How To Add Colour To White Interiors

May 6, 2016 / mythoughtlane / 4 Comments

We all know the power of white and Singapore loves white. The country has chosen well. It is the most refreshing colour of the spectrum, evoking purity and a clean look. But more than anything else, it exudes sophistication I think. Its crowning glory however is in its versatility, in being a canvas for the palette of colours. Almost all the metals pair with white in a classy and a classic way.

An interior decorator had this to say “the greatest asset of working with white is the ability to showcase your own personality by adding colour in your upholstery, furniture, furnishings and décor accessories without having to compete with the colour on the walls”. True that. I am coming to ‘adding colour to a white room’ in a bit, but in the meantime, look at this stunning simple European summer look in white-on-white. It took my breath away.

Image Courtesy : Freshome

With white and its multitudinous shades as the canvas, spring/summer, winter or autumn can be ushered in into your homes with a change of colour shades. Give in to a whim, swap out rugs, add pillow and cushion covers, brighten up the window sill, splash colour with bed linen. Options and options. The Sandalwood Room brings their Play with Decor ideas in the following pictures and video, when pastels meet colour.

Play with Decor Ideas

Contemporary meets ethnic in this makeover. Beige with a splash of colours, making it at once warm and cozy.

pastel walls and brightly coloured accessories, the sandalwood room

Pastel wallls and brightly coloured accessories

Check out another makeover in this video, a study room this time.

An array of home decor accessories that could brighten up any space, letting you get creative and experimental with many a mix-n-match options. Giving white spaces an interesting twist with handcrafted accessories. The Singaporeans, the Chinese and the Japanese women love these colourful things from The Sandalwood Room. An interesting link on how different regions symbolise colours.

Home decor accessories, the sandalwood room

Home decor accessories in multi colours and textures

Adding some brightness to your kids room.

Stuffed toys, handcrafted

Trunks and a trunk seat for an immediate perk up of any corner of the house.

turkish print decorative home decor box, the sandalwood room

Turkish print decorative box

Recycled cloth and coir trunk from the sandalwood room

Made from recycled cloth and coir

Trunk seat

And then these quilts and comforters. How about gifting some to that one most wonderful woman in your lives, the Mother on Mothers Day? A hug along with a handcrafted accessory to make her feel special.

Quilts and comforters , handcrafted in superior cotton, the sandalwood room

Quilts and comforters, handcrafted and vibrant

The Sandalwood Room on Tras Street, close to Tanjong Pagar, Singapore is an exclusive boutique with gifts and collectibles, ethnic fashion, jewelry, home decor and art, an eclectic mix of merchandise and an art gallery that hosts periodic exhibitions by international artists.For those with a penchant for contemporary arts and traditional crafts…this is the place to be!

If you have liked any of the above products, click here to explore more and if you wish to place an order email them and The Sandalwood Room will be happy to courier your order to you.
Price on request. Email them at the ID below.
Payments are routed through PayPal.
All products subject to availability.
Give them a Facebook like here.

New Address:

The Sandalwood Room, 78 Tras Street, Singapore 079017

Phone : +65 6221 2654 / +65 9786 5896

Email: thesandalwoodroom@gmail.com

Website: http://www.thesandalwoodroom.com

Facebook : Visit The Sandalwood Room

Handcrafted Trinket Boxes For Your Valuables That Let You Play With Decor

April 30, 2016April 30, 2016 / mythoughtlane / 1 Comment

How To Add Colour To White Spaces

Life is all about boxes! I guess we have more boxes in our mind space than we have in our physical world. Tiny spaces for all our thoughts, memories and emotions. A small Eureka moment as I start writing about these pretty trinket boxes.

Trinket boxes were born out of nobility methinks. More so the elaborately decorated ones, going back to medieval times when the genteel placed the embellished boxes on their dressers for their brooches, pins and jewellery. We continue the habit or shall we call it a need, for the fascination for accessories has not ceased in the present times. Just that the trinket boxes are getting more functional and less decorative, making them disposable easily only to be replaced by fancier ones.

A bit of trivia : Did you know the most popular trinket boxes were created for the Russian Tsar from 1890s to early 1900s? And they were without doubt the most expensive, being studded with gold and precious gems. They came to be called the Faberge Eggs, named so after the royal jeweller Carl Faberge and were shaped like eggs. I cant help but post pics of two of the fabulously crafted Faberge Eggs.

The Imperial Coronation Egg, the most famous and iconic of all the Fabergé eggs.

This grand Faberge Egg was made under the supervision of the Russian jeweller Peter Carl Fabergé in 1898 by Fabergé ateliers. It was presented to Tsar Nicholas II, who gifted it to the Tsaritsa, Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna.

That was for the Royalty, now let’s get back to reality, our times. Here are a few trinket boxes from The Sandalwood Room that you and I can afford to have on our dressers, handcrafted and exclusive, not just serving their purpose but adding to the decor of the rooms. The Sandalwood Room gives tips on how to change the look of your rooms in small ways, but ones that are easy on the hands and the pockets. This campaign was born out of the need to liven up living spaces without having to get a fresh coat of paint to the walls or struggle with handymen. For homes in Singapore and many other regions, where walls come painted white most often. Where the only option is to add colour to the rooms with home decor accessories. Adding warmth through colours and textures. Sounds good.

Some beautiful handcrafted trinket boxes from The Sandalwood Room.

TSR play with decor handcrafted Trinket Boxes, the sandalwood room

Play with decor with this handcrafted trinket box

Here are beautiful rectangular boxes patterned with organic colours.

Play with decor with this handcrafted trinket box with organic colours

Earthy wooden trinket box to fit your necklaces snugly.

Play with decor this hancrafted wooden box, the sandalwood room

Play with decor with this earthy wooden handcrafted trinket box

A glossy ceramic trinket box that looks as precious as the trinkets you are going to store in it.

play with decor with this handcrafted trinket box, the sandalwood room

Play with decor with this beautiful handcrafted trinket box

If you have liked any of the above products, click here to explore more and if you wish to place an order email them and The Sandalwood Room will be happy to courier your order to you.
Price on request. Email them at the ID below.
Payments are routed through PayPal.
All products subject to availability.
Give them a Facebook like here.

New Address:

The Sandalwood Room, 78 Tras Street, Singapore 079017

Phone : +65 6221 2654 / +65 9786 5896

Email: thesandalwoodroom@gmail.com

Website: http://www.thesandalwoodroom.com

Facebook : Visit The Sandalwood Room

More ideas on “Play with Decor” in the next blog.

Do Gift Vouchers And Gift Cards Embarrass You?

April 16, 2016 / mythoughtlane / 1 Comment

I was at a wedding a few days back, privy to an interesting chat on gifting. For a blogger every thing that one sees around and hears is food for thought. One of the other plusses is that it pushes you to think, think and think and then write, write and write. I am reminded of Nihar Pradhan’s recent post about bloggers whose thinking caps are ever on.

So yeah Gifting. The chat commenced with how difficult it is getting to choose gifts for family and friends. Everyone has almost everything they need and sometimes dont need! It then veered towards how gifts and the one gifting get judged on certain occasions. Sad I thought! Gift vouchers and gift cards were discussed and so were their merits and the ‘not so real’ demerits. But, why do we even create this gift connected Frankenstein in our heads ? I mean, lets grow up!

Gifting has to come from the heart, we all agree on that. But sometimes it doesn’t. The thought is there, but one could be stressed for time, ideas or sometimes constrained by a budget. Then lets look at gifting differently. The need for gifting when it first started had a noble cause behind it, that of equipping the near and dear ones with some things they didn’t possess or have access to. But over the years when peoples’ monthly incomes now are handsome enough, there is no apparent need left! So what are our options for gifting then?

With lifestyles scaling higher by the day, gifting is getting to be expensive if one has to match the style of the one being gifted. But really, do we have to do that? Let gifting remain a pleasure and not be heavy on your pockets. Gift as much as you can and want to. Quantifying…..is it difficult? Is it embarrassing? I think this all about mindsets.

Set your mind to give and receive with an open heart and we will then be wont to relish that very act of giving and taking.

So are we then talking of gifting cash or gift cards and gift vouchers? Both are fine by me personally. I’d let them pick and choose what THEY want rather than duplicating or gifting something that does not fit their lifestyle. Even if it means my gift voucher/gift card amount being only a part of the value of their ‘purchase’. I have in a way led them to buying something that they had probably put off for a long time, something that their heart really longed for!

But yes, the downside of gift vouchers and gift cards is that people forget they have one. You have tucked it in your wallet and it remains there, sometimes innocuously till after the validity has expired.

So why don’t you pin it up somewhere above your dresser or on a reminder pinboard?

Another scenario. You have received far too many gift vouchers/gift cards but you don’t have plans to shop at the moment. Your friend or family have put in thought and money into them, don’t let them go unused. Did you know some 30% of gift voucher money across the world goes down the drain? We don’t have to add our bit to it.

You could in turn gift them to someone or just sell them online or even exchange them for brands that you like.

A few online gift voucher and gift card resellers that make the job easy for you, check out which one suits you best. I have listed just a few, you can find many more such sites.

Zeek

https://www.zeek.me/

Cash4Vouchers

http://www.cash4vouchers.com/ – these guys accept even credit notes, how cool is that?

VoucherCart

https://vouchercart.com/

Today, every business worth its salt offers gift vouchers, so does The Sandalwood Room and here is a sample of it.

The Sandalwood Room Gift Voucher

If you wish to check out their products, click here and if you wish to place an order email them and The Sandalwood Room will be happy to courier your order to you.
Price on request. Email them at the ID below.
Payments are routed through PayPal.
All products subject to availability.
Give them a Facebook like here.

New Address:

The Sandalwood Room, 78 Tras Street, Singapore 079017

Phone : +65 6221 2654 / +65 9786 5896

Email: thesandalwoodroom@gmail.com

Website: http://www.thesandalwoodroom.com

Facebook : Visit The Sandalwood Room

New Arrivals At The Sandalwood Room – Some Elegant, Some Quirky

April 2, 2016April 2, 2016 / mythoughtlane / 5 Comments

Show me one person not excited by new arrivals but if you really find one, let him or her be. They are probably dealing with something. New arrivals bring new scents, new feel, new hope and a newness that envelopes you for a while.

Next only to a new-born baby, new arrivals of gadgets and cars excite me most. For days I engage myself exploring them. There are also these new arrivals at The Sandalwood Room, simple but beautiful home decor pieces that make me want them and then I land up buying some, keeping a few for myself and the others reserved for gifting.

Ceramic round box for trinkets

Ceramic round box

Two stunning paper tissue boxes in red and blue

decorative tissue box with openable lid and zardosi emnroidery, the sandalwood room

Tissue box in red with zardosi embroidery

decorative tissue box with openable lid and zardosi embroidery, the sandalwood room

Red tissue box with a flap lid

decorative tissue box with openable lid and paper napkins within, the sandalwood room

Blue tissue box with paper napkins

A slotted, elegant tissue box to go with a contemporary room look.

decorative tissue box with zardosi embroidery, the sandalwood room

Blue ethnic tissue box

And now for some bar set boxes

Bar set box embellished with satin within and decorated with wine bottle corks

Place it in your bar for bar accessories or store your cutlery, either way add elegance to your wining and dining.

Crockery box or bar set box, the sandalwood room

Elegant box with zardosi for your cutlery or bar accessories

A big thumbs up for this unique trivet to place a plate or a bowl of hot food on your precious wood or glass surface. I am sure the corks have been painstakingly collected and sorted out for their sizes.

Unique trivet made from bottle corks

Place this unique coaster box with branded corks within for decoration at your house party and let it start a conversation.

Coaster, box coaster, havent seen anything so unique

Fill these pretty bowls with fragranced water and throw in a few floating candles or flowers. Light a candle or the typical Indian diya in them for a warm glow to the rooms. Chinese and Japanese love these for their prayers and meditation.

Metal bowls for prayers or decoration

While in the mood for prayers, another beautiful bowl mounted on a wrought iron stand for flowers, fruits and other offerings.

decorative filigree metal bowl mounted on a stand, the sandalwood room

Bowl with filigree work

Spring time coffee in this pretty mug and a book in hand – looks like I have slipped into the weekend mood.

ceramic cup with box, the sandalwood room

Pretty ceramic mug for my cuppa

The Sandalwood Room on Tras Street, close to Tanjong Pagar, Singapore is an exclusive boutique with gifts and collectibles, ethnic fashion, jewelry, home decor and art – an eclectic mix of merchandise and an art gallery that hosts periodic exhibitions by international artists.For those with a penchant for contemporary arts and traditional crafts…this is the place to be!

If you wish to check out their new arrivals, click here and if you wish to place an order email them and The Sandalwood Room will be happy to courier your order to you.
Price on request. Email them at the ID below.
Payments are routed through PayPal.
All products subject to availability.
Give them a Facebook like here.

New Address:

The Sandalwood Room, 78 Tras Street, Singapore 079017

Phone : +65 6221 2654 / +65 9786 5896

Email: thesandalwoodroom@gmail.com

Website: http://www.thesandalwoodroom.com

Facebook : Visit The Sandalwood Room

Care For Your Indigo

March 28, 2016 / mythoughtlane / 1 Comment

Colour my world, colour my world indigo.

Someone took these words very seriously. Indigo is to be found in every wardrobe today, of man, woman and child. Shades galore in the volumes of jean garments that sell like hot cakes and have become kind of comfort wear.

Indigo Collage on quilt, the sandalwood room

An interesting indigo collage on a quilt

“Indigo dye has captured the human imagination for centuries as the world’s only natural blue pigment” ( Quotation courtesy : EAST )

I am quite intrigued by this colour and its power over us. We go looking for that particular shade of indigo or the blue as we generally term it, spend hours shooting down any other shade than the one on our minds and yet over time when that pair of denim lightens bringing out a lighter shade, we revel in that too!

So yes, this indigo has ruled our senses from as long back as 2000 BC and still holds sway over our minds. India in a large measure is credited with introducing the pigment indigo to the world of dyeing, deriving its name from the plant Indigofera tinctoria and related species. While jeans are on one spectrum of the fashion world, indigo dyed apparel, ethnic and global have occupied a large chunk of the remaining space. They are even more sought after by those endowed with artistic tendencies. Indigo on apparel somehow tends to connect us to nature just like the brick reds or browns stand for all that is rustic.

And here is an example of an artist from Chennai, Lakshmi Srinath who has used indigo to such a striking advantage in this beautiful ensemble in stone. More on her art in a later post sometime.

Lakshmi Srinath art in stone using indigo, My Thought lane

Stone sculpted art using indigo by Chennai artiste Lakshmi Srinath

Something that is so beautiful and rooted to nature, this indigo dye needs special care on fabrics. It is a natural dye and contains no harsh chemicals and toxins. A peep into maintaining indigo dyed fabrics:

Care for your Indigo

Like all natural dyed fabrics, indigo dyed garments are prone to bleeding in the first couple of washes. Worry not, it is the excess dye getting washed out.
In countries that use treated water, it is recommended to dry-clean the garments for the first wash
The clothes must be dried and stored away from the sun. If not adhered to, then the clothes are likely to fade in patches an along the folding lines of the garment.
Must be washed in cold water and air-dried.
Advisable to avoid the washing machine. Handwash for better results.
Wash the garment before the first use to avoid the indigo dye running on to your inner garments.
Damp clothes are likely to transfer the dye on to other clothes. So dry them completely before wearing.

Indigo is a dye different from any other and the process of dyeing is as unique as the colour itself, involving days of the pigment being fermented in the vat. The vat is a bulging narrow mouthed pot 10-15 feet deep and sunk into the floor of an area that is covered and does not allow sunlight to fall on it directly. It would look something like this, like a hole in the floor.

Indigo vats , image courtesy : Kimonoboy

The vat houses a living organism that helps in the fermentation. It is filled with a thick sandy dye-liqour to 1/4^th of its capacity. Indigo, slaked lime and molasses are added with water to top it up. An artisan then feeds the vat daily with the same ingredients for the next two weeks till the desired look and feel is achieved, which could take about 20 days in all. One of the reasons why indigo dyed garments require a wash before its first wear.

Japanese are extremely fond of this hue and indigo dyeing in Japan dates back to the 10th century. In Japanese, indigo dyeing is known as ai-zome.

Here is an interesting note about the process. In the first step, the indigo is “reduced” , changing it from blue to yellow. When the dipped yarn is brought out it turns a bright green. The air around when the yarn is put to dry changes it to the beautiful deep and rich indigo. Fascinating!

And here are a few beauties from The Sandalwood Room for indigo tops the list most often amongst handmade products.

Ceramic candle holder with butterfly

blue pottery wall plate with floral patterns, the sandalwood room

Ceramic blue pottery wall plate ensemble

White hand block printed frock with shades of indigo, purple, fuchsia and green

Trunk seat

The Sandalwood Room prides itself on being the only one of its kind in Singapore. It is a boutique for those who love the finer things of life. A vast array of Home Decor merchandise sourced from across the globe line their shelves spoiling you for choice, from ethnic to classic to contemporary, every piece standing out for its exclusivity.

If you wish to check out their products, click here and if you wish to place an order email them and The Sandalwood Room will be happy to courier your order to you.
Price on request. Email them at the ID below.
Payments are routed through PayPal.
All products subject to availability.
Give them a Facebook like here.

New Address:

The Sandalwood Room, 78 Tras Street, Singapore 079017

Phone : +65 6221 2654 / +65 9786 5896

Email: thesandalwoodroom@gmail.com

Website: http://www.thesandalwoodroom.com

Facebook : Visit The Sandalwood Room

Handmade Palm Leaf Creations For Eco Friendly Singapore

March 20, 2016March 20, 2016 / mythoughtlane / 1 Comment

Palm Leaf basketry, the Kottans

hand made palm leaf boxes the kottans, the sandalwood room

Palm leaf boxes, the Kottans, handmade for multipurpose use

Holiday times are approaching. We are all either going to be travelling or having friends and family visiting. Time to think up of gifting ideas. Gifts that are unique, stylish, pretty and bring a smile to the faces of the gifted.

Around the globe there is an increasing consciousness about using environment friendly products and recycling. It is heartening to note that more people are giving a thought to contributing whatever little they can towards making the earth a better place. The ratio however may seem imbalanced, but we see no way forward other than doing our tiny bit.

I was at a restaurant to grab a quick bite and overheard a group of tourists discussing global warming, garbage dumping issues and the like. No, I wasn’t eavesdropping; the discussions were quite heated and hence loud too. One particular line of thought in their conversation engaged my attention and I was inspired to follow suit. The group of eleven vacationers had resolved to buy only handmade products as gifts for their near and dear ones. I went up to their table and pledged along.

An occasion for gifting arose just two days later and I headed to The Sandalwood Room, for that is one place I knew I could find a zillion options for handmade goods. Singapore, the city committed to eco-friendly environment loves this store. And these pretty palm leaf baskets, boxes and trays got me all excited, especially after hearing about the noble cause behind the craft.

palm baskets oval kottans handmade and multipurpose, the sandalwood room

Palm leaf baskets, Kottans organically coloured, handmade and multipurpose

These are my kind of colours and just right for Spring too! A journey back in time to school days, those cheerful craft classes where we learnt knitting, weaving baskets and myriad other handicrafts. My grandmother was a cut above the rest, advocated handmade goods and helped better my craft work with her simple but valuable inputs. I remember the glee with which we waited for the craft classes, coming as they would as a big respite from the endless hours of physics, chemistry, math, biology et al.

This traditional Palmyra basketry is a Chettinad contribution to the world of handicrafts. Chettinad is a region in southern Tamil Nadu, a state in India, known for its crafts and aromatic cuisine. The palm leaf basketry is locally known as the Kottans and were once woven by the women of affluent families for either rituals, or daily use. Akin to many other handicrafts of the world, this art too started dying down slowly and then rapidly. The M.Rm.Rm Cultural Foundation, a non-profit organisation took a big step towards reviving the craft true to its original colours and patterns by teaching it to groups of women in villages.

palm leaf baskets, the kottans for jamuns, the sandalwood room

Palm leaf baskets, trays and boxes, the Kottans

The Foundation supports revival of dying rural crafts, textiles and architecture of the region. Rural women are encouraged to weave palm leaf baskets and are taught direct marketing skills to help them sustain themselves and grow.

palm leaf kottan gift pouches, the sandalwood room

Palm leaf pouches, the Kottans

“These brightly coloured baskets are washable and very durable, and being reusable, do their bit towards the environment. Available in different sizes, these multi-purpose baskets may be put to a variety of uses from gift packaging to home accessories like laundry baskets, plant holders, waste-paper baskets, beach bags and market baskets.” – M.Rm.Rm Cultural Foundation.

Two good reasons why The Sandalwood Room stocks them – support to handicrafts and empowerment of women.

Palm leaf boxes, Kottans, multipurpose

Palm leaf boxes, Kottans, for storage or gifting

Palm leaf boxes, Kottans, multipurpose

Handmade items last longer. Made from high quality materials and handcrafted by trained artists, they come with the tag of being unique, making them a special item for gifting. This is an irresistible palm leaf drawstring bag in a lovely shade of green.

palm leaf drawstring bag the kottan , the sandalwood room

Palm leaf drawstring bag, the Kottans

I have always thought that handcrafted goods have a personality and add as much to the one carrying it. How about using this green basket for fruits on your table? Or for your cosmetics on your dressing table? I guess they could be just used about anywhere in the house. Could add a dash of colour to white bathrooms even?

palm leaf fruit basket dragon fruit, the sandalwood room

Palm leaf boxes and drawstring bags, the Kottans

Every time I buy a handcrafted product, there is a sense of satisfaction in me that I have supported an artist, a craft and a local business. And I know there has been a human touch to it all connecting me to them even if it be for reasons of business. We need each other to complete our lives and give it the variety and spice that make living in today’s world worthwhile.

palm leaf trays the kottans in a set of three, the sandalwood room

Palm leaf trays, the Kottans in three sizes

Thank you artisans, thank you The Sandalwood Room, thank you the M.Rm.Rm Cultural Foundation for uplifting a dying craft and helping women gain their place in their country’s economic mainstream.

If you have liked any of these palm leaf baskets , walk in to shop and if you wish to place an order email them and The Sandalwood Room will be happy to courier your order to you.
Price on request. Email them at the ID below.
Payments are routed through PayPal.
All products subject to availability.
Give them a Facebook like here.

New Address:

The Sandalwood Room, 78 Tras Street, Singapore 079017

Phone : +65 6221 2654 / +65 9786 5896

Email: thesandalwoodroom@gmail.com

Website: http://www.thesandalwoodroom.com

Facebook : Visit The Sandalwood Room

Lextra Mouse Rugs And Coaster Rugs , Personalize Your Home And Office Spaces

March 8, 2016March 9, 2016 / mythoughtlane / 1 Comment

If you too like me have always wanted to own a few luxurious rugs for your floors, but have put if off due to lack of appropriate space, here are a couple of options – Computer Mouse Rugs and Coaster Rugs.

Found them irresistible and have picked up a few from The Sandalwood Room. So why not make a blog out of them? And here we go.

Mouse rugs assorted , the sandalwood room

Assorted Mouse Rugs

As in most cases, ‘looks’ drew me in first followed by the soft pleasant touch of the miniature rugs. The Sandalwood Room called it functional art, the stunning colourful images coupled with a smooth computer mousing surface. No art is complete without a discussion on the science behind it. Quite impressive the Lextra Flock Textured Graphics technology that lends the Mouse Rugs and the Coaster Rugs their velvety beauty and longevity. Clearly inspired by the ancient hand-woven rugs.

Mouse Rugs assorted for your computer to match your room colour and decor, the sandalwood room

Assorted Computer Mouse Rugs to match your room colour and decor

Lextra Mouse rug with mouse richly coloured and soft textured, the sandalwood room

Richly coloured and soft textured Computer Mouse Rug with a working mouse

Lextra Flock Textured Graphics

So this technique prints without ink, I like the alliteration! It uses pre-dyed nylon fibers and water based adhesive, both combined with high voltage electricity and screen printing – seven million yarn-dyed nylon fibers are driven into intricate designs. I drew back on hearing this and am sure the thought is crossing your mind too as you read. No static electricity being emitted I was assured, thanks to the technology invented exclusively by FiberLok in Fort Collins, Colorado. And they term it ‘Ancient Beauty meets High Tech’.

Designed as they are for the computer mouse or as coaster rugs, but I can see them being multipurpose rugs. Now look at this, shall we turn it into Curio Rug ? The bottoms-up Ganesha even more endearing! Protect the tender knees of the baby Ganesha with a soft Mouse Rug!

Lextra Mouse Rug or Curio Rug

Choose a rug to blend with your room colour and décor. I like to call them tiny oriental carpets and they are in a way. Taking from stunning art designs from the arts of China, Tibet, Persia and the Americas with a look and feel of luxury.

Mouse Rug : Weight 4oz Dimensions : 7.125 x 10.25 x .16 in

Coaster Rug : Weight 4oz Dimensions 5.5 x 3.5 x .16 in

Coaster Rug made with Lextra Flock Textured Graphics technology

The Coaster Rugs are available in a set of four like these

Lextra Flock Textured Country Heritage Stars 4 pc coaster rugs the sandalwood room

A set of four Coaster Rugs named the Country Heritage Stars

I think the gorgeous rugs make for great gift ideas, both for homes and offices, something that will last and last, despite frequent usage, even if a little water spills out from a glass or a flower vase. The secret of that lies in them being washable.

Lets look at the Cleaning Tips

The Lextra Textured Flock Graphics are highly resistant to abrasion and can be cleaned deep down within the flock fibres. All you need is a handy and commonly available high pressure spray wand device. They tell me these are available at most car wash outlets where they are used to clean car floor mats.

Lay the rug flat on the ground.
Run a soap cycle, you could sprinkle soap water all over
Pass the spray wand across the entire surface of the rug several times (no, fibres will not come off).
Run a rinse cycle, repeating with several passes of the water through the spray wand.
Shake excess water off the rug.
Dry it by laying the rug flat on paper or cloth towels, flock fibres side up.

Will the colours run ? Will the rugs lose some of their softness and shine ? No! The manufacturers claim that the rugs can get even softer to the touch and regain their lustre and brightness with a wash. I will wait and watch though.

Alert : ~~The rugs cannot be washed in the washing machine~~

Special Note: Mouse Rugs are not recommended for use with mice that use the dark field scanning technology which are intended for use on super-smooth surfaces like glass, and are unable to read irregular surfaces like textiles.

Lextra was invented over two decades ago but appears to be more relevant and useful today. It is believed that the technology produces richly textured and intensely colored brand images with far more faithful reproduction of fine design details and accurate color matching than is possible with embroidery. The Sandalwood Room tells me the company calls it ‘The Graphics people love to touch’.

The Sandalwood Room prides itself on being the only one of its kind in Singapore. It is a boutique for those who love the finer things of life. A vast array of Home Decor merchandise sourced from across the globe line their shelves spoiling you for choice, from ethnic to classic to contemporary, every piece standing out for its exclusivity.

If you have liked any of these Rugs , walk in to shop and if you wish to place an order email them and The Sandalwood Room will be happy to courier your order to you.
Price on request. Email them at the ID below.
Payments are routed through PayPal.
All products subject to availability.
Give them a Facebook like here.

New Address:

The Sandalwood Room, 78 Tras Street, Singapore 079017

Phone : +65 6221 2654 / +65 9786 5896

Email: thesandalwoodroom@gmail.com

Website: http://www.thesandalwoodroom.com

Facebook : Visit The Sandalwood Room

Some of you may already have these kind of mouse rugs and coaster rugs at home. Let me know in your comments if they have lasted , will be nice to know.

Every woman is a super-woman. Wishing you all a very Happy Womens’ Day !

Gemstones And Jewelry, A Two Fold Healing

March 4, 2016 / mythoughtlane / 3 Comments

The world needs healing and the quest is on for more ways of doing it. A portion of our society has become extremely intolerant, but thanks be to God, a larger section seems to be on a mission to bring peace and harmony into their lives and others’.

There is so much healing required today that we are willing to embrace any new form to achieve it. But through all that, the power of healing stones, crystals and gems has stood its ground and in fact is making a big comeback for holistic health and well-being. I think our faith in the healing power of gemstones and crystals is firmly rooted and connected to Mother Earth. I also think what weighs in their favour is that just like us Homo sapiens have evolved to our present form through biologic processes, so have the crystals and gemstones gone through the geologic processes of heating, cooling and rearrangement to attaining their final natural form.

We can add another C to the three Cs of gemstones – Cure ! But frankly when the beautiful gemstones get set in jewelry, the healing process has already begun from the moment it is worn on the body. Those admiring looks stemming from moods being lifted by the sheer colour of the gemstone and the play of light on it. That is why I call it two-fold healing.

Ancient civilisations the world over have used gemstones and crystals to heal living beings and their surrounding spaces and energies in several ways. Ground into powders or elixirs, worn on persons or carried along and used in ceremonies and rituals.

My personal take on this subject is that there is a symbiotic connection between gemstones and living beings for whom the healing powers are being harnessed. It is believed that each gemstone comprises of minute crystals that are in constant motion, thereby emitting energy fields. Left to themselves, I wonder if the energy fields would acquire any frequency. But when used to heal by being placed either on bodies or certain environments, the minute crystals could get into an activation mode and emit higher levels of energy.

I haven’t studied Colour, but certainly believe that colours influence and affect and I am sure a gemstone’s colour plays a dynamic role in its healing power. Coupled with the play of light, the combination can calm or stimulate, heal or purify.

Wearing gemstones on your person is probably the easiest and simplest way of letting their energy work on you. We see innumerable people wearing jewelry encrusted with gemstones today to create harmonious vibrations in relationships, for health, for business and for peace. The trend has been profitable to jewelers and most of them have an expert on board to guide and advice customers in choosing appropriate gemstones.

A look at how some gemstones heal and contemporary jewelry from The Sandalwood Room by Sitaram Jewels . All set in 18 carat gold, each piece is unique – no two pieces are identical.

Amethyst

Long considered a gemstone of royalty, it sure must be worthy of being the preferred gemstone ● a natural stress reliever ● provides spiritual protection ● aids inner strength and clarity of mind ● helps dispel negativity ● helps strengthen immunity and heal imbalances in the body ● attracts abundance.

Amethyst hook ear rings in 18 carat gold

Amethyst crystals can be placed somewhere central in the house to spread positive energy all over the house.

For all those March born out there, here is your birth stone, the Aquamarine.

Aquamarine

Deriving its name from the latin aqua marinus (water of the sea), it get its pale blue colour from the sparkling ocean ● clears the mind ● balances emotions ● instills courage ● dispels fear ● believed to have protective powers ● promotes self-expression ● promotes harmony in relationships ● aids better communication

Amethyst and Aquamarine neck chain in 18 carat gold

I have heard about many a traveller carrying along an aquamarine in some form for protection during travel.

Moonstone

Believed to be the stone of destiny, it helps ● harmonise the mind ● aids fertility in women ● aids protection specially during pregnancy and childbirth ● fosters love ● promotes hormone production ● improves metabolism ● relieves stress and calms the nerves ● instills hope, intuition and sensitivity ● attracts abundance.

Amethyst and Moonstone hook ear rings in 18 carat gold

Citrine

Known as the happy stone or stone of happiness, it fosters ● joyful moods ● cleanses negativity ● fosters creativity ● aids clarity of mind ● energises body ● strengthens solar plexus ● enhances focus and will power ● brings hope and stability ● aids spiritual growth ● aids sensuality and sexuality ● promotes good health.

Citrine and Amethyst hook ear rings in 18 carat gold

It is also called the success stone or merchant’s stone. When placed in cash boxes or carried along for business deals, it is known to bring success and prosperity. One stone that does not absorb any negativity, hence needs no cleansing ever.

Turquoise

Known as the Master Healer, it is said to be the bridge between heaven, sky and earth. Known also as a purification stone, it ● dispels negativity ● balances moods and instills inner calm ● stimulates romantic love ● heals the body of many afflictions ● helps prevent panic attacks ● promotes self realisation.

Turquoise and Ruby hook ear rings in 18 carat gold

Sapphire

It is known as the wisdom stone ● releases stress and depression ● clears spiritual confusion ● aligns physical, mental and spiritual planes and restores balance in the body ● stimulates concentration ● helps bring in joy and peace of mind ● attracts prosperity ● helps treat blood disorders ● regulates glands

Multicoloured Sapphire adjustable ring in 18 carat gold

Ruby

It is considered the most magnificent of all gems. Allegorically described as the queen of stones and stone of the kings, rubies have at times surpassed diamonds in their value by virtue of its power. Many a power struggle has ensued over fiery red rubies amongst our ancients. It ● helps overcome exhaustion and lethargy ● stimulates blood circulation and infuses energy ● heightens sensuality ● aids mystical communion ● sharpens the mind and improves concentration ● fosters courage during controversies.

Ruby hook ear rings in 18 carat gold

Tourmaline

A stone known for typically detoxifying our bodies, we must all have one piece of jewelry with tourmalines in it since detoxification is the need of the hour. It ● relieves stress ● increases mental alertness ● improves blood circulation ● strengthens the immune system.

Tourmaline hook ear rings in 18 carat gold

And now for a collection of assorted gemstone jewelry at The Sandalwood Room, crafted by Sitaram Jewels.

The Sandalwood Room prides itself on being the only one of its kind in Singapore with most of the products handmade and sourced from all over the world giving it a global feel. It is a boutique for those who love the finer things of life.

If you like any of the jewelry above , walk in to shop and if you wish to place an order email them and The Sandalwood Room will be happy to organise it for you.
Price on request. Email them at the ID below.
Payments are routed through PayPal.
All products subject to availability.
Give them a Facebook like here.

New Address:

The Sandalwood Room, 78 Tras Street, Singapore 079017

Phone : +65 6221 2654 / +65 9786 5896

Email: thesandalwoodroom@gmail.com

Website: http://www.thesandalwoodroom.com

Facebook : Visit The Sandalwood Room

Shopping, Food And Fun on Tras Street

February 28, 2016 / mythoughtlane / 1 Comment

Tras Street can be a fun place to hang out either way I found out. With your friends, or if you are in a mood for ‘me time’. I would try out both on different days of course!

A friend from Istanbul came sojourning to Singapore and obviously looked to us for suggestions on spending her four days in the magical city. We set out early in the day and took a walk down Tras Street and around while she earmarked outlets she would like to visit after she was done with her eclectic shopping at The Sandalwood Room. I made a note too of the establishments neighbouring The Sandalwood Room and here I am putting them together to say how complete and indulgent your day can be on Tras Street.

A day out on Tras Street

This is the entrance to The Sandalwood Room. Lets take a look around the insides of the lifestyle boutique and then you will find a list of things (later in the post) that you can do to chill out and pamper yourself on Tras Street.

Entrance of The Sandalwood Room on Tras Street

Transport

Transport is every shopper’s first concern. No worries, Tanjong Pagar MRT Station (EW15) is about 1 km from The Sandalwood Room. So hop over.

Facade of Tanjong Pagar

Parking

You can get lucky with street parking. Then there are the Orchid Hotel, Oasis Hotel and the Ritz Carlton who will lend you their parking spaces.

Having reached Tras Street, if you are looking to satiate your taste buds, here are a few restaurants you could do with.

Gastronomic Delights

Violet Herbs housed in the Acclaim House is a new age semi-formal and spacious fine dining restaurant serving modern European cuisines with Asian influences. True to its moniker, they spice their food and cocktails with an extensive use of exotic and eclectic herbs.

May May , the sister establishment of Blue Ginger restaurant is inspired by the smells and flavours from around the region and combines the best elements of Asian cuisine ranging from the Japanese and Korean cuisine to Thai flavours. Illuminated by natural light from the skylight during the day and lit by chic intimate lighting in the evenings, it pays tribute to Singapore’s identity as the garden city.

Terra is an interesting restaurant on Tras Street termed as Tokyo-Italian, yet the cuisine not to be interpreted as ‘Japanese-Italian’. They call it a dining experience, claiming remaining faithful to authentic Italian cuisine without using any Japanese cooking techniques. However, they revel in using the celebrated fresh ingredients native to Japan.

Conclave Bistro is a Western-Chinese Fusion Restaurant and Bistro that serves great food and wine at affordable prices in a cozy environment with a Singaporean touch. And makes it a perfect venue to host private and corporate functions. Whats unique about them is their interiors, handmade using old wood and transforming them into art pieces. And that includes their chairs and tables, cups and coasters, wall decorations and menus.

Gattopardo Ristorante di Mare is a contemporary Italian and Mediterranean restaurant that recognizes seafood as being the soul and life of South Italy and uses only sustainable seafood at Gattopardo.

Chef’s Table by Chef Stephan Zoisl is all about showcasing great produce, be it food ingredients, wine or whisky from their producers. Good food, fine wine and spirits served in casual ambience that reminds of home is their USP.

Fleur De Sel, a charming shophouse on Tras astreet, serves fine French cuisine. With a sophisticated, yet functional kitchen, you can choose to dine at the counter seating enjoying watching the chef whip up delectable dishes, or in an intimate private space with carefully curated food and wine.

House of Dandy (H.O.D), a cocktail bar with vintage charm decked in hues of purple and gold exudes luxury combined with comfort. Dimly lit and soft jazz playing in the background, it conjures up a mood of romance.

M Hotel is a business hotel where contemporary chic meets stylish sophistication. A unique urban getaway in a central location to mix business and pleasure.

Couture

Ted Wu has come to be reckoned as one of the finest bridal labels in Singapore, both for men and women. Their customers tell me that this is one outfitter where compromise on quality has no place and where design meets elegance.

My Dream Wedding is another option for wedding gowns and pre-wedding photography.

Imanuel B Couture is a boutique that offers comfort and coziness like a home. Added to it is the soft music that soothes you while you get measured and fitted with customized gowns and dresses for all occasions. You can also find customized jewellery, hair styling and makeup to match the outfits. They undertake car rentals and decoration along with photography, outdoor and indoor. Seems like an oasis for party planning.

Tired feet and weary hands from all the shopping can be soothed at the following wellness houses.

Beauty and Wellness

Discover Chiropractic is a wellness center where you can indulge in discovering ways of enjoying life physically, mentally and socially, where you can learn preventive measures for a higher state of wellness.

Morinda : A company that has dedicated itself to create age awareness and help people look younger and live longer. They are on a mission to discover earth’s best ingredients and transform them into supplements and products that enhance the quality of life.

Bella Luna is a modern contemporary day spa. They believe that perfecting beauty begins with wellness and hence use ancient therapeutic formulas to foster in overall wellness. They offer facials and body massages by certified therapists towards rejuvenate and restoration of beauty and energies.

If you are spending a few days in Singapore and want that quiet away from the hustle and bustle of the throbbing city, try this.

Singapore School of Meditation and Yoga : A school that strives to improve on the wellness of body, mind and soul is open to all people of all ages, gender and fitness levels. Their classes are available for hospitals and corporates too.

Then some for beauty treatments:

Pure Tincture Organic Beauty : If you are looking for organic facials and organic skin care products, this is the place. Their products are claimed to have helped maintain very sensitive skin affected by Eczema, Rosacea, Acne etc.

Sanctuary Beauty specializes in facials, slimming and spa services, combining the best of technology and gentle caring hands.

And if you or any of your folks are working at R3 Business Management and Consultancy or Guggenheim Assets, then you have the luxury of availing all the pampering whenever you wish to break free from the daily grind.

A view of the beautiful archway at Tras Street that some houses the above and so many more businesses.

Beautiful archway at Tras Street

If you wish to browse for their products, check out their website and Facebook page with the links given below. If you like any of the products , walk in to shop and if you wish to place an order email them and The Sandalwood Room will be happy to courier your order to you.
Price on request. Email them at the ID below.
Payments are routed through PayPal.
All products subject to availability.
Give them a Facebook like here.

New Address:

The Sandalwood Room, 78 Tras Street, Singapore 079017

Phone : +65 6221 2654 / +65 9786 5896

Email: thesandalwoodroom@gmail.com

Website: http://www.thesandalwoodroom.com

Facebook : Visit The Sandalwood Room

‘Chic Room’ Look Book – Home Decor Accessories From The Sandalwood Room

February 23, 2016February 23, 2016 / mythoughtlane / 4 Comments

Make overs and more make overs. We are at it, on our toes with perennially changing and evolving life styles. Fashion for ourselves and fashion for our homes.

Chic home decor look book the sandalwood room

Chic Room Look Book by The Sandalwood Room

I was at The Sandalwood Room with a friend who wished to redesign her dining space and this is what the boutique put together for her. A compact apartment that required combining the living room and dining room ‘feel’.

We liked the chic yet cozy ambience that the makeover brought in. We couldn’t wait to see the room being lit in the warm glow of lamps for the evening. A bottle of wine is being chilled while some gourmet meals planned to celebrate the new look. The night look in another post soon. And here go some of the components of the chic makeover.

The Chic Room Look Components

: Ceramic blue and yellow pottery wall plate ensemble

: Ceramic blue pottery wall plate ensemble

: Ceramic table top decor pieces

: Ceramic candle holder with butterfly

: Ceramic decorative jar or vase

: Ceramic decorative jar or vase

: Ceramic butterfly decorative multipurpose holder

: Turkish print decorative box

: Ceramic decorative door knob

The beautiful door knob that opens the door to the room is not visible in the Chic Room Look Book, but I couldn’t help featuring it, it’s so beautiful! We would not have done justice to the intricately woven rug had we photographed it away from the look and so, there it stays adding a dash of drama and colour to the nude shades of the floor.

The pictures that adorn the wall are prints of nature’s bounty and they looked best on the walls. The store has myriad options for the rugs, pictures and table top decorative collectibles and we spent a pleasurable few hours working with them to choose from so many beautiful decor items. The fish-stand blended well with the ceramic pottery and so we let it be.

The staff of The Sandalwood Room had discovered during our conversations that my friend loved to read while sipping her coffee or her evening poison and they threw in a few books from their store. That was pretty intuitive we thought. Their collection of books, that’s another thing I would like to feature later.

A vast array of Home Decor merchandise sourced from across the globe line their shelves spoiling you for choice, from ethnic to classic to contemporary – most of it handmade, giving it a touch of exclusivity.

The Sandalwood Room prides itself on being the only one of its kind in Singapore. It is a boutique for those who love the finer things of life. I end up spending more than a few hours every time I go shopping there, but have always upped my style quotient buying their merchandise and some get earmarked for the next shopping spree.

If you have liked any of these products , walk in to shop and if you wish to place an order email them and The Sandalwood Room will be happy to courier your order to you.
Price on request. Email them at the ID below.
Payments are routed through PayPal.
All products subject to availability.
Give them a Facebook like here.

New Address:

The Sandalwood Room, 78 Tras Street, Singapore 079017

Phone : +65 6221 2654 / +65 9786 5896

Email: thesandalwoodroom@gmail.com

Website: http://www.thesandalwoodroom.com

Facebook : Visit The Sandalwood Room