Decorating Guides
Give Your Home an Ethnic Edge With Indian-inspired Prints
These spaces are a lesson in how to bring traditional Indian prints to modern homes
From the hand-cast block prints of the Kalamkari style of Andhra Pradesh to the celebrated Indian paisley, India’s multifaceted print legacy has decorated the world in alluring designs for centuries. Even so, today, the traditional nature of traditional Indian prints like Ajrakh, Dabu and Bagru can often prove too ethnic for contemporary decor aesthetics. That is, unless you give them a spin and work them to reflect a modern outlook like these homes have.
Decorate with wallpaper
In this room, white painted furniture with just enough carved detailing work as contemporary counterpoints to the floral wallpaper.
In this room, white painted furniture with just enough carved detailing work as contemporary counterpoints to the floral wallpaper.
Play with block prints
A contemporary take on a traditional print can be a clever way to lighten and modernise a heavy-duty design.
Summery, light and sun-loving, you can almost imagine this gold-on-white, block-printed bed cover fluttering in the breeze by an open window. As a modern interpretation of ancient block-printing techniques, the design manages to retain the authenticity of the art while placing it in a modish avatar.
Tip: When it comes to displaying block prints, choose among scatter pillows, bed covers, mats and runners to serve as your showcase.
A contemporary take on a traditional print can be a clever way to lighten and modernise a heavy-duty design.
Summery, light and sun-loving, you can almost imagine this gold-on-white, block-printed bed cover fluttering in the breeze by an open window. As a modern interpretation of ancient block-printing techniques, the design manages to retain the authenticity of the art while placing it in a modish avatar.
Tip: When it comes to displaying block prints, choose among scatter pillows, bed covers, mats and runners to serve as your showcase.
Light up a false ceiling
Transform a dropped ceiling into a shining star with embellished ethnic fabric. Consider splitting your false ceiling into segments and fitting designs alternately to weave a visually stimulating tapestry.
This Ahmedabad living room by Dipen Gada and Associates is given a rich infusion of royal blue, thanks to the classic gold-patterned fabrics sheathing the false ceiling.
Transform a dropped ceiling into a shining star with embellished ethnic fabric. Consider splitting your false ceiling into segments and fitting designs alternately to weave a visually stimulating tapestry.
This Ahmedabad living room by Dipen Gada and Associates is given a rich infusion of royal blue, thanks to the classic gold-patterned fabrics sheathing the false ceiling.
Go all out with upholstery
A dainty crimson paisley print transforms this stately ottoman into an instant focal point, while thematically tying in with the fuchsia sofa. The ottoman fans the Bohemian theme, while adding a uniquely edgy Indian element to the room.
This is how to get pattern and texture right in your home
A dainty crimson paisley print transforms this stately ottoman into an instant focal point, while thematically tying in with the fuchsia sofa. The ottoman fans the Bohemian theme, while adding a uniquely edgy Indian element to the room.
This is how to get pattern and texture right in your home
Display a heritage design style
The trick to keeping traditional decor relevant in a modern setting is to choose pieces in a colour palette that dovetails into your existing decor.
Take this lime- and lemon-hued room from the Lakshman Sagar Resort, Rajasthan. The green and orange shisha-embellished (a traditional Indian design style with embroidered mirrors) cushions blend into the room’s bold colour scheme, while the mirrorwork diffuses the brightness with soft metallic pops.
A guide to getting your bespoke upholstery done right
The trick to keeping traditional decor relevant in a modern setting is to choose pieces in a colour palette that dovetails into your existing decor.
Take this lime- and lemon-hued room from the Lakshman Sagar Resort, Rajasthan. The green and orange shisha-embellished (a traditional Indian design style with embroidered mirrors) cushions blend into the room’s bold colour scheme, while the mirrorwork diffuses the brightness with soft metallic pops.
A guide to getting your bespoke upholstery done right
Pick printed panels
Take note from this beige room, which gives the good old neutral a glamorous twist. Paisley fabric panels, bordered by custom moulding, form understated accents for the simple walls, making a statement without drawing too much attention.
Take note from this beige room, which gives the good old neutral a glamorous twist. Paisley fabric panels, bordered by custom moulding, form understated accents for the simple walls, making a statement without drawing too much attention.
Experiment with graphic prints
Eccentric, eye-popping prints inspired by aspects of India can fit right into an eclectic, free-spirited abode. A psychedelic auto rickshaw, an arty tiger or a glorious depiction of a god or goddess can lend spirit to a beatnik theme.
In this Mumbai home, a potpourri of quirky prints, set against an explosion of colours, steal the limelight, while the pristine white walls provide a calming effect.
Eccentric, eye-popping prints inspired by aspects of India can fit right into an eclectic, free-spirited abode. A psychedelic auto rickshaw, an arty tiger or a glorious depiction of a god or goddess can lend spirit to a beatnik theme.
In this Mumbai home, a potpourri of quirky prints, set against an explosion of colours, steal the limelight, while the pristine white walls provide a calming effect.
Lay down a runner
In this Mumbai home, a casually draped bench runner underpins two purposely worn pillows. The runner, decorated with paisleys and flowers, presents a kaleidoscopic array of colours, which stand out against the midnight-black background of the runner. The black base is also a hat-tip to the bold black frames on the wall.
In this Mumbai home, a casually draped bench runner underpins two purposely worn pillows. The runner, decorated with paisleys and flowers, presents a kaleidoscopic array of colours, which stand out against the midnight-black background of the runner. The black base is also a hat-tip to the bold black frames on the wall.
Tip: Although it doesn’t technically qualify as a print, a carpet can be an easy way to pull traditional motifs into your home. This Delhi living room offsets the knocked-back walls with an intricate Kashmiri carpet design.
The ultimate buying guide for rugs
The ultimate buying guide for rugs
Mix with geometrics
The paisley motif on this custom headboard recedes when paired with stronger colours and geometrics.
The paisley motif on this custom headboard recedes when paired with stronger colours and geometrics.
Accessorise with blinds
With classic Indian block prints, you can give your room an ethnic edge without giving it the rainbow.
A burst of Indian flavour courses through this busy room, courtesy a subdued window blind decorated with maroon block-printed motifs.
TELL US
What are your tricks to balance traditional and modern design?Tell us in Comments below.
With classic Indian block prints, you can give your room an ethnic edge without giving it the rainbow.
A burst of Indian flavour courses through this busy room, courtesy a subdued window blind decorated with maroon block-printed motifs.
TELL US
What are your tricks to balance traditional and modern design?Tell us in Comments below.
A vibrant ethnic throw can work as a spectacular accent for a modern, understated sofa, highlighting the remarkable duality between classic and contemporary.
In this minimalistic space, a statement mural throw and complementary cushions make a nice offset to the demure blue sofa, infusing abundant vitality and a sense of heritage to the setting.