Kismet

ˈkɪzmɛt,-mɪt,-s-/

destiny/fate 

It's kismet  that Kismet Jewell Nakai and I 'met' each other in the virtual world. Like the face that launched a thousand ships, an absolutely ethereal photograph shot by Kismet, that was part of my diwali inspiration mood boards, launched a full fledged post!

 Kismet and her stylist friend/partner April Sher Bhaika, conceptualize, style, create and capture magical moments via The Unreal Bride. Not limiting themselves to just wedding photography, they have experimented with a bunch of other conceptual shoots and also offer to make any moment that celebrates love and life, into a memorable one.

What I love love about The Unreal Bride was just how thoughtfully styled each shoot is. There is a certain elegance, an old world charm, opulent yet subtle accessories and props, without it being too stuffy. You can see and feel from the pictures that the photographer, the stylist and the subject had fun while shooting! With rich heritage saris and textiles, combination of modern and heirloom jewelry, the would-be and the already brides caught candid in various moods, the color and the lush setting that is so Indian in its mood - each shot is a visual delight!

Take a look at Kismet's photography portfolio here, and take a stroll through the stories and gorgeous imagery from the The Unreal Bride photo shoots right here.

In Kismet's own words:

"I started as a photographer back in 2008 officially. I chanced upon my love for photography rather late in life and went through a number of jobs before actually realizing that I wouldn't mind taking photos all my life. Sitting with a friend, we started talking about the wedding industry and how it would be a fun idea to do different photo shoots of brides - something atypical. You see it a lot in fashion but not with real brides, so we thought the combination of my photography and April's styling - we could do some real fun stuff. The blog - The Unreal Bride, was meant to be a way to advertise what we did, but instead we started blogging a lot more and we enjoyed it! From there we have done loads of fun projects, which have varied from wedding stuff to food photography to all sorts of things!" 

[Kismet and April]

You can connect with The Unreal Bride via email or through their facebook page.

[All Images Copyright: The Unreal Bride. Creative Storyboarding: An Indian Summer]

Things that make you go

Aah!

~ Pradeep Pillai ~

Pradeep Pillai graduated from NIFT in 1999, and since then has been associated with the hand-spun, hand-woven and hand-crafted sectors. Pradeep believes in creating pieces that are timeless classics, by experimenting with traditional textile techniques and contemporary designs. He is fully committed to support the indigenous craft sector, and is currently working with artisan clusters specializing in different forms of supplementary weft weaving techniques, in tussar silk from Nalanda and fine cotton and silks from Venkatagiri and Chanderi.

See more of Pradeep's beautiful textiles right here.

~ Purple Patch ~

Tejashree Joshi was inspired to start her cozy little store called Purple Patch in Pune, India, when she decided to make quilts for her young son. Purple Patch, a small and exclusive brand, specializes in hand made patch work designs for adults and kids. She works with marginalized women with basic sewing skills and up-skills them to create high quality hand made products.

You can find Purple Patch on etsy, craftsvilla and on facebook.

~  Example Clothing ~

Example, a collaborative design-led clothing brand was conceptualized by Moutushi and her business partner in 2012. With the backbone of Indian textile tradition, Example's clothes aim to showcase this craft heritage and strive to use natural components and materials, keeping machine usage to a minimum. Moutushi has been associated with international brands like Anthropologie among many others, and has dabbled in photography, film making, graphic design, craft research - all leading to a well rounded approach to design. The products are aimed at the quintessential girl in every woman; the spirit being lighthearted, aware, curious and forever young at heart.

Find more of Example Clothing here.

~ Nomad ~

Harshita Gautam's Nomad is a riot of colors and celebrates the spirit of being a woman. Inspired by the nomadic tribes of India, Nomad's skirts (known as ghagra) don't follow the fashion trend of the season, but are cult attire in themselves. The fabrics used are the fabrics that are worn by these tribes, and are perfect for the woman who is a gypsy at heart!

Many more gorgeous ghagras by Nomad right here.  

~ Wildflower ~

Rinkal Bagadia's Wildflower creates handcrafted home decor and lifestyle products in wood and fabric. Working with artisans and crafts like blue pottery, rabari applique, kutchi leather craft, mata ni pachedi to name a few, Wildflower is gradually building up it's repository of beautiful handmade products. 

See the range of wildflower's products here.

[All images: Respective designers. Creative story boarding: An Indian Summer]

NYDC What’s New, What’s Next...

 

I had the pleasure of being asked by the NYDC to put together a lifestyle board for What's New, What's Next this year.  I am so excited to be able to share with you some of the great new pieces that are coming to the design center from amazing brands!   If you are in the New York area please plan to attend the event - check out all of the details here.

Join the New York Design Center on September 19th for the fifth annual “What’s New, What’s Next,” a showcase of new ideas, materials, and products. Beginning at 2:00pm, attendees are welcome to attend presentations, book signings, and panel discussions with the industry’s top editors, designers, and manufacturers.
In addition to the stimulating programs surrounding the latest trends, guests have the opportunity to views new product introductions ranging from residential to contract, rugs to lighting, sofas to tiles, ultra-modern to traditional, and everything in between. What’s New, What’s Next celebrates every facet of the design industry generating a buzz that can’t be missed.

Product links below..

Rug/art/tables/sofa/chair/stool/pendant



If you would like help creating inspirational spaces for yourself contact us!

make a room out of it...

 

We have just added a bunch of great stuff into the shop... and I thought it might be fun to share a quick way to make a room from pieces in it.  It might also show you that I do have a rhyme and reason to the pieces that I hand select for the shop- I promise I do (!).  

 When I select piece for the shop I always try to mix it up a little of this and a little of that, things that would work well together.  I love interiors that are a little more relaxed that way and not to trendy one way or another.  It is fun to pick a bit of the latest trend and mix it in, but not necessary! And I am sure from reading the blog you know I love vintage so I always want a little bit of that in there too.. accessories, art, textiles furnishings, whatever catches my eye. 

chandelier / lounge chair /sconce / artwork / fabric / fabric / side table / sofa / dresser- console / rug / cocktail table

 

If you would like help creating inspirational spaces for yourself contact us!

dining room inspiration: casual lux

 

It has been a little while since I shared a lifestyle board with you.  This is for a client I am working with on her kitchen and dining remodel locally.  I am excited to see how it all comes out as she is still under construction and we are working hard to find the right fit for her dining room pieces.

I love the casual but lux feeling to the space that these pieces create.

 

 
If you would like help creating inspirational spaces for yourself contact us!