For that feel-good factor
PRODUCTS: It is that time of the year when the market is flooded with an array of home decor products. Bindu Gopal Rao explores the latest launches ahead of Valentine’s day.
Cashing in on the concept of Valentine’s day, most home decor firms launch a range of products. Take IRIS, from Ripple Fragrances, for example.
They have introduced their unique collection of fragrance pouches available in two sets of fragrance variants, one with eva beads in an attractive satin pouch that comes in fragrance variants of vanilla and lavender.
Another set of fragrance pouches with eva beads in a gorgeous ethnic cloth pouch with attractive motifs that comes in the Fragrance Variants of Rosemary and Vetivert range. A practical use of the pouch would be to place them in drawers or wardrobes making sure your clothes smell divine and fresh instead of musty and damp.
Zolijns, the furniture boutique is showcasing an exclusive collection of stylish home accessories and furniture in red and white. Home Collective brings a complete range of Valentine’s Day products. Mother Earth goes the whole hog in their offering of cheerful heart-shaped fabric buntings to decorate and infuse any living space with colour. According to Archana Kumari Singh, President of Frazer and Haws, “We have put together an eclectic range of products that lift your mood and the ambience by their sheer design and conceptualization.
Besides, silver is a precious metal and the hence the perfect choice for this occasion. The Aroma Diffuser can be used for seductive or romantic fragrances to mystify the mood while candle stands and photo frames appropriately placed in the home, room or a particular corner add nostalgia.”
Decor ideas
Buy aroma candles of all shapes and sizes and light every one of them, throughout the house. Select window curtains or dressings that are plush, alluring and dark. Flower decorations are an all-time favourite, and yes, think beyond roses. Carnations are another great choice. From art metal sculpture to paintings and other wall art, changing the accessories can bring a snug comforting feeling to your home. Rugs not only feel good and warm under your feet, but also add colour and texture to any room. You may want to decorate with red or pink colour. Add these colours and accessorise pillows and candles. Velvet is apt for the soft mushy feel. Look out for bed sheets and cushions in vibrant rainbow colours. Throw in multiple cushions as they give a cozy feeling.
Thomas Johan, Sr GM Retail Operations and Institutional Sales, @home explains, “first and foremost and the most basic, clean up the mess and make the house look nice and inviting. Decorating your living room for Valentine’s will make it feel warmer and more welcoming. Proper use of colour can brighten the mood. It’s probably not practical to paint your room every season. A colourful paint for the living room can enliven it. By adding a few freshly cut flowers, you can add warmth to your decor. Wooden lampshades and bright antique pieces in the drawing room will do wonders.”
In fact, all spaces in a home can be done up. You can adorn your kitchen with indoor plants, especially the small ones. Plants always bring a fresh feeling to the kitchen’s interior design. Get placemats, dishes, bowls and other cutlery that match the theme of your day. Have soft romantic music playing in the background. Kiran Ranga, Managing Director, Ripple Fragrances opines, “Lighting scented candles and placing them around the house instead of using jarring bright lights will help soften the mood. Also using reed diffusers which can permeate fragrant essential oils will help create the aromatic experience that can put one in the romantic mood.” Use electric bulbs, glow stars to illuminate the exteriors.
You can also adorn the entrance door with beautiful wreaths. From colour schemes to curtains, furniture to bed sheets, this probably is the right time to go shopping. “You might paint your walls or simply match the colour combination with your upholstery. Place flowers, natural or artificial, all around your house. This will make your home more vibrant and lively. A great idea would be to use mistletoes and poinsettias, the traditional flowers. You may also float flowers or petals in a large crystal or glass bowl. Collect a set of suitable plates and add bowls and platters that coordinate. Place colour glass balls or marbles or even beads in glass bowls and place it on the centre or side table,” says Vandana Khosla, Creative Director, Elvy Lifestyles. Prof. K. Jaisim, Jaisim-Fountainhead, adds, “Soft lighting using mood systems and LEDs in tune with music and light candles to add life.”
Special nooks
Mukul Goyal, Principal Designer and Director Designwise India Pvt. Ltd- Mukul Goyal and Tattva Art Hardware, offers tips to enhance your bedroom decor. “Lighting can be very effective and candles can evoke feelings of intimacy. Besides, they should be grouped together in many corners of the room for the best effect.
One should place mirrors in such a way that it will reflect the softened light. This will give more depth to your bedroom. You should select such window curtains or dressings that are plush, alluring and dark so that it can curb lights from traffic or any sort of external noise.” To make your home a more inviting and alluring place, choose big, comfy furniture, feel-me fabrics, dimmed lights, light music, aroma candles and floating candles to do up your house.
“Arrange candles in your bedroom, living area. Floating candles in shades of pink and red in a crystal bowl also looks ideal for the special occasion. Get roses, carnations in shades of white and pink to beautify the house and spice up your moments. Add red cushions in your living area or bedroom, and also use twinkle lights to sparkle up your home,” says Sumita Garg, AGM, Design to build, EVOK.
Red being the predominant colour that is symbolic of love and romance, you can liberally splash it in the form of paintings, artwork, cushions and other accessories. “Lots of candles, dim lights, and tall floor lamps enhance the feeling of romance. One could further accentuate the feeling by using lots of red flowers in urlis or floaters,” says pottery artist Anju Kumar.
