Desi charm

Sharmila Chand

With the festive season round the corner, we explore new designs and products that bring life and add to the ethnic decor in home interiors.

The rich heritage

India is home to a diverse range of designs, patterns and a rich palette of colours. Drawing inspiration from Indian heritage and history helps to embellish the home décor in ethnic style. Look for typical Mughal motifs that add a luxurious backdrop to any setting or the mirror work of the royal maharajahs, palaces and havelis.

The latest trend is to have digital prints in items such as cushions and coasters which reflect Indian themes and provide a chic, more trendy and fun touch to any room. For example, you have a Rajasthani princess picking flowers in her garden artfully depicted through a digital print on the cushion. If you blend the vibrant colours of the art with gold or silver, it will add a rich heritage-infused flair to neutral tone ambience.

Likewise, patterns like peacocks and lotus flowers add to the ethnic touch. Interestingly, these days one finds grand monuments of bygone dynasties and various icons of the Indian cityscape rendered on textiles to create a strong heritage statement.

Vibrant furnishings

The ethnic textile furnishings of India are the best way to add an ethnic appeal to your decor. A blend of fabrics like jute, linen and silk is ideal for the right earthy feel. When done up with traditional motifs, like batik prints, hand block prints, tie and dye, embossing and lehria, they play a vital role in developing a ethnic look for a given space.

Throws, cushion covers and pillows can be embellished with traditional Indian designs which predominantly include paisley leaves, peacocks and flowers for the artistic effect to the entire interior setting. Team them up with hand embroidered sofa covers and bedcovers and then see how you have an overall delightful look.

Ethnicity in cutlery

Take out old pieces of cutlery from the secret cupboards. Brass, copper, silver everything works. Avoid polishing, just clean them well and use them at the dining table, coffee table and centre table. An old brass bowl is ideal for flower arrangement.

Old pieces symbolise royalty, they are not just precious and unique but also add depth to the décor!

The right choice in accessories

You can't get the right look without a good selection of decor items. The good news is that very interesting concepts have come up in the market these days. People are taking keen interest in promoting handicraft items and several unique props through exhibitions and online portals. For example, Bronze idols which are replicas of Chola, Hoysala and Pallava period sculpture works, stone and brass multi-metal figurines, traditional bronze lamps, Thanjavur paintings, hanging bells and lamps, terracotta pieces, they all enhance the ethnic décor in a significant way. The traditional wooden swing completes the look perfectly.

Rich colour palette

Colour combination is vital to any setting. One must coordinate Indian elements with such colours that it looks symmetric and soothing to the eyes. For example, shades of rich reds look beautiful when coordinated with off white base in gold zari work. So you can have a collection of cushions in reds and off whites with gold embroidery placed all together. Team it up with neutral throw in rich texture to add richness to your decor.

A touch of traditional art

India has a rich tradition of arts, crafts and textile heritage. Using pieces of art from different parts of the country adds up to the charm. Take out souvenirs of your travels and place them well. For example, puppets from Rajasthan, ikkat and wooden handicrafts from Orissa, tribal crafts from Madhya Pradesh are an excellent way to create a real ethnic Indian look.

These days people are even using their old Banarasi and Chanderi saris to make cushion covers and curtains. These not only add a personal touch but also create an air of vibrancy, just ideal for a festive mood.

You can also go for Madhubani paintings or Odisha's Pattachitra or a Rajasthani Pichwai. Additionally, place a kalamkari, ikkat rug to add that Indian touch.

So, set aside the plain and plaid and bring out the "Desi Charm" in your abode!