LIGHT ALWAYS FINDS A WAY: A WHIMSICAL DIWALI

I’ve always loved the idea that light finds a way. No matter how dark a place may be, even the smallest bit of light has a way of finding its way through. So for Diwali this year, I decided to get a little whimsical with my decorating. I’ve always had a special love for birdsong, especially when I’m away from home. There’s something so beautiful about waking up in a foreign place and hearing the birds outside your window. Just as birdsong welcomes the first light of the morning, I’ve always felt that same sense of new beginnings with Diwali. I loved the idea of bringing the two together. Diwali is a celebration of light, and I think there’s something beautiful about finding ways to bring the things we personally love into that celebration. Whatever it may be, there’s always a way to weave a little bit of whimsy into the traditions you share with family. And I think that’s what makes decorating for Diwali so special. For me, this year, it happened to be birds and their little homes.

A Little House for Light

My love for birds goes back to childhood, when we had parakeets in our home. I’ve always found them fascinating, from their colors to their songs, and of course, their ability to fly. But the idea of a birdcage has always made me rather curious. We admire birds for their freedom, yet we build these beautiful little houses to keep them inside. Of course, birds raised as pets depend on us for their safety and care, and releasing them into the wild isn’t necessarily safe for them. But the thought of a bird spreading its wings and flying wherever it pleases has always felt quite magical to me. And that’s where the idea for my centerpiece began. I imagined a birdcage with its door left open, with two little brass birds perched on a branch just outside, as though they had flown out and decided to stay close to home. Inside the cage, I placed brass diyas, turning what was once a home for birds into a little house for light. And just like that, the centerpiece for our Diwali this year was born.

Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places

One of my favorite ways to decorate is to find things that weren’t necessarily intended for the purpose I have in mind. I love antique shopping, searching through vintage treasures, and discovering pieces that have already lived a life before finding their way into my home. For this particular idea, I found a vintage brass birdcage from India on eBay. What I especially loved were the two little circular feeders inside, originally meant to hold food for the birds. They happened to be the perfect resting places for my brass diyas. I also found the two vintage brass birds from India on eBay, perched together on a branch.

Bringing the Diwali Tablescape to Life

With the birdcage, brass birds, and diyas in place, I wanted the rest of the arrangement to feel a little more sculptural. I found a beautiful bronzy gold fabric at a local fabric store and used it as the foundation for the tablescape. For the flowers, I picked up white orchids from Trader Joe’s and arranged them in a more sculptural way around the cage rather than placing them in a traditional vase. I love how the delicate white flowers look against the warm brass and gold tones. I also added a few little mirrors from Amazon to reflect the candlelight. While I designed this as a Diwali tablescape, I think it would be just as beautiful on an entry table or in a special corner of your home year-round. And you don’t need to find the exact pieces I used. Something from an antique shop or flea market could become equally beautiful. Sometimes the most beautiful ideas come from giving something old a new purpose.

Light Always Finds a Way

What I love most about this little creation is the story it tells. The cage is open, the birds have found their way outside, and the light has found its way in. We light diyas to welcome goodness, prosperity, and hope into our lives, and I love that this little birdcage has become part of how we celebrate Diwali. I suppose that’s what I find so beautiful about light. It doesn’t need much of an invitation. Somehow, it always finds a way.

Wishing you and your loved ones a beautiful Diwali filled with happiness and prosperity, and above all, a world illuminated with love and light. ✨