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The Address / WEDNESDAY / 25 JANUARY 2017
IN FOCUS
The saffron touch PHOTOS COURTESY: ELEMENTTO
Look for wallpapers in Indian prints and patterns to bring out the flavour of the season
DESIGNER SPEAK SPEAK
something that you don’t change often, unlike home accessories,” agrees Mehta.
W
ith Republic Day around the corner, home owners are rediscovering the appeal of Indianthemed wallpapers. Usually involving the colours of the tricolour and ethnic prints and motifs, these wallpapers are suited to a variety of decors and rooms. “Your choice of wallpaper depends on the story you want to tell about your room. You can opt for anything—from nature to kitsch to geometry to pop and textured backgrounds— inspired by the rich tapestry of diverse streams like Buddhist, Mughal, Malwa, Deccan, Tanjore, British and Modern, besides landscapes and folk art, with many of them having sub-streams,” advises Krsnaa Mehta, founder and design director, India Circus. While it would be a great decision to go for Indian wallpapers, ensure that this theme reflects in other areas of your house as well. Remember that refurbishing your house is a painstaking process and so, the wallpapers you choose will stay for the next few years, at least. “While choosing a wallpaper, it is important to select something that is classic, timeless, fresh and contemporary and something that you like, rather than just following the latest trends in the industry. Ultimately, wallpapers are
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India Connect
There are several reasons why Indian wallpapers are catching the fancy of interior designers and decorators. “Indian floral patterns have been blooming everywhere and are hugely popular. From large scale prints, popular still-life to old school vintage-inspired botanicals, they can be used in a variety of interior styles from classic to con-
“We can confidently say that Indian styled designs and patterns are greatly in vogue right now. We have observed recent trends of an increased demand for Indian styled floral prints, intricate motifs and patterns to be replicated in digital laminates,” avers Parul Mittal, director, marketing and design, Greenlam Industries Ltd. “By virtue of being a country with diverse culture, history and art, traditional Indian designs lend themselves to many interesting varieties, patterns, motifs and models.
temporary. I love the versatility that Indian patterns offer, and with less chaotic designs, they have a timeless appeal,” says Sabah Sheikh, concept designer and founder, Atisuto. Even within the realm of ethnic wallpapers, there are several varieties to choose from, ranging from the delicate to the grandiose, to suit your individual choice and taste. While it’s great to bring back souvenirs from various countries and cultures, it’s easy to forget the treasures in your own backyard.
While several of these motifs have deep religious and cultural symbolism, they are also stunningly complex and beautiful when rendered on fabric, furniture, floors or on walls. These include the paisley patterns, various compositions of animals, birds, and other natureinspired themes, tribal and folk-art inspired themes such as Warli, intricate mandala motifs, symmetrical and geometric temple-styled motifs and the tree of life design,” she adds. So, go ahead and give your home the Indian touch.
where smart phones are a necessity and time is a luxury. More and more people are now enjoying the comfort of shopping from their homes or offices. We too have made the world our home. Websites and e-presence, in general, connects you to the remotest parts of the world, helping your niche consumers reach you, thus making it a beneficial tool for both, the brand and the patrons.
[email protected] Edited Excerpts Tell us about your design journey. Since the early 1980s, I have been involved in the family business of designing, developing, creating and exporting home décor products for some of the finest stores in the world. I am a globe trotter and my travels made me realise that the Indian market was evolving and looking for benchmark products. But, there was a dearth of home décor products available here. With the knowledge that the modern, aspiring Indian is always on the lookout for stylish homes and superior products to bring functionality and warmth in any home, we set out to introduce Elvy, a luxury décor brand that brings world-class quality and style to the Indian market.
GET THE LOOK
INDIAN HEART AT
Flaunt your Indian roots with our edit of the latest in furniture and accessories sporting India-inspired designs and craftsmanship in your home décor
Ivy Breakfast Tray, ` 1,299, available at HomeStop Wake up to delicious breakfast served in this vivid-hued tray that depicts two peacocks enjoying a moment in the moonlight
The Great Eastern Home centre table ` 3,71,000 Etched out of fine rose and Burma teak wood, this ornate centre table features intricate artistry and craftsmanship that is Indian at heart
Vandana Khosla, Creative Head and Founder, Elvy, takes us through her design journey, creative process and inspirations, while highlighting key trends to watch out for this season
PHOTOS COURTESY: INDIA CIRCUS
Ankita.Shreeram @timesgroup.com
GLOBAL DESIGNS
Anemos Wooden Peti, ` 1,86,000 This exquisitely crafted rose wood Peti exhibits skilful brass detailing and will add an element of vintage charm to any corner
Handikart.co.in Black Pottery Vase, ` 2,330 Handmade to perfection, this black clay vase features a glass-like surface polish and fine silver-coloured floral detailing that’s created by a unique baking process
Frazer and Haws Mysore Table, ` 2,70,000 This hand-carved and handfinished teak wood table features exquisite floral carvings and elephant heads in pure silver that form the table legs Tresorie by Sonali Arora box, Price on request This stunning box that depicts a young Indian girl in an idyllic pose and setting, replete with studded embellishments, is a precious storage item
Tranceforme Kolkata trunk box, Price on request Go back in time with this vintage trunk that celebrates the heritage and architecture of the grand city of Kolkata—the city of joy
Tell us about your design sensibilities, inspirations and creative process. I derive inspiration from my travels; be it art or architecture, it reflects in our collections. Our collection features products and materials sourced from all over the world—Turkish influences to Victorian accents—we bring together the modern and the traditional to create pieces that are contemporary and exquisite. Exceptional quality and craftsmanship are our key hallmarks.
2Divine Elephant figurine, ` 12,750 Replete with marble enamel and Swarovski studs, this figurine is the perfect depiction of a resplendent royal elephant
Tell us about the importance and the rising trend of having an e-presence? We are living in an era
India Circus Dance of Nandi Canvas Mounted Wall Art, ` 3,999 Add a pop of colour to your walls with this eccentric wall art that features a dancing trio of the Nandi cow juxtaposed against a bright fuchsia backdrop —Compiled by
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Tell us about the brand USP and the global offerings. We stand for unmatched excellence and benchmark quality. Our goal is to bring superior quality products to every Indian home. We are a value-driven company and our core values include excellent customer service, consistent performance, convenience and building strong relationships. Our collections are an array of products sourced from all over the world. With innovative design and international quality, we offer something to enliven every space. What is your idea of a tastefully designed home? I like clean and tastefully designed spaces. For me, less is more, and I believe in working with timeless pieces. I have always been a connoisseur of handcrafted products and am all for understated exuberance. We have a whole new range of jewellery boxes, book stands, candle stands and many more handcrafted products that I love. Can you share some quick home décor tips? Work with a statement piece that will be the main focus of your decor. Add a pop of gold, especially during festivities, to instantly light up your space. Invest in timeless pieces that can become great conversation starters. Trends to watch out for in 2017 Interplay of materials is what’s in store for the future. Beautiful textures juxtaposed with each other are perfect to create depth and warmth in spaces. Metallics and intricate artwork is a new favourite and is perfect for a contemporary look. We are also looking forward to a perfect combination of raw and clean lines.