Revisiting the Home of My Design Gurus (Mini - Home Tour)

I thought it was about time that we revisited the home of my design gurus - my parents. I did share an elaborate home tour 3 years back. From then to now, there have been a few changes, but a home as beautiful as this, deserves a second look. The images I'm sharing today have been hibernating in my archives for over a year now. If you want to know, why I decided to share them now, reason being, I'm  terribly home sick. I could use any help to heal the way I feel right now!  

Let's start with the coffee table display in the living room, shall we?As most of you would remember, my parents are avid collectors of brass artifacts and Ganesha statues (I'm happy these genes passed onto me;) This love for all things brass is reflected in the choice of artifacts showcased on a wonderful vintage teak table with a marble top from Rain Tree. A collection of bells in different materials ranging from silver, brass to bell metal (a combo of copper and tin) happily keep each other company. (FYI : bells intended for use in the worship of Lord Shiva will have a figure of Lord Nandi). Some gardening books mirrors their interest in plants, a Dhokra lamp and an intricately hand carved brass Ganesha make the display complete. Adding a touch of green is the Zebra plant (Haworthia Fasciata) housed in a container from Kerala made from a coconut tree trunk. 

This corner is my absolute favorite! The decor elements here are all so South Indian - Tanjore paintings, hand carved stone Ganesha statue and Nandi, an antique pillar used to hang the Singh's collection of brass bells and lamps and the bronze urli.  

Here a reclaimed pillar base it used to display some vintage brass chombus (a traditional container used by the religious men to carry water) Upcycling at it best won't you agree?

The unique circular Ashta Lakshmi & Panch mukhi Ganesha Tanjore was what my husband and I had lovingly bought for our very first home in Bengaluru. We found it on one of our trips to Trichy. Got it restored and it graced the walls of our Bengaluru apartment. It is a heavy piece and it took all our might to get this up on the wall in India. There was no chance that the dry walls of our home here in the US, could carry all that weight so we  decided that mom would be our best best to safe guard this piece till we were able to return and reclaim its possession. But in the meantime, it sits pretty on the walls of the formal dining room in my parent's home. More lovingly scrubbed brass artifacts and a vintage trunk makes for another wonderful display.

Flowering branches from the garden outside get tucked into a unique brass container. A few artifacts from a Nepal trip complete this lovely corner. Notice the little trunk like side table, it doubt duties as an additional storage option. The little tile inlay detail was something that dad added himself to give the trunk a visual edge. 

Another closeup shot of the intricately carved stone Ganesha. Also sharing this frame cause, mom got some beautiful marigolds to fill in the Urli:)

Finally, a shot with the Kerala style lamp in focus. I hope you enjoyed the visual snippets. I can't wait to visit my parents sometime soon.......until then, patience and these pretty images will have to do.....

(Images: Sruthi Singh. The images are the copyrighted and belong to The East Coast Desi. Please do not use them for commercial or non-commercial purpose without the prior written consent.) 

Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Glorious Technicolor

Ganesh Chaturthi, a celebration that I most certainly wait for year after year, is just round the corner. I love everything that is associated with this festival - handpicking the perfect Ganesha idol for the special puja, preparing the appetizing modaks that vanish as soon as the bhog ( offering to God during religious ceremonies) has been offered and glitzing up my decor to take the festivities to a whole new level. 

However, things have changed over the years. I strive to do my bit for the environment and do not indulge in the painted statues that are readily available in the market. In fact, we have gone from handpicking to homemade. We make ours at home with bio-degradable modelling clay. As for the modaks, I like to serve up South Indian delicacies and have bookmarked a few favorite go-to- recipes that are quick and easy (one of them being Sia's Vegan Avalakki Payasa).The only thing that has amplified with time, is my fervor to spruce up my home for the celebration. I do not curb the excitement and grandeur that surrounds this festival. Traditional but special touches like bringing out my antique brass collection and seasonal flowers, transform my home in no time. 

Let's start off with this dramatic color combination of Royal Blue and Red, with gold thrown in for the festive sparkle. I've used an inverted colored glass votive holder from World Market as a pedestal for my brass Natya-Ganesha. Moroccan tea glasses serve as votive holders. I've paired the Blue Chicory flowers (found in abundance at this time around in Virginia) with a simple brass vase. In fact, this entire vignette was sparked off with this fascinating wild flower in mind.

I love keeping things as traditional as possible and have brought out the antique brass puja thali, kumkum container and a few prints of Ganesha Tanjore paintings (I plan to frame  later), add color and drama to the festive celebration. 

Our next Ganesha vignette, revolves around the time tested analogous color combination of Orange and Yellow. The heart of this vignette is a very special "Ganesha". A new addition to our home, this detailed, hand crafted brass Ganesha was gifted to me by my parents on their visit this year. He sure looks happy in his new home:) To frame the vignette, I've used a Rajasthani glass work cushion cover and I love how the mirrors picks up the sun streaming in through a near by window and lend a festive shimmer to this display. 

Pass up the regular glass vases and bring in the traditional elements at play for a festive environment. A bunch of yellow Zagreb's from my garden displayed in a brass Kindi (Kindi is a traditional water vessel used in Kerala during various religious rituals and ceremonies) bring this vignette alive and help tie in the colors together.

Looking to create a quick regal ambiance this festive season, then this vignettes for you. Place a brass Ganesha statue in the center of a urli and float seasonal flowers to add celebratory atmosphere to your home. Working with nature's bounty, I've used Miss Molly Buddleia blooms to add a purple and mauve hue to this setting. Paired with matte gold, it's a regal affair alright. 

And finally, a look at the wooden Ganesha statue that graces my entryway this festive season. This wooden statue was sourced from Kallakurichi (Tamil Nadu, India). It was love at first sight. The trip (more than 20 years ago) to Kallakurichi with mom, dad and a dear friend (who is no more), was quiet an experience and we came home with car loads of these magnificent pieces. The whole purpose of our trip was to spend some quality time with a group of talented community of carvers out there and personally observe the entire process.

The whole trip is vivid in my memory. I remember interacting with one of the carvers as he explained that they adopted traditional methods of wooden carving process to this day. The art form, passed down through the generations follows the rules of iconography described in the Shilpa Shastra (which is the ultimate treatise on image making). He explained that the master craftsman is responsible for tracing out the blue print of the basic shape with a chisel onto the wood. The process is then taken forward by a group of assistants (family members) under the guidance of the master.

Gladiolas (from my friend, Vijaya's garden), a table runner used to anchor the setting and a traditional brass hanging bell, completes this entryway.  

I do hope you are inspired by these simple decor ideas, experimental color palettes and my infectious enthusiasm. Despite the incursion of busy schedules and appointments, do take the time to celebrate life and make it special for your family and you :)

Subtle changes from red to yellow make a huge difference in this vignette. So experiment and let the decorator in you take over.......

Wishing you and yours, A Very Happy Ganesha Chaturthi !!!

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

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

Everyday Beauty

A flower's appeal is in its contradictions — so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect. ~Terri Guillemets

I personally think that the Peonies embody old world sophistication and charm with a dollop of drama and seductiveness unlike any other flower. Their delicate perfume has an intoxicating effect that is indescribable. Seeing them go from a tight ball to a balletic full rounded bloom, they take my breathe away every single time. Yesterday I picked up these beauties from the grocery store. The lovely lady who works in the flower section of the grocery store, happens to know of my love for flowers. When she saw me there yesterday, she told me she had a surprise for me:) And she was right!!!! I've been waiting for these gorgeous flowers a long time...............

As I unloaded the grocery bags, I kept thinking of the vase that would house these beauties and what I would pair them with. I chose to go with the regal combination of pink and gold. One of my favorite Natya Ganesha makes his debut in this post. Hand carved, this beautiful brass statue was a lucky find on a trip to Thanjavur (India). In the evening, I lit a few candles around the home to elevate my mood. The brass picked up the flickering glow of the candles and the peonies in all their ornate glory were pure visual poetry.  

I thought it wouldn't hurt to know a little more about these revered flowers that have their roots in Greek mythology. Legend has it that Peonies were named after Paeon, who was one of Asclepius' (Greek god of healing and medicine) pupils. In an attempt to safeguard Paeon from Asclepius anger, The Greek God Zeus transformed him into an unassuming peony. What ever may be the story behind the first blossom of a peony, but their artistic beauty have inevitably served as a muse to Chinese and European painters and poets alike. Also said to have medicinal properties these beauties are nothing short of being called nature's jewel.

Signing off for today and I hope you find your share of inspiration in the everyday beauty too. 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.  

Just in time for some Ganesha Chaturthi Inspiration !!!!!

Ganesha Chaturthi (birthday of the elephant-headed deity), one of the most anticipated festivals at my place, will soon be upon us. The spirit of this occasion is infectious. I'm thousands of miles away from the heart of the celebration, but the festivities have already begun  here in Virginia - my home. I've always had a soft corner for this zoomorphic deity Ganesha. Maybe his iconic status as the remover of obstacles and widely revered as a patron of education and learning had something to do with that. He's also one of the very few God's with a cute quotient as his pot-belly and big ears are very appealing to me. 

There are a number of interpretations to the symbolic form of the Ganesha. The most important lesson that I take away with me is that a supreme power like him is humble enough to ride the nethermost of creatures, a mouse.

While growing up, my sister and I were allowed to  help with the flower decorations and puja preparations. The best part about Indian festivals is the spread that moms and grand-moms make on such occasions. My sister and I would gormandize the modaks (sweet and savory rice dumplings, fried or steamed with a variety of delicious combinations of sesame, peanuts, coconut and jaggery to name a few) knowing fully well that overindulgence could make us sick.We'd have friends and neighbors visiting our homes to wish us  and exchange delectable goodies. And at the end of the day, a really bitter feeling  would overcome me with the thought that we had to let go of our Ganesha's for the visarjan (submersion of the idol in the water)and that the day has come to an end. 

In an effort to recreate the magic and a sense of tradition and celebration for my family, I have some inspirational decor from my home to yours. I've been scrubbing my brass Trimurti Ganesha (three faced Elephant God)with tamarind to brighten him up for the special day. I've dedicated a corner in my home, pairing the Ganesha with fresh flowers, potted plants  and a variety  of brass diya's for some traditional drama and ethnic appeal. Varying the height of all the decor elements in this setting makes it interesting leading the eye to different levels.

A brass urli forms a perfect container to float Marigolds in hues of orange and yellow.A traditional Kerala lamp (gifted by a dear friend Roopa) placed in the center of the urli makes for an interesting setting. The Marigolds are from my very own garden making them extra special. (A little note on Marigolds - these gorgeous flowers are widely used in medicine, flavoring, as a dye agent, in the perfumery industry and as an ornamental plant.)
 

This time I've added cushions in bright blues and reds adding bold and vivid colors for a colorful and heartwarming celebration. An elephant inspired bowl is ideal for holding a Ghaja Lakshmi Diya (a lamp), freshly cut spray of Crepe Myrtle and a colorful bead necklace reinforcing the color palate used for the cushions in the background.

If the diya's are big enough to support a votive holder, do use them as they are hassle free options than using oil to light lamps.

A Ganesha inspired decorative wind chime is placed randomly on the coffee table mimicking the kaleidoscope of colors that are used to spruce up the living room in true Indian style. To create this look, all you need are a few lamps, fresh flowers and an ingenious bent of mind to work with what you got. 

Wishing all my wonderful readers happiness and laughter for a memorable celebration with your loved ones.

Images:My Home.

Please do not use without prior written permission. Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.