Happy Friday everyone! I thought I would finish this week off with some more tea cups. I wish you a good weekend. See you on the other side.
I love the idea of using vintage cups to store jewelry. Thanks Trudi for the link to it.
images: Sandra Lane and Belle Maison via DecoDetective
PS: I will be making some updates to Mochatini site. If you happen by on the weekend and find the site all funky, dont worry that is just me rearranging and reordering the sidebars and things. I like to try different options and if you have any suggestions, please feel free to email me {manvi at mochatini dot org}
ciao bellas!
I saw this super cool instant DIY for decks over at Chez Larsson. Two things instantly stuck out to me. The awesome awning and the flooring make the space more comfortable. Probably less leaves to sweep away too. I hope the Mr. digs, cause I really want an awning for our deck. I havent got any estimates for installing awnings but hear they are pretty steep. Any thoughts? Benita used beach mats for flooring…how clever!
While you are over at Chez Larsson, take a look at another cute DIY using leftover wallpaper.
images: Chez Larsson
An excellent idea to utilize space under stairs for storage. I posted another one here a while back.
Interior designers NickeyKehoe via Remodelista
With some cream and sugar perhaps? Or lemon and honey? I heart high tea parties. Do you? Aren’t they so fun?
I come from a very tea-centric family. While we consume several cups of tea throughout the day, afternoon tea is my favorite. Usually accompanied by light snacks, this is also the time for family and friends to catch up. From dressing up the table, selecting the flowers, china, the tea cozy, the silver and of course the assortment of teas, hors d’oeuvres, sandwiches and tarts, I love all the fuss about it.
My obsession for tea posts has naturally extended to tea cups. I have been taking pictures of them like crazy lately I posted one earlier today. While I have a long way to go, I thought you might enjoy my inspiration. Ohhh I have missed you all! How about a cuppa or two together?
images: Polly Wreford, Richard Powers, Sandra Lane, Atlanta Bartlett
Hola!
After recharging for almost two weeks in lovely Buenos Aires, I’m back! We had a fantastic time there ! It was hard to say Ciáo! to the vibrant BA, but am happy to be back. Back to my home sweet home, to Mochatini and to you! I am eager to share my experiences, inspirations, design, art and culture from this stylish city. As it goes after a break, I have lots of catch up on (emails, messages, posts, pictures, etc). It usually takes me a month to unpack but I surprised myself by getting that done yesterday! Hopefully, I’ll continue this momentum. Stay tuned for lots of posts and a mini city guide coming your way.
A huge THANK YOU to Anand, Elizabeth, Fiona, Henry and Rachel for the wonderful guest posts and keeping Mochatini active while I was away. I hope you enjoyed their posts and blogs as much as I did.
image: MDH
Guest post by Elizabeth Calwell from Rough Review
There is something to be said about a chair – and that is – that it’s a make or break situation. This becomes oh-so –clear when you’re trying to concentrate in a big snuggly chair where your papers keep disappearing down the sides of the cushion. Or conversely, when you’re trying to relax in a frustratingly uncomfortable desk chair. The utilitarian chair, made for sitting one’s self upon, is no longer just a chair by any stretch of the imagination.
Furniture in general has merged with design to combine function, modern design philosophy and comfort together to make pieces that not only serve a purpose, but change our mood and alter the overall feel of a room. From designer, to commercially available retail, choosing the perfect one to serve your individual needs is now a rather difficult task. The bottom line? There’s a lot to think about when buying a chair. Luckily, there’s a lot of clever designs out there to offer inspiration.
bibilio chaise
From the sleek and modern, to the literal and practical – chair design knows no boundaries.
The Cave – dornob
Leve Chair – Australian Design Awards
Whilst these designs are innovative and sleek, nothing beats a delightfully girly, handpainted vintage-inspired chair. I’d love one of these to do my study in – would make it so much more bearable!
Jane Hall Design Wooden Bearger Armchair
Guest post by Anand Gahlot from Fenetik Design
How awesome are these little cookies from Neos Brand. Not sure how I feel about eating the head of our President {even in cookie form}, but they do look scrumptious and the packaging is just as delicious!
The minisite for the cookies is pretty effective in keeping with the branding, packaging and overall theme of the product. Check it out here.
via
images: Neos Brand
Guest post by Fiona Kelly from Fashmom
Fashmom back again. Glad to be here for another guest blog while Manvi kicks back.
In accordance with Mochatini’s eco-friendly design premise, I’m going to talk about re-decorating on the cheap in an environmentally friendly way. Thrift shopping is the good old fashioned way to save money while saving the environment. As they say, One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Though trash has negative connotations, I can tell you that after living in NYC for years, I’ve acquired some quality freebies from the curb. A sold oak chest, an antique baby chair and Ikea shelves to name a few. If you’re not comfortable with “garbage shopping”, try the Salvation Army, flea markets, and garage sales. They can be great places to score one of a kind pieces that will be the envy of your friends. If you are even remotely crafty, like you can pick up a paint brush, then you can breathe new life into other peoples cast offs. A bright coat of paint over a beat up dresser can do wonders. If you want more high end pieces and have a little extra cash to spend there are great online auction sites and of course more upscale antique and furniture shops. Ebay and first dibs both have huge selections for just about every taste.
The bottom line is when you buy used (pre-loved) merchandise, you cut down on production, manufacturing, packaging and freight costs; environmental and otherwise. Even small scale helps.
Here are some tips…
• Buy mismatched china instead of place settings from a department store.
• Collect bottles and use them as vases.
• Use tea cups for your herb garden.
• Instead of wall paper, cover a wall in framed photos, postcards and art you collect.
• A wall of mirrors looks cool and makes a space appear larger.
• Find beat up chairs. Re-paint the frame and recover the seat with new fabric. Re-upholstering is a great way to make something old new again. You can also just leave as is. Wear and tear shows character.
Enjoy the pictures and share some of your own budget decorating ideas.
Check out my related post on fashmom about vintage clothes shopping. Thanks again to Manvi. Hope to see and hear from you at fashmom!
images: Living, Marche au Puce, Real Simple, John Derian, Haringtons Main, Zara
Guest post by Rachel from Dwellings and Decor
Since Manvi is on vacation I thought I would share a home also from a vacation destination place. This beautiful tropical home is located really close to where I live and I think it really shows a great example of a luxury home in this area. Some elements you will often find here in interiors are rich wood trim, lots of nature inspired fabrics and artwork, and large windows for checking out the spectacular views. Since it is about 85 degrees all year round it is important that a home here has adequate air flow and you will notice this somewhat in the layout of this home. See for yourself.
If you would like to stay here or want more info please visit this website.
Thank you Manvi for having guest post on your beautiful blog and I hope you are having a fabulous time!
Guest post by Elizabeth Calwell from Rough Review
Hi I’m Elizabeth and I’m so excited to be guest posting for Manvi whilst she’s away! I’m a blogger for Rough Review.com, an opinion based blog dedicated to reviewing the world around us. My specialty is new and old media concepts, but I have a passion for art and design, specifically fashion and pretty things so I’m was so glad to be offered a post here on Mochatini! I thought I’d share with you a lovely stationery company called Poppies for Grace.
Sometimes all you need is something pretty. Forget function and practicality, pretty things which fill up a large portion of our space are what make our lives worth living. That being said, Poppies for Grace have sought to combine both in their delightfully pretty and oh-so-lovely range of stationery made right here, in Melbourne, with handmade love that set their products apart from the commercial retailers.
I first discovered Poppies for Grace at the Melbourne Design Market last year and all clichés aside, it was love at first sight. Made from 100% recycled paper and printed with vegetable based inks, designers Alana and Sara create range of party invitations, desk supplies, handmade cards and more exude delicate passion.
The writing sets {One Willow Writing set AU$22.95} filled with pretty envelopes and stamped paper makes me wish I had held onto my pen pal from many moons ago, the dozens of invitations {Garden invites, AU$26.95} likewise make me long for an excuse to throw a party.
The most tedious tasks quickly become exciting when you’r ideas can be divulged into such a sweet little notebook {purple notebook, AU$9.95}, small enough to fit into your handbag, but large enough to hold onto all your creative thoughts.
The best part? They’re affordable, lovely and ship worldwide so everyone can share in the prettiness.
For the full range of Poppies for Grace stationery, pay a visit to their website.
Guest Post by Anand Gahlot from Fenetik Design
Hi all, I’m Anand. I love design, and I love blogs. I’m pretty awesome actually, just ask me:)
When I’m not guest blogging for Mochatini, I’m either writing for 2modern or SdotG, and when all other distractions fail, I’m a designer for Fenetik Design, where I’m generally in charge of everything except invoicing. Daily life sees me hip deep in pretty much all aspects of visual communication and floating in and out of a type-nerd haze.
I want to introduce Dan McCarthy’s work. Dan is an amazing artist and screenprinter! His prints make me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside… I want to cover all my walls with these. Here are some of my favorites:
You can check out all his work including his drawings here.
images: Dan McCarthy
