Meet Ritz from Decor by Season

Today I am delighted to share the tablescapes of Ritz @decorbyseason where she shares her love for themed tablescapes, travels, cuisine and home interiors.

Q: Ritz, can you tell us about yourself, where did you grow up and how did your childhood influence your life and your path?

A: Thanks for having me on your Blog, Ceci. I grew up in India, my Father's work had us moving every two years or so, so I ended up traveling all over India and learning about different cultures and customs and appreciating the art and dance forms and the food - travel expanded my horizon and gave me friendships some that I'm in touch with from elementary years. India is a large country and I just googled it has 121 official languages - so you can imagine how much change there is from State to State - it leaves an amazing kaleidoscopic impact especially on a young mind. I like to think this constant moving made me a very friendly and adaptive person, I learnt to appreciate and enjoy differences, it invariably gave me many leadership qualities which I would never have inculcated if not for travel. Till today traveling and visiting new places is a favorite hobby, it's the best hands on teacher there ever was.

Q: As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

A: I was always interested in Interior Design and Decor. But I wanted to be a Doctor.

Q: Where did you go to college and what did you learn?

A: I did a Post Graduation in Zoology and thereafter a few courses in Management and Web Design. Literature was a huge interest. So my pathways changed many times, learning was always a fun thing. I learnt to love learning, learning is always beneficial.

Q: What inspired you to start sharing your beautiful home decor? Do you have any professional design training? If not, how did you learn?

A: I love to celebrate all festivals and cultural occasions from across the world that I know off - always dressing up my home and celebrating different themes for when people would come over. During the covid shutdowns that turned into socializing online and sharing the easiest platform which is Tablescapes for me where I can bring these themes and my love for collecting dishes together. I have no professional training - it's just been a Hobby.

Q: How do you define your style?

A: Styling, I believe is innate, at its roots and developed at its branches, by practice and repetition one learns to feel comfortable in what speaks to us, we learn when to draw back. Being a maximalist and always inclined to loving the styles and art and artifacts of yesteryears, I can say I'm a traditionalist, I love to mix and match and have a layered look - that always tells a story - some call it "Grandmillennial" these days. I love incorporating handicrafts and hand woven, handmade items when I can, to bring in that personal, curated and collected feel.

Q: Where do you find inspiration?

A: I find inspiration in nature, in historical anecdotes, in my travels - in everyday things. Instagram and Pinterest inspire me - it's been amazing to get to be friends with some amazing stylists from across the world and learn how they design.
 
Q: What are some of your favorite treasures in your home, and why?

A: Some of my favorite treasures are some artifacts that I have collected on my travels, my Mother has been the greatest influencer, an avid collector herself, she has shopped for many of my collectibles. A simple answer to the why would be that these bring me joy and enrich my world.

Q: Do you have any favorite collections?

A: I have recently started collecting Vintage dishes and these days that's my favorite. Another would be the precious Sari collection I have from many different weavers from across India but sadly I get to enjoy and wear them on very rare occasions.

Q: For people who don’t know Decor By Season, can you describe how you came up with that name for your Instagram and tell us about your groups that you are in?

A: My name in Hindi means 'season' and I have always loved seasonal decor, hence the name "DecorbySeason".
My love for Tablescapes and meeting people had me collaborating with many stylists on Instagram, with some of my closests friends we started the page @TablesforSoiree where we share Themed Tablescapes every week. It's surprising how many stylists like to take up the challenge and present their versions on a theme - the creative and supportive group and friendships we have formed are truly phenomenal.

Q: I understand that you like to cook, can you tell us more about that?

A: Yes, I enjoy trying new recipes and learning new cuisines. Everyone cooks in my family and they are all good and specialize in one thing or another, we are all big foodies. Presentation of what one cooks matters too coz you eat with your eyes first and I see my kids have learnt that fast. The best and easiest way to treat each other is by cooking something fun and unique. And I'm blessed in the fact that the teens leave the kitchen spick and span once they are done.

Q: When you aren’t busy doing a tablescape, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

A: I am a voracious reader (both fiction and nonfiction), I love to garden and grow roses and vegetables, sometimes I dabble in paint and I love to embroider and crochet and crafts like decoupage when inspiration strikes.I enjoy long walks and hikes with my two side kicks a black Labrador and a German Shepherd, who are my constant companions in all I do.

Q; What are 3 everyday luxuries you could not live without?

A: I think soap, fresh water and my phone.

Q: Where can people find you, let us know your social media handles
and any other ways people can get in touch with you.

A: I am available on the @decorbyseason on Instagram and decorbyseason@gmail.com.

Thank you Ritz, it was a pleasure having you in this space!

For additional information and ongoing inspiration, please follow @decorbyseason on Instagram.