Diwali is knocking at the door and we are all thinking of ways to deck up our homes. We caught up with Pepsi Kalwani and Shiv Karira, founders of U.D. Events & More, for a special Diwali decor shoot where we explored a variety of ways to do up your home this Diwali. From florals to edibles, brass, glass, candles, bangles and more, we played with a variety of elements. Here’s getting you the looks that could amp up your home’s vibe this season.
Floral Rangoli Theme: Have a brass centrepiece? Better if it has a bird, a flower or any special element. Use this piece as the theme and work with flowers around it to create a floral rangoli. Here we can see a peacock brass centrepiece that we have accentuated with flowers and small candles and used the table further on to create its tail. Marigold flower pod-like pieces can be placed on the sides, along with some edibles to complete the look. Use this as a base and also deck up the wall next to it with rice lights and floral streamers.
Gold and Gota Theme: Use these easily available gota placemats as distinct pieces in your decor by adding candles on top of them. You can even add tealights. Use a metal or glass bowl in the centre and add in some water, flower petals and floating candles. On the sides go for inverted jars with big tealight candles on the inside. Add a touch of green with fresh fern or banana leaves on the side.
Pro tip: Use inverted whisky glasses to stack candles on top and create your own unique candle stand. We love the use of stacked colourful bangles with candles inside.
Diwali Living Room Set-up: This one is extremely simple and handy. Choose your couch and table corner and then get to work. Get some earthen matkas in different sizes from your local markets, some banana or fern leaves, marigold flowers and some lights and coconuts and you’re good to go. The matka and the coconuts add a desi touch to this set-up. You can use the coconut halves and shells as candle stands. Use some floral strings as well as rice lights on the ceiling as well as the walls around to give it a complete look. Funky, colourful and festive cushions and throws can be used to further make this look even more put-together.
DIY Decor Cylinders: If you are in the mood for some innovative DIY then you can use cardboard cylinders and stick mirrors in multiple shapes and sizes to create these pillar-like decor pieces. Add a stand to the side and add a dash of colour with flowers of your choice, some tealights and candles and as earlier suggested, accessorize your decor with lots of locally found leaves. You can even use mirrored fabric, laces, etc to create this look. Investing in a few mirror bases will go a long way as they can be repurposed for various festive occasions.
The Table and Chair Set-up: Amp up your overall furniture with this look that not just covers table decor, but also accentuates the look of your chairs. For the chair decor drapes, you can stack different coloured laces and get them stitched together to create this tied-up decor. Laces with mirrors, golden embellishments, tassles and pom poms are good options to choose from.
For the table set-up, leaves form the base. To this you can get marigold, and juhi and other floral gajras. Mason jars are a hit trend, be it food or home decor and this is your chance to get out those transparent pickle jars to use. Add floral gajras and lights inside these jars. You can even add a bunch by using these as vases. Add in lots of candles, tealights or even rice lights in jars to complete the look. This can easily be the centre piece of your grazing table.
Pictures: Pabitra Das
Event experts Pepsi kalwani and Shiv karira share tips:
Look around: Mostly the stuff that you see around you and at home can be used. Decor always doesn’t need to be fancy and specially purchased.
Mirrors are a big yes: Nothing reflects light better and adds a luxe touch than mirrors, be it as plates underneath your vase, or with tealights and as a base for your diyas.
Use easily available flowers: Ditch the orchid and the lilies and go for your good old genda and juhi phool. Easy on your pockets and abundant in colour and fragrance.
Rice lights can never get old: No matter how evolved the decor gets, some good rice and fairy lights are always a welcome element. Use them differently by adding some inside a vase or a jar, or club them with floral strings. Mix-and-match is your best friend.
Edibles are a big part of decor: Yes, you heard that right. Add small edibles such as multicoloured candy, aam papad, dry fruits in a jar, and small mithai on different bases, trays and even on top of your floral elements to create an interactive decor. You can even use halved coconuts as tealight holders.
Your neighbourhood garden leaves go a long way: Use leaves and ferns from your garden or the local florist to create beautiful embellishments and base for decor elements. You can even spray paint them to add a touch of colour to your decor.
Bring out them funky cushions: Use old blingy saris and dupattas to create vibrant cushion covers and throws that you can add to your couches and chairs.
Bring out mom’s old brass and metal thalis: Floating floral and candle decor is a great corner or even centre table decoration using old thalis, bowls and deep trays.
Floral rangoli is a hot fave: As much as we enjoy looking at intricately done rangoli each Diwali, floral rangoli is a relatively easier way out. Use marigold, Juhi, rose petals in different colours.
For those with kids and pets at home, go for electric candles and tealights instead of real ones.