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Cherry Blossom (Partial Bust)

Posted on April 29, 2013 by homestilo

You ever book a hotel room based on the website image, only to get there and find out the room is nothing like what you expected (and not in a good way)? I had a similar experience last weekend at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden in NYC. Everything on their website indicated that the Cherry Blossom festival would be in full swing. But, once we got there, it seemed the Cherry Blossoms hadn’t quite gotten the memo.

Still, it was fairly pleasant and we did get to see other attractions which included…

A Japanese Garden

A most impressive display of tulips (who knew there was such a variety?!)

tulip coll bk botanical

A trip through the conservatory. And there is nothing like a walk through steam with tropical plant life all around to make you feel like you have been transported to warmer climates!

So there you have it. I may try my luck again next year and see if I can’t catch the Cherry Blossoms in full swing.

Ryu Yokoi liked this post

India II: Mumbai

Posted on April 26, 2013 by homestilo

Hard to believe it’s already been 3 months since our whirlwind trip to India earlier this year. Like most trips, I take a ton of images, promise to post some of them, and then never quite get around to it.

Today I’m sharing some views of Mumbai. As the Mr.’s business meetings took place here, it’s where we spent the bulk of time while in India. If I had to describe this city, I would say it was vibrant with a touch of nostalgia. There is an exciting hustle and bustle of people and cars set against the backdrop of a mix of modern architecture and traditional colonial English structures.

A post that has been long time coming, but hey, better late than never no? Happy Weekend all!

1| Hard at work in the Dhobi Ghat- the world’s largest open air laundry where laundrymen (“dhobis”) wash items for as little as $1USD a piece

2| On our last day in the city, we went to a posh theater to watch a Bollywood movie (“Race 2″) and it was kind of awesome. But on the day in image 2 above, we actually got to see a film being shot

3| Inside a home where Mahatma Gandhi once lived- now open to visitors as a museum

4| On a visit to the Victoria Terminus (now the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus) we got to step inside one of the stationed trains. This one happened to be a ‘women only’ train

5| As cows are sacred in India, they can pretty much lounge wherever they please…even in the middle of a busy city street

6| One night we also braved a ride on a tuk tuk. Round-the-clock morning sickness and all, that was one of the most fun experiences of the trip for me (maybe because I got to pretend to be a local for a few minutes)

Dabney Lee

Posted on April 24, 2013 by homestilo

It’s hard not to be drawn in by Dabney Lee’s colors and patterns. Her collection spans from ice buckets to wrapping paper and most items can be personalized with names, initials and/or monograms. Lee is featured in Matchbook’s latest issue where she describes her brand as “…bright, fabulous, sophisticated, modern and happy”. All quite accurate if you ask me.

What’s more, Lee started the Brooklyn based shop out of her home and with triplets in tow- hope you find that as motivational as I do on this Wednesday.

{images dabney lee}

3 Ways to Make Your Home a Little More Green (’13)

Posted on April 22, 2013 by homestilo

Happy Earth Day lovelies!

I was trying to think of an Earth Day related post and decided, why not carry on with last year’s post? After all, there are so many little (and big) ways to go green at home effortlessly and in an attractive way…

switch out your cleaning products

There are a lot of choices out there in terms of ‘green’ cleaning products- and the stores don’t even make you wander around looking for them. They are all sitting right there next to the oldies we are all used to using. Of course, if you are feeling some extra motivation, you can also look into making your own …more vinegar anyone?

mrs. meyer’s lavendar dish washing soap | the naturally clean home by karyn siegel-maier

go second-hand with furniture and home accessories

Oh sure, going vintage is all the rage these days. But it is also a good way to reduce your post consumerism level. And there are hidden gems everywhere. Just have a look at Nina’s (living in No. 40 blog) curbside find below. OK, it wasn’t in this state of bliss when she found it. But with some tlc…and who can beat a price tag of $0? Or consider the $500 lamp I picked up for $15 at an estate sale a few months back.

living in no. 40 | homestilo

pick eco-friendly wall treatments

There are more and more options these days for sustainable walls. In the wallpaper department there are choices that are quite responsible. Like the Louise Body paper below which is sourced from managed forests (where new planting exceeds cut growth) and use water based inks. While in the paint department, there are paints with low to no voc.

louise body butter cup blue wallpaper | benjamin moore natura paint

So, let’s show our planet some love. Today, and every day!

Thrifty: (Paterson) Habitat ReStore

Posted on April 19, 2013 by homestilo

The search for a would be dresser turned changing table I mentioned earlier in the week, led me to a local Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

I have to say, I was originally expecting lots of lumber and construction materials that wouldn’t be of much use to me. But, after spending some time on their Face Book page, I learned that they had quite a bit in the furniture department.

Upon arriving at the store, I was not disappointed. There was a warehouse stocked with some great furniture pieces. I was particularly impressed with their mid century modern gems.

Of course, they have goodies from other eras as well…

Some of the items have a flat price, while others have a timed price tag (shown above), where the item gets lower in price the longer it sits in the store.

And as if the prices don’t make it guilt-less enough, all proceeds from the ReStore are used toward the Habitat for Humanity mission to end substandard housing worldwide.

@ home in Milan

Posted on April 17, 2013 by homestilo

Again, I can’t thank you all enough for your kind words on Monday’s post/announcement. Also for your input on the dresser vs. desk changing table dilema. This is definitely a new adventure, so I appreciate all tips and suggestions.

New and old come together in this two level home, along with some of the owners’ more personalized pieces. And they all play nice with a white washed background.

I for one am loving the roof angles throughout the space. See anything you like?

1 bottles white on mint tea towel | bespo 17£

2 j henckels pro knife block set | target $100

3 woodland import adjustable bar stool | wayfair $133

4 medici large oval platter | table decor direct $158

{images alvise silence via at casa}

Monday’s Motivation: Changing Things Up

Posted on April 15, 2013 by homestilo

First off, thank you so much for your kind words and understanding on Friday’s post. I put off changing the schedule for a while because it almost felt like admitting a defeat. But, I felt much better after reading your comments.

One of the ‘life events’ that had me reconsider the post schedule here at homestilo, is the fact that we are actually expecting an addition to our very small family of two. Yes, I would definitely say that the blog started to suffer right around the time I could not hold down any food…

But I am feeling better and with a bit more energy these days. So now I am turning my attention to nursery planning. The would be guest room/home office space will now have to be guest room/nursery. As such, I am on the hunt for certain furniture pieces, ie the changing table. I was pretty certain I wanted to go with a dresser. But, now I am wondering if maybe I shouldn’t repurpose our desk…

A dresser would offer much more storage space (our desk has no drawers), but the desk would certainly get the job done.

I would love to hear any tips or suggestions you may have.

{images 1 adore pictures via mini piccolini | 2 apartment therapy | 3 unknown via amanada cheney on pinterest | 4 melissa wilhelm of in the window seat}

Making Adjustments

Posted on April 12, 2013 by homestilo

Hello and Happy Friday!

Thank you for sticking around this week- even while I had a technical glitch (and thank you Erin and Nina for pointing it out!)

Truth time. Lately, I haven’t quite been on my A game in terms of blogging. The glitch this week was a very big wake up call as I don’t think in the past, that would’ve gotten past me so easily. It has also been a struggle to find the time to pull posts together and even keep up with fellow bloggers lately.

For quite sometime, I was able to focus solely on the blog but that is no longer the case (and I will be filling you in on that in the coming weeks…) I would rather cut back than have sporadic posts. For this reason, I have decided to take a page out of my girl Christine’s book and change homestilo’s schedule to Monday, Wednesday, Friday – at least for a while.

I hope that you’ll understand and that you’ll continue to stop by on a regular!

Tuesday’s Trend: Floral Bottoms

Posted on April 10, 2013 by admin

Floral bottoms are in big this season. Cute in their skinny jean incarnations and adorable as shorts. If you are looking to bring this trend into your home, the bedroom is the perfect place.

Mix patterns when you go with a simple colour palette like black and white. Keep things clean by adding a few pillows to white bedding. Or go all out with a mix of colours and patterns.

Blooming Beauty

Posted on April 5, 2013 by homestilo

Hola & Happy Friday!

I can’t believe I haven’t done a Blooming Beauty post since November of last year?! Well, it’s about time. Why not usher in Spring with some cuttings fromm blooming/budding branches.

Simply hover your mouse over each image…

{original images 1&2 roland bello via martha stewart | 2&3 disc interiors | 5&6 unknown via tumblr}