Say Cheese :)

The United Nations annually observes May 15 as the International Day of Families. It was way back in 1994 when the UN thought of such an activity to raise awareness about the importance of families. Ever since the first International Day of Families was observed 20 years ago, the UN has been promoting studies about socio-economic and demographic trends that affect the families. The UN also encourages efforts to respond to challenges faced by families.

Not all of us may be aware of any of these activities carried out by the United Nations. None of us may celebrate today's UN-declared occasion. What we know, however, is to offer love and care to our family members, to make them proud with our success, to support them in difficult times and to build a happy and comfortable world for them. And when it comes to expressing our love for our family, any occasion is the perfect occasion and even the smallest random act of affection is the perfect way of conveying our feelings. 

Talking of family, love and care; the Interior Designer in me - owing to my designer's vision - couldn't resist myself from thinking about the most visible thing in the house that displays the family's affection: the family photo!

Technology has helped us come a long way from that era of black and white photos which displayed discipline in the family rather than affection to the digital era of candid photos. However, quite often, this advanced digital technology makes us keep our beautiful family photos to our devices. But the fact is, it's only when one attractively displays the photos that they look charming.

According to my observation, it is not only the family photo which has evolved over time but also the way it is displayed. There were certain conventional ways of displaying a family photo in the house - a nicely framed photo on the wall of a living room, two photos of husband and wife placed in a either side of a foldable photo frame kept in the showcase, a tiny golden colored family tree on which photos of all the family members hung like its fruits... and few more such standard ways. Today, thanks to advancement in the digital photography and printing technology, your interior designer can suggest you numerous interesting means of displaying your family photos. In fact, they integrate the family photo(s) in the home design itself.

While planning the perfect display of a family photo(s), decisions regarding the kind of wall paint to be used, whether to make use of any wall art, monochrome vs multicolored prints, the perfect spot in the house, other accessories and many other such aspects are considered by the Interior Designer. Because they know, incorporation of your candid pictures in the home design will truly turn the residence into your beautiful world.

So next time when you capture the happy mood of your family members in the camera or get it captured by a professional, don't just keep the pictures to your digital devices. Take prints, display them and give your residence the character of those who happily reside in there.

Say cheese, it's family day today :)

www.aakrutiinteriors.co.in

Total Filmy Hai Boss

The news of 61st National Film Awards flashed on TV channels yesterday, making me realise that the Indian Cinema - or to put it more accurately, the biggest obsession of Indians (whether after or before cricket can be a debatable point) - completed 101 years yesterday! OMG! That's something!

There have been several generations of artists that have entertained, inspired, motivated and mesmerised millions of Indians over last 101 years. And our love for them has only grown with each passing year.

Indian cinema is more than just a mode of entertainment for us. It is a part of our lives. The clothes we wear, the way we celebrate our festivals and important occasions, the way we talk to our friends and many such aspects of our lives are in some or the other way influenced by Indian cinema. Believe it or not, films can influence the way we decorate our homes too. The eyes of an Interior Designer like me couldn't miss some novel and filmy ideas for home décor which I came across lately. Sharing some tips to turn a room of your house into a Bollywood corner.

Hand painted posters of Indian cinemas have always been admired by movie lovers. They are sold in some old shops in Chor Bazaar, Mumbai. Lately, these posters (or the printed ones which may be available online as well) are being considered as a decorative wall piece. It gives a vibrant look to the room. And if it is the room where you have set up your home theatre, nothing like a poster or a collage of them on one of the walls. Alternatively, one can have framed images of favourite film stars. Bollywood themed furnishings, especially cushions, are also available these days. One can decorate the room using such furnishings. Flaunt your collection of movies and music through attractive CD shelves. I have come across filmy coffee mugs and other merchandise in some shops, at a couple of stalls in Kala Ghoda Art Festival and even online. They can be smartly arranged in the room for that novel and dashing look. And lastly, have a nice magazine rack that stocks all the filmy magazines. With all these filmy home décor ideas in place, I am sure your visitors will surely exclaim 'total filmy hai boss!'.

Yunki, ye hum bola :

www.aakrutiinteriors.co.in