The Lively-wood Studio

It has been a four years since I started Lively-wood. Nurturing and flowing with it made these years go by and I thought it was time to gift this endeavor a little something. It was time to progress a little! So a shabby little workshop turned into the Lively-wood Studio. A place to display my work, colour, ideas and every little thing that helps me create something new!!



To start with the mirrors, I needed a place to display each and every one of them so that I keep the artwork intact and at one glance, my customers or visitors have a chance to see them all. It also meant, having all the floor space for other things.



A desk with knick-knacks that motivate me, was an important element. I had preserved these mementos from my college days which had abundant memories yet were packed in boxes. I had to get all of it out along with some recycled clocks and put it up right there. I had a artwork, lying around from a project, that I didn't want to throw and was wondering how best to put it to use. So this leftover work turns into a bright bold red grid with the mementos and all my paper gets a display on the soft board hung over my desk!








Like I mentioned in one of my earlier post, I am going crazy recycling! Yes, I went crazy re-using as much as possible even this time! I started with using two steel cut outs which were lying around from Bipin's Dad's factory in the scrap heap. I coloured them and displayed them at the entrance of my studio. For now, I think they look great there! The next I re-used was a window grid made with very good quality sagwan or teak wood. I decided to paint it deep blue and used it as my little chandelier! The list like that, goes on and on...





Lastly, I wanted to display whatever was left behind. A ceramic bell, paper lights, a bird cage and so many little knick-knacks!







Its so nice when some loved ones visit you. I loved taking them to my studio and also felt good to be appreciated.

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Doctors Office gets a Makeover - Ballooooonni Balloon Library & Children's Work Space!

My doctor client now has a consulting room, a waiting area, a small reception and a pretty little library with loads of goodies and space for toddlers to teenagers. When I met her, she was in great dilemma, she has a lot of books, little therapy sessions for kids and young patients, so how could she accommodate all this in her spare area? The room needed to look cute, bright, cheerful on one hand and on the other, demanded space for her books and work area for children. So here it goes.....



A central view of the room, a wash basin, a nice display of children's work on a push pin board and a study on the side.



I thought of displaying children's inspirational handy-work on the central wall of the room. It made the room very warm and welcoming.



Making the room comfortable to sit and work was also important. In case of sessions, a spare examination bed was essential. Hence we gave it enough storage for books underneath and threw pillows to make it warm and inviting.

So far, the view of the library has been hidden. Ardent readers often have problems, they can't resist buying books and then, there is no place to stack them. Small open & closed shelving was made to display some interesting books and the stack the other reference books below them.



However, a desk, toy trunk and toys were important ingredients of this space. Yet everything needed to be compact and comfortable.



A Ballooooonni Trunk was made with a fluffy foam seating, with ample space which serves well as a bench for the table and fits perfectly under it, saving space and making it compact. A lot of people asked me if the cushion came off the trunk while opening it. The answer to this is no, it is completely removable with a removable cover as well and yet attached well to the trunk top.



The biggest highlight of the room were the Balloooonnni balloons on the wall. The light blue wall with a variety of air balloons painted on it made the room look colourful and alluring for not only kids but even adults.

I even thought of making a frilly light curtain to cover a small window. It did wonders to the wall and to the face of the entire room.

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What Media Says...Mumbai Midday Burst!!

A surprise just stepped at my door when Soma Das from Midday Mumbai called me last week to tell me that she intends to feature me! Wow...coverage in Mumbai is something I'd not really thought about! I was happy with The lovely stores of Bliss and Tribal Route who give me publicity and sell my products with love and appreciation! Soma Das did see some of my work at the Carnival at Bliss and decided to write-up about my work. Thank you Soma, thank you very much!!

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The Black Taxi Exhibit - Colour & Design being the Theme!

Its just so nice to be among people who inspire you. Inspire you to create more, inspire you to make use of every little wasted material, inspire you to learn how to use different materials, colours etc! The Black Taxi exhibit inspired me to do all these things. I loved meeting so many wonderful designers and artist. It was my first display or exhibit made in Mumbai and I loved every bit of it.



So the above picture is the overall outcome of the little stall we rented. Kanika Bahl from Anek Designs & myself decided to share a stall since both of us knew each other through common connections! We'd also seen each others work and were super excited about how perfect our stall was going to come together.



I love this little spot! I displayed my burly mirror which I called Floral Goodness on the hand woven stool called Desi Moda and threw some of Kanika's lovely pillows to bring in the cosy look! It looked so splendid that I sold off the mirror!



Another side of the stall got a lot of attention too. It was the peacock themed stools painted in bright bold colours! I call them Serene Plumes & Curvy Plumes!



Bringing my colour stained easel did help! I displayed the unique little Bluesome Vespa mirror on it! It was so retro-ish and loved by all passer-bys.



I was glad to have Ms. Priya Dutt visit our stall. She not only admired the art and effort behind the textile and my designs but also genuinely appreciated our creative skills.



Some of us, bloggers came together and posed for a nice shot! May be some day we'll all actually get to meet and catch up on each others stories!

Just thought I'll a few more pictures!

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Lively-wood exhibits on Apr 22nd-23rd @ Executive Enclave, Bandra(W), Mumbai

For more details click on to Black Taxi Facebook Page

Some more designers present at the exhibition are -


Check it out on Anek Designs


Check it out at Artnlight

And more....of
Spyra - contemporary and trendy handcrafted jewelery
Limited Edition - funky, printed and unique bags
Tuesday Afternoon - ashion apparel and accessories
Riddhika Jesrani Jewelry
Masala Chai
Ai.ko
Pink Tonic - ontemporary fashion brand
Matsya - traditional Indian crafts
Pushme Pullyou - quirky graphics meet chic craft on bags, notebooks, scarves
Chromackey Designs - designer stationery
Velvet Frost - Cupcakes, Cakes and Cookies
Black Taxi....

After a long time I want Lively-wood to go public!! I hope to see you all there!!

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Home - Colour, Art & Tradition Inspired!

View of the farms, feel of the winds and openness of the large windows inspired me to take up this project. A small splash of colour was the only thing required to make it look cosy and inviting.





The living room is large with its king size windows and a terrace which opens to a farmland so vast that it is unbelievable to conceive that it is a part of Pune. The owners had some sturdy Sagwan sofas with orange jute upholstery which became my focal point and helped me design the rest of the home. The dark brown furniture helped me to tone down the blues of the walls, orange of the sofas and the yellow of the lamps. We made the room look retro with its retro sofas and a mix and match of wall decor.




To accentuate its retro look, we designed a corner shelf and a little magazine table to balance out the spaces and to help them store things. Instead of using veneers and laminates, I decided to give it an old rugged look to match the rest of the living space.




I also wanted to use some original artwork in this area. It had to be something that nobody would have in their homes. We got some paintings done for less and from the scrap we had.




A corner of the room was also made to store CDs, music system and their TV with a little bar and glass cabinet.




A dance studio became one of the other important themes of this home. The room belongs to an upcoming dancer who according to me should wake up every morning feeling inspired. Hence the ‘dance studio room’!




I could not forget the hallway and the entrance. They had to be classy and inviting. They provided storage for shoes, helmets, tools, newspaper, and inverter.






Lastly the master bedroom, done traditional with so much sunshine and freshness and a mixture of art from various parts of India.

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