Hand-crafted brass objects date back thousands of years. The purpose of these delicate artifacts was utility in some shape or form. But it speaks to man's inherent nature to create things that are aesthetically appealing. Master craftsmen were skilled at making all sorts of brass items, right from utensils and tools to statues and decorations. This skill is slowly dying as demand for these items fade. Like with everything else, craftsmen need to evolve their art so it suits people's design sensibility. But this is a tough nut to crack. The trend today is cleaner, more modern lines. Traditional brass craftsmanship is intricate and detailed, at odds with a truly modern look. Craftsmen have diversified their skills, making popular items like letter and vine bottle boxes with inlaid brass. There is still a market for the truly traditional items as well, like sindoor boxes and diyas. Not surprisingly a lot of our clientele is from Indians living overseas, who want to stay connected with their heritage and want their homes to reflect a part of who they are.
As a community, we should be working towards preserving traditional handicraft methods. It would be a shame to hav skills that have been handed down for centuries die because we didn't care enough. 
Featured in the picture on top is a set of antique brass utensils and wooden boxes with brass sheets. The picture below has replicas of sindoor boxes and combs from a bygone era. 

Ah, blue pottery and white flowers. That's as classic as it get. And so striking. Group them together, split them up, place them in front of mirrors or on a mantel. The contrast of blue and white is simply eye catching. I've sees them in both modern and traditional homes, and the effect is always dramatic. 
Blue pottery urns and vases at Sanskriti Lifestyle come from kilns in India, like Khurja. I am happy to see our traditional potters adapting their craft to a more contemporary palette. I love the traditional styles and colours of khurja pottery and hope we don't lose it to a chinoiserie fad, but for any craft to survive in this age of machines and mechanisation, the artist must adapt. The Indian version definitely has it's own design elements, where some of the Khurja or Jaipur style that tends to be more Mughal in its influences or just plain intricate, trickles through. Personally I love the blending of these influences. 
Original Chinese blue pottery is also abundantly available in stores across India. It comes in a wide variety of quality, but unless you're a connoisseur, it serves the purpose pretty nicely.  
I personally have a beautiful 18" urn from a discount store in Seattle and an antique ceramic and bronze combination vase that I bought from a garage sale.  
For more design ideas on blue pottery, check out Ballard Designs. They have an amazing range of products, if you happen to live in the United States. 

Depending on the type of wood and type of finish, there are simple things you could do that will refresh the look of your furniture. 
Stained or dull furniture
If your furniture has too many glass rim stains, or is looking dull, here's a simple trick- beeswax. Make sure you use one that has no stain or colour so it doesn't alter the look of your furniture. Simply apply some and rub it along the grain. 
Teak wood lost its golden glow? 
Teak that is exposed to the elements will turn grey and lose its golden glow. The teak itself is still good, it's just bleached.  Linseed oil is a good way to bring back the glow. Be prepared to do a fair amount of rubbing as this is what burnishes the wood. 
Colour it
If you just want a new look to your furniture, try a bright colour like a purple or yellow. Keep in mind that while any oil based paint will do the trick, it wouldn't be easy to strip the paint off if you decide you don't like it.  Paint adds a good layer of protection, so if you want to place your teak wood outdoors, the paint will add a more protection than wax or oil. 
We don't recommend placing Sheesham or mango (local hardwood) outdoors. It's simply not strong enough to withstand the elements and will crack, even if it has oil paint on it.
Protecting your carvings
Carving are best protected with wax or oil. Make sure to use a soft brush to get all the details.
How the pros melt wax
Here's a trick I've seen our polish guys use for wax that's solidified- they light a match and throw it in the tin that has the wax. Then they shut the lid tight. The match melts a small portion of the wax, and extinguishes when the oxygen in the jar is used up. Don't try it at home though!

Outdoor spaces should feel like an extension of your homes. It's important to make sure the outdoor areas look warm and inviting too. We at Sanskriti Lifestyle can help you with a few techniques that could help you give a personality to your outdoor areas-


1. Doormats
Doormats are great ways to add a little bit of color to the outdoor area. These are the first things people see when they enter your home-  why stick to the usual? Opt for some quirky ones to give your front door a little spunk.  These creatively wacky mats will definitely add a personal touch to your doors!

2. Furniture
The choice of furniture is all up to you. You can give it a royal, ethnic touch with wooden furniture, or opt for a simple look with light colored garden chairs. Vibrantly colored furniture works well if you wish to create a young, eclectic atmosphere. You can also mix and match your furniture items and have a variety of chairs and benches adorning your front porch. 

3. Plants
Decorating with plants can never go wrong. Taking some inspiration from nature is not only inexpensive but also creates a calming, soothing and healthy environment. Plants bring life to your place and fill it with a natural vibrancy. 

4. Lamps
Bring in some drama to your front porch with some lamps. Vibrantly colored, intricately designed lamps lend a traditional appeal whereas Moroccan lamps help create drama. Lanterns add warmth to outdoor settings. Cheerful color shades brighten up the mood whereas dark colors might make the entrance seem dark and uninviting- choose the colors carefully!


5. Upholstery
Bright colored upholstery makes the outdoor settings cheerful. Throwing in vibrantly colored and/or quirky cushions spruces up the mood immediately. Experiment with textures, colors and eye-catching displays. There is no rule book when it comes to interior decoration. 

No matter what the size of the exterior is, there is always a way to add a personality to the space. Do you have any interesting tips or suggestions? Share them with us! 

Fairy lights can be the perfect way to create a magical and cosy atmosphere in almost any room. Economical and easy to shift, these can be a perfect addition to your home décor (especially this festive season) 

The possibilities of decorating with hanging lights are endless. Here are a few ways we could help you out with-

1. Bed Frame
Winding fairy lights on the headboard and legs of the bed brightens up the entire frame. This decorative fixture helps provide an ambiance to your living space.

2. Jars
You can wrap around the lights on small jars and bottles. You can also fill up glass bottles with these lights for a magnified effect. Colored glass bottles help create a dramatic effect.

3. Window Frame
Fairy lights around a window frame brighten up the entire window. They also double up as wall decorations around window frames. 

4. Curtains
A strand or two along sheer curtains, carefully draped and looped can help create a starry appearance. Use as many strands as possible to suit your taste. This idea works great in living rooms and bedrooms. 

5. Outdoor
Wrap a strand of fairy lights around tree trunks, or around pots and patio furniture. This creates a bright, warm and starry atmosphere in your outdoor area. The combination of lights and gardens is something that can be used throughout the year.