Collections that make it a home

Sharing some of the collections at home that I love to see at random times of the day as each of them have a story to tell. I love replaying those stories as they always bring back fond memories and guaranteed smile on my face.

Most of the collections I have displayed in family room are precious gifts I received from near and dears.

I always wanted to own a few Thanjavur paintings but didn’t in spite of hailing from its originating town. In 2018/2019 I received not one but two of these paintings from two close like minded people and they always hold a very special place in my heart.

This perumal was painted by my friend. She came into my life as my friend’s wife but we have become good friends now. She made this painting while she was expecting and decided to gift it to me. I felt overwhelmed when I received this gift and no words can do justice in explaining the emotional attachment I hold with this painting. She honored our friendship with this painting and not only this she hosted us for one week when Adi got sick in Chennai last year. I would not have felt so comfortable even at my own sister’s place. She made us feel at home and I am forever grateful to her.

One of the best gift I ever received and he is adorning my family room wall now.

This Ganesha was custom made just for me just because I once told this aunty that Pillayar is my favorite god. We got introduced as distant relatives and I hosted her at my home for a month in 2015. Ever since we hold a good relationship checking on each other whenever possible and she gifted me this Pillayar when we met during my 2018 India trip.

He is adorning the other side of my family room wall.

Elephant was a gift from a dear friend when I met him at Chennai last year. He gifted it for this home though we haven’t closed the deal yet. It has a small candle holder in its back.

White Giraffe was a gift to me from a friend family. This friend gives me gift for women’s day, mother’s day, birthday and it feels good to have someone around who treats you a little special.

Orange painted bottle with flowers – Got them as part of bloggers craft exchange and I adore them as they bring a smile in my face.

Thanjavur dancing doll – I gifted myself when I visited the famous Brihadeeswarar temple at my hometown. I have to see her face from my sitting spot on the couch. If the face is turned then I tell Adi that she is mad at me for something. Later I make terms with her and turn her face back to look at me.

Pink centerpiece – That’s a handcrafted candle we bought from a candle house at Pennsylvania in 2018. They made this candle while we were watching. Adi and LHB also got their hand dipped candles and we saved them in boxes to display in yet to buy new home.

Boat – Can you see it? Bought it from Bahamas trip in 2014.

3 black vases – The furniture shop guy gave as a gift when I spent almost ten grand at his shop closing one deal to furnish entire home.

Family portrait – Do you see it above the vases? It’s on the right side of the TV. Took this in early 2019 and I still remember the effort I had to take to get the clan to the studio. The effort was totally worth it and I could not have found a better spot for this portrait. I love looking at this picture while working from home. I usually settle down at my usual corner of the couch in family room on days I work from home and can see these collections when I remember to lift my head.

There are days I get lost in watching them, mulling over the story behind them and forget to dial in to my meeting on time :wink

Family room clock – This clock is one of my best purchase. I don’t know why but one quick look at this clock makes me smile and puts my mind at peace. This is on the left side of the TV. This can be technically called a gift from the friend who gifted me Perumal painting as I purchased this with the gift card given by her.

You will not believe if I tell you I got this frame from a dollar store. This is placed near the entrance to kitchen and I could not have found a better place for this frame. I am sure every home will have a frame that says something along the same line.

Fruit basket – A recent addition to my kitchen counter top. I bought this also with the gift card given by my Perumal friend. I used the gift card after four years of receiving it 🙂

Last but not least. My living room art – Tree of life. I bought her from an art gallery in Dubai. It took me more than one year to get her married to the right frame. First, I got her framed at India and brought her as a separate check in baggage packed carefully with layers of styrofoam padding, marked as fragile and all that. But the frame broke in transit so was my heart!!

Then, I started to get quote from local frame stores and all of them quoted beyond my budget. I gave up at some point and returned her to storage. After moving to this home, I found a wholesale art showroom nearby and their quote suited my budget.

I gave order for a different frame but the art found this frame more suitable and picked it. That is how I narrate the story behind this frame. It was actually a mistake from the artisan and they didn’t charge me for this new frame though it was expensive than the one I originally picked.

Welcome to my home. I will make you chai and retell all these stories as we settle down. That is what I do to all first time visitors 🙂 Brag about all my dear and near collections and the story behind each one of them. Will you please stay put with my bragging for this one time?

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