Nooks and Corners of My Desi Home II

Rediscovering Apartment 408

Sunlight is becoming a rare sight these days in TO. Sub zero temperatures are looming large o’er my little head. I am like a little plant, I perk up when I have sunshine on my shoulders. As an easy alternative, I now derive my cheer from lights, candles and fixtures in my home which are not tragically expensive. And in the process of rediscovering my home this winter, I am also organizing clutter to make streamlined displays.

This is an African book end, which also doubles up as a tea light holder. Enough to keep the dark lady and me warm.

See the halo around the Buddha? Look closely and you will see just a lamp.

A stoneware bowl in white, red and green to float tea lights and petals.

This little tea light in the aromizer is for warmth from a close range.
That little Moroccan lantern just fills both my heart and home with so much warmth every evening.

Something to keep the Goddess’ feet warm too.

Even the walls cried out loud for some attention and look what they got! This curved henna wall sconce. It makes for great mood lighting on my wall of paintings and photographs. It was hand made by artisans of Marrakech, Morocco. I was told its made of stretched goat skin, natural vegetable dyes and the design you see on this sconce is made from henna. Who is afraid of winter now! I have enough reasons to keep my home warm and toasty.

Mandala Madness

I kept staring at it for sometime. It stared back at me. I wondered why had I picked this ugly piece of (Hallare) tea light holder from Ikea two years ago. Then I had liked it.

Today a little ornamental painting on it would at least give it a facelift. Or so I thought.

Armed with my number zero paintbrush, I mixed together Titanium white and Ochre yellow and painted these Mandala-inspired motifs around the aluminum candle dishes.

Mandala is a Sanskrit word which means “circle”. In Buddhist and Hindu art forms, Mandala have spiritual and ritual significance. For me it was enough inspiration to spend a Sunday afternoon doing something eclectic.

And this is what the tea light holder looked at the end of an hour.

P thought it looked “cute”. But then he is biased about his wife.

I’d want to know from you what you think of my little DIY. You know it, don’t you, that your opinion always matters to me…

I am joining Patty’s Weekend Wrap Up Party Week Five with my post. Go check her new post now, its gorgeous.

The Diwali That Was…

The Coconut Laddus I made, the Gulab Jamuns were from a can of Haldiram’s.

Work-in-progress. The empty spaces are for nuts to be filled at the last minute to retain their crunch.

The Uruli was filled with water, rose petals were sprinkled and rose-shaped candles floated.

Alu Gobhi was made with lots of fresh peas, while the Dahi Vada was chilled.

Fresh flowers and potted plants were paired with candles and diyas to create a Diwali atmosphere at Apartment 408, our home.
Fresh sheets and cushion covers were brought out to give the evening a touch of India.

A touch of India also meant some traditional Indian flavors and colors. And gifts.

Candles, diya and strings of lights glittered our home. We were finally ready to welcome our friends to our home for Diwali.

Happy Diwali to everybody. Its now time to think Christmas and New Year’s.

More Diwali-related photos from PreeOccupied are here.