Indian Minimalism – is soon to become a candid design trend. In a country where less is less and more is never enough – minimalism is a demanding inclination to simply tip-toe in homes. Although tired of frenzied feasting, many Indians are taking on minimalism to declutter their spaces, and well, thoughts too.Image Credits: PinterestWhat is Minimalism? More than just an interior design ‘style’, minimalism is a principle – that of removing all unnecessary decor or features from an object and leaving only those that serve the purpose of the object. To quote Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, “Less is More”.Minimalism for a country that’s emotional, and expressive; where our natural milieu is riotous, and there’s so much pigment and robustness everywhere that the built environment must really echo that. The framework of traditional Indian architecture provides an ideal base for minimalist decor and with the current sustainable movement; have been effortlessly quick to fuse the two. Image Credits: Pinterest | PinterestIndia is well known for its decadent design and its inclination for kaleidoscopic colors but recently the design world has begun to cautiously dip in the minimalistic pool. Indian minimalism tends to indulge in warmer, more rustic wood. This return to natural material plus the addition of stone accents means that while the minimalist theory is still in place, the design takes on a more comforting, familiar aesthetic that is missing from the sleek forms elsewhere. Image Credits: PinterestMinimalism promises to deliver chic, uncomplicated style that while unassuming will convey grandeur far beyond the boundaries of its simplicity. Image Credits: Pinterest | PinterestA mix of the colors, grey and beige, offers in its spectrum an assortment of insignias that are neutral enough to stay minimalist, yet have the warmth that charms to the Indian consumer’s thoughtfulness. With this approach, textiles and patterns can still be incorporated, as can an array of beautiful natural materials like various natural stones and fabric and handcraftsmanship that India is so well known for. The allures of Indian Minimalism can seep right through your home and adept with the geometry, tradition, simplicity, and lively coloring yet coexist in the realms of minimalism....
Continue ReadingIt’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! The temperatures are dropping, everyone’s shopping, the Santa is eavesdropping and the reds are popping. And you know what makes the best time of year even better? Decking up your home and getting every inch of your house into the holiday spirit with creative and festive decorating ideas that set the mood just right....
Continue ReadingMYTHS & BELIEFSThe Babylonian god Marduk plaited a wicker hurdle on the surface of the waters. He created dust and spread it on the hurdle. Thus, this ancient Mesopotamian myth describesthe creation of the earth using a reed mat. And not only this, many other ancient myths and stories believe that basketry was the first of the arts given to mankind....
Continue ReadingCelebrations, fun get-togethers and endless smiles await you as we come closer to a new year and some new beginnings. Our culture, our history, our mythical tales and our varied seasons, all come together to gift India prolonged days of festivities and celebrations, creating stronger social and emotional bonds that tie us together and bring us closer.Image Credits: Unsplash | TripsavvyFrom toddlers to grown ups, from small villages to developed towns, the whole of India contributes in this grand celebration on the onset of Indian Summer (or Autumn) or the well known Indian Festive months. These months bring to light and spread around the glorious culture and ethnicity of India but what really binds them together is the unwavering enthusiasm and pomp of each and every element of our surroundings.Image Credits: Tripsavvy | UnsplashWith bling adorning us, sweets and pakwaans loaded in our mouths and spirituality in the air, these festivals create a positive aura and fill us with a feeling of happiness. Sometimes we celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna or welcome Ganesha and Lord Ram in our homes, the other times, we celebrate the harvest of a crop or dance the night away with the Holy Goddess; all of which reflect to live each day as it comes and share happiness with the entire community....
Continue ReadingBoring, flat, outdated? Definitely not! Chic, comfortable, characterful - the browns and muddy hues on the colour wheel juxtapose modern and classic aesthetics to spin nuanced narratives in homes. The minutiae of the marvelous, interiors that revel in contrasting colours, a drama of textures and a play of patterns and carvings decorated against the backdrop of timeless browns can craft a space that possesses a wealth of details....
Continue ReadingA swarm of people in chaotic streets, the hustle of life like ones never known calm.... Yet, I once heard an ‘outsider’ friend say “I am finally home” .... here in India. And the local folks know that the essence of this country is much more that it appears to be....
Continue ReadingJust in time for the sunny summers melting into the moody monsoons, it’s finally time to talk about our favourite home décor idea, Prints! Prints and patterns can add dimension and infuse personality in a space; they have an exotic and travelled feel that’s also a bit playful, making them a great tool for layering. These wonders can take your living room or your personal space away from a monochromatic eyesore and can make them pop effortlessly. But how can a minimalist use prints?...
Continue ReadingAfter the World War II many Bauhaus architects and designers migrated to America as a result of changes in Germany. Desperate for creativity after the war, these famed designers took war materials and molded them into iconic chairs, tables and lights, thus coining the term ‘Mid- Century Modern Style’. Mid-century modern refers to pieces from the 40s, 50s and 60s, which pushed the limits of engineering. A Mid-Century modern style is based on many factors, it gives us clean lines, gentle organic curves and love for different materials.Today we dive into the world of Mid-Century, decoding its many facets while helping you create this look!THE MOOD BOARD Image Credits: westelm | bestfriendsforfrosting | allmodernImage Credits: Instagarm#omysadesign | Overstock | mydomaineCOLOUR CHOICESThe traditional mid-century palette ranged from bright hues in the 1950s to earthy colours in the 1960s, so the style works with many different shades....
Continue ReadingFrom appearing in the Oxford English Dictionary during the year 1787 to helping president John F. Kennedy with his chronic back pain (thus also ending up in nearly every room of the White House), the journey of rocking chairs, has been an iconic and the most celebrated one! Though Benjamin Franklin is sometimes credited with inventing it, it is more likely that this relaxing chair first appeared in America during the 18th century. Continue reading to uncover the full story.Rocking Chairs - What’s their story?AN URBAN LEGENDWhile they play a prominent role in both architecture and pop culture, rocking chairs established their place in American history long ago....
Continue ReadingOnce restricted to bars & pubs and now a must-have in every home, here is the story of the high and mighty bar chairs.The Story of the High and Mighty Bar Stools/ ChairCHAPTER 1: THE DEBUTIt is difficult to determine exactly when and where the bar stool was invented; however the most plausible explanation is it evolved from bench. Examples of seating have been found as far back as the Stone Age, where bench style seating was discovered in abundance. By using elevated seating, humans distinguished themselves from the animal kingdom.CHAPTER 2: THE RISEEvidences of bar stools were then found in ancient Chinese tombs and later in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians used both chairs and bar stools; the use of chairs was usually reserved for those with superior social status....
Continue ReadingIndia - A land of abundance, a land of 300 gods & goddesses, a land of 9 major religions & a land of heritage! In this mystical land lies another gem, the Indian Handloom industry, preserving & rendering a beautiful picture of our age-old heritage. Known worldwide for the richness & purity of its textiles, each handcrafted piece is adorned with lively colours & prints, specific to different cultures blooming across India. Inspired from nature, ancient architecture of temples & forts, rural lifestyle and abstract patterns, these prints speak a thousand words to the beholder.Native Printing Styles that Make Indian Textiles Desirable, Worldwide!...
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