, the best part - the scarf is gorgeous. The second best part - the giveaway is open to readers from all countries!

[Product Images from Pergolina]

*Update: Umm..I am so loving the stories you are sharing with Bianca and me...thank you! 
Good night for now. Will check for more stories tomorrow morning :) 
 

Have you been...

...to the Dastkar Nature Bazaar yet?

It's on at the Palace Grounds in Bangalore from the 6th of this month till the 15th. 

Do visit and let us, the non-Bangalorites, know what you pick up from the fair!

Some more good news for readers from Bangalore and Mumbai -  Puja Bhargava is exhibiting her jewelry for the very first time in Bangalore [12th to 14th Aug at Basava Ambara], and in Mumbai [30th - 31st Aug at Concern India Foundation's exhibition at World Trade Center]. 

You would have seen Puja's designs at FabIndia, and at the Dastkar fair in Delhi. Each time I visit her stall, I can hardly resist adding a few more pieces to my collection.

 

And, have you seen Kanika's Anek Design yet? 

Kanika, a textile designer from NID, is not only an avid blogger, but also makes these beautiful accessories and retails them via her newly opened etsy shop.

Do visit her etsy shop...yes, she ships worldwide! And folks in Mumbai can visit her at the Anvesha exhibition from the 11th till the 13th of Aug. Details here.

Stockholm Syndrome..

...this is not

'Tis actually true love for India

That has captivated

Elina Lethimäki's heart

Get a glimpse of Elina's interpretation of India

In her new turquoise apartment in Stockholm  

[Image copyright: Mixr. Link Reference: Purple Area]

[P.S: I have had laptop trouble past few days, and won't be back on my regular laptop before the end of day tomorrow. If you have written to me, but haven't heard back...Patience, My Child, Patience. I'll get to my emails, hopefully, before the end of this week]

We are going to Ibiza!

Thank you for flying Venga Airways
We are now approaching Can Marti
As you can see the sky is blue
And the beach is waiting for you!

                                            [via ze Vengaboys]

Can Marti

A 400 year old farmhouse

Converted into an eco estate

Who says we can't dream of a vacation on a Monday? :D

[All images Can Marti]