The mighty Toran

                      

                                       

Just when you thought your Palace was replete, with all the shiny, shimmering bits & pieces necessary to dazzle even the most reticent palace walker......your eye suddenly skims over the lonely, naked, architrave of a window, crying out for the 'once - over' - Royal treatment. Enter the 'Toran' - a heavenly gift of craftsmanship, designed to beautify & enhance any doorway, gateway, archway, 'window-way'.....& quite frankly, any 'way' you'd like it!

Traditional Gujarati, cotton,

tribal-pattern, Toran

As the sun sets, a pretty silhouette emerges.

A kitchen window with flavour!

Sequenced cotton over bamboo screen, framed by a toran.

Even the smallest room in the house deserves some Palace pizazz.

An 'improvised' Toran.

Egyptian, belly-dancing skirt,

sparkles to effect.




 Terracotta & Bronze

Ganesh with bells, Toran.



Torans indicate happiness

and prosperity.The Maharani then, is

positively giddy!!

If like the Maharani, you adore a bit of 'tinkle' with your 'sparkle' and unable to find Indian bell Torans........decorative wind-chimes can be modified and substituted.

Curtain-ties can also be used, to add a touch of elegance, without  the effort or cost of upholstering a whole window pelmet.

More bells for the Maharani.

For the truly adventurous among you - flower leis, exotic beads or strips of silky ribbon are equally prized for creating something stately & spectacular. If you love the decorative, festive feel of the 'mighty toran', don't want to wait for an 'occasion' & feel compelled to get your 'shimmy-on' this instant...........then, dash out right now, collect your coins, your crafts,  your thoughts  &  get creative ..........................only the sky & the Palace tower's the limit.

Thank you for making space in your day to read my post
PLEASE CONNECT WITH ME ON IG or TWITTER

********************************

#All images are from inside the 'House of Rani' except (###) which is a personal travel photo.

#All Writing & Photography by Rani.C (Char)

**Move cursor along pink bar below to reveal comments tab...I love to hear from you all!**

5 & a 1/2 Meters of Heaven



From now until................'Kingdom Come', I shall be singing heavenly praise to the wondrous, beauteous, indespensible & iconic Indian Sari. Not solely for the fact that it continues to be  the preferred garment in an everchanging & increasingly cosmopolitan  India, but also because of  its variety, versatility and synonomous connection with the colour & vibrance of the Mother-Land. In terms of sari uses in the home..........well, where does one start and finish? The Maharani simply lives, loves, dreams and breathes the equisite yardage.

The Sequenced 'SARI-CUSHION'

A Palace staple 'Par Excellence'...................

but lets now give devotion to a bit of 'Sari-Heaven', in it's other incarnations..........

The 'SARI-CURTAIN'. Fancy & fabulous,

in any room & in any fabric.

The 'SARI-TURNED-RUNNER'

Covers tables, cabinets,&

 other un-glamorous surfaces.



The 'SARI-FOR-FRILLS-&-THRILLS'

 Maharani's day-bed.

Love is in the billowing detail.

Fallen out of love with an old cupboard or book case ?.............don't fret............a simple white sari can refresh, glamour-fy & add panache. A few antique upholstery tacks, some rudimentary folding & tucking skills & voila!........20 minutes later, you've got yourself an elegant, new & distinctive look.

The 'INSTANT-FACELIFT-SARI'

 Don't hate me for my freshness!



Intricate sari embroidery. 
 Plainness is not acceptable
in the  Palace!



 Corner of a reinforced, embroidered 'SARI-MAT'

Too pretty to step on, unless wearing your silky socks..........but nonetheless, worthy of a Palace interior....................
Now that we've paid homage (& shall surely return to this topic at a later date) it's time to adorn yourself in a magnificent sari, lay back on your sari-clad, day-bed..........rest upon your soft, sari-cushions and dream of what you'll do, with your next 5 1/2 meters of heaven.

Sari, Sari on the wall......

Thank you for making space in your day to read my post
PLEASE CONNECT WITH ME ON IG or TWITTER

************************************

#All images from inside the'House of Rani'

#All Writing & Photography by Rani.C (Char)

**Move cursor along pink bar below to reveal comments tab...I love to hear from you all!**

Pink appreciation day

For many, the word 'Pink', summons frightful memories of frilly, childhood tutus & "oh-so-wrong" frosted pink lipstick, matchy-matchy (bubble-gum-pink) outfits with your sister/maybe even your brother (bet he's had some therapy!) not to mention that whole 80's thing - certifiably-bad, flourescent-pink socks, leotards & head-bands & lest we forget those fluffy 'hot'-pink leg warmers (you confidently worked, over pink denim jeans!).....Umm, no wonder many of us shunned 'Pinkness' for a few decades. Hopefully, now that the trauma has subsided, we can move into a fully realized love-affair with the strong jewel & delicate blush tones of the ever fanciful & fabulous 'Pink'.

Magenta pink threadwork

on a delightful Tunisian ottoman.

I can think of no other colour that better encapsulates the essence of femininity & sensuality. Pink, is 'the' quintessential colour of Indian decor & features strongly in many a Morrocan, Mexican or Mandalayan home too..........from vibrant magenta bed spreads to brilliant boganvillia-pink cushion covers.........

A montage of heavenly

pink things.

......elegant musk or petal-pink walls, ornaments & flowers......not to mention Rani-pink, throw covers & sheer saris,  that tantalize, capture the imagination & perhaps induce a rosy blush to the cheeks too.

The sheerest, shiniest, shimmiest, 
 silk-voile sari in 'babyest' pink.

 Rose-pink, silk, orchid flowers

Of course a palate of pink 'fresh flowers' are ideal.......& the Maharani makes a point of ordering colourful blooms when in season.

A delectable, mixed pink/orange rose bouquet.

From a discreet admirer of the Maharani.

Bless!

Fuschia-pink Ali Baba cushion,

gold accents & Jute.
Take me to the Bazaar Now!!

Try to expand your pink repetoire.   If unsure of which shades to put together.............just take a flying leap into boldness & blend them all! You will achieve a sublime depth of tone & explosion of colour like no other.......vary your textures and 'lift' the tableaux with a lighter accent colour; such as cream, lemon, mint-green, or lilac......the possibilities are endless.

So much pink, So little time. 

Medium-pink,Boganvillia-pink

Raspberry-pink & Cream.

All bonding in the one space.

Voila!

Never forget to revel in your creativity & point of difference. Roll around on that carpet, like a Maharani does & soak up the luxurious, vibrant, ambience. Love that pink - & worship it daily.....long may 'Pink' live to brighten up our homes and our hearts.

Thank you for making space in your day to read my post

PLEASE CONNECT WITH ME ON IG or TWITTER

 ****************************************

#All images from inside the 'House of Rani'

#All Writing & Photography by Rani.C (Char)

**Move cursor along pink bar below to reveal comments tab...I love to hear from you all!**

And a truckload of gold

Do not,  I repeat, do not be afraid of the colour gold. No self-respecting Maharaja or modern-day princess would ever be seen without a truckload of its metallic namesake adorning the neck, ears, fingers and toes. Not to mention said-coloured fabrics lining their wardrobes and hanging from their ceilings. Sparkle and shine need not however, equal gaudiness. Nor should it be limited to personal adornment. Gold (and silver for that matter) make a rich and alluring accent colour to any space. Think fuschia and gold, red, black and gold, turquoise and gold, white, ivory and beige with a thread of gold/silver running through it, or simple royal-blue curtains, enveloped by a glorious, golden, tassel-tie-back, taking it from 'meh'...to magnificent in an instant. I sometimes hear people say, 'I dont know what colour goes well with purple,' or 'What would bring together this peach and silver material?'...........................One word.........................'GOLD' 

Gold, olive-floral & purple silk/brocade sari curtains with antique, silver beaded tie back. Sewn lovingly (including Venetian trim) by yours Truly.

 Border detail of curtain

Tricolour forest green, silver & gold,1960's crepe/lame' dress-material and gold sequence fabric (bought in retro fabric store, fashioned by me into cushion covers). The 'paisley-vine' design, lends itself perfectly to the exotic feel and adds pattern and warmth to a room.You have to love the psychadelic 60's.

Exquisite'Zaree' (Gold & Silver thread) bridal sari - used irreverantly as a valance. May the Gods of decor forgive me!

Throw any colour into this mix and watch your decor come alive.

Section of a divine, vintage, Rajasthani tapestry. Floral embroidered-detail,  using predominantly gold & silver thread. Hours of labour for the artisans, but a lifetime of viewing pleasure for me! 

I myself would love to be dipped in gold, and the Maharajah gives a 51-gun salute to all who go forth, golden and emboldened. So don't wait....................Be bold........................Go Gold!

Thank you for making space in your day to read my post

PLEASE CONNECT WITH ME ON IG or TWITTER

***********************************

#All images from inside the 'House of Rani'

#All Writing & Photography by Rani.C (Char)

**Move cursor along pink bar below to reveal comments tab...I love to hear from you all!**