Diwali Inspirations - home decor ideas

Hinduism's biggest festival- the  festival of lights is almost here! Are you ready for Deepavali ? I am! 
 If you are not - no worries! I have some peachy ideas to get you going, so read on! 

A diwali vignette from my home. Pic credits: Uj, my better half

 Mom always celebrated Deepavali with much oomph!  Cleaning, cooking, shopping, decorating, religious worshipping - she went the whole nine yards, always! And so, with much fondness, I brought a montage of memories of firecrackers, clay oil lamps, new clothes, visiting relatives, home made sweets and my parents’ unique Diwali traditions to my married home and over the years I have created a tailored array of rituals to suit my own family.

Decorating my home for Diwali is a huge part of that tradition. A round or two of autumnal cleaning usually precedes the decorating. Rummaging through boxes of stored away Diwali décor items often yields re-usable items. A few new items are added each year but the design is always built around the core elements– lights, flowers, rangoli and thorans. I am very tradition-centric. For me the focus rests on light, divine blessings and good-will.

Another diwali depiction from my home. Brass urli from Overstock. Pic by Uj.

 I love the festive glow rendered by the dazzling brilliance of the tiny tea lights. There is something about a home filled with light – the cheeriness lets me reflect on all the blessings that life has bestowed upon us! I love the positive energy that the Diwali diyas radiate!And of course the symbolism of bedecking our homes with rows of light to mark the victory of good over bad is uniquely ours!

Lights :

Diwali shopping (!) and my quest for pretty tea light holders begins at least a month ahead of time. With so many options it is rather challenging to not get carried away. This year, I picked these beautiful sparkly tea light holders from Pier one and I will use them as my focal décor element.  The row of lights displayed on my intricate foyer table emanates an inviting aura - one that is hard to ignore!

Row of lights from my home. Pic credits: Uj, my better half

 But if you prefer the doctrinal earthen diyas, then here’s a couple of beautiful options. 

Earthen diyas paired with fresh flowers for an eye-catching arrangement! Pic credits: Uj, my better half

 I bought mine at the local Indian grocery store but if you are an online shopper then craftsvilla is a great resource!

Traditional terracotta lamps in bright festive colors. A corner form my home. Pic by Uj

 And if all else fails, there’s always the traditional silver or brass lamp! Silver lamps are a long-established feature of pooja rooms especially in South Indian households. Diwali is a great time to bring out these ancestral wares and  blend them into your decor.

The unfailing silver lamp! Photo by Uj, my better half

Thorans:

Thorans are a great way to ring in some festive cheer. Traditionally, thorans are used to dress an entryway but with a little out-of-the –box thinking you can find other ways to use these ethnic valances. In the past, I have used mine to decorate a pooja table or mantap for an instantaneous festive face-lift!

Mango leaf thoran and a mini-carnation wreath on my front door for understated festive elegance. Photo by Uj

 Flowers:
 If you can buy one thing and one thing only this festive season then the hands down winner is fresh flowers – bouquets, garlands, loose flowers or even a few petals can add a magical elegance to your décor. Float them in an urli, hang them on doorsteps, include them in your rangoli .....you can take your decorations to a whole new level with fresh flowers!

Fresh flowers in an urli, image from my home. Pic by Uj, my better half.

 Check out fancy florists and their multitude of options for fresh flower garlands. Excellent customer service, beautiful garlands and timely delivery made it a great shopping experience for me.  However, the pricey overnight shipping cost is a downer !

Image from my home. Garlands from Fancy Florist. Pic by Uj.

Rangoli:

Kolam or the unique folk art of drawing on the floors is a great way to decorate and invoke the Lord’s blessings. My inspiration for rangoli this year came from her website. These rhinestone (kundan) rangolis are drop dead gorgeous and of course I had to try my hand at it! I made smaller ones with  shiny card paper and stickable rhinestones. These work great as tealight mats, as wall art or as floor art! My piece de resistance, if you will...

Rhinestone rangoli: Inspiration from here, made by moi. Materials from Hobby Lobby. Photo by Uj,my better half

Now, if you are short on time then how about a simple no-fuss traditional rangoli border on a wooden platform or chowki? Let your native artistry come out! Consider adding some color to your rangoli for some extra energy!

Image from my home. Traditional rangoli on a wooden platform. The kalamkari rug from World market adds to the drama.

Gifts:  

Gifting has been a Diwali tradition for long. Dry fruits, home made sweets, diyas  - the options for gourmet gifts are plenty. Here is a great goody bag gift, if you are planning to host a Diwali party. I love these cute little colorful elephants! I ordered mine from here and they even came gift wrapped!

Image from my home. Pic credits: Uj, my better half

 I recommend that you bookmark this anyway, since these beautiful colorful elephants make a great gift no matter what the occasion!

And lastly, bring out those sparklers! Nothing says Diwali quite like the firecrackers. Every Diwali, memories of squabbling with my younger brother over the division of firecrackers into two equal piles, years ago, fills my heart with warm emotions! I am sure you all have your own fond Diwali memories as well..

Image from my home. pic credits:Uj

 So, dear reader, are you inspired yet?  I hope to  encourage you to have your best Diwali yet!
Do not let the monotony of every day life get in the way of  your celebration- after all Diwali is here only once every year....

Aalayam wishes  you all a beautiful Deepavali ! For more posts from this festive season - go here, here and here!

Cheers!

Deepa 

A gentle reminder that all images are copyrighted. Please do credit Aalayam and link back to us  if you use any images.  Usage of images without crediting is strictly prohitibed!

Boo!

Halloween inspired cake from the local grocery store. Pic credits :Uj

Well, Dasara is behind us and Diwali is a few days away. I am sure most of you are scrambling to find last minute Halloween costumes for the little ones or give your home a Halloween makeover to bring in that seasonal flavor. Don’t you wish you had a magic wand? Back to back celebrations can be exhausting and yet we don’t want our kids to miss out on the fun or the learning. In a bi-cultural household like ours, it is even harder to switch gears from Dasara festivities to Halloween and then right back again to Diwali!  Supriya and I have been up to our neck with all the celebrations. Personally, I prefer the other holidays to this Pagan festival of celebrating the dead – I guess because of the eeriness that surrounds it. But looking back it is kind of fun to see my little one’s fantasies come to life via Halloween costumes each year – a treasure trove of childhood memories now resides in our picture albums and hence I celebrate!

I am popping in just to say  a quick hello and to see how your spook-tacular Halloween prep is coming along.  Have you picked out your perfect pumpkin yet?  Have you carved out that Jack-O’-lantern yet?

Please do share images from your own celebrations with us so we can collectively inspire others.  We will be glad to showcase your creativity at Aalayam. Write to us at aalayaminspiration@gmail.com

 

Here’s a Halloween picture from a few years ago. The boys partied at our home before heading out to trick or treat. 

Happy Halloween y’all!

Next up – Aalayam features inspirations for Deepavali ! Stay tuned!

Cheers!

Deepa

What are you wearing this festive season!!

Have you laid out your ensemble for Navarathri Dandiya this year?? How about for the Diwali Party?

Kundan accessories glamorize a pink chiffon saree with zardosi work. From Supriya's closet.

Are you wearing something glamorous? Like this gorgeous pink chiffon saree, carefully adorned with handmade metallic accent threads in Persian zardosi embroidery?  Don't the white kundan jhumkas dress the ensemble up, getting you the right amount of sparkle to be the life of the party?

Temple jewelry brings the mustard and green Kanjeevaram to life! From Supriya's Closet!

Or do you plan to go traditional with an ethnic Kanjeevaram silk saree with awe inspiring and festive Temple jewelry, that brings out the dusky beauty of your complexion?

Classic "Kari Mani" black bead earrings with a gold choker necklace dress up a silk Ilkal saree

You could go back to the roots with a classic fall back - "Kari Mani" or black beads never go out of style, and serve to add a harmonious grounding to simple gold jewelry. Try pairing these accessories up with a simple and elegant Ilkal saree, or pick any silk cotton "Zari" saree in your closet!

Anklets from Supriya's Closet!

Don't shy away from elegantly paired accessories. They can add oomph to any simple ensemble you have put together.

You can get away from classic jewelry altogether and try something with a western touch! Look how spectacular this offwhite chiffon saree looks, so red-carpet ready! thanks to this chunky bracelet from Charlotte Russe!!

Chunky Bracelets from Charlotte Russe

Finally girls! And boys who are reading this with your girls! :). Do not forget Terracotta jewelry. The arty, rustic evocation of artisans, waiting to adorn your classical beauty. Terracotta jewelry can add that "desi" vitality to any outfit, and can especially juxtapose the sophistication of a silk saree with the earthy flavor of Indian folk art.

Terracotta jewelry on a classic Kanjeevaram. From Supriya's Closet!

Isn't this fun!? Dressing up for festive occassions? Navaratri Dandiya, Diwali Parties, Thanksgiving gettogethers? I just love it! I will leave you with one more picture from my closet and let you decide..which look is your favorite this festive season!

Terracotta on a Kalamkari Silk Saree!

So - do you know what you are wearing this festive season!?

Love,

Supriya

Spotlight on Terracotta

Alright, trivia time! What is common between a Bankura horse and an Ayyanar horse?  Anyone? 
If you guessed Terracotta horses, then you are absolutely right! 

South Indian terracotta horse. image via

 I want to turn the spotlight on to Terracotta - perhaps, the oldest known art form to mankind!

At home. Photo credits: Uj, my better half.

The Italians take credit for nomenclature. “Baked earth” or Terra cotta was the earliest used serve ware by man. In India, the use of terracotta has evolved past simple pottery to the creation of complex figurines with breathtakingly beautiful details. While most Indian art forms are regional in their origin, utility and allure, Terracotta is not!  Terracotta has flourished as a nationwide art form with village potters engaging in this craft all over India. However, there are singular regional differences in style and design. 

Beautiful Bankura horses. image via

The Bankura horse of Panchmura, West Bengal is known for its elegant stance while the Ayyanar horse of Tamil Nadu has made a name for itself based on its mythical interest. The Bastar terracotta elephant of Madhya Pradesh has a striking form and the terracotta products from the tribes of Gujarat differ entirely in detail from the ones mentioned earlier. 

Bastar Terracotta. Image via

One art form – and so many variations and there in lies the appeal of Indian terracotta accents!  Want to learn more?  Click  here, here and here.

What I love the most about terracotta is the orange tint, the earthen allure, the rustic appeal and its simplicity! Makes it easy to find a place for a terracotta accent in your home, indoor or outdoor - yes, even if your décor style is Pottery barn chic! Next time you are in India, scout your local Haat or Bazaar and buy a terracotta horse, an elephant or an urn. You cannot go wrong and this I promise!    

A corner from my home. Photo credits: Uj, my better half

Or get creative like Supriya did - Supriya found these terracotta figurines in Ten Thousand Villages..where she routinely discovers uncommon colors, textures and shapes. Ten Thousand Villages supports fair trade practices that are good for people and good for the earth, by encouraging artisan partners to use environmentally friendly processes, sustainable natural resources and recycled materials. Terracotta is a prime example.

Snap shots from Supriya's home - gorgeous aye?

So, spruce up that unused corner with a few floor cushions and throw in a terracotta figurine or a planter. Simple ways to make a big impact!  Grouping similar objects is also a great way to add that extra punch! 

A corner from my home. Photography: Uj, my better half

With Diwali right around the corner, don’t forget to stock up on the traditional terracotta diyas – nothing says Diwali quite like those earthen lamps!

……and talking about Diwali, stay tuned for our upcoming Diwali posts – that’s right! We want to inspire you to take your Diwali planning up a notch this year–right here at Aalayam!

Cheers!

Deepa

Avial - A Melange of Textures and Flavors!

Isn't it glorious that we can derive inspiration from world cuisine to create delicacies in our kitchens daily? Isn't it a blessing that we don't confine ourselves to the pallette and textures of one single cuisine, but seek a melange of flavors from harvests and spice bazaars around the world to satiate our taste buds?

If you are one after my own heart, then read on..about Avial, comfort food born in God's own country, Kerala (India) served with Quinoa, a nutritious grain-seed originated in the Andean regions of South America, resulting in a holy confluence of nutty textured grain, chunky vegetables in a creamy yogurt sauce topped with choppy coconut flakes and earthy curry leaves.



Avial served on a bed of Quinoa..from my Kitchen



Avial - a dish so succulent with textures and flavors..so rich in history and mythology, and a staple in a vegetarian Kerala meal "Sadya", has held my fascination for a long time. This dish was recently revived in my culinary memory, thanks to my sister-in-law..who I quote makes a "Wicked Avial"!

Quinoa is a staple now in our house. Pronounced KEEN-wah, this highly nutritious gluten-free seed is used as a terrific substitute of rice. Quinoa is an exceptional source of protein, good source of dietary fiber, B vitamins and iron. Quinoa is an ode to guilt-free eating!

Quinoa - a delicious and nutritious side dish



Inspired by this, I thought, what better way to bring together the spices, flavors and textures of South India and South America in one plate? This gave birth to my Avial Impetus!

Fall is the best season to make Avial because of the lush harvest vegetables which lend themselves beautifully to this dish.

Fall Vegetables are great for Avial

Vegetables commonly used in Avial are sweet potato, yam, plantain, pumpkin, carrots, beans, cucumber, drum sticks, snake gourd and avarai. This dish can be made into a gravy or into a semi-solid side curry.



Curry Leaves, Quinoa and Coconut Flakes



Avial captures the earthy flavors of curry leaves seasoned in coconut oil, with the tangy spice of a chili-cumin yogurt sauce blended with onions and coconut flakes.



Turmeric dresses the Yogurt sauce



Chunky Vegetables add coarse chewyness to Avial

Avial has a mythological significance too. It is supposed to have been invented by Bhima (one of the Pandava brothers) during his "Agnyathavaasa" exile. According to the legend, when Ballav (Bhima's name during this time) assumed his duties as the cook in the kitchen of Virata, he did not know how to cook. One of the first things he did was to chop up many different vegetables, boil them together and top the dish with grated coconut. Bheema is said to have prepared Avial, when there were unexpected guests for King Virata and he needed to serve a meal for them. There were no sufficient vegetables to cook any single recipe for side dish, so Bheema used whatever available vegetables to make a new dish, which came to be known as Avial!!

So, if it worked for King Virata's court, it sure can work for me!!

I leave you with exquisite Avial from the Aalayam Kitchens served on a bed of Quinoa..

Love,

Supriya 

p.s. The royal blue block print patterned salad plates are from our friendly neighborhood Target! (pronounced as "TAAR JHAY" for hauteness). The Avial dish is an antique. The elephants are adding a touch of Kerala to the tablescape.



Spotlight on Warli

A warli painting by Jivya Soma Mashe image via

Let’s talk art! Truly, nothing is more pertinent than artwork when it comes to customizing your home décor and putting a personal stamp on it. Your home is a reflection of who you are and a well-curated art collection is a great way to allow your home décor to speak for your personality. Collecting artwork can be a daunting task especially if you are a novice. But remember - there is really no right or wrong way.  Building your personal art collection is a creative process that takes a sense of appreciation, a lot of intuition and a great deal of patience! Retail outlets, online curated sales, antique stores, flea markets and art fairs are all excellent avenues to find the right pieces of art that tie in to your unique décor philosophy.  

 I own art work sourced from all of the above and I am also very lucky because I own a few treasured pieces of art made by dear friends– my very own one-of-a-kind paintings!

Today, I want to share one of those paintings with all of you. This was made by a dear friend of mine in the Warli style and holds a very special place in my heart. 

My warli made by my friend RM, photo credits: Uj, my better half

 

 So, are you familiar with the Warli style of painting? 

White figures on a red background - the warli!, Image via Herve Perdiolle gallery

The Warlis are a contribution of the Warli tribe from Maharashtra, India and a part of India’s heritage. Lacking a script to communicate in writing, the Warli tribes invented their own art form as a way of expressing their relation with nature and thus the Warli paintings were born. With their unique art, the aboriginal Warlis infused life into tiny circles, triangles and squares and captured the essence of human interaction with the elements, pictorially. The original paintings feature miniature white figures painted from rice paste on a background of red earth and cow dung that gave the paintings their distinctive red hue.  Primarily, drawn as murals in the huts of the Adivaasis (first inhabitants), the Warli paintings became a portable art form only in the 1970s largely due to the works of Jivya Soma Mashe –a pioneer Warli artist.

The warli serves as a  backdrop for performing artists. Image via photographer Ed Bock

Do you want more information on Warli paintings ? Click here and here . Check it out, dear readers. There’s so much history behind this art form – it is a fascinating read!

Image via Rekha Kantak

There’s many ways to incorporate this art form into your décor - a backdrop, a mural, a vase or a painting or even a head board as seen above. The possibilities are endless! The versatile Warlis can work in any décor-scape. 

Paired with a fenton glass hobnail vase in a serene blue and a few gerberas in a gorgeous pink - my maroon, black and white Warli makes a lovely statement - don’t you think? 

A corner from my home, photo credits: Uj, my better half

Next time you see a Warli painting do not hesitate to add it to your collection. It's inherent graphic nature not only makes the Warli an appealing piece of art but also a great conversation piece.  Every Warli has a story to tell. Mine tells the story of “ the dancing circle of friends” as my 9 year old very imaginatively explains!

 And, if you like to paint  - why not try your hand at painting a Warli and contribute to keeping this ancient art form alive?

Cheers!
Deepa

Festive Mehndi (Henna)!

When I was a kid, my favorite thing to do just before festivals and auspicious ceremonies like Diwali and Dasara..or as part of the grand preparation for a Grihapravesham (House Warming Ceremony) or a Wedding, would be to go to my backyard, pick the "Goranti" or Henna plant..grind it to a paste and try and decorate my little hands with dots and squiggly lines...

Little did I know that what used to be a childhood fascination, would turn out to be a bohemian art form of temporary tatooing on body parts.. extending itself to a fashion statement across the world!

Welcome to the world of Bridal Mehndi, Henna Tatoos, Mehndi inspired Cakes and Couture!

Henna (Lawsonia inermis, also called mehndi) is a flowering plant used since antiquity to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather and wool. Henna is also used for dye preparations derived from the plant, and for the art of temporary tattooing based on those dyes. Images from Google.

Henna is abundant with medicinal properties, used as a liniment for its anti-inflammatory attributes, and is a prime herb used in Ayurveda. However, the most glamorous characteristic of Henna is its ability to lend itself to global design, decor, culture and couture with its coloration and versatality.

 Henna Cakes and Cookies from Cakeinspiration.com

Heard of Henna inspired cakes? How about cookies? Cupcakes? My Little Ponies?  Celebrities like Madonna, Erika Baadu and Sting have made this exotic herb a mainstream commodity and design inspiration.

Henna Tatooing, or adornment of henna paste into intricate patterns and designs on the palms, feet and other body parts (!), which was until recently, a very traditional art indigenous to India, Pakistan, Bangaladesh and other countries in the Asian penisula, now is a global phenomenon vying for haute attention.

 Bridal Mehndi - Photography by Sripriya. Visit Sripriya Murthy Photography on Facebook.

Mehndi is applied as part of the traditional "solaa singaar" or ceremonial adornment of the Indian bride. Amidst much music, merriment and festive spreads, the bride's and the groom's family decorate their hands and feet with Mehndi. Professional Mehndi artists are invited to head the assembly line  of designers to draw out intricate patterns on hands and feet of the bridal party. The darkness of the Mehndi designs or tatoos, a day after application, on the bride's hands signifies love and affection in a marriage and the longer it retains, the more it is considered auspicious for the bride, symbolizing love from her husband.. (No consideration for the amount of Melanin content in individual skin types!)

These freshly applied Mehndi hands are Deepa's. Shot lovingly by her husband UJ.

Mehndi is left on the hands and feet overnight for the colors to permeate through the skin. Decoctions of tea and lime paste are dabbed on the dry design patterns to seal and intensify the colors. The dried and caked paste is washed off (or scraped off) the next morning, where the whole family waits with bated breath to see the saturation of the color on the hands and feet!

 I leave you with a picture from my wedding..my Mehndi adorned hands held in a promise of forever by my husband...signifying that Mehndi does play an important role in my life. Does it in yours? 

Your's truly - hands held by her significant other!

Love,
Supriya