An Aesthete's Paradise (Home Tour)

Malavika Kamath is no stranger to TECD. Her brainchild "Omnah" has been featured here on TECD's "Featured shop" segment. If you haven't had a chance to check them out earlier, you may read about them right here. While putting together the feature for Omnah, I was not only drawn to the unique product range but was also drawn to the product styling. My curiosity got the better of me and I knew that if her ability to curate so prudently and style her products so effortlessly for her store, was any indication of her strong aesthetic sense, her home would only be an extension of that. Bull's-eye! I was right! Her Mumbai home is filled with eclectic furnishings and art that creates well-ordered interiors with plenty of references to her homeland, India and her travels across Asia. A style of decorating that is truly synonymous with TECD's "global-desi style"! 

Having been a flight attendant in Hong Kong, Marketing and Communications professional in Singapore, and now a Facebook entrepreneur after having relocated to India after 16 years, this lady has pretty much been there and done that. When Malavika is not working, she enjoys music ranging from raga to rock, loves eating out, lounging at home with loved ones and occasionally escaping the daily grind via sourcing trips she takes around the country for her brand Omnah.

Malavika has successfully decoded the sure fire way to deal with the decorating dilemmas of a rental space. Minimal wall decor has been balanced by using tall cabinets to display her collections that keep the eye at the same level if art would have been hung. Besides, the cabinets provide additional storage space. Now who wouldn't want more of that! Working with the neutral wall colors of the rental property, Malavika makes the space interesting by bringing in bright hues through textiles, art, decor accessories, potted plants and fresh flowers. Each of these are judiciously combined to create little pockets of interest in every corner of the home.

Let's start with this eye-catching corner right here - The tallest idol is that of Ardhanareshwari a gift from Malavika's brother, bought in Chennai. The two Krishna idols are also gifts from friends and family! A Tibetan kettle picked up from Delhi is adapted to serve as vase for a bunch of roses. Although the brass lamp could pass off as Indian in style, it is handmade from scrap metal and was sourced by Malavika from Cape Town.

The living room is an intimate space with plenty of seating options. To amp up the casual vibe in the living room, Malavika decided to go with a diwan plumped up by a number of throw cushions and woven furniture, "I absolutely love having a ‘divan’ at home, with plenty of colourful cushions, either in my living room or in the lounge or TV room. It’s something we have grown up having at every home we’ve lived in. My mom decorated it with bright cushion covers, and being a neat freak, they were neatly arranged as diamonds." Persian Kilims and textiles like the Kashmiri Crewel (Arastan), Gujarati Kutchi embroidery cushions as well as cushion covers from Omnah’s very own Dakshin series import color, texture and the plush factor to this urban dwelling. 

The Annapurna Tanjore painting above the diwan is a 43 year old piece. Malavika loves the deep rich hues of the paintings and says the newer creations these days don't quite exhibit such unique themes or colors. She was drawn to this particular painting at the India International Trade Fair in Delhi as the horse in the painting is actually 5 women (yes, take a closer look)! Flanking the Tanjore painting on the right is the Saraswati wooden sculpture sourced from Salem, Tamil Nadu, another one of Malavika's favorites. 

Another view of the living room. The painting is a hand painted batik creation by artist Henry S from Borobudur, Indonesia. When asked about the influences on Malavika's design style, she says "My mom, a Fine Arts student from J.J. School of Arts, has been my biggest influence with regard to home décor and styling, and she has been significant in shaping my own style. I believe I am blessed with her artistic gene. Her spotlessly clean, simple yet elegant style, with hand-embroidered cushions and chair backs, to well-polished brass pots, artifacts, and a select set of indoor plants made for a cozy and impressive home."

At the far end of the living room, a reclining Buddha from Bali brings a zen vibe to this corner. Malavika particularly liked the teal color going for the Buddha and his serene expression. She fondly recollects a story associated with this Buddha purchase, "I went on a day trip from Bali to Ubud. Enroute there are over hundred shops lining the street on one stretch. I spotted this Buddha from the car and had to have it! I kicked up a fuss and insisted on going back, took a detour to find this shop on the return trip. I am so glad I made that effort." The Cabinet is Korean, bought in Singapore. The picture frame is actually a baby cot headboard that Malavika found in the antique market in Shanghai, which she then got framed in Singapore.

Malavika's "Ganesha Corner"! The large Ganesha on Lotus is a treasured gift from Malavika's sister. The smaller groupings of Ganeshas and brass elephants are a combination of lucky finds from Chor Bazaar Mumbai while a few others were picked out on her travels. The little cow on the right is another interesting find from Chor Bazaar shares Malavika, "It’s used to cover a cow’s horn by village folks, so unique! Some of them come with bells (ghungroos) so you can imagine the sweet sounds you’d hear when the cow or cart is moving?" The glistening copper pot was spotted at a steel shop in Mumbai and is used to houses a few green stalks. A bunch of Carnations and white Statice add a punch of color to this setting.

A Madhubani painting in the ‘godhna’ (tattoo) style was an impulsive buy from Dilli haat. Malavika's coffee table has her favorite books, a Urli from Chor bazaar which is always sporting fresh flowers, and other fond curious from her travels like the bell from Singapore and the copper and metal alloy planter from Istanbul.

A stunning Tibetan wooden door depicting Durga seated on a tiger is a hand painted creation from Just Anthony in Singapore. Malavika loves this piece as it is not only decorative but also multitasks as a room divider. 

Quoting Malavika on what the word "home" means to her, "A home is a place and a feeling, and is a reflection of who you are. That said, my home is my safe sanctuary, my quiet nest that I can escape to, a place where I feel relaxed, peaceful and happy. A home should be warm, welcoming, clean and uncluttered (I try!) and smelling really nice (I use a lot of ‘dhoop’ and incense sticks), with open windows and lots of natural light, and your mood is set! My home is a place I look forward to seeing when I return to it. I feel the decor should be bright and cheerful, and should rise up to greet me when I walk in! And, I decorate to please myself, not impress others." We couldn't agree more!

Malavika's "Got to have it" list always included oriental style furniture. So when she spotted this pair of fire engine red Chinese chairs in "Just Anthony" in Singapore she knew she had to have it! A complementing side stand draped with a 45 year old hand-embroidered piece from Timor Island (Ubud, Indonesia) makes for a lovely backdrop for a collection of pretty decor accessories. The Chinese urn from Chinatown in Singapore, peacock and Naga arti stand from the Rajasthan State emporium in Delhi, an Indian brass lamp (a gift) and the Balinese wooden bowl though disparate in style come together beautifully to give this corner a curated look.

A closer look at a few more pretty corners......Some of her favorite stores in India include FabIndia, The Shop, The Bombay Store, Goodearth, Mora Taara. Singapore being another favorite destination to shop, Malavika digs the product range offered at Just Anthony, Yue Hwa Emporium, Lim’s Arts and Living and Barang Barang. 

Malavika's charming study/work office- Desk and chair from Amar colony is Delhi are the heart of this setting. An Egyptian vase converted into a lamp was picked up from a small boutique in Noida. Adding a touch of green to this setting is a Croton housed in a multicolored planter (reminiscent of the house painting style of the Ndebele village people of South Africa) bought on a trip with Malavika's parents to Johannesburg almost 20 years ago. An exquisite Afghan Kilim and Tajik Suzani patchwork cushion from Arastan pull the colors together perfectly in this room.

A closer look at the photograph by well-known Malayian artist Howard Tan - the photograph is that of the entrance to an Indian shop-house in Georgetown. (Georgetown was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008).

The master bedroom is an un-fussy space that helps unwind and relax at the end of a hectic work day. The painting above the console is from the Forbidden City, Beijing while another contemporary painting gracing the wall above the bed was picked up from a mall in Noida . The brightly patterned bedcover is from The Shop, Connaught Place Delhi.

Malavika's night stand has all the essentials in place - books to read once tucked in, an orange metal and wood storage box (picked up at the Annual Diwali Mela for the Blind School in Delhi) to store unsightly messes, a handmade etched Zebra soapstone trinket dish from Johannesburg, a reed diffuser pot from Pondicherry to keep things smelling fresh, and a yellow ceramic and brass teapot from Chinatown in Singapore that cradles a few stalks of fresh blooms.

A few decor tips from Malavika before we call it a wrap on this home tour, "While decorating your home, try to keep the base a neutral palette so you have the flexibility to add pops of colours that don’t clash or make the space look too busy. For instance, I’ve always liked off-white walls and sofas that contrast well with dark wood furniture and plenty of colorful cushions to accent the living room. Oh, and add some ‘life’ with plants. Another tip I follow while shopping for decor items - if you really like something that you spotted on the first go, BUY IT! Don’t spend too much time deliberating especially if it’s an affordable, unusual piece."

Now that's what I call running counter to trend and creating your own style! I hope you enjoyed the home tour as much as we had fun putting it together for you. Thank you Malavika for letting us tour your beautiful home. We wish you all the very best!

(Image credit/copyright: Malavika Kamath. The images may not be reproduced without the prior written permission of the home owner / TECD) 

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

How to make the most of the Flea markets this Summer

If you, like me are drawn to pieces that have a story and character to them, then may I suggest you scour the summer flea markets for some weathered relics that may be repurposed, recycled and restored to add that special stamp of personality to your home.  Flea market style makes it easy to pull together a look that's individual, stylish and affordable. What's even more wonderful is that flea market style is versatile. You may choose to create a style that suits your personality - modern eclectic, romantic country or simply traditional. 

This image that I'm sharing today is from my sister's (Sunayana) home in London. She like me, loves to decorate and has an eye for interesting finds. Showcased here is a bronze tea kettle she scored at a London flea market for £15! The table used to showcase the kettle was also a flea market find. A lick of paint gives it a new lease of life!

The basic virtues that you need to possess to be a flea market shopper are:
~  a discerning eye to spot those special pieces in a pile of junk,
~ a creative and imaginative approach to look beyond the dust, grime and marginal wear and tear and imagine it adorning a corner of your home and
~ a great deal of persistence and enthusiasm as not every flea market trip is going to be a success story. I thought it would be fun to share a few pointers that I've learnt from my shopping experiences at the flea market. These simple guidelines will help you make the most of your flea market hunt:

• Start by making a wish list of the specific pieces that you would like to score at a flea market. Make sure to make a note of the necessary dimensions in a book kept exclusively for this purpose. 
• Next, make a list of the various flea markets in your neighborhood that you’d like to visit. Settle for the ones that have a larger number of vendors as that means more choices to choose from. Also do an online research (where possible) to know who the vendors are and what experienced flea market shoppers are saying about this place. 



The little red Chinese foot stool was bought at the Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative Market (Bethesda, MD). I use it as a mini side table to host a plant or statue. 

• On the day before the flea market, clean out your car and make sure you have enough room to carry back all your flea market exploits with you. Load up on newspapers, bubble wrap and an old blanket to bring your goodies back safe.
• Tick off the checklist for a measuring tape, your book (with the dimensions), water, hand sanitizer and wipes, and a comfortable pair of walking shoes.
• Carry real money (dollar bills). Most vendors prefer cash over checks. A sling bag would be great as it frees up your hands. Also carry a rolling cart or mini suitcase on wheels to avoid aching arms and make the shopping experience more pleasant.
• On the day of the flea market, rise early, eat a heavy breakfast and arrive early at the flea market venue. This was you have a great chance at calling first dibs on the best items available for grabs. (You could also get a great deal later during the day when the vendors are restless to unload and would be willing accept a bargain price rather than lug the stock back to their own store.)



The wooden utensils (originally used to store salt and other spices) were brought back from our trip to Cochin. Found these in a pile of clutter. After some sanding, a coat of dark polish, varnish and hardware to hang, they now adorn my breakfast nook. 




Also seen in the image to the extreme right is a 1960's ITALIAN GLASS VINTAGE GREEN HANDBLOWN WINE CARAFE. I scored this at the Lucketts annual spring market.

• If this is your first time at the flea market, walk around and take a look at the stock. Note down the shop numbers that have a style similar to yours and come back to them later to explore in detail.
• Establish a relationship with vendors who stock pieces that are similar to your style. If they don't have what your looking for, let them know about the specific piece you have in mind. Sooner or later, you will get lucky.
• Bundling always helps and gets you a better deal. So make sure to check out the vendor’s entire selection before you make your final offer.



Also don't forget to check out the neighborhood garage/yard sales and car boot sales! The little basket you see with all my decor magazines stashed in it was a $2 find at a garage sale:)

• Finally when you find a piece that you love, bargain with grace. Don’t be afraid to counter offer but keep in mind that the vendor is here to make a fair deal!
• Once home, make sure to wipe down and clean your find and then bring it into your home. If the piece was bought for its patina, preserve it (whether iron or wood) with a coat of polyurethane.
• Display your find with pride and enjoy it for years to come.....

I hope these tips are resourceful and inspire you to bring home some flea market style this summer. Have  a wonderful weekend!

Image copyright/credit: 1 - Sunayana Singh, All other images are the property of Sruthi Singh. No images may be reproduced without prior written permission.

TECD has been featured on "THE CURATED MAGAZINE"

ELATED............OVERJOYED............ECSTATIC...............AND COMPLETELY OVER THE MOON !!!!

Why this reaction???? Cause "THE EAST COAST DESI" has been featured on " THE CURATED MAGAZINE", April 2014 issue !!!

We've known Priya to bring the most beautiful images and  bohemian Chic inspiration to us through her blogging adventures at "Once Upon a Tea Time". But what some of you'll may not be familiar with is that she is also the chief curator of the new digital magazine "Curated". A monthly publication that makes for a captivating read and leaves you begging for more!!! With a strong mission statement, CURATED sure lives up to it's promise - "Our mission is to delight, engage and inform you and in addition to bringing you a visually stunning and engrossing read, we want to serve as a platform for inspiration by showcasing individuals who are powerhouses of positivity and creativity. We want to help tap into that well of potential that is within each one of us and bring out the very best." 

Having read the first 3 issues of "The Curated Magazine" I was completely hooked. When Priya made a call on her blog for the home tours segment for her magazine, I wrote to her with the offer to tour the TECD casa. A couple of emails later, the outcome is finally here to share with you'll. 

The entire process of shooting the TECD casa for Curated has been an unforgettable experience for me! I've had so much fun putting this together. Playing decor stylist is something I revel in and Curated let me do just that to my heart's content. I've become quite an acrobat I should say, climbing on chairs and anything else that I could find to get the angles right;) 

Here are a few sneak peek's of what's instore for you....... 

The issue also features Bhavana Bhatnagar of "An Indian Summer", Deb Trombley of "India pied-a-terre", Ami Gandhi (Executive Director of the South Asian American Policy and Research Institute), loads of beautiful images and inspirational quotes.Want to see more, click right here. 

It's been a wonderful experience getting to know Priya through this entire process and am so glad we had a chance to connect. Priya is one talented woman and her new venture "The Curated Magazine" is going to go places.........I'd like to thank Priya for this wonderful opportunity and wish her all the very best !!! 

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

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

My Living Room a reflection of INDIA - Diwali Inspiration - Day 3

Hello!! How are we doing today???

The countdown to Diwali continues......today it's going to be simple Diwali decor I've put together to enhance the festive mood in my Indian style living room. I've kept things traditional but with a few simple twists it keeps things fresh.

Let's get started then. Grouping of similar pieces always makes a huge impact and makes it look like a thoughtful collection. I brought together 4 of my favorite candle holders and varying their height draws the eye to different levels and keeps the Diwali vignette interesting. Combined with colorful artwork or interesting wall decor, the vignette is nothing but splendid.

Fresh potted plants, a simple red runner used for the base of the vignette together with a colorful wind chime round up this Diwali vignette. In the picture collage below, the center pic shows you how the setting comes to life in the evenings and radiates a warm glow.

Next, I have the classic floating flower arrangement in a traditional urli. The flowers could be randomly floated or with a moments thought, simple designs could be created for flower rangoli's like the ones I've shown below. Together with candles you have your self a charming display.

The new addition to my home this Diwali are these gorgeous votive holders in colored glass. Placed around the house, the hues they add to a festive ambiance is priceless. These are available at World Market at a price you won't believe ($2:). They are not available online so make a quick dash to WM before they fly off the shelves.

It just does not have to be the diyas or candles that light up your Diwali. Dress up your old table lamps and give them a new look. I looked in my stash of things and found beaded necklaces and hair accessories that my parents sent me in one of the packages from India. They always love to put together things like these and send it across for me. How thoughtful is that. They know I'll make anything and everything work. So I used a Nagaland tribal necklace together with a Rajasthani Parandi (hair accessories used in north India to decorate the ends of braids) to gussy up my lamp.

The history of Parandis is fascinating. Making parandi took roots long ago in Punjab, with Patiala being one of the oldest centers of parandi making in India. Women have always been fond of prettifying their hair, but since they were supposed to cover their head, their hair accessories were hardly visible under the oodni. The women of the royal families of Patiala came up with the ingenious idea of adorning the lower end of their braids with gold, mottled threads and precious gems to complement their royal accouterments.

Adding rich textiles is another wonderful way to add shimmer to the special day. Cushion covers in silk or detailing in embroidery with glass work is a perfect addition. I've brought out my silk cushion covers that I bought from Fab India.

And now for the final look around my Indian style living room to see how everything comes together. The urli with the floating flower arrangement sits pretty on the coffee table. I also love displaying my brass knick-knacks for Diwali as they add the luster and shimmer that I'm looking to add for an exuberant Diwali.

Traditional Indian hanging lamps grace my living room making a statement for the Diwali season. The lamps are hung from wooden carvings, some custom made by a wood carving artist (my family has known for years) while the others sourced from a craft sale back in India. 

And that was my attempt at trying to bring home the myriad expressions of India in my own way. Every piece has a story to tell, a beautiful memory associated with it or it spoke to our personality and style sensibilities. And that's important to us and that makes our home "OURS".

I could ramble on and on.......But for now, I hope you'll found inspiration in the little things that I've put together to liven up my home. Do drop me a line and let me know if you enjoyed the post. 

This festive season, if your on the look out for decor with a modern take on the traditional, then do stay tuned for the featured shop segment coming up tomorrow. 

Have a wonderful day:) 

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

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