Color Inspiration for Diwali 2017

With Dusshera out of the way, Diwali is next on the cards. My absolute favorite festival of all!!! But this year my spirits are dampened with all that is going on around us in our world. Hurricane, earthquake, shootout massacres....So much pain, despair and destruction. My family and I decided to refrain from over indulging this festive season and instead donate to a much needed cause.      

I feel blessed and grateful for all that I have in my life. Like always, I wanted to make it extra special for my family this festival season. On the decor front, rather than going out and buying things thoughtlessly,  I decided to make do with whatever I have and give it a few new twists. New color combinations, different placements and a whole lot of love have been the key ingredients in my festive vignettes this time.

Coming up first is a vignette with my pooja basket as the center piece. "My Lady with the Lamp" is always an integral part of my Diwali decor so I had to include her in this vignette. I usually don't like doing too much brass in one vignette. Instead, I like playing with a lot of different textures. But come Diwali time, "Brass Overload" is a must I say! So without a moment's hesitation, I filled a brass kaalash with flowers from my very own garden, a little height play for visual interest and cushions and diyas in coordinating color schemes to complete the look!  

And another shot, before we move from one end of the bold and brightly colored spectrum to a very neutral colored vignette in shimmering shades of gold and white!

As you can tell, I took this challenge way too seriously !!! Yup those are almost dried roses. But they were so pretty, they inspired me to work on this lovely color combination of gold, white and brown. Not a very TECD color formula but hey, if you've been with TECD long enough, you know, I almost always push the creative boundary. And this time, like I said, the challenge was to work with whatever I had!!! I mean seriously, I think it looks classy doesn't it! A winning color combination I say! 

The point of this entire post was to share that you don't need a whole lot to create a festive ambiance.  Even a bunch of withering roses can be made to look festive. A little creativity and an eye for beauty is all you need. Also make sure you take the time to pay it forward in someway this festive season. Along with lighting up a Diya, also make the effort to light up someone's face with a smile with your kind/thoughtful gesture! 

(Image Credit/Copyright: Sruthi Singh. The images may not be used for commercial or non-commercial use without the prior written permission of  TECD.)

Celebrating the Splendor of Brass with "The Indian Weave"

Festivals and enthusiasm go hand in hand. When you are headed towards the festival season, it is but mandatory to switch that enthusiasm button on. You've got to put in that extra little bling, sparkle, shine and a boat load of color to get the perfect vibrant festive ambiance. The Indian Weave is your go to destination if you intend to bring in bling, sparkle and shine quotient by means of brass artifacts. We've featured The Indian Weave earlier and were happy to collaborate with them for the second time. This time around, Jean very graciously sent me these fabulous lassi glasses requesting me to create a festive tablespace in true TECD style. And I did just that! Bold colors in shades of blues and fushcia and a hint of green and lavender were thrown in for good measure. With my color palette in place, I decided to use the fabulous vintage lassi glasses as a vase. A few votive holders in co-ordinating colors mixed in with a few traditional terracotta diyas and we have a colorful tablescape ready in no time!  

What's even more wonderful about these lassi glasses is that no two are alike. Each sports a different engraving and design making it as unique as it can get. Get a group of them together and you are all set to create that special vignette or tablescape for the festive season.

Sharing a few of my other favorites this festive season from The Indian Weave (TIW):

I have always had a thing for hanging brass diyas. I personally think that they add that touch of eclectic Indian flair like no other can. You could just hang one and make a niche come alive or do a whole lot of them on  a wall and make a statement. Either way, it is a win-win situation I say....just incase the hanging brass diyas is not your "thing", then you will absolutely love the Vintage Brass Oil Lamps From Odhisa or the Kamatchi Vilakku that is  so very popular in South India. Mix in an Idol, a few fresh flowers/ potted plants and you've got yourself the formula to creating festive looking vignettes around the home, in a flash! 

When it comes to creating festive vibes, I'm all about keeping things ethnic. These Arti Lamps from TIW's Heritage collection have me swooning!Statement pieces like these will not only steal the show  and make for conversation pieces but by collecting pieces like these, you could very well start a collection of heirloom pieces that could be lovingly handed down to the next generation of brass lovers in the family. TIW has an entire assortment of arti style lamps to choose from, click right here!  

I often get asked how do I stay in touch with my Indian roots? The answer is very simple. By surrounding myself and layering my home with things that remind of back home. For instance, the puja flower basket that you see below has me getting nostalgic....it reminds of my grand-dad and his early morning puja rituals. I've tried to incorporate a similar puja basket (that belonged to my grandpartents) into one of the vignettes at home. During festive season, this either gets filled with diyas or flowers and once the festive season is over, I use it to create an indoor portable container garden. Wanna make one for yourself, click right here!

I also happen to love having incense holders around the home. I usually stock up on my favorite fragrance and light it up in the evening to create that perfect mood.   

While you are in the process of getting your place together, why settle for anything but unique! Here are a few finds that would look great on your coffee table! A Heritage Heart Shape Brass Jewellery Box , a Vintage Man & Dragon Beetle Nut Cutter or the brass Kohl | Vermilion Holder delicately crafted with 7 peacocks. I say get all of them...

You know by now, that I'm big on using unusual receptacles to display flowers. I rounded up a few traditional containers that would look great as vases too! Urlis for fresh floating flowers or Heritage Brass "Kindi" Pitcher traditionally used for Holy Water can be used to hold a bunch of florals for a refreshing new look. You take your pick.

Now wasn't that a feast for the eyes? As a festive offer, The Indian Weave is offering TECD readers a 10% discount. Use code TECD10 to avail of the discount.The offer is valid  from Sunday August 27th to Sept 3rd 2017 (IST). Shop right away and don't forget to use the code!

(Image Credit: 1&2 Sruthi Singh, Rest of the images The Indian Weave. Please do not use the images without the prior written permission of TECD and The Indian Weave.)

Glitzing it up for Diwali (Festive decor Ideas)

Diwali is all about the hypnotic dancing flames, the sweet fragrance of - flowers, scented candles and incense sticks, the luxurious feel of silk cushions, the sound of laughter and crackers and the melt in your mouth motichoor laddoos and kaju katli !!! While decorating for Diwali, you will be deluged by dozens of decisions. The choices you make on some of these details can make or break the look you are intending to achieve. Here are some simple tricks and tips to  help you create the festive ambiance and entice all your 5 senses this Diwali season.

Pick Your Color Palette: 

Choose a color palette to work with as it simplifies the need to analyse what you already have and what you need to include in your Diwali shopping list. An intuitive decision maker, this year I'm inspired by the traditional Indian color combination of red and gold. This classic combination is not only festive but can also be effortlessly adopted throughout the home with a few building blocks like fresh flowers, textiles and a few brass decor accessories.Diwali is the one festive occasion that cajoles me to boost the glimmer and shimmer quotient without any limitations. With my love for the golden patina of brass, Diwali is personally the most revered of all festivals, as I get an opportunity to shine my brass, decorate with flowers and light up as many lamps and candles to create an ambiance that's bathed in a golden glow.

Flower Power:

I've said it earlier and I say it again, "You cannot go wrong with flowers". I love to weave the beauty and magic of fresh flowers into my festive decor. The classic floating flower arrangement is something that I include year after year but always find ways of adding a fresh twist to the display. This time I've chosen an antique brass thali to serve as my container to float a bunch of flaming red Gerberas. Making her appearance again this year is my prized heirloom piece, "My Lady with the Lamp". Placing her in the center of the thali, no denying that she looks majestic when lit. 

Another simple arrangement of Carnations with their irregular edges vivifies this corner of my living room. I restrain from using conventional vases and look for innovative container to display my flowers. This time, I've used an antique tea pot to house the carnations that have subtle hints of red that tie it in with the designated color palette.

Gather similar items to make an Impact :

For this Diwali vignette, I've rounded up my brass Ganesha statues and have placed them at various height to keep the eye moving and keep things interesting.

To add color to this vignette, a small urli is used to float few Magenta New Guinea Impatiens from the garden. Remember, a little color can add a lot of drama !!!

Colored glass tea light holders are a must.........I love how the gently flickering flames create an ethereal mirage of warm hues. Keeping the color palette in mind, a collection of colored glass votive  holders in warm tints are en massed on a brass vintage tray to pack in a wallop of punch to my decor. And what's wonderful is that they can be easily moved around to light up any corner that you choose to.

It's all in the Details: 

Using scented candles is a great option for setting a festive mood and making your house feel like home. You also want to sort through your collection of CD's or create a playlist before hand, so as to have your choice of music ready for the evening of Diwali. As the wax melts and the fragrance engulfs the air and the mellifluous notes of the sitar from a Hindustani music piece reverberates through the home, it sure feels festive in every sense of the word. 

Mix old with the new : 

This has always been my mantra to decorate. Work with what you got and only splurge when you need to. If your like me and are lighting up to the idea of using lanterns this festive season, do check out World Market. I found mine as seen in the picture above at World Market and have paired it with antique brass kundas (the brass containers belonged to my grand mom) with single stems of Dahlias tucked into them. 

The one decor accent that you cannot have too much of this festive season are candles. I'm convinced that my home looks its best when bathed in the soft forgiving glow of the candles. I wanted a low lying console to create another festive display and went with the idea of using books and a wooden ledge to create one. Taking the center stage of this display, my wooden Ganesha and a row of votive holders alternated with flowers, looks stunning. 
  
Experiment with Textures for Dimension : 

Consider integrating a medley of textures found in natural elements like wood or jute, the shimmer and worn patina of metals,  the opulence of silk or the distinctive reflective luster of glass. Orchestrating different textures not only adds the much needed dimension and movement to a space but also makes it feel complete.    

Here a potted plant, a brass Ganesha Statue and a mother of pearl votive holder are placed on a DIY tray to create a festive oasis. 

When the formal dining is not dressed for the Diwali banquet, a beautiful handcrafted Kutch shisha work wall hanging now serving as a table runner, shimmers in the glow of black metal candle holders from Crate and Barrel.

Smart Entertaining : 

Indian festivals are incomplete without our spread of glorious food and playing the perfect host to our friends and family. Find innovative ways to serve mithai and other savory snacks so that after party clean up becomes easy on you. One such tip for entertaining that I use is Doubling up Cupcake liners to serve starters and other mini party snacks.

I do hope this post has been resourceful and inspirational in helping you create a festive ambiance this Diwali. With these simple tips and tricks you can be the perfect host/hostess and celebrate Diwali in style !!!

Images: Clicked by Sruthi Singh. Please do not use without prior written permission. 

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.

A Medley of Influences (Diwali Tablescape)

It's that time of the year again........Diwali is fast approaching and like me, for most of you'll, the festive season is all about jazzing up your home to create a special festive ambiance and making it memorable for your loved ones. Another significant aspect of Diwali is planning the big Diwali banquet. Its occasions like these that we look forward to connecting and creating special moments with our family and friends. I bet you've been brainstorming to come up with fresh ideas for your Diwali tablescape and want to go that extra mile to make it an unforgettable evening. 

But given our busy lifestyles, planning a party may seem like a daunting task. To make this task a little less intimating, I've put together a global tablescape that takes less than 20 minutes to bring to life. Inspired by Morocco and our very own India, the medley of influences is sure to create the perfect backdrop for good food, conversations and loads of laughter.

For the base of the table setting, I've used a neutral colored table runner sporting a festive border so that other accent colors pop. You could also substitute a dupatta or stole with a heavy border in a neutral hue for a table runner. Next place 4-5 handmade Kundan Rangolis (available online and in stores) through the length of the table runner. My Rangolis were handmade and sent over by my sister-in-law from India. What a thoughtful gesture.   

Place Moroccan tea glasses in coordinating hues of fuchsia and teal in the center of the Rangolis and place tea lights in them. To add more drama to the tablescape, bangles echoing the same color scheme as the Rangolis were placed around IKEA tea light holders. 

Instead of the traditional napkin rings, use bangles as napkin rings. Tuck in single flowers and silver ware into each of the bangles and you have yourself a table setting that is a medley of influences. (Party Tip: Once the dinner party is over, the guests could take the bangles home as party favors. )

Now wasn't that easy ??? I do hope you've found inspiration to create your very own Diwali tablescape this season.............

Here are few links to help you recreate this look : 

- Kundan Rangoli available at Nirman on Etsy

- Dinner plates are from the IKEA Forsla tableware collection 

- Moroccan Tea glasses are available at World Market. (I found mine at Home Goods for 1/3 the price, so keep those eyes open if you plan to visit HG). 

For more Diwali Tablescape inspiration click here and here. 

Images: Clicked by Sruthi Singh. Please do not use without prior written permission. 

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.

Shedding New Light on an Old Classic

My festive decor is incomplete without the classic floating flower arrangement in a traditional brass urli. But this time around a morning walk was just the thing that I needed to get inspired to create this Fall Inspired festive arrangement.

Seeing the abundance of Autumn bounty that lays scattered at every cross road and had created layers of carpets on the pavements on my side of the world, I was tempted to experiment with these gorgeous maple leaves that were begging to come inside for one last display of their glory. 

Maple leaves in sunset hues replaced the flowers to create a simple floating  leaf rangoli for a colorful celebration of the season. 

If you want to recreate this simple look, remember not to overcrowd the leaves as you don't want to lose the shape of the single leaves. So go ahead pull that sweater over and head outdoors to get inspired and include autumn's inviting palette to your festive decor.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend !!!

Images: Clicked by Sruthi Singh. Please do not use without prior written permission. 

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.

Diwali Tablescape Inspiration - Day 2

Good morning Lovely Readers !!!! It's Day 2 of Diwali Inspiration here on "The East Coast Desi". 

As promised, I have another simple yet gorgeous tablescape. I was requested by a dear friend to do the center piece for the chaat night she's hosting for Diwali. I agreed gleefully. To me Diwali is a people - oriented festival, as it's a time to share and revel in the company of family and friends. Diwali is not just a festival with social and religious connotations, it's also a time to let the creativity get the better of you, as you get to showcase it through decorating your home and  whip up delectable treats in the kitchen.

To bring in the grandeur and colorful imagery associated with Diwali, I decided to mix a vintage brass lamp with modern day finds from IKEA. Beaded coasters form the base of the setting on which IKEA votive holders are placed randomly. A brass Pavai Villaku (lady holding a lamp - my most prized possession, as it’s more than 100 years old and belonged to my great grandmother), takes center stage. Mixing glass and brass is a combination you cannot go wrong with. The glass adds the sparkle while the brass traditional lamp emanates a warm glow. A few flowers and petals strewn randomly create a table setting that’s flawless. A silk stole used as a table runner gives you options to look inside your closet and work with what you got.    

  

Look around your place.......and I can assure you, you've already got most of the above decor accessories in your closet or sitting around your house. Get them together to create this wonderful table setting and enjoy a special Diwali with your loved ones.

Coming up next........... Diwali home decor ideas straight from my Indian style living room.

Have a wonderful day !!!!!

Images:Clicked by me. Please do not use without prior written permission.

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.

Diwali Tablescape Inspiration - Day 1

Hello Lovely Readers !!!! Today's post is SPECIAL. It's the 50th post for me and with that it marks my 4 months in the blogging world. I've enjoyed every minute of my blogging experience so far. I have managed to meet a lot of wonderful people through blogging and everyone has been nothing but supportive. Thank you lovely readers, my family and friends for being a part of "The East Coast Desi" and making this happen for me. Love you guys:)

We are now going to be kicking off the festive season with oomph and glamour that surrounds my favorite festival of all.......DIWALI. I enjoy every aspect of Diwali.........the jauntiness with which the victory of good over evil is celebrated across the country; homes as they blush in the warm luminescent glow - diffused by the innumerable lamps gracing every corner of the home; the performance put up by the flames as they dance the night away; the traditional sweets and treats that you gorge on knowing fully well that you have to deal with the guilt the following week; decking up in classic Indian attire and sitting down to a lavish and scrumptious meal with my family and friends.

While growing up, my family and I made a conscious decision to make our Diwali green and avoid the use of fire crackers and thus doing our bit to keep the pollution in check. To make up for the crackers, Dad would bring us all kinds of flowers that my sister and I would ask for. We'd use them for flower rangolis and flower arrangements to create a welcoming festive atmosphere. Another wonderful memory I have of Diwali was visiting "Pottery Town" in Bangalore with my mom and picking up terracotta diyas (lamps) to paint them in a kaleidoscope of colors. 

Here in the US, I don't have a Pottery Town to go to, but I'm happy that over the years I have managed to bring back a few traditional brass diyas with me, on every visit that I made back home. Most of them are ancestral pieces and are absolutely precious to me. However, we also have some fabulous stores like World Market, Home Goods and Amazon that have some fantastic Indian lanterns and accessories that you can buy to complement your Diwali decor without making a hole in your pocket.

The starting point for me to decorate any space is to decide on an accent color and take stock of what I already have and may need. This season, it’s the ocher's  and reds that are doing the talking at my place. Cushions, candles and flowers are coordinated keeping the accent colors in mind, giving the space a cohesive feel.

Entertaining is a huge part of Diwali at my place.While deciding on the tablescape this year, I decided to go with the plates that I found on a trip to World Market a while ago. I fell in love with the intricate paisley design on them in deep red and gold with a tinge of Indigo. The design reminded me of a Banarasi Silk sari that belonged to my grand mother (Nani). A quick call to mom back in India (she being my genie), confirmed that the sari border was carefully  preserved  and  my idea of turning the vintage fabric into one-of-a-kind napkin ring would be granted. And in no time, I had a package at my door step with these gorgeous babies in it. 

We just had the border of a once beautiful sari, as the sari itself was used up to make traditional Indian dresses called pattu pavades for my sister and I (while we were kids).The napkin rings add that extra special touch to my Diwali tablescape. Unlike any other store bought finds, these have a special significance to me. 

Fresh flowers are a must to make a place come alive and feel cared for. I like using one of a kind vases to house my flowers. This time, it’s a beer mug that belonged to my grandfather when he served in the military.Together with elegant brass lanterns and colored glass votive holders from World Market, the evening is sure going to be engulfed in a magical glow. 

The ambiance is just right and with the wonderful company of family and friends it can be nothing but Perfect. Do let me know how you liked the innovative use of vintage fabrics to create the napkin rings. I do hope, you have been inspired to create a simple yet elegant table setting for your loved ones. 

Coming up tomorrow is another tablescape inspiration that I plan to put together for a chaat night being hosted at my friends place for Diwali this coming weekend.

Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day !!!!!!

Images:Clicked by me. Please do not use without prior written permission.

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.