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Business
Interior Design
Trends in India
by Rekha I Nambiar
 Trends in the
architectural and interior design world have developed greater synthesis
with the fashion world. Your private world and your physical self are
increasingly in tune (at least aesthetically) with your public existence
and your living space. This new dynamic is changing the way we define
trends….because they are no longer isolated. People are increasingly
aware that anything in their home makes a statement about them. Design
is all about re-enforcing individuality now. Which means there are no
strict rules, other than one – 'Reflect your individuality'.
In this article, I shall
outline the trends that are likely to define interior space. These
trends are not just about interior spaces, but also on how our living
spaces are increasingly reflecting our lifestyle choices. On every
level. Overt and subtle.
Contemporary design features continue to hold sway, although the move
away from minimalism, harsh lines and a clinical ambience is replaced
with a touch of old world warmth. Modern design meets mid-century
interior concepts to create spaces that give us the best of both
worlds…old and new. Eclecticism is in. This is the time when that
colonial/antique piece of furniture can be placed alongside your
contemporary straight-line sofas, and not look out of place. Mix and
match is the trend as aesthetic independence becomes more pronounced.
Ornate fixtures and accessories alongside straight-line minimalist metal
furniture would not be incongruous.
Colors are bold. Green is the dominant color this year. A deeply vibrant
green. Followed by pumpkin orange, bright red---in tones from terracotta
to cayenne. Orange, Yellow, Gold—dominating the palette. Deep cinnamon,
luxurious violets, turquoise and of course the other color that is
hot---Pink—bright and daring.
Metal remains an extensively used feature of design. The only difference
is that it is now mixed with other mediums, from wood to leather. Metal
laminates are being used on everything from walls to furniture. In tones
of bronze, burnished copper, gold frosted, nickel….and many more. There
is a lot of development in this particular aspect of interiors and it's
likely to get more and more creative.
Texture. A word to memorize this year. Because it touches every feature
of design. On walls, in fabrics, in wood finishes, in flooring
concepts….anything and everything defined by texture. Flooring shows
increased use of carpet tiles, and carpets that focus on tones and
weaves rather than motifs. In tiles, ceramics are out, porcelain is in.
Glass continues its reign of supremacy and is being used in a lot of
creative ways. Not just for functionality but also for embellishment.
Furnishing fabrics are dominated by textures and weaves that focus on
the in-built beauty of natural fibers. Fabrics with metal woven into
them, tones and thread work, embroidery and quilting are all making a
comeback. Prints are back in action but the motifs are eclectic and the
colors very bold. Polka dots have appeared out of nowhere and stripes
refuse to go out of fashion. Windows are no longer bare. Colour and
embellishment complement modern styles. The emphasis is on creating a
fusion between the old world style and the modern look. Roman blinds
remain popular as do drapes in contemporary styles. Top treatments bring
back a sense of grandeur while retaining the clean lines. Metal,
leather, suede are all being used with linen, cotton and silks.
Artificial fibers are no longer visible. Sheers are being used
extensively. Handwork and detailing bring in the elegance to the earlier
minimalist styles. Embroidery, printing and ethnic styles create their
space after a long hiatus.
Wall treatments are another force to reckon with this year. Paint
finishes, stenciling, the distressed look, faux treatments, color color
color. Faux treatments can be used on anything from walls to wood,
ceramics to metal/glass. Moldings are also back in business and ornate
cornices happily co-exist with contemporary style.
Lighting…..again, clean lines, simple shapes. A new feature in the
lighting market is the use of motion sensors instead of manual light
switches. Along with an attempt to focus on subtle glow rather than
direct light. Offices still use fluorescent light but the attempt is to
soften the edges a bit and create light that is easier on the eye. In
terms of the material used, metal still rules the roost. But it is metal
that comes in a wide range of finishes from hand painted texture
finishes to burnished and oiled tones of copper and bronze. Shiny brass
is completely out, although brass may be used and finished in a metallic
shade. China is totally passé. Hand painting is welcome, but in a manner
that develops tone and texture…not motifs. Glass is used in a wide
variety of colors and tones, wrought iron in complemented with
traditional embellishments. The biggest surprise is the re-entry of
chandeliers. The central light fixture is back with a bang.
If color and wall finishes are in, could murals be all that far behind?
Yes, walls are being decorated with murals. The bolder the better. But
only if the room is big enough to handle that kind of drama. Sofas
continue with the long silhouettes and remain low and tapered. The
emphasis on beige, off-white, ecru and white continues while the color
is brought in using decorative pillows. Leather makes a strong statement
this year. It touches most aspects of décor in one way or another. But
modern and traditional mingle like two enemies who have just become
great friends.
If you figured that trimmings have died, think again. Beads are being
used for accessories and draperies. The bullion fringe re-appears with a
vengeance on window treatments and upholstery. Fireplaces are in vogue
again. Doesn't matter whether they are functional or not !!! There is a
whole range of styles in the market, to cater to almost any budget. The
detailing varies from metal accents to texture detailing.
Decoupage is another element of design that makes its presence felt this
year. Use it on furniture, or wall art. It is most definitely chic. In
terms of motifs, again, contemporary and traditional synthesize to
create a new style. Large motifs dominate in the larger interior
schemes. The bolder the better.
Kitchens are focusing as much on exteriors as interior accessories.
Hardware and fittings acquire much more prominence. Moldings are more
detailed although they are kept reasonably small. Open plan dominance
keeps the focus on more natural light. Glass is being used in many
innovative ways in interior design. From flooring to walls. Accessories
to fittings. Mirrors have rekindled their appeal.
In offices, the focus is on creating low panels, reducing the cubicle
environment to incorporate more flexibility. Square foot area is being
kept low, and management is contemplating the new mobility and giving up
huge private offices in favor of a more open environment. In homes, with
the dominance of the open plan, the trend is to remove isolated areas
and boundaries and create a place where one area flows into another and
there aren't that many rigid definitions. Essentially, our lifestyle
choices are reflecting the way we think.
March 5, 2006
Rekha I Nambiar is an interior designer
based in New Delhi, India and specializes in furniture, window
treatments and home furnishings. Her work may be viewed online at
http://www.idi-home.com
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Business
The Week of March 5, 2006
Tackling Al-Qaeda: Key lies in
Pushtunistan by Rajinder Puri
The Great American Circus Rolls On ... by
Usha Kakkar
United States President's Historic Visit
to India by Dr. Subhash Kapila
The Great American Circus Rolls On ...
by Usha Kakkar
US History - Lesser Known
Facts, Analogies & Surmises Part 4 by Gaurang Bhatt, MD
What UN Reform could be suitable for the
New World Order? by TA Ramesh
Morarji Desai: A Statesman Par Excellence
by Syed Muzammiluddin
A dialogue with the Canadian Poet
Aurora Antonovic by Dr. Amitabh Mitra
How Important Really
Are The Preschool Years by Garima Gupta
Snow or Gold A Story by
Suniti Chandra Mishra
Love's Grandeur A Story by Amita Sinha
Kids Fighting by Michael Grose
Kiwi Trivia by Neha Girotra
Interior Design Trends in India by
Rekha I Nambiar
Hamburger in America by Manjula Waldron
The Power of Mantra and Prayer by Arya
Bhushan
Memoirs About My Father by Ashok
Rastogi
Daring to Divorce Shuriah Niazi
Women on Track by Ambujam Anantharaman
Reading Between the Numbers by Kaushiki
Rao
Pop Culture and Pizza by Neeta Lal
Drama to Cope with Trauma by Mehru
Jaffer
One Woman Against the Tide : A feature
on Indrani Sinha
Tough Woman in Tough Land: A feature on
Nusrat Ara from Pakistan
Impact of Mars as per Bhrigu Nadi System by
Dr. Shanker Adawal
Kaikeyi: Ram Ke Mangeela Banvas by
Satya Chaitanya
The Cartographic Deficit in Indic
Publishing! by Shreerãm Vidyãrthî
Is George Bush Anti Islam? by Usha
Kakkar
United Colors of Indo-US Bonhomie by
Usha Kakkar
Tale of Two Countries by Usha Kakkar
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