In residential interiors, the living room has grown to become a versatile space. For the past few years, most of us have had to work from our homes. With the entire family sharing these common spaces, its design and utility need more emphasis and thought. Besides that, with the variety of furniture, materials, fabrics, accessories and decorations to choose from, it could get difficult to decide on the look and execute that efficiently for your home interiors. Therefore, here is a cheat sheet, curated from the practices of the best interior designers in India, to help you plan your living rooms.

1. Pick your style

What is your kind of furniture aesthetic? The main thing with furniture in residential interiors is that one needs to determine the vibe and style of the space for a cohesive look. Hence, designers in Delhi recommend picking your preference – whether it is modern, mid-century modern, contemporary, minimalistic, essentialism, eclectic or anything else.

2. Don’t forget functionality and comfort

Best designers in India vouch that functionality and design are both equally crucial aspects while designing or sourcing furniture pieces for home interiors. Make sure the length, height and depth are based on the size and space of the living room. The ideal height should be 17’ for a sofa, and the depth can range anything from 30” to 36”. Depth depends on the space and how much sitting space one needs.

3. Consoles and Tables

In residential designs, coffee tables and consoles are equally important features of the living room and must be paid attention to. Best designers in India press that selecting the correct shape, design details, and materiality is crucial. Whether the finish is a veneer, a stone, coloured or textured is a significant detail and plays a hand in putting together the space’s design aesthetic.

4. Upholstery for furniture

A vital element of sofa and lounge chairs is the upholstery which has an expansive landscape of options, ranging from cotton, linen, and polyester in vivid colours, prints and textures. Assess the purpose and use of the furniture with respect to home interiors and narrow down the fabric accordingly. For instance, delicate silk on a sofa that will be used extensively is a no-no; instead, opt for a sturdy material like linen. The delicate silk can be used on a cushion instead.

5. Accessorise right

Besides furniture, accessories play a defining role in manifesting the overall look of a living room in residential interiors. Decor items like plants freshen up the space and make for calming elements in a home. Similarly, art in the form of paintings, photographs, sculptures, and wall art are a great way to bind the look while expressing your style.

In the design world, trends are seasonal; they come and go. However, spaces are a permanent part of our lives, especially in the case of a home, which is one of the most personal spaces. Moreover, with the pandemic, people spent a lot of time at home and realised the importance of a timeless space that reflects one’s personality. Hence, it is imperative to create evergreen residential interiors that always appeal to the residents. Here are a few ways the best interior designers in India design spaces with a timeless aesthetic:

1. Create a layout

Designers in India focus on the bigger picture and address all the needs of the space through a layout, trying to accommodate your needs for the next few decades. For instance, depending on your needs, the breakfast counter can be designed as a makeshift work-from-home desk, or your study can accommodate a projector and be converted into a home theatre when required.

2. Assemble a mood board

Creating a visual palette of materials and aesthetics for your home interiors that speak to you is the next step to grounding the ambience of your space before construction begins. Remember, well-balanced residential interiors will never go out of fashion. And best interior designers in India swear by the fact that a mood board allows you to try different permutations and combinations because while you like different materials in isolation, they might not always complement each other. Designers in India believe that with visual boards, one can explore materiality, and the end product acts as a reference to come back to in case of confusion at a later stage, say during selections.

3. Sort your services

Once the layout and visual palette of the residential interiors are finalised, focus on the core of the structure- the services. These include plumbing, electrification, HVAC system and essential elements like flooring, ceiling and walls. Best residential designs in India ensure uncompromised quality so that there is little, to no maintenance, in these to achieve timeless aesthetics.

4. Understand the decor elements

The decor creates the personality of a space, and hence designers in India think that it is vital to curate pieces in a way that reflects your choices to interest you for a long time. There are two parts of decor- the built-in elements and the dynamic elements. The former is a more permanent part of the interior space, whereas the latter can be experimented with. To balance both in home interiors, it’s essential to understand your own style, likes and dislikes.

5. Fixed elements

The more permanent elements of residential interiors like the wall colours, flooring material and fixed furniture like wardrobes and kitchen counters should ideally be in a neutral palette like creams and beiges. Additionally, the best designers in India use natural materials like wood and stone to create a wholesome look because they can be amalgamated with most design sensibilities. Finally, consider your materials from a durability and maintenance perspective and choose wisely.

6. Explore with fluid elements

According to the best interior designers in India, decor elements such as lounge chairs, ottomans, centre tables, rugs, and cushions can be playful and be changed periodically. It could be neutral that blends with the overall aesthetic or an eye-catching element in home interiors that makes a statement. However, it is feasible if a proportion of them are versatile to be paired with any other piece of furniture; for a change of look.

7. Upcycle and reuse

Recycle the old and blend it with the new to personalise the space with nostalgia, making home decor more meaningful. It could be an old mantel, a storage cabinet, or a traditional chair inherited from your family. Such items bring warmth and belonging to residential interiors while ensuring it feels like home.

8. Playful patterns and upholstery

Prints and patterns are eye-catching elements that are an excellent way to dramatise a space, as demonstrated in the best residential designs in India. Classic patterns like chevron, herringbone, houndstooth, gingham, and plaids, if done correctly and in the right proportions, can bring eccentricity to neutral spaces. These can be explored in elements like cushions, curtains, rugs and throws.

9. Art and Biophilia for the win

Travel souvenirs, photographs, books and art pieces make the best decor pieces; such a collection is as personal as it gets. Designers in India adorn spaces with elements that tell your story and create a timeless appeal. Additionally, the pandemic blurred the boundaries between the inside and the outside. Hence, green leafy plants are an economical and eco-friendly way to make any home interior come alive; these decor elements can never go out of style.

The notion of sustainability has been making rounds for a couple of decades now, especially in interior design. The climate crisis has made the matter pressing; however, what fails to be understood is that sustainability is not limited to safeguarding the future but also about nurturing the present in the best capacity. In interior design for houses, the idea of being sustainable has been hyped up to become a trend that showcases adapting extensive interventions; however, it is also about small contributions that go a long way and can become stepping stones to a great ecologically conscious home and life. Here are some ideas employed by the best interior designers in India to embrace sustainability and attain a natural look at home.

1. Maximise on sunlight and natural air

Invest in larger windows to draw in all the vitamin D and ventilation. It will certainly reduce the electricity consumption of the home. If the sunlight is harsh, designs for homes could incorporate double-glazed windows with well-sealed frames to minimise air leaks and add layers of sheer curtains and drapes to keep the residential interiors warmer in colder seasons.

2. Natural materials for the win

Materials like marble, stone and wood form aesthetically better residential interiors and calmer spaces because they are derived from nature. Using these materials in the designs for houses as a flooring material for furniture and other uses instead of artificial materials like vinyl or other synthetic products is preferable.

3. Refurbish time-honoured pieces

Best designers in India vouch for vintage furniture pieces. They can be pre-owned pieces inherited from the family or a discovery at the local vintage store. These old pieces have stood the test of time and survived because of the quality of the materials used and hence are sturdy even today. Renew its polish, remodel it, and it will be a showstopper.

4. Recycle your fabrics

Fabrics like linens, cotton and silk are biodegradable because they are natural materials and are aesthetically pleasing. Conscious designers in India suggest recycling old dupattas, shawls, and sarees to make upholstery for cushions, furniture pieces, and throws. In addition, natural fibre rugs made from wool and silk for upholstery are ideal options that provide good insulation.

5. Support local brands and homegrown products

Sustainability is also about supporting the local community. Not only does it reduce the carbon footprint due to transportation reduction, it also grants economic stability to the vendors, artisans and craftspersons. It could be an art piece for your bedroom, an embroidered throw for your refurbished sofas or a piece of furniture itself.

6. Verdant and lively interiors

Plants provide oxygen and filter out harmful chemicals from the air. Besides these, they offer a natural ambience and bring freshness to the residential interiors. Designers in India add good indoor plants to add a splash of life to any room.

7. Bamboo, Rattan and Cane

These days, Bamboo, Rattan and Cane are the shining stars of sustainable interior design, making their presence in varied scales of design elements, furniture and decor. They are highly durable materials and the answer to a low-cost solution for interior and exterior design. For instance, they can be used in a rustic interior setting or as a focal point in a room as a headboard for the bed and shutters of the wardrobes. In addition, they are sturdy materials and can be used to make chairs, stools, storage units, partitions, screens etc.

Walls form the largest surface of any space, becoming the enclosure that creates a room, making it one of the most essential interior design and decor elements. In today’s world of technology and innovation, there is a wide range of wall finishes options available like paint, wall-cladding, and wallpapers, with the growing popularity of the latter. Not only is wallpaper aesthetically pleasing and feasible in many options, but it also has a fast application and quick turnaround time, making it a favourite among interior designers and homeowners.

From digital and abstract prints, floral prints and even 3D wallpapers, one can opt for various colours, textures, prints and patterns to create a bold statement for their spaces, depending on the ambience and the aesthetics desired. For example, if one wants a vibrant summer-y or tropical appearance, a floral printed wallpaper is a great option. On the other hand, if the space is neutral and classic, a monochromatic wallpaper with embossed texture or a three-dimensional wall finish will add dynamism to an area. In fact, wallpapers are ideal solutions to aesthetically cover imperfections and old paint, adding a renewed look and feel.

Additionally, today with the peel & stick wallpaper options available, people have the flexibility to keep experimenting and be playful. If one has a particular design in mind, some vendors offer customisation, and some artists even hand-painted the wallpapers. Treat the wall as an artwork and experiment with the space using bold colours and pieces that are sure to add a distinct personality to one’s space.

The Indian traditional design grammar imparts a sense of richness and earthiness to homes, becoming the soul of the space. With time and globalisation, homes have become more minimalist and contemporary, with design aesthetics rooted in functionality. In our practice at TWI, we firmly advocate meaningful and natural spaces which are sleek and modern, yet have a traditional soul. If you wish to craft such a space, here are five easy ways to incorporate traditional Indian elements into a contemporary home -

1. Spatial arrangement - Scale and proportion are crucial in design, especially to the furniture layout. With open plans and multifunctional spaces, you can opt for traditional furniture pieces and lay them, so that they add fluidity to the area and provide ease of movement, thereby losing the rigidity, yet succeeding in using Indian elements.

2. Details in the furniture - The use of wood for furniture has been a popular choice in the Indian context, and it is home to many unique wooden techniques in varied forms like various types of inlays and veneer polishes. Incorporate one or a mix of such styles in the contemporary pieces to add an essence of tradition.

3. Inculcate traditional motifs and fabrics creatively -

India has a rich mix of textiles in vivid materials, unique techniques and exquisite colours. Incorporate them in design elements such as tables, wall panels and even doors. This subtle way of adding a hint of Indian traditional aesthetics to your spaces is dynamic as the design element and can easily be upcycled by changing the fabric.

4. Prints and colours for upholstery and wallpapers - Indian traditional motifs and floral prints can be used in upholstery for sofas and lounge chairs and well as throws, pillow covers, rugs, and carpets to contrast with neutral interiors and solid textures. Apart from these, the visual elements can be used as wallpapers to juxtapose and layer other patterns.

5. Pieces of art - Framing traditional art pieces on walls and making the wall a piece of art are great ways of indulging in a traditional essence in a contemporary home, depending on how much ‘Indianness’ you want in your space. It can be in the form of paintings, murals, wall paintings or even decor pieces.

In today’s fast-paced lives, people want easy-to-maintain spaces that offer flexibility while reminding them of their Indian roots in a not so obvious way, to avoid a clash of aesthetics. The above mentioned are easy ways to add the desired hint of your identity to your spaces and make them feel like home.

In the new fast-paced globalised world, our basic needs and lifestyle patterns have drastically changed with time. With ever-increasing needs, global exposure, self-awareness and many other factors in today's world, the way we perceive the designs for houses have changed.

Traditional Indian homes were simply a response to the local climatic conditions. As times have progressed, homes in Indian cities today have merely become products of the globalised world. For example, we have seen the breakdown of traditional societies, such as joint families, to nuclear families, dramatically affecting homes' matrix and space arrangements. With the lesser availability of land and soaring land value, bungalows and independent homes have been swapped for smaller, more affordable and compact spaces such as apartments with luxurious amenities like clubhouses, gyms, home theatres, etc.

At TWI, in our practice of over two decades, we've seen a wide range of aspirations for building homes from one client to the next. Their brief for designing spaces is so specific to each project and furniture piece. In terms of home interiors and decor, here are the five most common changes we've noticed in people's homes:

1. The luxury of materials

One can choose from a wide range of available materials today for flooring, furniture, or even lighting. Additionally, people are willing to experiment with different looks and materials. As a result, it has become simpler to achieve the kind of feel expected in a room, the desired quality of finish, and a targeted budget for a house.

2. Vivid Interiors

With most of the clients well travelled across the world, they want to bring in the essence of their experiences in their everyday lives, letting their home tell a story that they relate to. Quirky, fun and bold is how the home interiors are prefered by the new homeowners today. The colour palettes are also more playful and suited to set the required mood for a home.

3. Minimalistic furniture

Simpler pieces sans ornamentation, derived from functionality and highlighting a subtle aesthetic through clean lines, are preferred in home interiors nowadays. However, bold elements with curvy and dynamic forms are also being explored as eye-catching centrepieces in subtle spaces to make a strong statement.

4. Open kitchen

With smaller families and all adult members working, there is no longer distinct segregation of rooms, resulting in a more open-plan form with little or no barrier. In addition, the kitchen, which was seen as a service area, has become a part of the living space, incorporating the dining and endow spatial fluidity.

5. Technology-driven spaces

Today, we rely heavily on smart technology, and our homes are moving toward remote-controlled devices and AI operating systems. With the changing nature of work at home, staying connected to the outside world is becoming increasingly important, leading to invisible switchboards and more Alexa's being heard around the house. Furthermore, sustainability has become a pressing need, and its awareness has caused a shift towards energy-efficient homes powered by alternate forms of energy.

There is so much versatility to the plate of designers for homes that it becomes critical to reciprocate reasonably to a client's brief and create sensible and smart homes. Also, it's a boon-bane situation today with the ease of access to social media. Design inspirations are at the tips of everyone's fingers, especially exposing clients' to captivating images, so it becomes essential to have a grounded approach to the whole process.

Although it is more pronounced now, we, at TWI, have always been sustainable in our decisions since the past. And as a practice, we are more aligned to craft a client's desires to create healthy, safe, and soulful environments for this generation and the future. For the past two decades, we have continuously strived to translate ideas, to bind people together through spaces.

A guide to maintaining the wooden furniture

Owning a piece of wooden furniture could be an excellent investment. It accentuates the interior design of a house or office, whether contemporary, modern or historic style. Wooden furniture has been popular for decades and is preferred for residential interiors, due to the ease of availability of wood and the material’s moldability. Whether it is an antique piece with intricate carvings and craftsmanship or a sleek modern one like the Chandigarh chair that has grown to be a favourite amongst the best interior designers in India, each piece of furniture has the ability to embrace history and pass the love down generations. Wooden assemblies in home and furniture designs, on the other hand, necessitate constant maintenance and care to ensure that they last long and become heirlooms in the future. Here are some tips for caring for your wooden valuables that can be passed down to future generations if followed and conserved.

1. Dust regularly

Everyone likes a gleaming, dust-free, spotless surface, especially in home interiors. When other objects rub against the furniture’s surface, dust particles accumulate as a layer appears as scratches. Dust your beloved pieces with a soft clean cloth regularly to ensure cleanliness and maintenance.

2. Reduce exposure to sunlight

Exposing wooden furniture every day to the sun could be harmful in more ways than one. It could permanently degrade the material’s strength and cause a noticeable fade or discolouration in the appearance of the finish. Even if your furniture is kept indoors, avoid placing it near uncovered window openings. Instead, use light filtering blinds and drapes, as well as furniture covers, to significantly minimise the intensity of sun exposure. Additionally, due to our tropical climate, the best designers in India favour a protective UV coat to the wooden furniture to provide additional protection. Melamine or PU coats, matt or glossy finishes can also be opted for depending on the desired look for your furniture.

3. Nothing too hot or too cold

Avoid placing an object that is either too hot or too cold straight on the wooden furniture. It causes the top layer of the furniture coating to disintegrate, staining the surface. Further, if used regularly, it might permanently harm the wood. Therefore, it is always advisable to use coasters to place mugs or glasses. Alternatively, one could also opt for wood finishes that are water-based, these form a thin layer on the surface that keep the grains of the wood intact and protect it from hot/cold cups or spills.

4. Embracing the ageing

Remember that your furniture will change and age with time, so embrace the process and treat your wooden furniture with care. Carry furniture with a firm grip, especially while relocating, and protect sensitive edges with rubber pads or bubble wraps to avoid damage or breaking.

5. Keep the sharp objects away

A mark or scratch on your wooden furniture detracts from its attractiveness and leaves a permanent scar on the items. Therefore, avoid using sharp objects near your wooden furniture, or at the least, be extremely cautious while doing so.

6. Oil and wax periodically

With time and use, the protective coating on the top of the wooden furniture typically wears away. Hence, it is best to oil or wax the wooden surface every six months to keep its freshness and sheen. However, make sure to prepare the surface first by cleaning it well and only use enough oil or wax to remove the wood’s dryness.

7. Warm water for cleaning

To remove any hard stains, deep clean the wooden furniture pieces with warm water and a mild detergent regularly. Also, wipe the wet area with a dry cloth immediately to prevent moisture from soaking into the wood.

Wooden furniture is often the most obvious choice for home interiors and office spaces that effortlessly elevates the aesthetics of the design. These easy steps will not only ensure that your spaces are healthy and inviting, but it will also be a material manifestation of nostalgia, time and memories shaped out of wood to pass along to generations to come.

A design guide to attaining a balanced visual

Colours add life to living, by reflecting people’s personalities and shaping behaviour through colour therapy. Every year, Pantone Colour Institute selects a colour of the year. This year, for the first time in its 22 year history of selecting a hue to represent the year ahead, it created a new colour. Named Very Peri, the dynamic periwinkle shade is a combination of blues blended with a violet-red undertone- a colour to symbolise the transformative year we’ve had and a new perspective looking ahead.

Today, there are an array of colours available at our disposal. With technological advancements, colours can easily be incorporated into the interior design scheme through various forms, one of which is prints. However, pairing colours and prints correctly and using them in appropriate proportions is the key to making or breaking a space. Here are a few tips and tricks to spruce up your interior spaces, while dabbling in prints, colours and patterns-

1. Go to your colour wheel, take inventory of all the warm and cool colours available; look for complementary colours, monochromatic tones, secondary colours. Pair them as per your preferences.
2. Know your options- Colours can be used in various ways- in solid tones, prints, and patterns. There is a range of options available for prints and patterns in every building material you can think of; be it tiles, wallpapers, fabrics, laminates or even textured paint.
3. Pick one primary dominant colour, which could ideally be a neutral tone and pop it up with secondary and accent colours. This will help you tone down the space and provide a good ground for the play of colours.
4. Remember to use colours through a balanced mix of solids, prints, patterns and textures in different elements of the space- furniture, decor and other features. Think of colours and prints for interior styling in soft furnishings, curtains, cushions, throws, rugs, trinkets, books, art pieces, photo frames, lamps etc. These accessories play a fundamental role in tying the whole space together.
5. To create a mood board before implementing it on the space, collect your preferred colours—layer solid tones through patterns, prints, and textures. Use different materials to accentuate the layering.
6. When layering patterns, it is best to combine prints in different styles and scales for the interior spaces.
7. The key to a beautifully designed space spruced with colours is balance—of colour- neutral and accent, of prints and patterns. When all three are used in the correct proportions, the magic unfolds. If not, the space will be loud, overwhelming and tacky.

Keep the feel of the home interiors in mind. Regardless of the overall design sensibility, it is possible to incorporate colours and patterns in different kinds of design styles and ideologies. If the style is minimalist, one can use abstract prints and sophisticated shades. For a neutral space, the pop can be brought by placing a bright coloured chair or an eye-catching piece of furniture. Or, one could use a bold coloured sofa by a neutral wall and tone down the effect with some neutral accessories.

Remember that eclectic doesn’t mean randomly putting colours together; instead, it needs to be more thought through. But do not fear going bold with colours and prints, for that would make our lives and spaces mundane and monotonous. We can do wonders with this science and create harmonious interiors and temperaments with colours, prints, and patterns.

A guide to adding Indian elements to contemporary home decor.

India, for the past couple of years, has been reverberating with slogans of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Made in India’, which stands for promoting the local products, artforms, artisans and businesses. From all of India’s rich cultural legacies, the heritage of textiles and fabrics is one of the most vivid, offering us a broad spectrum of colour options in various patterns and textures. The options range from luxurious silk, a classic pashmina, an earthy khadi, eye-catching jacquards, linens and many more. Added to weaves, there are techniques such as embroidery that enhance the cloth with an artistic expression.

Specifically, when it comes to home decor, upholsteries take up a significant proportion of the visual space, ranging from curtains, sofas, bed linens, bed covers, bed backs to little elements such as cushions, throws, and rugs. These design essentials could incorporate a wide array of incredible ethnic Indian fabrics in order to add charm and colours to the home interiors. These will elevate the visuals of one’s home and endow a luxurious appearance to the home.

Here are a few ideas on how to seamlessly integrate these fabrics into the interiors.

1. Apart from the usual cushions and curtains, Indigenous prints like Dabu and Ajrakh can be incorporated as elements in doors by sandwiching the textile between glass and framing it; use the entire piece or just a part that depicts a specific art like Gond.
2. While using multiple fabrics together, pair the bright, printed fabrics with earthy ones to tone down the look.
3. The smaller patches of fabrics make for enticing art pieces, elevating a neutral space with a pop of colour. One could keep changing the fabrics to keep renewing the look often.
4. Recycle pieces from the trousseau as wall hangings, blinds, throws and drapes. Not only will this be a sustainable option, but this home styling tip will also add warmth and a personalised meaning to the spaces.
5. Indian art has a plethora of added elements like mirror work, block printing, motifs that could be added upon fabrics in contemporary colours to beautifully juxtapose the two and yet create a distinct look.
6. While exploring the Indian textures and fabrics, remember the importance of balance and understand the material’s natural texture. While some fabrics are sturdy, some give a beautiful fall. For example, linen and cotton are sturdier than silk; hence, they would make a good choice for a sofa whereas the latter is excellent for window treatments and cushions.

Furnishings and fabrics are an essential element of the design in any space, more so in house designing, and hence it is elemental to make wise choices when it comes to fabrics and colours while in the conceptual stage. Today, with growing awareness about the importance of hand-woven Indian fabrics by skilled artisans, designers in India are making a conscious effort of collaborating with weavers and incorporating this rich heritage in their designs, especially home interiors, which has revived the weaving industry and elevated the interior spaces.

Easy decor ideas for beautiful festive interiors

The festive season in India is here. Diwali marks the peak of festivities where people socialise, host and entertain their loved ones; the joyous spirit is in the air. The difficult past couple of years makes this year’s celebration more beautiful and heartwarming, and resonating with this, our home interiors, too, should reflect these gala times, and the best way to set the mood is through colours and decor. Here are some easy ways to imbibe the ecstatic air in your spaces.

1. Colour Riot

Bring in the festive colours of red, yellow, vermillion, royal blue and ochres to set the spirit right. These do not need to be all bright and loud but opt for their earthy tones to inculcate a subtle cheeriness. Your existing spaces can be uplifted with bright cushions, cosy throws, a change in upholstery, some fresh flowers and plants. Use old sarees, shawls and dupattas innovatively and recycle them for home styling as upholstery like cushions, throws and curtains.

2. Metallic accents

Metallic tones of gold and silver contribute significantly to the spirit of celebration. Use them subtly in your decor, as brass trays on the side tables, accents on the cushion fabrics or even tassels on your upholstery to add a sparkle of luxury to your spaces.

3. Sensory celebration

The ambience of any space depends on its experience, which is based on all the senses. So, tickle your olfactory glands with some potpourri on your consoles, agarbattis, aroma oils and fragrant candles to set up your spaces for the festivities.

4. Spatial layout

Since you will be hosting, easy circulation around your spaces is important. Move around your furniture to optimise the space. Remember to keep it cosy so that the conversation keeps flowing. Add throws to couches and rugs on the floor to accentuate the spatial layout and for insulation during the cold weather.

5. Light up the Lamps

Diwali is the festival of lights, so it is only fair to indulge in illuminating your interiors. Add some accent lamps whose shades can be painted and customised to bring a personalised look. Along with that, invest in good quality fairy lights to string across the balcony or in the living spaces. Another form of festive lighting- Lanterns look pretty and add to that festive look. Set up some candles and lamps to impart the traditional festive atmosphere.

These simple yet promising ideas will most certainly invite the festive vibe in your home interiors. While sourcing decor items, it is vital to opt for eco-friendly handmade products both for décor and gifting, even better if it is bought from small and local businesses. We wish you a very happy and joyous festive season.