The Durga Puja fervour has taken over — from the malls to the streets, the festive charm has made its way everywhere. While you plan your outfits (get some Puja fashion inspiration here) and finish your last-minute shopping, it’s time to get the Pujo Pujo feeling to your home as well.
My Kolkata has some creative picks to get your home decked up and guest ready for the festive season.
Some tablescaping style
Nestasia
It is a universally acknowledged fact that the festive season is largely about food! Durga Puja is as much about gatherings at home as it is about pandal hopping. If you have guests over for a meal, some trendy tablescaping can go a long way to impress them, along with a delectable festive spread of course. While the taste and flavours are supreme, the presentation also leaves an impression.
Pick a theme or a colour and get creative. If you are serving some Indian cuisine like Bengali or Mughlai, go for some crockery that has a traditional touch. If you want a royal look, go for metal trays, plates, bowls etc. These could be a great investment if you like a well presented table.
Check out: Metal trays from Nestasia
Price: Rs 2,000 onwards
Traditional touch for the living room
@gourabartcraft, Zwende, Studio Artemist
A touch of tradition for Durga Puja will only add to the festive feeling. It’s time to give your living space a new look. If you have an empty wall or need to replace those age-old portraits for the season, then murals and wall-hangings can be great picks. If you are willing to commit to a mural, then clay murals can be a great option. For a quintessential Bengali feel, opt for a kulo wall hanging or go for the classic with wall hangings and paintings of the goddess on canvas.
Check out: Clay mural by @gourabartcraft, Kulo wall hanging by Zwende, Mixed media artworks from Studio Artemist
Price: Rs 700 onwards
Elegance of antiques
Yellow verandah
One can never go wrong with aesthetic sculptures, plus they can always be customised according to the space you have in your homes. You can opt for a big or a small sculpture of Goddess Durga and her children or smaller terracotta figurines sculptures, which are easily available both at offline and online stores. Marble or metal sculptures — like those made of dokra — are also quite popular.
Check out: Marble dust sculpture from yellow verandah
Price: Rs 7000 onwards
Say it with flowers
Flowers add colour and freshness to any Indian festival. While fresh, real blooms have their own charm, artificial blooms can be the ideal decor pick when you don’t have the time to replenish or look after fresh ones. Easy on the pocket, no fear of water spillage, no pollen allergies, no sad withering affair, and the best thing for those of us who cannot keep their succulents alive. You can now decorate your door with artificial marigolds and relax for the next few days of Durga Puja, as they brighten up your home with a pop of colour, or opt for a bunch of kashphool so bring is all the Pujo feeling.
Check out: Yellow and orange marigold garlands, Pampas grass by Tied Ribbons
Price: Rs 400 onwards
Light up your home
Zwende
There’s more than one way to bring a glow to those house parties. Besides fairy lights, string lights and tealights, a beautiful lampshade for your corner lamp can be a great way to add not just lighting but also a touch of personality to your home. Handpainted lampshades, especially customised for Durga Puja, are a great option to add some quirk and Pujo feeling to your space. So when you wake up in the wee hours on Mahalaya to listen to Mahishashur Mardini, keep the lampshade on and set the mood right.
Check out: Handpainted Durga lamp shade from Zwende
Price: Rs 885
A little festive touch
Sprucing up your home doesn’t need big changes or purchases, something as simple as a new cushion cover or rug can liven up your spaces for the festivities, without going overboard. Check these sequined or embroidered cushion covers that look vibrant and are an easy option to play around with to change the overall look of your living room.
Check out: Mandala cushions covers from Etsy, Kasuti embroidered cushion covers from Chumbak
Price: Rs 1000 for a set of six
