Ethnic Interiors...

The Ethnic and much stylish interiors and some corners of my sister's house(my mom's ,elder sisters daughter) in a sleepy town in North Kerala..,my maternal village.Surrounded by lush greenery of a simple village,the interiors have been kept minimalistic and also stylish.Inorder to keep up with the environment that it has been set into,the interiors resemble the ancient tharavadu style with courtyards and plants that grow in it,swings and sloping mangalore tiled roofs and surrounded by white long columns in the verandahas..unfortunately only the interiors have been shot and exeriors will be added later.

Hope the images do the justice for all my readers...

We make it a point to be here once a year..to refresh ourself,and to breathe fresh air....

entrancesouth indian swinga typical diwandining room
a much detailed view of the plants in the courtyards,monsters and palms and some chimes...lighted corners of the kitchen.i love the sleepy light and mild shadows coming in the kitchen

Please do not copy images from this site ,without the prior permission

All images copyrighted and sole property of Lakshmi Arvind

Manish Aroras Home-Riot of colors

The interiors of Manish Aroras home in New Delhi.Manish Aroras apartment is consciously impermanent.Everywhere you glance you can find an ornate decoration,a flash of bright color or an intricately patterened fabric.Red ,blue and  fuchsia colors are the important colours he likes.

 Fabrics are so important to me in interior decoration that I have even covered my walls in them - and it's wonderful.' says Manish in an Interview to Mail online

He's not wrong. In the corner of one room he has created a daybed using a quilted effect with a brightly striped fabric that covers both the base and creeps up the wall, creating the feeling of a cosy hideaway that is perfectly integrated into the main room.

But as eye-catching as the fabrics are, what really adds character to the house are the little touches.

Kites,handmade from gujarat,A part of the Uttran Festival

Rubber dolls from Barcelona,Bed cover from Dilli Haat,many trinkets hang on the bedpost.

While in some rooms this takes the form of mannequins clothed in his own Technicolor designs, in others there are swathes of material in the form of drapes, blinds, curtains and paisley-covered cushions. Fans of his clothes may find some of the patterns more than a little familiar.

Pearls are from his work and the garland is typical to be put on Gods

From the dreamcatchers and fairylights that bedeck the bed, to collections of coloured glass vases, retro toys, colourful cartoons and jars full of beads and buttons.

Passion for colour, texture and exuberant, life-filled forms matches Manish's own. But for all its flamboyance, he sees this house as a quiet refuge.

'I like the ambience of utter comfort in which I can relax and recover every day,' he confides.

'My favourite moments are those I spend alone in the morning, doing yoga, and those spent having a drink with friends in the evening.'

(Excerpts form an interview to Mail online,Welcome to the Techicolor Dream House)

(Photographs courtesy:Thames and Hudson,Henry Wilson)

Some of his colourful designs..
The new design for Nivea Cream,launched in summer 2009 in paris
The Mac Ad

Small Cottage,Striped Down

The New feature of Indian Homes started this winter is going to be in full form from today.I hope I can bring to you as many Indian home tours as possible,so that my readers could integrate them in to their respective dream homes and make the living in them truly and experience in its own.I hope everybody will love this home to the fullest

Set in Parra,This holiday getaway is filled with vibrant hues complemented with DIY Decor.

Sparsley furnished with furniture,it sintricate wood work lends the character to the living room.A white linen curtain breaks the burst of colors leading to the dining area.



A sari used a drape provides privacy.whle a painted rangoli adorns the floor.the entrance
A handpainted wooden rail to hang knickknacks
Cutlery in a jar
Kitchen flaunts furniture made with the help of local carpenters..Bright striped walls help accentuate the double storey ,concrete finish on the slabs,counters..
Some boxes on the wall to store
Pink themed bedroom
Uncluttered and basic,the concrete finish gives an austere look to the bathroom.
Headboard resembles a jharokha opening.Linen with delicate cutwork from Fabindia.

Tips:

Always remember,When adding texture to the walls,using one colour from the colour scheme tends to give continuity

Colour contrast:Dont be afraid to step outside your colour comfort zone and try.that will give you good results

wall embellishments:Dont stop at your fav artwork.spruce up the walls with lots of texture.

Accessorise:Put travel to good use.this is what will tell the story of your decor..

Hope the colours will pep our spirits and dont forget to tell me about this home tour.

lots more coming your way..

Image and Text courtesy:Elle Decor,June -July 2009