Art & Crafts of India #2: Indian Hand Embroidery

Indian Hand Embroidery entices us with its vibrant colours, the intricate designs and the effort put in by the skilled craftsmen.

There are various styles of embroidery in India & from different regions and it would be an enormous task to cover all of them in one small post.

Some of the well-known styles are Phulkari, Chikan, Kantha, Banjara, Rabari, Mirrorwork, Zardozi and you can read more about Indian Embroidery Styles here.

So here are some of the interesting styles...
Colourful cushion covers from Shrujan

The vibrant craft can be brought into your homes in the form of home accessories like cushion covers, bedsheets, door hangings, wall hanging and many more.

Bedsheet from Indiascrafts

Fantastic wall hanging from Shrujan
Cushion Covers from Shrujan
Door hanging from Indiascraft
Hand Embroidery bed cover from Anokhi
Amazing cushion covers from Tilonia
This white on cream is a dream:-) from Tilonia
Love this from Shrujan

Silver & Gold from Shrujan
Lovely combination from Anokhi
My mirrorwork cushion cover picked up from a Crafts Fair:-)

( Images from Shrujan, Tilonia, Anokhi & Indiascraft)

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Anuradha Vakil's Studio

Anuradha Vakil has to be one of my favourite Indian fashion designer. Her love for traditional textile crafts & her passion to revive them makes her very special.
Anuradha's creations
Why am I talking about fashion & textiles?

Well, She puts in the same passion into designing her workshop-cum-office as she does into her clothes. I have been so inspired by her space I had to share this with all of you:-)

Anuradha states she wanted a very understated look. A contemprory space with an Indian soul.
The reception area with a sofa made of natural fibres and a colourful patch-work upholstery.

I love the simplicity of this space!

Reception area with gorgeous red athungudi tiles with a contemprory black & white border. Antique brocade textiles on walls form an interesting theme. Check out an old sewing machine converted into a table.Anuradha's workspace, where she creates those rich, colourful clothes.

She wanted here workspace to be in neutral colours since she works with colours the whole day. Lovely things that she cherishes & inspires her form this beautiful space.The meeting area, from here one can see her workspace. The floor level seating with fantastic Kalamkari floor cushions gives a great perspective of the neem tree outside her window.
She has a passion for old chests- she stores her accessories in them.
Lovely antique wooden-chests (Sigh*)
Her tiny loo is also beautifully designed. Gorgeous greens & yellows..the walls have stencilled flowers. Isn't this truely amazing!!!

I am so inspired by this kind of interiors where the designer puts her heart and soul into her space.

The home or workspace of an individual should aways be an extension of him/her. That's what works for me.

What do you say?

( images from Anuradha Vakil.com & Inside Outside Magazine, May 2003 issue)

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New Feature-'Art and Crafts of India: Dokra Art'

India is a country with rich art & craft heritage. I personally love the various art & crafts and try to incorporate them in my home.

I have started a new feature, where I'll be highlighting an India art or craft.

My first post is 'Dokra Art'

It's an ancient art of casting metal using the lost-wax method. The tribals from India make amazing idols & figures of Gods & Godesses, Animals, Birds and also their daily lives.

Above is a Dokra idol of 'Goddess Kali' in my home.

'The Owl' occasionally sits on my crockery sideboard.

Animal figures in my daughter's bathroom.

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Thanks decor8!

Rang-Decor is the 'Blog of the Week' on decor8.

Thanks a lot Holly!

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Passionate about Antiques.

I fell in love with this traditional Kerala mansion and all the amazing antique chests, lamps, pillars it housed.
This is Rafia Jacob in her lovely colonial mansion in Kottayam named Casa Kunnenkeril.

Rafia is passionate about antiques, she collects colonial furniture, unusual artefacts, accessories.. which is displayed casually in her home & garden.Rafia also restores old Kerala houses. Her craftsmen repair and restore these houses and bring them back to their original splendor. Great Job!Amazing wooden chests, pillars and traditional brass lamps.
Teak & Rose wood furniture
Antique brass beetle nut crackers and accessories.Lovely, Lovely furniture, desks, cupboards & chairs.
Copper Sulphate coloured chandelier in the living room.

Hope you enjoyed the antiques as much I enjoyed sharing them. I am so inspired, I am off to re-arrange the furniture in my home :-)

( images from Inside Outside Magazine, June 2005 issue)

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A unique heritage hotel- Sterling Swamimalai.

Sterling Swamimalai was our first choice when we decided to make a trip to Tanjore last December and we cherish our stay and memories till date. A villa built in 1896 in a traditional south indian style is the nucleus of this resort. The other cottages are inspired by this main structure. The resort is the brain child of Steve Borgia of Indeco Hotels.

The minute you step into a very discreet entrance, you are transported to the 19th century.
You are welcomed with temple bells ringing and a beautiful 'Kolam'- Rangoli design at the entrance. The setting is very rustic with the ambience like that of an old south indian village.
Amazing terracotta figures of Gods & Goddesses are scattered all around the resort. All courtesy the in-house potter.

Coconut, Banana, Jackfruit, Papaya trees form the perfect setting for the village scene.
Beautiful folk goddess figure!
A traditional village house forms the dining area.Even the trees are treated well, the potter has created lovely terracotta eyes for the trees.
The rooms are basic with traditional furniture. The roll-up blinds are made of natural fibres for good air circulation.


The swimming pool is designed like an old temple tank. On special occasions the side slots are lit with earthern lamps in the evening. What a gorgeous sight would that be!

The main villa has a lovely courtyard with a natural well and a museum of antiques.
Truly traditional, truly spiritual, truly Indian.

Experience it- http://www.sterlingswamimalai.net

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Thanks Happy Living Blog!

the happy living blog became an instant favourite, ever since I stumbled upon it while blog- hopping few weeks back.

Erinn describes - 'This blog is about everything having to do with the place, experience and spirit of home and making our homes a place that we love'.

Erinn of 'the happy living blog' has been very kind in giving a great introduction to my blogs.

Thanks Erinn!

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