Diwali Flatlays

Short days and chilly temperatures don’t seem so cruel when you love to decorate and celebrate the approaching festive season. I have started putting on the glitz to kick start the madness and magic of Diwali at my end. From rustic to glam and goldly to earthen, the possibilities are delightfully endless when it comes to dazzling Diwali décor. Just like last year, I have whipped up something bolder and playful this season for my Diwali special flat lays. 

Flat lay is a perfect way for me to experiment with clusters of my favorite thing in  new combinations to spread the festive cheer. Come Diwali, out comes my hidden treasures. They are actually nostalgia bearers. Taking them out each year is like discovering pieces of history. Updated here are some old standbys and left new classics untouched for Diwali flat lay styling. 

Some colors have power to transport you, red itself being a spirited color, it adds lot of impact and vibrancy anywhere you use during festive season. A classic look of red and gold that never dips out of style here looks sassy and stylist with little bit of green thrown in.

I went for a traditional look with a twist by hopping the fence for this flat lay. Instead of implementing the typical gold details, I enjoyed toying in calmer shades with soft and delicate pastel hues of silver. Mishmash of unrelated things lends a wonderful texture and vibrancy here. I have a thing for all ‘bajoths’. I own quite a few of them..in all shapes and sizes....Did you notice?? In mostly all flat lays I have used different ones….go check it out.  This rectangular one is a new addition in our collection that I recently fetched from BAPS temple in New Jersey. 

I absolutely love the natural color and rustic appeal of terra cotta. The Vintage bits and pieces of terra cotta never fail to add festive vibes in any corner they are placed. Whatever will be the era, the charm and instant glamour of terra cotta will always be appealing. The natural ones as well as the newly fashioned diyas look gorgeously eye catching and chic in this mod meets old scheme. Last few marigolds that survived the cold front came in handy on this flat lay :).  

The terra cotta love continues in this last flat lay also as I had to style and show off newly fetched diyas from my recent India trip. Beside their decorative look, I always look for the ones that can fit the tea-light candle. It minimizes the mess and hassle of working with oil.

Flat lays work as a visual delight; it is a quick, simple way to show off my collection in a creative way.  A strong luxurious statement through my shiny brass, play of flickering diyas and swapping out the accessories spread the perfect festive cheer. 

Hopefully these creative assemblage will put your creative juices into overdrive, so you, too, can craft a festive look that’s just truly your own. Circle back again to see our "Diwali Exchange" post to get you Diwali ready. Until we meet again, toodles!

A Season to Shine (Diwali Flatlays)

It is almost the season to shine. Diwali is just as much about flexing your decorating muscles as it is about cooking all the 'Ladoos' & "Mithais" this festive season. And of course I know more time we devote mulling over varying decorative options, the greater creative scope for our home. Hence with the fanciest pieces of all I took some freedom to put my stamp on flat styling these Diwali goodies. So lets get ready to decorate together for the season known for the classics, traditions and heirlooms with some new trends thrown in. Enjoy this year a different take than Diwali Tablescapes that I did here and here. 

Decor style should always be evolving but while building on your décor scenes- be both original and organic. All you need is to refresh your options and palette with the same pieces that you have been using every season.

Subtle festive elements like floating flowers and the arrangement of unexpected adornments are always an easy way to add extra detail that is sure to give your home a festive look. If you are unseasoned in the fine art of décor, bring in the fresh flowers. It is the safest and easiest way to work or win any style. Colorful runners are definitely your best bet to flaunt timeless Diwali style. No runner? No problem, those fancy dupattas and brocade sarees will look equally elegant when fashioned into a runner. 

Sometimes simply reworking with the same pieces in different ways can get you a whole new look. This year, I am crushing hard on these bright Diwali diyas that I fetched on my last visit to India, they look just as fabulous even when they are not lit. This minimalist, glamorous and uncluttered display is a darling infusion of traditional accessories with some modern elements (a lotus candle and a lantern) thrown in. 

Red and gold is the classic look that never dips out of the style in any season. This particular ensemble perfectly marries that statement. You all know, nothing makes me giddier than the glint of gold and this flat lay is a visual knock out dressed top to bottom in timeless brass gold with a pop of red. 

The collision of different shapes and shades can make a look scream ‘wow” rather than whisper. Seemingly incompatible green and orange combination here creates a dynamic retro look. Dainty motifs in the same color are blending well together from both the 'bajoths' in this vignette. You may test out different styling of the same pieces and pair well with other items. By all means, I pat myself on the back for buying this lotus votive this summer from an antique show. It has been my that ‘same’ piece that I have over used, re-used in every single vignette with of course different styling techniques. 

Opting for little feminine accents here and why not? Diwali is a time where I find myself going in many fun directions for my décor. Experiment with past season items in a new look. The rangoli pieces here were used last year here in a totally different styling. Same goes with my bangle votive holders that I used last year’s Diwali Tablescape here.  You may re-invent the decorative wheel and add some dramatic statement pieces from your jewellery box to your coffee table that can sum up your persona in some way. Find that look and marry it with your décor. Gather up all your brooches in a photo frame or garland a figurine using your showiest neck piece. Possibilities are endless.   

Take plunge with right accessories like flowers, diyas, and brass. For extra brownie points, use all three at once and may be you will be thrilled with the dramatic outcome. Here is my perfectly teamed vignette garnished with an array of pretty gold and glitter that highlights the glamourous side of the season. 

Hope these pretty scintillating scenes from our home inspire you enough to revamp your home for your guests and family this Diwali. Above are the foolproof equations of bright ethnic ensembles that can be outfitted on any flat surfaces in your home. My inspirational Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram boards are equally loaded with ideas and inspiration to get you Diwali ready, so do take a peek. 

 

In addition to this post, I have few more Diwali posts lined up. Do check out a post here that is packed in inspiration for your to drool over as few of my favorite décor divas took over this year for our Diwali Exchange post. Until we meet again, enjoy the time of the year and all the hubbub, toodles. 

Diwali Home Tour ( Living & Family Rooms)

It is the time of the year when I eagerly crave compliments for our festive adorned home and yes I admit, bagging away applauses for something you feel proud is indeed a best feeling :) This year, sparkling setting with a sophisticated golden theme has made our Diwali perfect, exotic and special. A generous sprinkle of our well envied collection has maximized the impact and made our home festive ready for us and the crowd of friends we entertain every year. In order to capture the magic and spirit of Diwali, I have kept a tight rein on the color palette. Deep red from our entrance has been carried forward into our living room.

Come step in, to tour our festival ready Living Room and Family Room to soak in all the extra special details we deliberated for this year's Diwali.

Coffee table happens to be the centerpiece of any room and adding an element of drama on it will draw an eye with irresistible focus. Let your fertile imagination flow and give a big decor punch for Diwali, by adding a bit of sparkle and shine on your Coffee table. And you will notice how it instantly changes the whole decor dynamics of the room. In our home, our NEW collection, a handsome musical troupe of “Ganesha”, is displayed on our coffee table, adding a new dimension and sparkle to the existing array of displayed collections.

The new frolicking group was pre-destined to join our cherished collection and become our all-time favorite. Here is a closer look for each one. 

By now, you are all aware that brass is a must-have element in my bag of décor tricks. Just as it does for every festive occasion, our collection of brass has cast an inimitable landscape this year too for Diwali. Every successful collection begins with a carefully devised purchase and I want to thank my husband’s keen eye for his addiction of hunting for antiques and one-of- a- kind pieces. It is the allure lent by these treasures that enabled me to shape our home with a sparkling appeal.



Let us dwell a minute on the show stopping corner of our living room. I placed colored votive in a "ghunghroo" embellished plate on the side table to boost the drama. The burst of colors from votive, coupled with the festival staples, the candles and flowers is exuding a warm and welcoming spirit this corner. Come dusk, with the flickering lights splattering colorful hues, this show stopping corner is sure to steal the show from the coffee table ;).

If you have been with  me on my "Diwali with Pinkz" journey on Instagram, you must have seen few of our prized collections. Here is a round up of few for them again for those who missed it. Due to the herculean cleaning task and heftiness, these vintage pieces appear only on special occasions in my décor.

The charming jumble of all traditional artefacts compliment our neo-traditional living room, that has a bit of modernity thrown in from the furniture and other accessories. 

Diwali is rooted in glimmerings and socializing. My most favorite thing during this time, is to spend leisurely evenings with family and friends, basking in the hypnotizing glow cast by the flickering lights. 

As the evening unfolds, beautiful glow spreads out all over the room from liberally placed candles around the room. The blazing fireplace adds the much needed warmth on this nippy fall evenings. With overflowing crowd of friends and family, conversations and giggles in this cozy room make the best memories for years to come. Oh, I love this time :).

Let us step into my family room. I took a creative freedom in my family room as well for the festival. The game here is upped by adding a pop of fuchsia all over the glamorous gold.

I added a thali (plate) to serve as a center tray over my coffee table in family room.  One of the studded 'rangoli’ from my rangoli collection came in handy to work in sync with the colors of the bloom.

I keep trying new approach to freshen up the décor rotating the things I have on my hand. Few beloved ethnic pieces are mixed here with modern elements on the side console table. The juxtaposition of the modern and antique elements stand out with an interesting visual mix.

In order to enhance the depth of the theme of Diwali, every corner is adorned with plentiful glows and fireplace mantel has also became the victim of the same.  Few flickering clay diyas and collective lamps have vivified the otherwise monotonous space here. 
 

The all dressed and festive ready room with luster and shimmer is now calling upon me to relax, put my feet up and enjoy the celebrations.

A piece of work by our teenage daughter on our chalkboard

Wrapping up the post by sending in the good wishes from our family to yours. Have a happy, happier and happiest Diwali  Enjoy the celebrations, gobble up all the goodies and have a blast enjoying the festival. I might squeeze in the rangoli post, so stay connected on facebook page and instagram for more decor inspirations. Until we meet again, toodles!

You may visit our last year's Diwali ready home here and here. If you have missed this year's Diwali decked up entrance head right here.