Floral fantasies - A guest post

Hi there! Are you tired of the endless winter yet? I know I am! I desperately need something to cheer me up - winter doldrums, I tell ya!
Well, take heart dear readers! You are in for an absolute and I mean an ABSOLUTE treat today! We have a guest blogger in the house and what she is about to share will knock your socks and your winter blues off!
I am honored to  introduce Sruthi Singh of the East Coast Desi. She is an inspiring stylist, photographer, home decor enthusiast and blogger and one of my absolute favorites! I love her airy photography, resourceful posts and desi inspirations! Her posts , each one an oeuvre d'art, make my morning cup of tea that much more enjoyable! Her blog is fabulous because it is a testament to her natural artistic ability and her keen awareness of what her audience wants!
It is a great pleasure to have her over at Aalayam today. Via 18 stylishly fashioned shots, floral arrangements and vignettes, Sruthi talks about adding color, life, texture and energy to your space. Pay attention as she imparts some great lessons in styling floral compositions! Valentine's day is around the corner - why not spice things up naturally? Flowers have been an eternal symbol of love. We hope you draw inspiration from our post today to get you into the amorous spirit this Valentine's day. Thank you Sruthi Singh! We love collaborating with artists and creative talents like yourself to generate value for our readers. So, thanks for willingly taking this on. What a fantastic post! I am sure Aalayam readers will love it as much as I did. Before I turn it over to Sruthi , here is the link to her blog. Make sure to sign up because you don't want to miss her posts!

Now, over to Sruthi Singh of the East Coast Desi…

 Vases with Dual Personality

"I'm honored and delighted to be guest authoring at Aalayam today. I would like to thank Deepa for the wonderful introduction and for inviting me to be a part of Aalayam. The team at Aalayam has been doing a commendable job in expressing India, it's art, craft and decor in a novel way. Wishing them luck for Aalayam and more!!!!

As for today's post, I had an incredible time putting it together for the Aalayam readers. Without further ado, let’s get started…….

I think I can safely say that indulging in flowers has therapeutic benefits. Apart from being visually enticing, flowers seem to have an unparalleled effect on all our senses. Their simplicity, form, beauty and sensual floral fragrance gives us an opportunity to experience nature up, close and personal. Those familiar with my blog "The East Coast Desi" and my decorating style, know that flowers are an indispensable element in decorating my space. 

To match the uniqueness and individuality of flowers, the choice of containers in which they are housed should be equally exclusive, helping us create elegant compositions. Apart from being a visual link between the blooms and their backdrop, containers can also be statement pieces by themselves. These receptacles foster the blooms when not in their natural environment and thus play a pivotal role in keeping the blooms alive.

Working with unique vases does not have to be an extravagant affair. I personally like to use an assortment of “found” receptacles to create displays around my home. Using unconventional containers as vases, helps create stunning arrangements and makes for a wonderful conversation piece. As you’ll will see, most of my vases come from my kitchen - kettles, vinaigrette bottles, ceramic creamers or jugs, colored goblets, trifle bowls and vintage beer mugs to name a few. I do hope you'll enjoy the snapshots of inspiring and exciting variations of adaptive containers that I've used to add beauty to my home.

This floral arrangements has been created using a Ghee Silver Copper Teapot from Tibet. Used to serve the Tibetan Ghee tea, I’ve adapted it to display a bunch of pale yellow carnation. In grouping with a Buddha and mercury glass votive holders, you have yourself a calming zen corner.

Creating a personal space with a distinct style is not a herculean task, if you surround yourself with knick-knacks and pieces that have a special meaning to you or memory associated with it. Here, I've used an unpretentious copper "kalash" that was used during the puja for our house warming ceremony. Displayed around the house with the Button Poms gently tucked into the container, it reminds me of the wonderful moment when we set foot into our home.

While on the topic of creating a space filled with memories and history, there's nothing like a wonderful heirloom piece to add to your decor. Backed by history and traces of time, a vintage brass beer mug that belonged to my granddad (one of my prized heirloom possessions), is an absolute favorite as a vase. Used to arrange a few stems of magenta Dahlias makes for a strikingly simple arrangement that adds instant color to my space.


Coming from India, I'd like to describe my style as eclectically Indian. Metal containers made of brass, copper and silver with their burnished and tarnished surfaces lend a rustic traditional touch to an arrangement. Personally, I have a penchant for the classic brass urlis' during the festive season. Their open structure favors creating exotic floating floral arrangements that are perfect for a festive occasion.
Now let’s look into those kitchen cabinets and improvise with what we got. Ceramic jugs and coffee creamers in brilliant color tones are perfect vases. They bring a little drama to a morning brunch with friends or intensify the style quotient to an alfresco tea time.

Ever thought of using trifle bowls and vinaigrette bottles as vases??? If not, then take a look at the inventive vases used to make attractive displays. Be it Chrysanthemums or autumn foliage, the clear glass receptacles with their neutral quality showoff the flower/foliage from the petal to their stem.

Up-cycled pasta sauce or salsa bottles can be given a new lease of life with colorful ribbons, washi tape or raffia. I've used some recycled jute from a rice bag, ribbon and a paper clip to create a vase for a dear friend. Studded with Queen Anne's lace this simple arrangement speaks volumes of your creative labor.

Colored glass votive holders or goblets are another wonderful alternative to the conventional vase. They supplement the color quotient of the display and by contrasting the blooms against the vase you have yourself a vibrant potent arrangement.

 

 For an alternate take on cut blooms, one could also use small potted flowering plants that work well indoors. One of my absolute go to plants for indoors are the African violets. The longevity of potted plants is longer when compared to cut blooms. But the container to hold the potted plant does not have to be unimaginative. This wonderful brightly colored pail is a unique container that adds color and character to the decor. 

Your home office or work space could also use a touch of creativity. Ceramic monogrammed mugs with a few sprays of your favorite blooms are a wonderful way to mark your territory. How perfect is this deliberately simple exhibit of Oriental Lilies in a white mug for a visual spark ???

So go ahead and indulge in the giddy fragrance of a bloom, the natural curvature of a stem or the ruffled feel of a petal. The transient nature of blooms only reminds us that life is a fleeting journey and should be enjoyed and celebrated while it lasts. What are you waiting for, your bunch of happiness is out there waiting for you..............
                                                                             ~~~~ Sruthi Singh


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


Did that not just take your breath away? It was also great to see glimpses of her well-edited home that is so grounded in classic elegance. Once again, thank you Shruthi Singh.
 Supriya and I jointly authored a post on decorating with fresh flowers a while back. In case you missed it, here is the link.

 And here is a hint on what we are working on next - Master bedroom, valentine's day ....shshsh, I am not saying more!

Cheers!
~Deepa

Home tour- An ode to antique brass!

Are you a lover of antique brass accents? Then you are in for an absolute treat - this home is a brass collector's inspiration! We wanted to kick start our home tours for this year with a home that celebrates our cultural patrimony and a brass collector's haven seemed to fit the bill consummately. 

Join me as we tour the Westerville, Ohio home of my dear friends  - Shalini and Bhagavan.

It is not just another Indian home in North America but it is an ethnically exuberant space that pays homage to its roots. Their home is also a true reflection of Shalini's vivacious smile and Bhagavan's affable persona and my husband and I experienced their affection first hand when they hosted us for a photo shoot of their home over Thanksgiving break. Shalini served up one of the yummiest Masala dosas I've ever eaten and Bhagavan brewed the filter coffee to perfection. I knew right then that theirs was a match made in heaven. And today, the readers of Aalayam get to experience their virtual hospitality. 

Over the course of a wintry afternoon, with light playing peek-a-boo, my husband managed to capture a few good shots of their beautiful home. Here's to merry conversations, our common love of home decor and several cups of freshly brewed coffee! 



Shalini and Bhagavan moved into their home 9 years ago and over the years , she has lovingly and painstakingly transformed their home into a stylish and inviting space. All it takes is patience, an innate interior design capability and a willing partner. She is the designer and he is the DIY guy- again, a match made in heaven! Shalini's passion for a good home is also shared by her sister-in-law, Veena (maybe she will share her home too on Aalayam, someday?) whom she describes as her decor soul mate! Shalini refers to her sister-in-law fondly and remembers bonding with her over their shared passion for ethnic Indian decor.  She expresses her gratitude for this kinship entrenched in common taste and says her sister-in-law who lives in North Carolina has been her long distance design partner!

As soon as you walk into their home, you can tell that Shalini is drawn to Indian decor. Brass accents with amazing detail and intricacy adorn accent tables and greet you at every corner. For me, it was a transformative moment- I forgot that I was in Westerville, OH! Interestingly though, most of Shalini's far flung home finds are sourced from local stores - Pier one imports, World Market, Home Goods and even Kohls, she says. 

The key is to collect over time and buy pieces that intrigue you. Shalini never began with an inspiration board or a look-book. She has stayed trued to her inherent style and bought and stored pieces over time. And that's how she has an assemblage of antique accessories that are similar in style but different in detail which she has lovingly placed around her home for a cohesive look.  Several of these pieces were brought much before the home itself and she chuckles at the thought of how they boxed and carried them across several states before they moved to Ohio. Every home decor enthusiast has a unique home making process and story and this is why I am inspired to tell the story of real-life home owners!. 

I requested Shalini to allow me to showcase her beautiful home on Aalayam over a year ago. I was stuck by the layers in her home that added so much visual interest and at how effortlessly she had pulled it together. Shalini wanted me to wait. She said they were working on getting some of the walls painted. And when she called me a few weeks ago to tell me the home was ready, I was thrilled. I am amazed at the transformation. It was a beautiful home to begin with but the accent colors infuse a vibrant personality into their space! I love the rich terra-cotta in her family room. It lends an earthen appeal and paired with house plants and indoor greenery, the space has a natural freshness to it. Bold colors punctuate the other rooms too and serve to create a warm and cozy space to beat the long and cold Ohio winter!

 Shalini loves entertaining- they have friends and family visiting them year-round and her culinary skills are legendary in our local social circles! They have created the perfect home for relaxing and entertaining. Stylish, uncluttered, personalized, love-filled and welcoming - nothing formulaic about this home!  

This is also the home where their two adorable girls are growing up and a part of the home rapturously reflects the girls' personalities. 

Their rooms are playful and fun and mom says she knows what the girls like best and she took the liberty of decorating their rooms as well! A family that functions in harmony!

You can tell that the look and feel of the whole home has been crafted with profound consideration and Shalini tells me that it has taken her a few tries to get it right and that speaks to her ardor. It is not done yet, she adds -" After all, our home is our joy and we keep adding new things. I plan to work on our study next and add some much needed shelving"

What I like the most about this home? The synergistic blend between the home and the home owners' cheerful personalities and of course going home to INDIA!

Hope you've enjoyed touring our first home of 2014. Please share your thoughts with us and we will pass them along to the homeowners who were kind enough to share their beautiful home with all of us!

Thank you Shalini and Bhagavan.

It's a new year and we are only warming up! A design blogger will be in the house next with her stylish inspirations - join us then!

If  you are looking for more homes filled with Indian decor inspirations - check out our other features here, here and here

Cheers!
~Deepa

p.s: All pictures are copyrighted to the homeowners' and were taken by my husband. Please ask before using!

Saffron, Sankranthi....and loads of Sweets!

Dear Aalayam Family!!

It's the first post of 2014! And I am privileged to be bringing it to you. And this post is full of festive inspiration (Sankranthi is round the corner!..read about our last year's Sankranthi celebrations here!)  some spicerack remedies (remember my series?) and some very mouth watering pictures! I am getting ready for the first Hindu festival of the year – signifying the Harvest Bounty of agrarian India. And as I plan my sweet dish menu, I look fondly at my favorite “rich-man’s spice” – Saffron!! This spice is sure to go into the Gulab Jamoons and Besan Laddus I am making for Sankranthi. So, while I am at it, I figured, I’d rhapsodize a little about the history and trivia related to Saffron…and Sankranthi!! And of course, share some images from my kitchen! 

Saffron - The Royal Spice! Sripriya Murthy Photography

“Saffron”, the royal spice derived from a flower called “Crocus”, widely used in a variety of cuisines as a seasoning and a coloring agent. The spice is actually the dried stigma of the crocus flowers, really expensive and regally exclusive! You would think that a spice that magically makes an unborn child “fairer” while in the mother’s womb, has to be pricey? No? ;)  Trust me, I'd been advised to drink buckets of warm milk with saffron during my pregnancy, to ensure that my twin girls were born with "fair" complexions!. India's obsession with "fair" skin continues right?

Saffron has been historically used as an aphrodisiac, mood elevator, ritually offered to divinities, and used in dyes, perfumes, medicines, and body washes. No surprise that, Persian saffron infusions, are used in baths as a curative for battle wounds! The active components in Saffron have many therapeutic applications in many traditional medicines as antiseptic, antidepressant, anti-oxidant, digestive, anti-convulsant.

Saffron's aroma is reminiscent of metallic honey with grassy or hay-like notes, while its taste is sweet. Saffron is widely used in Indian, Persian, European, Arab, and Turkish cuisines. (Read Kashmiri Biryani, Milanese Risotto and French Bouillabaisse!)  Confectioneries and liquors also often include Saffron to add a double note to the discerning palate. 

Yellu Bella or the mixture of Til, Coconut and Jaggery

Now, Makara Sankranti is an important Hindu festival celebrated with religious fervor in almost all parts of India. The festival is celebrated to mark the beginning of the bountiful harvest season after few months of chilly winter. It falls on January 14, every year, as per the Solar calendar. Makara Sankranti is also known as Pongal. There, it is a three-day festival, starting from January 13 until January 15. January 13 is celebrated as Bhogi, followed by Makara Pongal (Sankranti) and then culminated by Mattu or Kanuma Pongal on the next day. The customs followed in villages of India, on Makar Sankranti, have a unique charm. 

Sakkare Acchu or Sugar Candy in fun shapes!

I have had the privilege of growing up in a Kannada household, but with mixed heritage flowing in from both Tamil and Telugu customs. Courtyards swept and sprinkled with water, and Rangoli (floor design via chalk powder) drawn and decorated with Cow Dung dumplings (Gubbame), is a fun (yes!!!)  Telugu custom, while the Tamil custom of preparation of Pongal (rice and lentil pudding) overflowing from the cauldrons in which they are prepared, definitely has yummy outcomes!  This  festival is a direct symbolism of people extending their gratitude to Mother Nature for good harvest and prosperity. 

Rangoli with Cow Dung (Gubbame). Google Images

Sankranthi is also called Suggi or harvest festival for farmers of Kaveri basin of Karnataka. On this auspicious day, young females (kids and teenagers) wear new clothes to visit near and dear ones with a Sankranti offering in a platter, and exchange the same with other families. This ritual is called "Ellu Birodhu." Here the platter would normally contain "Ellu" (white sesame seeds) mixed with fried groundnuts, neatly cut dry coconut and fine cut bella (jaggery). The mixture is called "Ellu-Bella" (ಎಳ್ಳು ಬೆಲ್ಲ). 

The plate also contains sugar candy moulds of various shapes (Sakkare Acchu, ಸಕ್ಕರೆ ಅಚ್ಚು) with a piece of sugarcane. There is a saying in Kannada "ellu bella thindu olle maathadi" which translates to 'eat the mixture of sesame seeds and jaggery and speak only good.' This festival signifies the harvest of the season, since sugarcane is predominant in these parts.

Gulab Jamoon reigns supreme on festive occasions...sprinkled liberally with saffron strands!

In some parts of Karnataka, a newly married woman is required to give away bananas for a period of five years to other married women (muthaidhe) from the first year of her marriage, and increase the number of bananas in multiples of five. There is also a tradition of some households giving away red berries "Yalchi Kai" along with the above. 

I remember, sitting down in a long brown sofa with all my girl cousins in my grandmother's house, and get showered with the yalchi kai (stinky that they were!) symbolizing the shower of prosperity on the womenfolk!!  Post the shower, we used to collect coins (dakshine) from the stinky shower that had dispersed on the floor...and in the folds of our langa blouses.. and sit and feast on the Sakkare Acchu and he jaggery parts (only!) of the Yellu Bella mixture.

In North Karnataka, kite flying with community members is also a tradition.  Colorful kites of all shapes and sizes fly in the blue January skies in parts of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, signifying the farmers' delight at the good weather. 

Besan Laddu anyone? Don't miss the saffron strands, adding the special flavor!!

Isn’t it amazing? The cornucopia of culture, customs and rituals our Indian festivals  are full of?  And the calendar is just beginning for 2014! 

I feel so fortunate, that I am able to chronicle my experiences for my kids to read, cherish and follow. I am not sure if I will get a chance to sit with my girl cousins again on that brown sofa…and get showered by Yalchi Kai..but I sure will try to get my kids and their lot together to follow the same tradition in the years to come!

What is your favorite family tradition surrounding Sankranthi? Do you make the Yellu Bella mixture? Or do you make Pongal - Sweet and Khara? 

Do tell..!! Who knows, I might just drop by to “Yellu Beeru” at your place soon! 

Love,

Supriya

Makara Sankranti Kite flying - Google Images