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We often turn a blind eye to home décor mostly because we don’t have the time for it or it costs too much money. And if something isn’t broken, why fix it right? But little things can bring out character in your space and give your home the unique touch it needs to feel like your special place. Here are five projects that take less than a single weekend to complete. It will also give you and your family something to do together. 

Wallpaper your bookshelves 

The shelves are where we display and store books and knickknacks and it can look cluttered, especially if your bookshelves are all of different sizes and designs. There’s a really neat way to make things look cohesive and elegant. All you need is some wallpaper and glue. Get some wallpaper in a design and print that you love, cut out the required size to fit the insides of the shelves and get pasting. It will take some effort and concentration as you have to get the sizes right but trust us, this will give your space an aesthetic vibe like no other. 

Paint an old cabinet

Scour your parent’s or grandparent’s storage space and pick out an old furniture to refurbish. It could be a coffee table, side table, a tv console, or an old wardrobe. Sand it down, and give it a fresh coat of paint, add some new knobs if you must and voila, you have an interesting conversation starter piece for your home. All you need is a can of paint. You can use spray paint if painting it with a brush feels too tedious. An old piece of furniture is a great thing to have around the house to give it that personal, sentimental touch.

Hide unsightly wires and cables  

Television and router wires and phone and laptop chargers make spaces look messy and unappealing. Take one weekend to fix this problem. Get grip ties and start by binding different wires together. Get extension cords or multiplugs for places where these can help hide long trailing wires. You get these cool baskets to hide extension cords or you can make one yourself or drill holes in drawers to tuck away chargers from sight. The options are endless. There are a lot of interesting, easy to replicate ideas on Pinterest and YouTube. 

Stitch some cushions covers 

This one can be a comforting afternoon project for those rainy weekends when you just feel like cozying up on the sofa. Go through your mother’s or grandmother’s closet and wardrobes and pick out some fancy saris that they no longer wear. Silk, brocade, cotton work best. Stay away from flimsy material like georgette and chiffon. Since saris are usually over five meters long, you will easily have enough for a set of six cushions. Cut out the desired shape and sew three sides and put a zipper or buttons on one side and you have a swanky new set of covers. 

Work on a mini garden

This is a really fun project for those who live in apartments and are cramped for space. A garden area is usually the last thing on your mind. Get some mini planters and pots and have a kitchen garden going. You can plant herbs along the kitchen window sill or get a larger garden going in the balcony area. You don’t have to go out to buy fancy planters and simply just use what you have around the house. Old vases and mugs can work if you make some drainage holes in them. Simply fill a bucket with water, immerse the ceramic mugs in it, and use a hammer and a nail to make holes at the bottom. 

A good cry can be therapeutic. Sometimes you don’t know you needed it till you end up bawling your eyes out. I find myself unburdened whenever I cry. It’s like a load is lifted off my heart. But I’m not someone who cries easily so whenever a book makes me cry it immediately makes it to my favorites list. 

One of the reasons why I love sad books is because they make me feel these emotions that I perhaps wouldn’t otherwise. I know it might sound silly to some of you but a whirlpool of mixed feelings can actually give you a fresh new perspective in life. So, grab some tissues and settle in for the weekend because the books I’m recommending this week will break your heart into a million little pieces. 

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

This book made me sob—in private, and in public. I might not have actually sobbed in public but I did cry at work because I couldn’t reign in my emotions. It’s a book I wouldn’t recommend to anyone (and I actually mean that in a good way) because it wrecks you. Critics have called ‘A Little Life’ ‘a tour de force’, and ‘a masterwork,’. When it was published in 2015, it was discussed as the most ambitious chronicle of the social and emotional lives of gay men. It’s Yanagihara’s second novel and it chronicles the lives of four college friends and how their friendship evolves over the years. You meet JB, who is an artist; Malcolm, an architect; Willem, an actor; and Jude who is a lawyer. They become your friends and you just get so invested in their lives that you are unable to put the thick volume down. The way the plot sucks you in speaks volumes about the writer’s talent. It’s a book that will stay in your mind long after you have finished it. 

We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman

‘We All Want Impossible Things’ is essentially a book about death. But the story has a touch of humor that makes you laugh through your tears. Newman talks about death without making it seem like a dark, ominous presence. Despite a painful backdrop, it’s a cozy and comforting read. The story is about two childhood friends Edith and Ashley as they grapple with the former’s cancer prognosis. Edi and Ash have shared everything. They have seen each other through heartbreaks, family issues, marriages, divorce, childbirth among other gazillion issues of life. They complete each other. But now things are changing and neither of them is ready for it. Newman’s debut adult novel will make you cry and want to hug everybody close to you. It’s a slim volume but you will want to take your time and savor the story and the brilliantly crafted characters. There’s also a lot to unpack here. I found myself putting the book down to take in what I had read and think things through. 

Maybe Next Time by Cesca Major 

You get a strong sense of how the story ends right from the beginning even though nothing is given away that early or even more than halfway through the book. But ‘Maybe Next Time’ by Cesca Major keeps you hooked because of its gorgeous writing and plot. It’s a wonderful story about second chances and prioritizing what you value in life before it’s too late that made me cry at the very end. I thought I wouldn’t but I did. I could see what was coming and even though it was expected, I wasn’t prepared for it. The story is about a literary agent named Emma Jacobs who finds herself stuck in a time loop. The same day keeps repeating itself but the outcome is always the same. Will she be able to fix her mistake so she can save the one she loves? The element of magical realism keeps things interesting and the protagonist is so well crafted that her problems become your problems, and you want to be able to fix them all. 

The House of Representatives has endorsed the amendments to the transitional justice-related law of 2014. This marks a significant step forward in healing the wounds of the nation’s decade-long armed conflict. Nearly two decades after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) between the government and the Maoist rebels, the consensus among parties on this crucial law offers hope for thousands of conflict victims, who have been awaiting justice for a long time.

Now that the bill has been passed, the hard work of implementation has begun. The formation of two independent, powerful and well-resourced commissions—Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons—will be crucial to the success of this process. The two commissions must have the authority and means to thoroughly investigate human rights violations, establish the truth about past atrocities and recommend appropriate measures for justice and reconciliation.

Nepal’s post-conflict journey has been fraught with challenges. The first justice-related law brought in 2014 courted controversy due to provisions allowing blanket amnesty for serious human rights violations. The Supreme Court’s order for amendments to align the law with international standards led to delay and political maneuvering for years. After a long delay, the government led by then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal registered a bill to amend the 2014 law in parliament in March last year. The three major parties—Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) - then formed a three-member task force to iron out their differences. The task force broke the deadlock last week and paved the way for this legislative breakthrough.

The bill addresses some of the most contentious issues. Arbitrary and cruel killings have now been defined as serious cases of human rights violations. Additionally, the bill allows for reduced sentences of 70-75 percent in certain cases on the recommendation of the Attorney-General. These changes represent a balance between the call for justice and the practical considerations of national reconciliation. As the bill moves to the National Assembly and awaits presidential approval, it is crucial to ensure that the process does not stop here. The legislative process moved ahead even though the ruling coalition and government changed during the period.  Parties need to be lauded for this. However, continuous efforts must be made to engage conflict victims and ensure that their voices are heard and their needs addressed throughout the justice process.

The passage of this bill is not an end but a beginning. Its success hinges on the commitment of all stakeholders to confront the past, provide justice where due and forge a path toward national healing.

This week, one of the significant achievements by our major political parties was the passage of the bill to amend the Enforced Disappearances Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act. The amendment had been stalled since 2015 due to disagreements among the major parties, particularly on issues related to serious human rights violations during the conflict era. With this agreement, it is expected that the two transitional bodies—the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission for the Investigation of Enforced Disappearances—will now function effectively, allowing them to investigate around 65,000 complaints filed by conflict victims.

The bill’s passage has been cautiously welcomed by both the international community and conflict victims, two key stakeholders in the transitional justice process. They are hopeful that the commissions will operate independently, consult with conflict victims, and function effectively. Previously, due to a lack of cooperation from both the international community and conflict victims, the commissions struggled to work effectively. Now, attention is focused on the government’s approach to appointments in these commissions and any potential reservations from the Supreme Court and international community. It is a positive sign that the United Nations, the US, the European Union, and other countries have cautiously welcomed this new development, which could create a favorable environment for the government to address remaining issues. However, there is still a risk that conflict victims may not support the appointments to the commissions. Additionally, it could take 4-5 years to complete investigations into all cases.

Another notable story this week was the signs of potential dispute within the CPN (Maoist Center) during the party’s standing committee meeting. Party’s Deputy General Secretary Janardhan Sharma surprised many by challenging Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, urging him to step down and hand over leadership to the younger generation. Some leaders, including Dev Gurung, defended Dahal, who has led the party for nearly four decades and has shown no signs of stepping back from active politics. Sharma went so far as to accuse the Dahal of using the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to target him after he criticized the party. Former Speaker Onsari Gharti also suggested that Dahal may have attempted to implicate her and Barsha Man Pun in a gold smuggling investigation.

This situation highlights the growing mistrust between Dahal and other party leaders. If these accusations are true, they should be a wake-up call for those outside the party as well, as the use of state mechanisms to silence both intra-party and inter-party rivals is a troubling trend in Nepali politics. Former Deputy Prime Minister Rabi Lamichhane had faced similar criticisms. The CIAA, a constitutional body meant to operate independently, is now under severe scrutiny. It is time for the CIAA to demonstrate to the public that it does not function under the influence of the government.

Moving on to the intra-party politics within the ruling Nepali Congress, diverging opinions on potential electoral alliances have further complicated matters within the party. NC General Secretary duo Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma have long been advocating for a clear policy that the party should not engage in any pre-poll alliances. The same issue surfaced during the party’s meeting this week, where NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba appeared reluctant to give in to the demand of the two general secretaries. Despite being the largest party, the NC faces significant challenges in contesting elections alone, especially if the communist parties remain united. Understandably, Deuba is opposed to the idea of officially eschewing future electoral alliances.

The long-standing power struggle has also resurfaced inside the NC. For quite some time, factions led by party President Deuba, senior leader Shekhar Koirala, and General Secretary Thapa have been at odds. With Deuba ineligible to seek another term as party president, both Thapa and Koirala are vying for leadership. At the same time, Thapa and Koirala are also determined to prevent Deuba from becoming prime minister again, fearing he may use state power to influence the party convention in favor of his preferred successor.

In another story, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri paid a two-day official visit to Nepal this week. His arrival represents a pivotal moment for both India and Nepal, offering a chance to align their strategic priorities and deepen mutual understanding. A seasoned diplomat with a distinguished reputation as a China specialist, Misri was appointed foreign secretary last month. In line with tradition, his inaugural diplomatic mission took him to neighboring countries, with Nepal being a significant stop.  

His visit followed the recent establishment of a new government in Nepal, led by CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli, in coalition with the NC. During his Kathmandu stay, Misri engaged in comprehensive consultations with Nepali leaders, focusing on political and developmental issues of shared concern. About his visit, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said: “Nepal is a priority partner of India under its Neighborhood First Policy. The Foreign Secretary’s visit continued the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and helped in advancing our bilateral ties further.”

That’s all for this week. Happy weekend!