Diwali tablescape - ethnic inspiration, the Aalayam way!

Hello! It is Diwali and there will soon be a billion of us celebrating this festival of light and food and cherishing the bond that we share with our friends and family and I hope the preparations have picked up speed at your end as well?

A DIY diwali card ...for that personal touch!

Here is our annual Diwali edition- an Aalayam tradition!

 This time my Diwali tablescape is swathed in earthy colors and carries a haveli-esque feel and this was my attempt at capturing yet another shade of our fascinating culture.  

I have always wanted to travel to color and culture rich Rajasthan – maybe next year… This year though, I brought flavors of Rajasthan to my Diwali dinner table.  

My tablescape is a tribute to the pomp and pageantry of Rajasthan that I have heard so much about. I have combined vibrant hues, miniature paintings, rustic and brass accents to reflect the earthen flavor of the Thar.

This tablescape includes the hallmark of Indian décor –it is full of life and fit for a Maharajah! I had fun working with this exciting palette of colors and patterns. Did you like this Diwali composition? Write to me.

It is going to be a quiet Diwali at home for us this year but I still want to savor mom’s epicurean delights, relive childhood traditions and soak in the sparkle that only Diwali night brings. And here is a simple attempt at creating a setting that appeals to the senses. This is going to be a festival seasoned with meaning and gratitude and we have much to thank for. The tepid glow of the flickering lights that metaphorically represent the essence of Diwali will serve as a gentle reminder of all our blessings.

Supriya and I want to wish all of you a very happy Deepavali. I hope you all revel in the symbolism and gaiety and indulge in beautifying your homes as an uplifting reminder of the spirit of Diwali!  We hope your celebration is beautiful regardless of whether you are honoring religious traditions or cultural customs. And we also wish that all of your dreams come true this Diwali.

Wishing you all love and peace this Diwali!

Cheers

~Deepa

P.S: All images in this post are from my home and subject to copyright

Diwali Tablescape and Diwali decor inspiration, the Aalayam way!

Add glitz and glamor to your Diwali tablescape - I've done it with crystal, color and metallic accents!

Aalayam's annual Diwali edition by Deepa + a Giveaway (for details scroll down)

As with every other festival, I am still finding my way around traditions and Diwali is no exception. I yearn to recreate the traditions of my maternal home and long for the Deepavali of my childhood. Lucid memories of facile traditions are rekindled - the oil bath at the break of dawn that heralds the onset of the three day festivities, the aroma of the delicacies prepared by mom, the stash of firecrackers painstakingly divided in 2 equal halves by us (bickering) siblings, earthen diyas awaiting to be lined in neat little rows, visiting aunts, uncles, grand parents in all our Deepavali finery, boxes of sweets and the glittery explosion of firecrackers! The magic of Deepavali beckons – after all it is the most adored childhood memory for most of us.

Nothing says Diwali like a traditional thali dinner!

Fast-forward to my expatriate life and Diwali is a weekend potluck dinner, rows of tea lights and maybe some sparklers! A far cry from Diwali’s of the past!

Italian etched goblets work great for serving mango lassi! Pair them with colored water tumblers!

But over the years, I have learnt to add the sparkle back in small doses via our own family traditions while ardently reflecting on past Diwali’s .  At the heart of our celebrations is a good Diwali meal and that is what today’s post is all about. I am passionate about my Diwali meals and many of my own festive memories are intrinsically tied to the food traditions – my grand mom’s rice appams (yele appa) were to die for and I long for it each Diwali. Talk about Pavlov’s classical conditioning! Living in America, I have come to appreciate Western holiday traditions that are strongly rooted in food and feasting and so I attempt to savor Diwali via a meal that promises to bring food, people, culture and tradition together. And hopefully, these meals will leave lasting impressions on my young one and conjure up fond memories of a radiant Diwali night.

Take stock of what you have and creatively work them into your tablescape

This year, I pulled out all the stops in creating a magical tablescape for our dinner guests. I will break this down for you step by step – stay along with the pictures and please do not hesitate to ask me any questions. Make sure to stay with me till the end of the post as I have a giveaway to announce! We also have more Diwali decoration inspirations in our previous year's post. Make sure to check out this, this and this!

Creating a beautiful Deepavali tablescape - made easy!

Add the layers one piece at a time - silver chargers are versatile decor pieces!

I love creating visually decadent tablescapes and I promise you there will be many more tablescapes on Aalayam. This year, I have combined my eastern heritage with my travel inspirations to create a tablescape that merits a distinction of its own. It all started with the crystal candle holders that I found at Home Goods this year – they reminded me of the crystal chandeliers that I saw in the Hall of mirrors at the Palace of Versailles (remember our trip to France?). That was my inspiration! 

Hall of mirrors- The Palace of Versaille!

I was blown away by the delicate beauty of the French chandeliers and swore to add a touch of French chic to our home. I was euphoric when I found these candleholders– they were definitely going in my Deepavali décor this year. 

A travel inspiration works its way into a tablescape at home- for the love of crystal light accents!

And then it quickly became a matter of adding things that would work with these focal pieces.  Colors, textures and patterns were blended in experimentally till I knew I had nailed it!

Lessons from my tablescape:

Paisley - the ultimate ethnic motif!

Create cohesion – by threading different elements with a common theme. In this case I used the Paisley motif to unite the various components and keep the eye moving. The block print paisley napkins, the hand made cards with the paisley stickers and the amber glasses with the paisley motif all work great together and add an ethnic charm to my tablescape.

Always buy enduring pieces and get more mileage out of them - gold toned flatware paired with silver charger and a steel thali - it works!

Use versatile pieces – the fabrics, the tray, the thalis (plates) and the goblets are enduring pieces that I can creatively combine to create an entirely different look next time. So, take stock of what you own and think about how you can use it before you go shopping. My solid blue cotton tablecloth will work well for a birthday or a tea party next time. By layering a saffron block print napkin on it, I have added a festive tenor to the base layer.

A fun conversation starter - the great Indian two-wheeler, move over elephants and peacocks!

Think outside the box. After all you are trying to create a memorable scene that can be remembered long after Diwali is gone. My steel scooter is a fun conversation starter and a fond reminder of home. Let the elephants and the peacocks be… after all there is more to India!

And it comes to life....

Indulge a bit - After all you will be adding a touch of sparkle to your wardrobe. So, why not add some glitter and shine to your home and your dinner table too? I love the sparkle emanating from the light reflected off the crystals in my candleholder. I love the colorful radiance of the rhinestones used in handmade Deepavali signage and my personalized greeting cards. I love the sheen on my gold toned flatware. There’s lots of ways to add sparkle and shine to your décor and here’s just a few ideas.

Make sure to let the flowers pop - they need not all match!

Stay away from faux flowers – please! My friendly neighborhood florist patiently replaced all the fall colored flowers with bright fuchsia ones to create this vibrant bouquet. I wanted the flowers to stand out and not blend in with the blue and orange background. In return, she got a one-one lesson on the splendor of Diwali. It was a win-win for both of us!

Hand made with love!

And lastly – add a few personalized touches for a lasting impression. A handmade Diwali sign and some personalized cards are sure to make your guests smile.  These cards can alternately work as menu cards if you are hosting your non-Indian friends for dinner.

Indian decor need not be tacky and gaudy - there I said it!

Indian décor need not be tacky and gaudy! Indian décor is elegant and beautiful and let your home and table speak for that! The warm glow of the candles will surely knock your décor out of the park!

Embrace the Diwali festivities with a piquant home cooked meal served in style. Once again, this post is about combining the Indian tradition of hospitality with the Western art of entertaining. I hope you all partake in a memorable Diwali meal this year and if you are hosting one - I hope I have inspired you to set a beautiful table!

Our home awaits its guests!

Let us also spare a minute to reflect on the spiritual traditions of Deepavali that bear significance to our every day lives. The killing of Narakasura by Lord Krishna symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. The waking up at Brahma muhurtha symbolizes the early to rise …..concept. The lighting of the diyas emphasizes the need for self-reflection and the need to move away from darkness and ignorance. I hope to be reminded of all these Diwali tenets as I look at the flickering glow of the candles on Diwali night.

Dear readers we wish you health, peace and lots of colorful memories this Diwali.

Now in keeping with the spirit of giving –Supriya and I want to giveaway a fifty dollar gift card of Home Goods and thank you all for your warmth and love!

Love my candleholders? They can be yours with the giftcard - see below for details!

 If you loved the crystal candleholder or the Italian etched wine goblets (they are perfect for serving mango lassi or badam milk this Diwali) I have used in this tablescape then here is your chance to buy it with the gift card we are giving away. This giveaway is open to readers in the US. Readers in other parts of the world are welcome to enter on behalf  of friends and family here in the US.

Here is how you become eligible

 1. Join Aalayam as a member and leave us a comment stating you are a new member. 

    2. If you are an existing member, you must introduce at least one new member to the Aalayam family and leave a comment introducing the new member. You and the new member will both be eligible!

    3. And finally! Increase your chances of winning by introducing additional new members. So, if you introduce 5 new members, you have 5 chances to win the gift card!

The giveaway will close on October 24th at 10 pm eastern and the winner will be announced in our next post. Good luck!

Cheers!

~Deepa

All images are from my home and shot by Uj. Please do not use without permission.

Diwali home decor inspirations - An Aalayam special!

Deepavali begins with a row of lights - add some color and a festive signage!

The festival of lights is around the corner and many Indian homes will soon be bathed in the tepid glow of flickering lights metaphorically representing the essence of Diwali. As I started gearing up for my favorite festival, I paused and let my mind wander and reflect. We are in the thick of the Hindu festive season and soon we shall be heading towards the Holiday season, here in the West - Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I see it as a great privilege to be able to experience both these rich cultures. I mulled over a single question " What am I celebrating?" and this triggered a cascade of thoughts and a wave of emotions, primarily of gratitude. I was overcome with a sense of appreciation for everything life has bestowed upon me.

This Diwali, as we herald the Hindu New Year, I want to shine the spotlight on the notion of "SEVA" and social responsibility that is central to Hinduism. After all, it is the little altruistic efforts that spread the light and save the world from its darkness and what better time than Diwali to talk about helping those who are less fortunate. So, dear Aalayam readers let us start a conversation about giving back to the community. From personal fulfillment to a sense of connectedness to the community - giving back implies different things for all of us. What does it mean to you? Do you like to volunteer your time, help the elderly, champion for environmental issues, plant trees or adopt pets? Please write to us about  social causes  that you are passionate about and Supriya and I will be glad to moderate this conversation, right here on Aalayam.

And now - a creative tribute to the spirit of Diwali! I love Diwali for its symbolism and gaiety. Here is an excerpt from my Diwali post last year which echoes my sentiment about the festival - " 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."

Start with the basics - flowers, lamps and rangoli (kolam)

And so, with a little effort I try and make this a memorable annual occasion for our family.  I am thinking brass, flowers, color and of course lots of tea lights for my inspiration board - how about you? In this post, I bring to you seasonal decor and tips from around my house to help you get into the mood of the season - join in!

Find of the season - copper toned tea lights from Hobby Lobby!

1) A little planning goes a long way - no really, it does! I tackle life with the age old to-do list. There is no greater joy than striking off things on my to-do list. My Diwali planning was no different, it began with the inescapable to-do list. Notice also my tea light  holder from Hobby Lobby. I am calling it the "find of the season". The gleaming copper finish is a perfect little way to add sparkle to your Diwali decorscape!

Use what you have - brass accents for a festive touch!

2) Incorporate heirlooms - why not personalize your festive decorations with a treasured heirloom? Start with what you have. I am sure with a little combing,  you can always find things around the house that can be incorporated My Panchaloha Vishwaroopa originally belonged to my mother-in-law. Paired with a few floating mums in an urli, it makes an eye catching festive display in our home!

3) Color is key! If you are an Aalayam follower then you know that color is our dominant decor mantra and I am saying it again this Diwali.  This variegated table mat adds depth, dimension and an ethnic touch to my accent table Diwali vignette. I chose brass as the core element this season to help me make a statement and stay within budget!

4) Build around a theme or not! Really, decorating is all about letting your creative visions come to life . So, have fun or if you are like me -short on time,  then pick one core element and build around it.     Huge time saver! My treasured brass pieces have been lovingly used in the various vignettes around the house this year. Flowers and colors make the perfect companion accessories - it's Diwali and you can tell!

5) Quirky accents add interest - Why not pair traditional brass accents with a few off the wall accents for a unique creative rendition? The peacock feather adds an element of whimsy, don't you think? I have also included a wooden tray and an etched glass votive holder in complimentary colors for added punch.

styling credits : lakshmi

6) Pay attention to details. Our home is a collection of ethnic accoutrements - pieces lovingly collected over the years. This stone Krishna is a testament to exemplary artistry. Look at the etched details on the garlands and the braid - it is the brilliant handiwork of an artist somewhere in Mahabalipuram, India. Diwali is the perfect time to pay a tribute to such craftsmanship. This vignette was styled by my friend, Lakshmi. She was an enthusiastic accomplice and helped me put together a couple of the vignettes. Looking at this,would you be able to tell she is a Neurologist by profession? Brain circuitry and creative expression - a unique mix of interests, don't you think? Well, that's my friend Lakshmi for you!

styling credits : lakshmi

7) Art meets life - in this exclusive Diwali rendition, Lakshmi captures the ritualistic more of wearing new clothes for Diwali. My addigai (pendant) paired with Raja Ravi Varma's Kerala girl also wearing an addigai makes an interesting art meets life portraiture. So, what are you wearing this Diwali?

styling credits: lakshmi

8) And lastly, a depiction that echoes the shanti mantra (saying) from the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad - Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya - from darkness, lead me to light

A thali dinner awaits my dinner guests! Thali tablescape from my home.

Now, for those of you who are hosting parties and entertaining guests for a Diwali dinner - we have you covered as well! 

 I have talked about the art of entertaining in a previous post . It is an esoteric interest and combining the Indian concept of hospitality with the Western  art of entertaining makes hosting a Diwali dinner that much more fun! This Diwali, I chose the quintessential thali to serve my festive treats. I want my guests to leave with the memories of a bonafide festive meal  ( tall order?) 

 While  I work on putting together our favorite family recipes together, I will leave you with a few snap shots of my tablescape.  

colorful accessories for a festive tablescape!

I custom ordered my table linens from Supriya's friend  on a recent trip to India.  Impressed with her work I commissioned her to create my custom festive table linens and I was thrilled  with the end products. Ethnic colors, patterns and textiles blended to perfection!  I have used the same mats in some of vignettes above and  I love the native flare that these mats impart.

Kalamkari and block print come to life in this one of kind table mat!

And now, an announcement!
Supriya  will feature the artist and creative genius behind the brand Varnangall  (Lavanyaa) in our next post. Her products are the amalgamation of passion, artistry and ethnic identity and you don't want to miss our next two posts. In collaboration with Varnangall, Aalayam will be giving a gorgeous Varnangall product away and here is  a sneak peek into what we are giving away!

You could win this ! Stay tuned for more information on how- Image credits :Varnangall

So, make sure to tune in for more details about the giveaway!

Dear readers, I wish you all health, happiness, prosperity and peace this Diwali. I had a lot of fun styling these vignettes and I hope this will inspire you to kick your decorations up a notch this year! Take a stab and I promise you will enjoy it!

Cheers!
Deepa

P.S: All the images in this post (barring the last one) are from my home and are copyrighted to Aalayam. Please ask before using.