Global-Desi Style of Decorating (Home Tour)

Over time our decorating style and preferences for color, art and artifacts, tend to evolve. I personally think, we are heading in the right direction as it indicates that we have developed a more mature and refined taste when it comes to decor aesthetics. We have been able to master the art of applying what we have observed, explored and absorbed over the years. For instance, in my initial years of decorating,  my style was distinctly ethnic Indian. But with the passage of time and my fair share of travels and all that I’ve been exposed to and experienced, I have migrated to a decorating style that I'd like to coin as the “Eclectic Global-Desi style”. I would describe this style as being largely India inspired with a streak of the modern, retro, vintage, country, contemporary and traditional vibe. But it also involves embracing and tapping into the pool of cultural diversity of different countries. Tell me how does one not fall in love with the Suzanis from Uzbekistan, Ceramics from China and Korea, wood carving from Thailand, baskets from Ghana......I need another life time to list out my wishlist! 

(This lovely corner features  traditional brass South-Indian artifacts, Maasai Tribal Wedding Necklace from Kenya and Rajasthani hand painted wooden figurines.) 

I recently chanced upon Hemal Paliwal’s (a TECD blog reader) Instagram gallery and was instantly drawn to her “Global-Desi” style of decorating. Warm tones, fresh flowers, glimmer of traditional brass Indian artifacts and global treasures come together beautifully to create a warm, relaxed and authentic style in her Nairobi (Kenya) home. Sharing with you, a few corners of her beautiful living room. 

(A pair of Thai Guardian Angle "Thepanom" Kneeling Figurines add the Asian flair to this corner of the living room.)

(Hemal loves switching things up from time to time. Here she skillfully puts together blood red Heliconias in an equally vibrant blue vase. Placed on a Kutch mirror glass work runner, the Chiwara headdress fashioned out of wood by the Bamana people of Mali makes for another beautiful addition to Hemal's global collection. )

(Heirloom silk batuas that belonged to Hemal's grandmother find a special place of importance in this pattern filled vignette.)

(Brass tribal horses from Orissa look regal against the carved wood panel from Mali)

(Hemal's painting inspired by S.H.Raza adds the much needed punch to an otherwise neutral bedroom. Intricately printed Kitenge cloth is used as a throw on the bed to pull the shades of blue and reds together.)  

(On a different day, the bedroom gets a makeover by moving things around.)

(A masai water color painting by local artist Maral Bolouri paired with Alstroemeria flowers, brass Chinese incenseburner and busts of Shiva and Parvati placed ona wooden chest complete this vignette.)

 I’m sure you enjoyed the snap shots from Hemal's home……so go ahead and mix things up! Remember the only decorating rule that you should and must adhere to is to fill your home with heart and soul!

Image Credit/ Copyright: Hemal Paliwal

Hello Friday and a tale of the Ushnishavijaya !

This month at TECD, the spot light has been on Oriental decor. I’ve strived to churn out posts that are original, inspirational, global in appeal and loaded with aesthetic beauty. I do hope you’ll have enjoyed these as much as I have had fun putting these together. Today, I conclude this series with a post on the “Ushnishavijaya”. If you haven’t heard of her, she is one of the three main Buddhist deities of longevity. Will tell you more about her in a bit but first let me share with you the story of how I scored this beautiful Ushnishavijaya statue on a trip to Darjeeling (West Bengal – India)…… 

Just the word “Darjeeling” conjures up images of lush green tea estates, carpeting the sloping sides of the many hills encircled by snow peaked mountains that make up the landscape of this scenic summer get-away. The winding roads and cool mountain breeze urges you to explore this picturesque place on foot. On one such walk, we (my family and I) stopped at a roadside tea stall to rest our tired feet. As we relaxed and enjoyed the hot chai, the very friendly localities made for great company. Chit chatting with them, we were able to get the address of a local treasure house that sold brass artifacts and knick-knacks. Following the directions, we came upon a rickety little place…..I’m glad we checked it out and did not decide otherwise. The place was chock-full of amazing goodies. The first thing that my eyes noticed was this Ushnishavijaya statue. I perused through the entire store but I knew I had my heart set on this beauty. After a bit of haggling with the shop keeper (I love a good bargain you know;), we were carrying the figurine back to our hotel to stash it in my suitcase and getting it travel ready. Years later, it is here adorning a corner of my home and reminding me of the beautiful time that we spent in Darjeeling!

Now for a little more on Ushnishavijaya. She is a celebrated feminine deity of Tibetan Buddhism and her form is said to personify the ushnisha (the cranial protuberance that marks the Buddha’s heightened intelligence that he is said to have attained after spiritual enlightenment). The statue shows the deity in a meditative pose, seated on a lotus base. The unique feature is her three heads, each exhibiting a third eye. Each of her eight hands is either in the form of a mudra or holds an instrument representing her divine powers. She is known to shower her devotees with wisdom and a long life..... 

The other day, I brought home a bunch of Daffodils to add a dash of spring cheer. Paired with the Ushnishavijaya, it makes for a delightful exotic spring vignette, don't you think?

Wishing you a wonderful and relaxed 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.

A pinch of Indian Tradition - Kumkum containers

Today the spot light is on my collection of antique Indian Kumkum containers. For those of you not familiar with the word Kumkum - it's a powder used to make the decorative mark (also referred to as bindi in Hindi) that adorns the Indian woman's forehead. It has it's history rooted in a 5000 year old Indian tradition. Kumkum carries with it a plethora of connotations. It's said to have religious and spiritual significance, serves as a means to preserve the energy of the human body, and in the ancient days was an unspoken raconteur of a woman's married status. When it comes to the choice of color for a bindi, red dominates. Red embodies love and power (shakti) that women so rightfully exemplify.

Kumkum containers used by my mom sit pretty on my coffee table.

For me, kumkum is a word synonymous with my mom. She has been known to sport a relatively BIG bindi for as long as I can remember. The bindi only brought out her gorgeous Indian features. She is one of the very few women who I know, can carry a big bindi so effortlessly.

I remember when mom used to walk in every morning into her bedroom after her bath, I'd run and make myself comfortable on the bed so that I could watch her put on her bindi. She'd patiently open the various brass kumkum containers that sat pretty on her vanity. A pinch of the right shade of kumkum would be chosen to match her sari or salwar. She'd then make a perfect circle with her index finger, the size of a one rupee coin. The colored bindi was a wonderful contrast to her kohl lined eyes. Gently dusting off the kumkum powder that had made it's way onto the bridge of her delicately shaped nose, mom would glance at me and wait for a nod that signaled approval. I'd beam back at her and wonder if I could ever do justice to wearing a bindi in a similar manner...... 

The peacock detail in all the containers tie them together beautifully.

With time, the brass containers were replaced by newage decorative boxes that were gifted by my sister and me to mom for her kumkum collection. The antique brass kumkum containers then found their way to mom's coffee table as decor accessories and currently sit pretty on my very own coffee table here in the US.

One of my own finds from a street vendor back in India.

Finally, here's a picture of my mom so that nothing is left to your imagination. 

I will always treasure these gorgeous containers that constantly remind me of the most beautiful woman I know.........

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

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