Rang Barse...Holi Themed Party

First of all, a big bear hug on passing the mark on 20K followers on Instagram and almost 7K on Facebook. So far it has been surreal and exciting journey filled with glory and gooseflesh in equal measure. However, learning and exploring has never ended. While staying true to our roots, I want to push the creative envelope and provide with the best and distinctly unique posts (implying I have a wonderful home tour line up). I am so grateful for the phenomenal support over the years. For all the people who have looked through my passion to help them choose their home décor stories, I am humbled, touched and incredibly thankful.   

As you all already know that I’m a sucker for a themed party.  Maybe it’s because of the fact that I love decorating and designing spaces but I also think I’m drawn to this kind of parties because it brings out inner happiness, positivity and vibrancy in me. Think about it, have you ever seen a themed celebration and thought it looked boring?  I don’t think so.  You just can’t help but be in a good mood when you are surrounded by vibrant colors, good food and of course great company. So, given a chance again, I pounced on an opportunity to organize one at home for the upcoming ‘Holi’ festival. 

When it comes to this festival of vivacity which is so vibrant, cheerful, and festive, you can never be verve enough. I decided to choose the quirkiest and the most colorful ambiance I can go for!  I brought out all the brass pots & colors I had and played around with the setting and voila...the center piece was created in less than few minutes. 

When everything about Holi is as vivacious it could be, having a dull ambiance can make your Holi party a major disappointment amongst your guests. Keeping the same thoughts in my mind, I incorporated a whimsical set-up with the help of my traditional danglers and marigold garlands to create an aura that would be perfect for Holi celebrations. 

I opted for a multicolored theme and added in beautiful and colorful paper flowers that complement the theme well. These paper flowers have been collected over the time from Michael’s and have been used abundantly in my many other décor parties but they are just perfect for adding more colors. I think that’s the main key for a great party design. Don’t worry about every little detail instead work toward creating spaces that have a big impact. 

Adding a festive interior spice always makes the on-going festivity of chiming cocktails, devouring Holi delicacies and delicious tête-à-têtes into a memorable one.   

Tiny details add up to make parties truly unforgettable. These simple, on theme, quick, easy and cheap plates made a big statement on the overall setting. By adding a clear tape, I painted the foil paper plate to splash some more colors and it worked out brilliantly. It was a serious shortcut that I think anyone could use for adding more color. 

Be it Holi or Diwali, with the weather as appalling as ours, my whole attention turns indoors, where I take great pleasure in entertaining because there is no better place to be than home for any celebration.

My ultimate canvas of this bay window has taken on so many entertaining identities over the years, yet again won to bowl everyone over. When you work with creativity consistently, you are able to reuse stuff from project to project because items picked with versatility in mind. Just changing the accents they go with creates a totally different and new look.   

The ultimate party favor was my 'Thandai' flavored kulfi but oh, hang on, there was something else ;). You know that we go far and beyond the usual when it comes to theme parties hence the post can not be officially completed without inserting  our colorful selves here. I like to set the tone right out of the gate, which for me means, a beautifully dressed us in welcoming the guest on the song of “Rang Barse”. After all, it’s the first glimpse of what lies in the future and I like to give guests a taste of what’s to come.  

These festivals graciously allow us to remember old days especially to those who are far away from India, where any celebration of any festival is always at the peak. These little pleasures just make you forget your worries and jive to the inner rhythm of life, isn’t it? So, make a splash with these ideas for your next high voltage themed event and bag away all the applaud. Until we meet again, stay connected and enjoy all the festivities at your end, toodles!  

To see how I change the same space on different festivals, themed parties or occasions...see here for my South Indian Themed Diwali Party or here and here for Valentine Fun parties.  

Effortlessly Put Together (Home Tour of Arati Jani)

In the midst of the lush green mountains and beyond the cotton candy clouds is a home of our today’s home owners, who are very close to my heart. Hailing from Ahmedabad originally, the Jani couple’s life has been a roller –coaster. Migrating from India to Africa, Africa to Canada and now finally settled in the quite lane of sunny Texas, USA, the couple has spent a good chunk of life leaving good friends and wonderful memories everywhere they have settled.  

Meet my mommy away from home – Arati Jani. Even though we are not blood related, even though I have only known her for a slice of my life, I always feel like her own. A woman who built me up, kept me strong and who also took my mother’s place when she couldn’t be there. With a significant influence, she has loved me as if I was one of her own, and some days made me really believe I was. 

With the mutual respect and good attitude, the incredible power pair Paresh & Arati, is never quite on the same page yet their romantic admiration in each other with each passing year is quite inspiring for many, including us. 

Arati definitely isn’t one to get caught up in the typical rules of design when it comes to home décor or fashion. She is resourceful, creative and inventive with her own taste. Since the couple’s lifestyle is now carried on a smaller footprint where casual entertaining and friendly gatherings take front seats, Arati has created a space where their easy-breezy and carefree lifestyle can be accommodated without much fuss and with lots of friends.

Crowd-friendly couple’s typical weekend is spend having friends over for small bites and drinks followed by a gala dinner with Arati’s tried and tasted recipes. This perfect sized comfortable dining area takes care of the couple’s entertaining where everything from silver wares to napkins and from pickle jars to table-mats are placed on the table for easy reach. 

And the personal touches continue on the gallery wall. The collage wall for display is an affordable way to transform a wall and at the same time express yourself. The family pictures (including me) featured above the dining are an assortment of sentimental memories and pieces that Arti is drawn to. A visual history is paired beautifully with the right context.

No-fail trick is helping Arati here to marry pieces of various styles and eras perfectly. Arati has used the pieces that she loves the best and have created memories with them rather than letting them sit in a cupboard and collect dust. Every piece in this mismatched collection that feels like a perfect set has a story to tell. 

This is the brightest and breeziest spot in the house. With a beyond comfortable mix of seating they flop down on their designated chairs, revel in the she,
er bliss of stretching out or reach for that remote and turn on the tv for a movie or a favorite program. 

Everything in this sunny window lined room feels comfortably lived in and well loved. The living room packs an amazing amount of function into a perfectly designed space. So much attention is focused on being comfortable with perfectly controlled lights of side lamps, well-placed tables to hold that milk shake (for Paresh’s sweet tooth) at night and a soft blanket for the chills of ceiling fan - quite impressive. By the way, can you spot an art piece (gifted to Arati) by our daughter?

Gallery walls can pose a bit of a intrigue. One more collage wall with the rich mix of frames, shapes and styles delivers a layered look while disguising television in plain sight. She likes mixing things that don't really go together but it totally complements the style of her house.

Arati is an everyday feeder. With her magic touch Arati has turned a cozy, compact kitchen into a hard-working, stylish and organized space which keeps home-made food in check for the couple. The kitchen has always been “hospitality central” in Jani’s home, where everything you need is at hand without rummaging around. Placed all up-to-the-minute convenience, she has made the use of the space around the cooktop. 

Texans tend to take advantage of every dry and beautiful day they get. Sometimes that amounts to an impromptu party outdoors with favorite neighborhood friends enjoying cocktails and feasting on local fare. When it comes to stocking the bar Paresh has only have one rule: "Don’t run out." They always stock up on ingredients for a signature cocktail and a special wine or two. They have enough to accommodate the mood and need of everyone when party spills over until midnight.

Other times, it’s a relaxed home cooked meal or a walk to a nearby golf course. Their big and beautiful backyard with dotted greens is their favorite place for their morning tea or evening drinks watching the stars curling up in their favorite chairs. 

Classic shape and neutral color are the best recipe that you can always update the look of the room by simply changing the accessories. Its truly Arati’s passion that made her builder basic space from plain to pleasing.  

Texas had never been on top of our travel list. We would take a light jacket and a chilly day instead fierce sun and tumble weeds but as soon as the couple moved there I had to reconsider my biases (we have been there already countless times). It turns out that alongside hot humid weather & cowboys, Texas has opened a welcoming home for us where we are always loved, pampered and fed lots of Mexican food ;).

Thank you Arati & Paresh for allowing us in your home virtually. Wish you the best of the world. Can't wait to see you soon.

With holidays approaching, hope my readers are ready to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year. I have one more home tour in pipeline so circle back and until we meet again here, stay connected on social feeds, toodles!