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

The Grand Aalayam Giveaway (an announcement)!.... and Floral Inspirations

Welcome to the weekend dear readers!!

Deepa and I have a fantastic surprise in store for you! We are planning something really awesome for next week for all of you and your friends! 

This poster gives you an inkling of what's to come, so wait with bated breath, there is a gorgeous, true blue Aalayam style giveaway waiting for you!

What do you need to do to be eligible for the grand giveaway, you ask? Well, stay tuned for next week's post to read about the eligibility criteria and to look at the exciting lineup of India Circus products we are showcasing. Think of it as mind pleasing eye candy and a chance to win a gorgeous prize!! I for one, cannot wait for next week...

Now, on to this week's post! For this post, Deepa and I worked together, so you will see corners and floral inspirations from both our homes, and scribbling from both our inkwells...so..here goes!

A gorgeous brass accent complements a jewel tone vase - Deepa's home. 

Have you stopped at the grocery store lately? The first thing you notice is the pretty blooms that are on display both inside and outside the store. The spring season is nature's tribute to life! And there's nothing like fresh flowers to infuse life and zing into your living space! Decorating with fresh flowers is probably one of the oldest and simplest universal home decorating techniques.  

Whether they are yellow flowers in a purple glass vase that compliment the yellow and purple jute braided pillows or tender coral roses that kiss the blue and white Moroccan vase in a zen bed room, flowers add elegance and glamor to your space!

A mood fix for sure - a zen reading nook - Supriya's home!

Fresh flowers are an instantaneous color and textural fix not to mention a mood fix! There is something undeniably blissful about a bunch of pretty flowers. Actually, there is something divine about the whole process of buying /picking flowers, cutting them, pairing them with the right vase, arranging them and finding a corner of your home that is perfect for those flowers - it is the simple things that bring you the most joy, after all!

A book basket, a lamp and a couch - A Serenity corner from Supriya's home!

Flowers are the most versatile decor accessories that blend in seamlessly with any decor style - ethnic Indian or rustic chic or casual country or simple elegance. 

You never go wrong with fresh flowers!

Speaking of rustic chic, look how effortless, the delicate coral roses look hobnobbing in a vintage watering can! 

Finding ways to reuse, recycle and refurbish jars, cans and containers of interesting shapes and sizes, not only is a green thing to do, it adds that element of drama and interest to any living room, study or bedroom! 

Flowers are a staple feature for all of our festive tablescapes . Deepa recommends going in for the abundance of a lush bouquet and at other times, settling for the striking form of a single stem. 

Either way, adding some blooms is a great budget friendly way to create visual interest! 

Deepa and I both like playing around with patterns, motifs and colors to create different vignettes in sprightly hues and bold patterns. 

 Home decorating is all about creating a space that inspires us to live our best life. 

Bohemian colors and patterns are married together harmoniously - Deepa's home

Flowers not only add beauty but also a live energy and vitality to the space. Fresh flowers make everyone happy! Pairing floral arrangements with accents that you already own is a simple and easy way to buff up a living space.  

Look how the dramatic black and white two -toned vignette or the mishmash of random colors and patterns thrown together is adding oomph to the decor! 

Who said Black is boring!  - A two toned vignette from Deepa's home!

Men, who are reading this post with your ladies, please remember, the staid tulips, or the cheerful zerbera daisies, the exotic lilies, the cheeky carnations, or even the dainty roses..all are sure fire ways of winning your ladies' affection, over and over again. And a redeeming way to a no girls allowed TV or golf weekend!!

Gorgeous tulips add drama to a modern family room - Supriya's home!

So, dear readers, we leave you with these floral inspirations for your living space and to brighten your day! And do not forget about the Grand Aalayam Giveaway next week!!! You deserve to win and we are rooting for you!

Love,
Supriya and Deepa!