Tara*, the former editor of BBC Good Home, wrote to me last week introducing Heaven & Home and asked if I would feature them on “dress your home”. I’m honestly overwhelmed by the number of e-commerce home decor/furnishings sites that have sprung up this past year like Shopo, afday and Rajee Sood Home. And then, there are all those new enterprising creators of all those wonderful things sold on these sites.

Bhavna of An Indian Summer already did a fabulous job of introducing Heaven & Home to the design/home decor blogger community and reaching out to a much bigger audience. So, I’m going to keep it brief by focusing on what I like about Heaven & Home.

1. The landing page requires you to register. Hidden message: the founders are serious about what they are offering/selling. It’s not a hobby; not a business a bunch of people started together on a whim. Product presentation matters and H&H has clinched it.

2. Short-lived deals: In a weird way, the moment I landed on the home page, Crazeal (the Indian spinoff of Groupon) flashed in my mind. For no good reason.  I think the human mind is wired to glow instantly when it sees the word “sale” (at least mine is); it doesn’t matter if it is sale all year round at all the stores across the city.  The trick I think is in the words used to make believe you are really getting a good deal (when in reality you may pay what it’s worth, or sometimes more). The job gets easier for Heaven & Home because pictures do the talking. I mean who can resist a colorful cushion like this one, for instance?

3. Distinguishing products: Table runners, cushions, and other soft furnishings are easy to come by.  With so many creative people around us, it’s not tough to find what you like within your budget. But products like decals I’m not sure I’ve seen elsehwere.

What I would like to see more of:

Not the same deals being repeated after a day or two. More product listings which I think will grow with H&H.

In all, a professionally curated site that has been executed with precision.

Sidenote: I know I’ve turned down quite a few feature requests since October. Just got back to blogging but the frequency will continue to be low. If you have a great product you’d like to be featured, please drop me a note.

Image courtesy: Heaven & Home

We’d been to Trichy for the Pongal weekend. Pongal marks a new beginning and end of margazhi - a month I fondly remember for the huge colorful kolams adorning the streets. There was a time when I used to leave for school on my cycle a few minutes early, a few minutes to revel in new color combos and twists to age-old rangolis.

The dexterity with which the ladies draw kolams never ceases to amaze me; it seems so easy but you realise the intricacies only when you soil your hands with colors. The perfect intersection of lines and the angled curves comes with years of practice. It’s not just about colorful kolams - a wide array of colors complement each other beautifully - be it huge bunches of orange turmeric, white mango ginger, stacks and stacks of black sugar canes, or the greenish white bouquets of teeny tiny neem flowers. They all come together.

Over to pictures…

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Home spic and span? Check. Bought diyas? Check.  Shopping? Check. Made sweets? Check.  Rangoli design? Check. Diwali menu? Check.

Somehow this Diwali doesn’t really feel like one for me. Maybe because it falls in the middle of the week, and most offices are off only tomorrow. So, there isn’t much activity in the sweet shops, or on the roads, in general, as compared to every year; at least where I live.

If you haven’t picked up flowers, or something nice to spruce up your decor, don’t fret. You can create one with the stuff from your kitchen and your backyard. Or, if you are all set and just browsing looking for some more inspiration, then here you go. Some fire play in water from Martha Stewart just for the big day.

Who says you need flowers? A handful of beans and candles are all you need to create a mesmerizing effect as this.

Floating candle centerpieces are easy to create but the effect is instantly magical.

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I’m way too lazy to take part in the giveaways at the blogs. A little nudge from Pat got me out of my slumber to take part in the giveaway from Shopo on Colours Dekor. Here’s my Diwali wish list:

What’s Diwali without earthen lamps? This over-sized one than the traditional ones seems visually appealing. Don’t you agree?

The camel looks so cute. Honestly, I’ve never seen a camel like this before. Very crafty.

And finally, this colourful patchwork Kantha cushion cover from Anek Designs. Kanika: Love your table runners and cushion covers.

Happy Diwali, everyone.

Image courtesy:

Shopo

Last year, I asked my son to paint a terracotta urn. I let the glazing colors and his imagination flow uninhibited. True to my expectations, it was a riot of colors. We filled the urn as a centerpiece for diyas at the entrance, filled with water and floated some candles and flowers. It was amazing and every time someone commented it was beautiful, he beamed with joy.

Then this summer, got him a dozen diyas and asked him to paint and decorate. the painted diyas will get lit up this Diwali. I’m sure you’ve tried it. If not, get your kids into action this Diwali holidays.  Some of my favorite painted diyas again from the BBC GoodHomes FB page:

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It’s late Sunday afternoon. I’m sure most of you are excited and exhausted by Diwali preparations and shopping. Making sweets is not a very elaborate affair here. So, I just made a couple dozen gulab jamuns and lemon cake (for a change). Will be making rawa ladoo, coconut barfi and some savory tomorrow.

Have you picked up this month’s edition BBC GoodHome yet? It arrived in mail earlier this month, and one look of it felt like it was a collector’s copy. Beautiful in every way and packed with hundreds of ideas. I haven’t seen such a idea-filled copy in a really long time. Every page is worth devouring (I know not the right choice of word) , but that’s exactly how I felt. The staging, styling of home and ideas were very creatively executed. Don’t know if they have any images online but check out their FB page.

I usually look for Rangoli ideas a day or two before and assumed you must be doing the same too. Some rangoli ideas for you from GH Diwali contest:

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I was happy to discover Swedish home fashion site SIA. As lovly as the products are, the site is also a mine of styling and home decor ideas that can be easily adapted here to up the glitz and glamour quotient this Diwali. From what kind of flowers will look good in what kind of vases as centerpieces to how to mix and match candles, you’ll find it all.

So, are you ready for some quick exploration?

If you have a silver jug, you could turn into a vase with two or three stems of scented flowers like Rajnigandha to bring richness.

A

Colored candled in a metallic container on a wooden table completes the picture.  A cluster like the one below, or even a single piece like this, coupled with some bright flowers will look attractive.

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I saw a peacock feather inspired centerpiece and was floored by the vibrancy and the life the colors brought to the table. Not too many colors, but the color play from blue and green has a stunning effect over all against the dark wood table. It’s fresh, nothing like you’ve seen before. The silkiness of the fabrics, ribbons coordinate well with the peacock feathers. The simple white vase accentuates the beauty.

Would you use this idea for your Diwali setting? Combine this with a few floating candles and the picture is perfect.

Craving for more? Stay tuned for more styling ideas tomorrow.

Pat: This is for you. I’m sure you loved it.

Image courtesy:

Love and weddings

Diwali is still more than a week away. But doesn’t it feel nice to get your lighting - diyas and tealights ready? I was thinking why not bring in more color with such hanging lanterns this year? I’ve got one red one hanging in my balcony along with my hanging planter. I’m thinking adding a couple more would make the balcony look stunning along with the diyas.

What are your plans? Are you going completely traditional this year with just diyas, or do you intend to create some drama with the lights?

Some places where you get such lanterns are The Bombay Store, fabindia, and Bliss.

Image courtesy:

Not on the high street Also check out fab and funky

Ever heard of Reshma Anand? I did not until I read her profile in ET and was pleasantly surprised to learn she is the founder of a arts store called “Earthy Goods”. With a corporate background in Hindustan Unilever, Reshma started Earthy Goods in 2007 after a 4-month road trip that took her to numerous rural villages across India.

You’ve got to check out the store and I’m sure you’ll be over the moon. Head over to Earthy Goods and indulge in some retail therapy. This is the perfect time of the year to get some home accents too…and if you’re already done with your share of shopping, never mind. Indulge by seeing

I know I know..lanterns yet again. But, I can’t help it. I just love them. these are hand-blown and comes in such fabulous colors that you just can’t resist.

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