Illuminate your interiors.

To add the sparkle to your interiors, just light few candles, diyas (earthern lamps), kerosene or hurricane lamps.I love lighting diyas or floating candles at the entrance to the house, in balconies, on tables or just about anywhere.Here are some interesting ideas.(Images from Inside Outside, Oct 2006...

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Mallika Sarabhai's Country Retreat.

When I saw this on the cover of Inside Outside Magazine few years back I just wanted to be there on the swing...This country retreat is designed by Nimesh Patel & Parul Zaveri of Abhikram, for their friend Mallika Sarabhai a famous Indian dancer, activist & environmentalist.This is a traditional...

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Doorway to Heaven.

Rural India is a great inspiration for door art & vibrant colour combinations! Here are some inspirations. This an old chettinad door restored from a demolished mansion. We loved the brass door knocker and intricately carved panels, we got it embedded in one of our living room wal...

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The Chettiar Mansions of Karaikudi.

Karaikudi is a city in Tamilnadu which is known as the homeland of Nattukotai Chettiars. Chettiars are a prosperous banking & business community many of whom migrated to Burma, Sri Lanka, Malaysia etc . We visited a mansion of one of the Chettiars who welcomed us into their home with open arms....

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Tranquilitea - A Tea Lounge.

On our recent trip to Coonoor, the lovely hillstation at Tamilnadu. We spotted this lovely old british style bungalow with beautifully manicured lawns and colourful flowers.Hesitantly we drove inside and realised it was a tea lounge called Tranquilitea. Wow! Retaining the British style, with fireplace...

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Shaam-e-Sarhad- A Rural Resort.

Shaam-e-Sarhad translated means 'sunset at the border'. This resort is a joint venture between Ministry of Tourism India and the United Nations.Using the material available in plenty in this region- MUD, the artisans from the village of Hodka (Bhuj, Gujarat) have created this beautiful ecological &...

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Ecological Architecture.

Terracotta Walls, No paint, No conventional coverups, only muted earth tones.This home designed by Chitra Vishwanath is an example of a 'building creating a positive impact on the land.'Pic.No.1 The entrance to the house that blends with its lush green surroundings.Pic No. 2 A circle of space in the...

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