!!! Mirror Magic !!!

All about Mirrors......

Mirrors are among the most ancient and timeless hues on the decorating palate. Let us see how we can make a difference in our homes with the help of mirrors -

Location...

When you place a mirror you consider where the light sources are located. A mirror across from a window can magnify and enhance the light in a room. This gives a perception of a larger and open space in the room. They also make the room more inviting.

Your Reflection...

For More info on Mirror & Buffet Table,
log on http://www.lively-wood.com/mirrors.html
or http://www.lively-wood.com/refurbish.html

Mirrors reflect more than just a lovely face. It changes and redefines your style statement. For example, some mirrors use large, ornate frames to stand alone as works of art. Other mirrors do not have the frame to give it a minimalist look. There are rustic mirrors natural looking mirrors, while a contemporary mirror focus on shape and structure which gives a unique and can be unique and unexpected. Mirrors are available in all the shapes and sizes you're looking for.

Don't overlook them...

For more info on the bathroom Cabinet,
log on to http://www.lively-wood.com/mirrors.html

Mirrors are such a part of your day-to-day life, that we take them for granted and do not thinking about using them to enhance our decor. But Imagine a bathroom without a mirror? Unthinkable!! So why not make a bold statement there?? Mirrors look stunning at the end of hallways - dining areas can use a mirror to give that expansive feel to the room - mirrors at a child's eye level in the kid's rooms. Its easy use mirrors, just needs a bit of thought!!

Gosh how do I keep my Mirror Clean?

Nobody likes to look into dusty, cloudy mirrors. Here are some tips on making your mirrors spotless -

• 1. Use soft and dust-free rags
• 2. Spray your solution on the rag and not the mirror and then wipe the surface.
• 3. Use warm water to remove anything stuck on the mirror first and then use a solution.
  4. Always keep the mirror frame dry. Do not let the water seep in through the edge of the frame.
  5. Avoid solutions like ammonia or vinegar.
  6. Do not expose it to direct sunlight. In the long term, it may damage the glass surface.
  7. Use of proper hanging or mounting devices.
  

Come visit us at the event Art with a Heart @ The Urban Ashram, May 16-17, 2009 from 11am-8:30pm

Schedule for Events & Workshops

An alternative pocket amidst the corporate and technology driven Pune city, Urban Ashram keeps the possibility of the human heart alive. This May, Urban Ashram celebrates its first anniversary or shall we say celebrates the strength of truth, beauty and love!
Art with a heart as the name suggests, hosts an array of events. From photography to wood art, from paintings to social cause, from events to workshops. For the body and the soul. It has it all!

Artists -
1. Sonia (Lively-wood) displays a wide range of hand crafted wood items. From subtle to bold, ethnic to contemporary, each item is unique in its design, color and embellishment.
2. To enjoy these creations the event has abstract & fine art Phtotography Exhibition by Mayuresh (Shadow Photography).
3. Kanchan (Southpaw Creatives) displays her artwork ranging from paintings, typography inspired designs, sketches and contemporary designs.

Social Cause -
1. Blue Cross Society, Pune will bring their pets ready to be adopted on the spot. The visitors can actually meet, play and cuddle some of the puppies and grownup. Also here’s your opportunity to volunteer for/help/or get acquainted with the Blue cross Society, Pune.
2. Seva Sahayog – a networking organization in recruiting volunteers will be present to highlight the need to develop the neglected fields of education, rural development, health, etc.
3. Crossbow club is another organization promoting social causes, as part of the nourishing ambience.

Events & Workshops -
1. Rupali Daaga from Mind Ventures will present various arrays of child development.
2. The event also gives a chance to the visitors to enhance their beauty and rejuvenate. Dr. Deepa & Dr. Rupa from Cute Care Naturopathy Institute will hold a demos & tips session on enhancing beauty using natural products available easily.
3. Apart from visual appreciations, seekers also have the possibility of participating in events like Drum Circles, a Naturopathy Beauty Seminar, Yoga and Meditation etc.

The event holds a simple thought of spreading awareness and smiles. A part of the collection from this event will be donated to the Blue Cross Society, Pune.

The 16th-17th of May 2009 from 11am-8:30pm, all seekers are invited to participate, celebrate and explore a fragment of meaningful living. All are welcome with a spirit of love, peace and gratitude to the Urban Ashram, Mukund Nagar.

For updates on events log on to – www.theurbanashram.org , www.lively-wood.blogspot.com or email – theurbanashram@gmail.com, livelywood@gmail.com or contact – 9960643579, 9881099886

Tibetan Art & Architecture

Just recently, I came back from a trip to Sikkim. Now you might think that the article is titled Tibetan Art and I am talking about a visit to Sikkim. The fact is, Sikkim is heavily influenced by Tibet and its culture. Most of the people in Sikkim have direct origins from Tibet and have migrated to India in the last 100 years and more. The place is so surreal, untouched, spiritual and colourful that I couldn't help but write more about the art and architecture. It deeply inspired me to implement it in my work but before that I wish to share it with all of you.

Tibetan Architecture





Tibetan architecture is one of the most simple, colourful and splendid form of art. Its simplicity brings out the temperament and character of the lives and people of the place. Tibetan Buddhist architecture, in the cultural regions of the Tibetan people, has been highly influenced by China and India. For example, the Buddhist prayer wheel, along with two dragons, can be seen on nearly every temple in Sikkim. Many of the houses and monasteries are typically built on elevated, sunny sites facing the south. Rocks, wood, cement and earth are the primary building materials. Flat roofs are built to conserve heat and multiple windows are constructed to let in the sunlight. Due to frequent earthquakes, walls are usually sloped inward at 10 degrees .





Tibetan Furniture



Furniture from Tibet has always been quite rare. Except for the wealthy, Tibetans used very little furniture in their homes, and the population of Tibet has always been so small that not much was ever made. Most of it was probably always found in the monasteries, and of course most of these monasteries were destroyed by the Chinese during the "Cultural Revolution" along with huge amounts of furniture. Made primarily from pine and other Himalayan soft woods, it is noted more for its sometimes lavishly painted surface and/or carved decoration than for its joinery.



Tibetan Motifs



The eight Buddhist auspicious symbols consist of - a parasol, pair of golden fish, the great treasure vase, a lotus, the right turning conch, the endless knot, the banner of victory and the wheel of dharma. These originated from a group of early Indian symbols of royalty which were presented at special ceremonies such as the coronation of a king. The symbols differed between different groups, for example the Jains and Newar Buddhists. In Buddhism these symbols of good fortune represent the offerings that were made by the gods to Shakyamuni Buddha immediately after he attained enlightenment. Brahma appeared offering the thousand spoked golden wheel as a request to Shakyamuni to turn the teaching wheel of dharma. Indra appeared presenting the right spiraling conch shell as a symbol of the proclamation of the dharma and Sthavara presented the golden vase full of the nectar of immortality.


Sri-Yantra



The Sri Chakra or Shri Yantra is formed by nine interlocking triangles that surround and radiate out from the bindu point, the junction point between the physical universe and its unmanifest source. It represents Sri Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance on all levels, in abstract geometric form. It also represents Tripura Sundari, "the beauty of the three worlds." Four of the triangles points upwards, representing Shiva or the Masculine. Five of these triangles point downwards, representing Shakti or the Feminine. Thus the Sri Yantra also represents the union of Masculine and Feminine Divine. Together the nine triangles are interlaced in such a way as to form 43 smaller triangles in a web symbolic of the entire cosmos or a womb symbolic of creation. This is surrounded by a lotus of eight petals, a lotus of sixteen petals, and an earth square resembling a temple with four doors.