7 easy ways to pump up the style quotient of your house

Cluttering consoles with an overload of accessories is passé. A few judiciously selected accessories will also do the trick. Here the console itself has been given its due importance by setting it against a contemporary artwork. The palette draws from happy festive hues such as marigold orange and kumkum red, balanced with cool blues and greens.

1. Abstract dot art painting, Defurn, Rs 25,000;

2. Patch chair, Defurn, Rs 14,000;

3. Eames House Birds wooden (replica), Defurn Rs 6,800 each;

4. Lamp Home, Abaca, Rs 9,500;

5. Powder stone origami hurricane small, Abaca, Rs 600;

6. Powder stone origami hurricane big, Abaca, Rs 900;

7. American walnut wooden console, Defurn, Rs 77,500;

8. Melango cushion cover charcoal, Nur at Tranceforme, Rs 1,050;

9. Cushion cover blue, Nur at Tranceforme, Rs 1,450;

10. Handmade beige rug 5 ft x 8 ft, Defurn, Rs 25,000.

Elegant Mid-landing

Dead spaces such as mid-landings can do with a dose of style. This composition also infuses a celebratory feel with the use of fairy lights. Teaming a mirror with a console can never go wrong. Soften this setting with a clutch of accessories and flowers. Art and other decorative objects needn't be always mounted on walls. They can be simply propped against one. Tall elements will highlight the area further. In this case we have used a hat stand, but it could very well be a vase with a tall spray of flowers. It's important to get the scale right. For a landing bigger than this one, the composition should proportionately be larger.

1. Oval wooden frame mirror, Defurn, Rs 9,500;

2. Coat Stand American oak, Defurn, Rs 18,500;

3. Animal face wall art small (wooden), Defurn, Rs 15,000;

4. Bottle green glass vase small, Defurn, Rs 8,500;

5. Ceramic platter, Defurn, Rs 1, 500;

6. Vintage jar metallic finish, Abaca, Rs 1,500;

7. Rustic finish wooden corner table, Defurn, Rs 30,000.

A Corner to Unwind

There's nothing like a small corner that allows you relax with your favourite book and a cup of tea. An assortment of cushions in happy colors ups the comfort quotient. The library itself can serve as a display point for your collectibles. Remember, it's important to select furniture that blends style with ergonomics. Having an area rug will also give you the option of lounging.

1. Abstract art wall painting, Defurn, Rs 25,000;

2. Cushion cover tent pillow small, Freedom Tree, Rs 1,140;

3. Embroidered cushion cover pink, Abaca, price on request;

4. Embroidered cushion cover orange, Nur at Tranceforme, Rs 1,650;

5. Patch net cushion, Shades of India at Tranceforme, Rs 6,000;

6. Hans Wegner Peacock Chair walnut (replica), Defurn, Rs 55,000;

7. Herringbone pattern handmade carpet, Defurn, Rs 8,000;

8. Orange ceramic vase with lid, Defurn, Rs 12,000;

9. Wooden book shelf, Defurn, Rs 12,000;

10. American oak solid wooden log table, Defurn, Rs 30,000;

11. Ceramic rustic vase green (large), Defurn, Rs 15,500.

Centre of Attention

Centre tables can be tricky to decorate. A simple solution is to use a tray as a canvas to create a stylish ensemble rather than wracking your brains on how to prop up the entire table. For one, this allows you greater control over the area that needs to be stylized since its smaller. Secondly, it creates a focal point on the table which is much more preferable to a random scattering of artifacts. And thirdly, it leaves the rest of the table free for use. Make sure to play with height rather than having a flat tablescape. For instance here, instead of simply putting the votives on the tray, we have elevated them on upturned wine glasses.

1. Abstract art wall painting, Defurn, Rs 25,000;

2. Table lamp cardboard lampshade, Defurn, Rs 14,500;

3. Stole Silk Kantha, Freedom Tree, Rs 3,600;

4. Two-seater sofa designed by Mario Mazzer, Defurn, Rs 1,06,000;

5. Eames coffee table American walnut (replica), Defurn, Rs 19,500;

6. Vintage jar amber, Abaca, Rs 1,500;

7. Fragrance candle gold, Peacock Life, Rs 1,550;

8. Orange cup candles with aroma, Peacock Life, Rs 1,550;

9. Ceramic White pot Diffuser + oil with 5 sticks, Art Box, Rs 550.

Light Delight

The gentle glow of a flame, slivers of lights filtering through filigreed surfaces, jewel-toned illumination spilling out of coloured glass, small votives twinkling in a row, an arrangement of hurricane lamps in a balcony, decorative candlestands as centre pieces on a table, coloured pillars on a side table, bejewelled votive holders, decorative lamps that set the mood for a party… Truly, there can be no celebration without light! Presenting a selection of decorative candle stands and lanterns for the celebrations.

1. Straight book shelf designed by Dedeuvivet, Defurn, Rs 65,000;

2. Red glass hanging lantern, Art Box, Rs 400;

3. Silver lantern, Peacock Life, Rs 1,650;

4. Motif carving metal lamp, Art Box, Rs 750;

5. Coloured glass hanging t-light-holders, Art Box, Rs 350 (per piece);

6. Nickel round votive, Abaca, Rs 1,050;

7. Square t-light-holder, Peacock Life, Rs 650;

8. Red glass candle-holder, Peacock Life, Rs 600;

9. Brass candle-holder, Peacock Life, Rs 1,000;

10. Droplets metal lamp, Art Box, Rs 750;

11. Peach glass candle-holder, Freedom Tree, Rs 1,080;

12. Votive with engraving, Peacock Life, Rs 1,280;

13. Leaf t-light-holder, Peacock Life, Rs 850;

14. Stone square red pillar, Abaca, Rs 1,050 (each);

15. Resin ball lamp, Silver Oak, Rs 3,900;

16. Square tray with votives, Freedom Tree, Rs 1,600;

17. Oval powder stone hurricane lamp, Abaca, Rs 900;

18. Bucket candle-holder, Peacock Life, Rs 3,000;

19. Iron green perforated lantern, Peacock Life, Rs 1,750;

20. Golden fragrance candle, Peacock Life, Rs 1,550 & White pillar candle, Abaca, Rs 490;

21. Hanging votive, Freedom Tree, Rs 780;

22. Tree t-light-holder, Peacock Life, Rs 2,500;

23. Gold-leafing treasury bowl medium, Silver Oak, Rs 6,190;

24. Old Indian lantern candle-holder, Peacock Life, Rs 3,000;

25. Tall black lantern with candle, Silver Oak, Rs 9,125.

Delectable Dining

Joy, laughter, companionship, sharing, caring and bonding… a lot can happen over a meal. Make a special occasion even more special by selecting the right elements. This light-hearted setting would serve well for an informal al-fresco get together. Here, whimsical crockery balances the refined solidity of the wooden table. Fresh hues in an offbeat ethnic print teamed with floral elements celebrate the joy of togetherness. Stay away from the perfectly matched look and experiment with patterns, textures and materials.

1. Cattelan Italia American walnut dining table (replica), Defurn, Rs 2,50,000;

2. Square platter rainblue, Freedom Tree, Rs 660;

3. Cereal bowl, Freedom Tree, Rs 320;

4. Fluted jar, Freedom Tree, Rs 560;

5. Hanging votive large, Freedom Tree, Rs 780;

6. Copper bowl, Silver Oak, Rs 5,900 (small), Rs 6,309 (big);

7. Ikkat dinner plate (set of 4), Freedom Tree, Rs 2,480;

8. Turquoise leaf napkin ties, Shades of India at Tranceforme, Rs 2,200;

9. Nikash table mat, Freedom Tree, Rs 1,140;

10. Salad server, Freedom Tree, Rs 620;

11. Teakwood bowl medium, Silver Oak, Rs 5,445;

12. Lime green and blue plate, Abaca, Rs 200 (each);

13. Wonderland water jug, Freedom Tree, Rs 1,000;

14. Cruet set, Freedom Tree, Rs 180;

15. White ware fluted lidded bowl small, Freedom Tree, Rs 560;

16. Bobble mint drinking glasses, Freedom Tree, Rs 1,080 (set of 6);

17. Anar cool kaati, Freedom Tree, Rs 180 (each);

18. Ikkat jolly jar, Freedom Tree, Rs 1,160 (set of two).

Lounging in Style

If you are a fan of the bold and the beautiful, striking geometric shapes and solid colours might just be your thing. A monochromatic scheme that is uplifted at points with a splash of colour (or two) can look quite dramatic. A word of caution: select one dominant pattern and let the others take a back seat by way of subdued colours or fine prints.

1. Floor Lamp, Defurn, Rs 31,000;

2. Black and grey abstract painting, Defurn, price on request;

3. Wooden tripod side table small, Defurn, Rs 14,500;

4. Wave black cushion cover, Abaca, Rs 2,550;

5. Black velvet cushion, Peacock Life, Rs 550;

6. Low lounger blue, Defurn, Rs 35,000;

7. Nishat grey cushion cover, Abaca, Rs 2,550;

8. Chevron pattern carpet, Defurn, Rs 21,000;

9. Origami hurricane lamp, Abaca, Rs 600;