Book Hunt Find: Home by Stafford Cliff

Have you ambled into a book shop without any particular title in mind? Just given in to the bookworm instinct, prepared to pour over book covers and blurbs, to discover a gem quite by chance? That's exactly what happened to me a few moons ago on a trip to a mall in Delhi. They (Landmark) were having some sort of a sale, and books were piled almost from the floor to the ceiling. What joy!

I pottered about and found this simply brilliant book - Home: 50 Taste-makers Describe What it is, Where it is, What it Means by Stafford Cliff. I loved the cover, the title and a quick flip through revealed that this was worth having on my bookshelf. However, it has never made it to the bookshelf since I brought it home. I love having it within easy reach just so I can flip through the pages, stare into beautifully captured homes, get lost in childhoods and the different interpretations of a home.

It's one of those books, that teach us so much about personal style, photography and the meaning of spaces we create. A home is so much more than a place to park your stuff. As my world-view evolves, I see my need for a place to call home change.

There are so many things that endear this book to me. As the taste-makers talk about their homes or special places they reveal so much about who they are, how they think and sometimes, it completely changes the way you have perceived them earlier. That is an exciting promise, don't you think?

Kenzo Takada's home in Paris

The photography is a different trip altogether. Some pictures add visual elements to enhance a narrative while some spin a new tale all by themselves. Designing is always subjective, but the sheer personality it imbibes from owners or designers is enchanting. Just looking at the pictures gives you so many ideas to transform your home into a reflection of its occupants.

Beautiful kitchens, the bottom one is Donna Hay's. So very her, isn't it?

A busy living room wall, with great character

What I have learnt, from this book so far:

1. Things that endure through the years, the many abodes and phases of your life are the ones that serve some purpose with an element of delight to the eye. So I'd suggest you don't buy things unless you see yourself living with them for a long, long time
2. On the other hand, it's perfectly okay to include a few things that aren't functional, but have an emotional connection for you. So that recipe your grandma gave you, can be printed onto parchment paper and framed to inspire wholesome meals in your kitchen 
3. Experiment, blend, get inspired by the trends and the design rules of your era, but leave some room to add your personal touches. A bottle filled with sands from all the beaches you enjoy may not come for a heavy price tag, but is a delightful reminder of fun times
4. Bring in the light, let it dance around. Most beautiful rooms become even better when you throw in a good mix of light, natural or arranged
5. Find a place for things that you love doing, make time to personalise it. Enjoy the after-effects. Donna Hay's kitchen, Paul Smith's office, Kenzo Takda's pool in his living room all inspire to carve out spaces where happiness is easy to find

I'd definitely recommend this fat little book of treasures, in case you like the stuff I've been raving about in this post.

If you have any thing to add to this list (whether inspired by this book or elsewhere), I'd love to hear about it. Share with us, your go-to inspirations for building a home that you love.

Infectious Creativity: A-Z of Unusual Words

I stumbled upon The Project Twins thanks to a couple of friends on Facebook. James and Michael Fitzgerald, the artists who run The Project Twins - a graphic design and illustration studio in Ireland - have a wicked imagination. Their A-Z of Unusual Words project is described thus: Bold graphics and visual wit are used to interpret and represent a collection of strange, unusual and lost words.

The one on top is a illustration of Acersecomic - a person whose hair has never been cut. The one below is my favourite, Tarantism - a disorder characterised by an uncontrollable urge to dance. I definitely connect with that one!

You'd love their entire collection of illustrations on this one - fun, quirky, solemn, dark - the whole gamut. Go check this out and also the other projects this talented duo has been creating here.

And on that note, have a groovy weekend!

Quote Crush of the Week

This quirky quote has been hand painted by the very talented Katie Gavenda as a give-away on her delightful blog Blueberry English. You can find more work by her on at her Etsy shop here.

Vintage with a Twist: A Class Act

We've all heard the age-old wisdom of when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. I thought of taking a shot at it, and came up with this art print. Why not be classy, stare life in the eye, and make some lemon tea? Surviving a challenge with grace, charm and style makes me feel much better while am trying to get through it. The key of course is to remember that you will get on the other side, it's the middle that sucks, but is going to pass. Hang in there buddy, you're gonna make it.