StyleCarrot

ARTmonday: Intaglio Prints by Vani Sayeed

I’ve worked with a lot of interior designers as a writer, and my I’m lucky because my experiences have been 99 percent excellent.

One of the loveliest interior designers in Boston is Newton-based Vani Sayeed. She has such a nice. kind, way about her while at the same time is always absolutely professional. And I’m not just saying that because she brought me back this gorgeous scarf from India.

I wrote about this summer home she designed on the Vineyard for Boston Globe Magazine last summer, and more recently she contributed to this decor trends forecast for the Matouk Linens blog. Vani is also an artist. I just discovered these intaglio prints on her site so thought I’d share.

Nude Drawing Print By Contemporary Indian Artist Vani Sayeed

Untitled • Intaglio Print & Chin Cole’

Nude Drawing Print By Contemporary Indian Artist Vani Sayeed
Rickshaw Ride • Intaglio Print & Mixed Media

Affordable Art Print By Contemporary Indian Artist Vani Sayeed

Rickshaw Ride in the Rain 2 • Intaglio Print & Chin Cole’

Affordable Abstract Art By Interior Designer Vani Sayeed

Quilted 3 • Intaglio Print & Mixed Media

Nude Drawing Print By Contemporary Indian Artist Vani Sayeed

Spring 2011 • Intaglio Print & Chin Cole’ with Acrylic

Nude Drawing Print By Contemporary Indian Artist Vani Sayeed

Spring 2012 • Intaglio Print & Chin Cole’

Affordable Abstract Art By Interior Designer Vani Sayeed

Infinity Gold • Intaglio Print & Chin Cole’ with Gold leaf

Rickshaw Print By Vani Sayeed

Rickshaw Ride • Intaglio Print & Mixed Media

Scheming: Family Room Makeover

Earlier this month Paintzen (the Uber of home painting) sent over a totally adorable husband and wife team to paint our family room in Boston. Ever since our renovations a few years ago, the walls back there have been this taupe-y shade that I really didn’t like. When a press release for Paintzen popped into my overstuffed inbox I took notice.

Paintzen is a digital paint company that handles all aspects of a paint project, big or small. The simple site walks you through the process and provides a quote. If you decide to move forward they handle everything, from getting the paint (all Benjamin Moore, and they’ll even do a color consultation), to scheduling and managing the job. The money goes through them too. The painters show up, do their thing, no fuss, no muss. I was thrilled with the entire experience.

Now that the family room is grey, Benjamin Moore Steel Wool to be exact, I feel like I can motivate on sprucing up the other elements. The enormous grey velvet sofa will remain (all four of us fit to watch TV), but we desperately need a new rug, ottomans, a chair, and perhaps additional lighting. We have plenty of art, and worked on a new gallery wall arrangement last weekend (photo below).

So when Wayfair offered me the opportunity to participate in its #NewYearNewRoom campaign, obviously I opted in. The directive was to choose 20 pieces from Wayfair and its other brands, which include AllModern and DwellStudio, that would breathe new life into an old space. I’m so inspired by this scheme I worked up that I think I will use my $100 gift card to start on a refresh right away.

F A M I L Y R O O M
MA K E O V E R S C H E ME

Sconces / Clock / Portrait / Photo 1 / Photo 2 / Diptych

Sofa / Pillow / Pillows / Drawing / Glass / End Table

Rug / Chair / Ottoman / Coffee Table

Vase / Tray / Candlesticks / Floor Pillow

I N P R O G R E S S

Here’s the family-size grey velvet sofa, a glimpse of the new grey walls, compliments of Paintzen, and a few of the artworks we considered hanging.

• • •

ARTmonday: Kishore Kumar’s Flora & Fauna Paintings

Oftentimes the best stuff comes through referrals by friends and friends of friends and the like. Earlier this month Anu Gulati, who works in alternative healing and is acquainted with Heidi Pribell, who is a designer I work with, emailed me about a social enterprise project she’s started to support Indian artists. Little did she know my graduate work was in Indian art. That said, I know almost nothing about contemporary Indian artists, but am eager to learn.

I fell instantly in love with pen and ink flower drawings by Kishore Kumar, and sent a link right over to David Webster at Webster & Company in the Boston Design Center for the Webster Art Project I’m helping to curate. He loves them too, and we can’t wait until the pieces arrive in the States. Meanwhile, I want to share Kishore Kumar’s colorful acrylic on canvas paintings of flowers and plants.

Kumar grew up in a small village in India, where he became very interested in plants, nature, and art. Despite economic pressures and the responsibility of being the only son, his parents supported his passions and Kishore joined Khairagarh Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Asia’s first university dedicated to the musical and performing arts, and from which he graduated six years ago. Today, Kishore Kumar lives and works in New Delhi and has exhibited his work in India, China, and the United Staes.

Contemporary Indian Artist Kishore Kumar's Flower Paintings

Kishore Kumar, Spring Season 3

Contemporary Indian Artist Kishore Kumar's Flower Paintings

Kishore Kumar, Foliage 1

Contemporary Indian Artist Kishore Kumar's Flower Paintings

Kishore Kumar, Celebration

kishore-kumar-foliage-4

Kishore Kumar, Foliage 4

Contemporary Indian Artist Kishore Kumar's Flower Paintings

Kishore Kumar, Moon Night

kishore-kumar-hanging-memories-of-summer

Kishore Kumar, Hanging Memories of Summer

kishore-kumar-early-spring

Kishore Kumar, Early Spring

kishore-kumar-patralata-3

Kishore Kumar, Patralata 3

kishore-kumar-patralata-1

Kishore Kumar, Patralata 1

Contemporary Indian Artist Kishore Kumar's Flower Paintings

Kishore Kumar, Spring Season 4

Contemporary Indian Artist Kishore Kumar's Flower Paintings

Kishore Kumar, Spring Season

• • •

Design Diary: Spa-Inspired Bath in Boston

I featured this spa-like bathroom designed by senior architect Barney Maier of Feinmann Inc., a Boston area design/build firm, as a Room to Love in the Address section of The Boston Globe this past fall. I love the simplicity of the design, and would happily spend hours in that tub, which happens to be in the same neighborhood as my own condo (which is glaringly devoid of such luxury).

The project combined two units into one, and transformed the original kitchen and bath of one unit into this new master bathroom. A wall across the middle of the room separates the tub and shower area from the sink and toilet side of the space. A new, elegantly curved wall allows for breathing room so people can pass by. It’s hard to explain, so scroll down to the diagram at the end.

Zen Bathroom Design By Feinmnann In Boston

Maier designed the clean-lined, floating shelves, which were manufactured by Showplace Cabinetry out of cherry wood and stained dark brown. The pair of stacked, minimalist towel bars in satin-nickel are Cinu by Ginger. The wall is clad in matte white tile. Recycled-glass mosaic tile by Kamet, in a blend of light green, black, white, and taupe covers the curved accent wall.

Zen Bathroom Design By Feinmnann In Boston

The shower wall, back wall and backsplash are done in Ferro White by Sant’Agostino 12-inch-by-24-inch tiles . Instead of bull nose tiles, stainless steel was used on the tile edges and shelving trim for a sleek, contemporary look. Matte black-porcelain Ceramica Sant’Agostino Ferro 12-inch-by-24-inch tiles ground the airy space. A wooden bath mat adds warmth and reinforces the overall spa feel.

Zen Bathroom Design By Feinmnann In Boston