Thursday 4 October 2007

Fab(ulous) India...

Most of us know about Fabindia and their colourful & vibrant range of clothes and home decor accessories.

Today let me take you inside one of their outlets in Chennai where the floor manager was kind enough to let me take some pictures inside. The entrance is in traditional Chettinad style with wooden pillars and tiled terracotta roof.
A rainbow of colours greet you when you enter. Colours, Patterns, Textures is all your mind can think. Shades of orange bed linen displayed along the stairs leading to the next level. Beautiful Athangudi Tiles & Wood form the stairs.
I completely love this 'Trial Room' door on which this woven fabric is mounted, there is a tiny mirror on the side.You'll find all the colours in the colour-wheel here. Now for some interesting finds from Fabindia...
Embroidered Booti Organdy Curtain motif.
Three Flowers Organdy Curtain motif on light-weight sheer cotton organdy.Chanderi Prakash Curtain motifs.
Kalam Jharokha Bedspreads in beautiful vegetable dyes.

Applique Organdy Phoolwari Bedspreads

Loads and loads of crafts from India used in Fabindia products. Explore Fabindia. You can buy their amazing products online.


( images from fabindia.com, interiors by Arch)

Tuesday 2 October 2007

Enjoy the beauty...

...of various flowers in form of exotic rooms named Champa, Crossandra, Marigold, Hibiscus, Lotus, Jasmine & Ixora in Presa di Goa a beautiful country house located in Nagoa decorated in an Indo-Portuguese colonial style.Amazing decor in 'Champa' Check out the antique four-poster bed in 'Crossandra' 'Marigold' has to be my favourite room, especially love the Victorian style settee or is it 'Lotus'??
or 'Hibiscus' with it's rust walls...
or Jasmine...
or Ixora...I really can't make up my mind. Can you?

Monday 1 October 2007

Arts & Crafts of India # 6: Pipli Applique Work


Pipli Applique & Patchwork from Orissa is a traditional handicraft in which colourful patches of fabric cut in the form of decorative motifs and animals are super imposed on other contrasting fabrics and sewn in.Absolutely love these vibrant giant umbrellas which are usually made during the festive occasion of the 'Rath Jatra' or Festival of Chariot in Puri.
These can be used as beach umbrellas or parasols in your balconies & gardens.

Love the interesting patchwork with mirrors.Bring in some Pipli Work into your homes in the form of wall hangings, cushion covers and these amazing lampshades.

Can almost visualised these lampshades brightening up an outdoor party with their colourful hues...

( images from kraftmenz.com, dristeehaat.com)

Wednesday 26 September 2007

Sunday 23 September 2007

A Palace for Ayurveda.

Kalari Kovilakom or the Palace for Ayurveda is located in the old princely capital town of Kollengode in the foothills of the Annamalai range, Kerala, India.

Kalari Kovilakom was built in the 19th century and the name 'Kalari', comes from the fact that it was built on a site that contained a ritual space for 'Kalaripayattu', Kerala's ancient martial art.Hand painted wooden fresco in the 'mandapam'

Today it has been restored by the CGH Earth Group into an unique experience of wellness. The palace has two main wings the Old Guest Wing with old colonial western styled rooms & Palace Wing which has traditional Kerala architecture.
A typical room in the Old Guest wing, a section of the palace built specially for visiting European visitors and see the lovely four poster beds and 30's style floor tiles.Amazing carved wooden panels on the ceiling with vegetable dyes. Kalari Kovilakom with beautiful hills in the background.
Kalari Kovilakom's breezy dining area with plenty of light and fresh air. Look at the red oxide flooring:-)
The empty spaces have been converted into beautiful bedrooms retaining the charm of carved doorways.Go in for the ayurvedic experience, learn yoga or Kalaripayattu, de-stress with many herbal massages, eat simple & healthy food prepared in the ayurvedic kitchen.
So what are you waiting for?
Start planning your next 'Ayurvedic Holiday' soon.
De-stress, rejuvenate, relax and forget about your worldly worries while you are treated like royalties in the Palace of Ayurveda.

( images from http://kalarikovilakom.com/)

Wednesday 19 September 2007

Please take a seat...

...relax,
make yourselves comfortable
and let me show you some interesting seating ideas from Incredible India... Beautifully carved Shekawati chairs from Rajasthan teamed with colourful embroidery cushions.
The planter's chair or the easy chair is my all-time favourite. How can you not relax your tired torso on the curve of this piece of art & prop your legs on the arm rests?
A folding easy chair with colourful fabric for those hot sultry days.
The cool swings, jhoolas or hichkars from Gujarat.The to and fro motion of the swing can put anyone into a state of bliss.
Chettinad style furniture from South India.
This eclectic piece from North India shows the mixing of Imperial, Empire & Indian style.
Lovely wood and cane sofas with red cushions.
A caned daybed from Kerala placed between two open doorways provides a breezy resting spot.
Look at this lovely 'Sociable' -this is a Victorian style furniture still found in some of the old colonial mansions in India.
An old Goan wood & cane divan.A Regency inspired Indian sofa made in Goa fills up an otherwise bare room.
I Love Bhaitaks -A floor level seating arrangement that comprises of thick soft mattresses placed against walls and loads of decorative cushions & bolsters thrown in to at a burst of colours.An Anglo-Indian influence in the form of a Victorian design settee.The humble Charpoy turned into a charming piece of furniture by Stringbedco, they make amazing charpoys with modern sensibilities.
The Rattan chairs and settees are excellent for indoors as well as outdoors.

Enjoy these while I curl up on my favourite sofa with a cup of chai.

( images from eruditiononline.com, Indian Style, Stringbedco, Inside Outside Magazine)