Diwali Ki Shubhkamnayen: 4.11.2007

I am very excited about this decorating idea, since this doesn't fall into the 'traditional' slot yet it has interesting traditional elements in it:-)

Antique ceramic Japanese tiles from Chettinad, look at the interpretation of Goddess Lakshmi!
I completely adore the blue & pink combination. Arrange on your table, float some pink gerberas or lotus if you can get them in glass bowls. I have used simple kerosene lamps to add that white glow to the arrangement and I don't have to worry about it blowing off!

(Images & ideas by Arch, feel free to get inspired and link to me but if you want to use my photographs for some other purpose please send me a mail.)

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Diwali Ki Shubhkamnayen: 3.11.2007

Rustic. Simple. Divine.

I love the simplicity in this style of decorating. Beauty carved in stone. Pluck flowers from your garden, scatter it all around. Float them in stone diyas ( let your creativity flow:-)
Put some pebbles in the diya before lighting them. Add a dash of colour with 'Kum-Kum' or Vermillion and you have a simple yet beautiful decoration ready.
I float flowers in just about any thing;-) So this was a natural choice, flowers in diyas for beauty & festivity!

(Images & ideas by Arch, feel free to get inspired and link to me but if you want to use my photographs for some other purpose please send me a mail.)

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Diwali Ki Shubhkamnayen: 2.11.2007

Diwali- The Festival of Lights, of happiness, of celebration, of prayers, of beauty, of prosperity.

It's a day where we pray to Goddess Lakshmi to fill our lives with health, wealth & happiness.

What better way to decorate, bring out those silverware, line the 'Thali' ( plate/platter) with shiny one rupee coins, fill it up with colour powders of your choice, or get creative fill it up with coloured rice, pulses, shells or crystals!

Offer your guests some chocolates, a great alternative to traditional Indian Sweets;-)
Add some fresh flowers & diyas and you have created a super, shiny, silvery & shiny Diwali arrangement!

(Images & ideas by Arch, feel free to get inspired and link to me but if you want to use my photographs for some other purpose please send me a mail.)

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Diwali Ki Shubhkamnayen: 1.11.2007

Dust that old spice box, bring out that antique jewellery box your mother gave you, better still if it has some compartments in them.

Display it on your center table or that coffee table in your drawing room where you welcome your guests for Diwali.

Fill each compartment with dry-fruits, sugar candies, chocolates, take your pick:-) Drop a tiny tea light candle in one of the slots and see the festive glow it it brings into your home and on the faces of your guests:-)

(Images & ideas by Arch, feel free to get inspired and link to me but if you want to use my photographs for some other purpose please send me a mail.)

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Diwali Ki Shubhkamnayen: 31.10.2007

Diwali is the time when major cleaning, painting, sprucing up is done and homes are transformed into a special abode for Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth)

There is brightness everywhere. My Diwali routine includes taking out all my brass lamps, the simple brass diyas to huge Kerala Lamps.

Here is a simple idea that you can use as a center of interest on your dining table, infront of a picture of Goddess Lakshmi or at the entrance to your home.

Polish those simple brass diyas, place it in between the grooves of an egg tray (which you can pick up from any grocery store). Use any flower of your choice to fill up the gaps in between the diyas. Voila! You have a gorgeous centerpiece ready.

(Images & ideas by Arch, feel free to get inspired and link to me but if you want to use my photographs for some other purpose please send me a mail.)

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Diwali Inspirations...

With Diwali- 'The Festival of Lights' around the corner, I have been looking everywhere for inspiration to decorate my home. There are amazing, sparkly diyas & lamps available in the market, fancy gift packs of dry fruits & sweets, amazing packaging of chocolates and so on but I want to do something innovative, something simple, something beautiful, something traditional, something different.

So why look elsewhere? I keep sharing ideas from my home now and then, but this is the first time I have decided to share Diwali Decorating Ideas formally.

Some ideas & inspirations from my home to your home every single day from today to Diwali that is on 9th Nov, 2007. (Ok, I have said it!)

Now please be with me and do tell me what you think of this. While I try and share some inspiring ideas, the next couple of days...

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Bungalow 8

The name of an unusual home accessories store which is situated in an unconventional location beneath the benches of the famous Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India.
The store's philosophy of juxtaposing contemporary blockprinted linens in Art Deco cupboards, sleek Jaisalmer bathroom accessories on vintage basins is extremely interesting.Bungalow 8 is a store where you'll find an eclectic, traditional & rare mix of furniture & fashion hand picked from India and from all over the world.
The store was set up by Maithili Ahluwalia in 2003 in an unconventional location of a bylane in a residential area and started the minimilist trend. Today she has won many accolades both in India as well as internationally.
Bungalow 8 - "Modern home accessories, Designs inspired from tradition & Global origin".


(images from bungaloweight.com)

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