By Bani Chawla
Even though, personally, browsing through and scouring stores is a more thrilling experience, online shopping has added a whole new meaning to our lifestyles today. Ordering to ones door step is so much more convenient than actually taking time out to go shopping. And, it so turns out that a lot of these websites stock products that aren't available in stores. So it works out great both ways. Here are a few websites that are top picks for me. I have personally ordered and connected with a few of the website owners themselves, and have had a great shopping experience in terms of customer service and product quality.
We'll keep adding to this list to expand your virtual experience with home & decor.
The Home Label | www.thehomelabel.com
Directed and styled by Suzzanne Roshan, here you will find hand picked décor accessories & curios ranging from bed to bar accessories. What I love about this website is, a selected number of accessories are clubbed together under a particular theme that make your shopping experience interesting & easy breezy at the same time.
The Home Label has a great variety of kitchen & bar accessories, which also make for great gift giving, considering our festive season is right around the corner.
My top pick is the ‘Oblong Vintage’ cake stand.
Craftisan | www.craftisan.in
Craftisan, true to India’s diverse culture and society, is a virtual platform coming to you straight from the hands of artisans, craft clusters & NGO’s across India. They create selected hand-crafted home décor & lifestyle accessories - from Jammu & Kashmir’s paper mache calligraphy trays, to their collection of Punja Durries and the beautiful bespoke blue pottery from Jaipur - you’re sure to get your hands on some rare handicrafts and exclusives.
I’d ordered a beautiful red silk Ikat stole and it was delivered to me, beautifully packaged in an outer cardboard corrugated box and jute wrapping inside.
What I love about Craftisan is that whilst browsing, you’re not only looking at products but also learning the story behind their creation and source… of the very hands that created the product for you.
Design Deal | www.designdeal.com
Driven by the model of ‘flash sales’, Design Deal is a website whose products only cater to the home, and they have a permanent section for furniture & home accessories. The flash sales are what you want to look out for. Think of it and they have it. I often debate the quality of products when I order online, but, at Design Deal, what you see is what you get!
I’d ordered a 3 tiered Palladio made of glass essentially used for serving tea snacks, but, I’m currently using it for bathroom storage!
House Proud | www.houseproud.in
Another leading portal for home & décor, House Proud is a favorite and was one of the first websites I ordered from. They have a vast collection of home furniture & accessories and their selection and quality of products is top notch. Their suppliers include The Charcoal Project by Suzzanne Roshan, Trays & Bins, and In V Home, to name a few. House Proud stocks a beautiful collection of furniture and décor accessories by The Charcoal Project and their cutlery section is great as well.
I’d ordered a mirror frame and a pair of bow scone lights.
Etsy | www.etsy.com
Is a platform for artisans and crafters from across the globe who maintain their individual shops online at Etsy.
At Etsy, you will come across one-of-a-kind handmade and vintage products that date back more than 20 years! It’s a medium of buying, selling and exchanging. The great part is that you’re in touch with the seller directly and can get details about the product you want to purchase.
I’ve come across rare vintage decor pieces including porcelain miniature boxes, mirror frames, brass & silicon stamps, a great array of stationary and lots more. For me, Etsy isn’t just a website selling products, but also a platform for exchanging great ideas and connecting with craftsmen from different parts of the world.
{Also cool on Etsy.com: Prints, illustrations and posters}