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Weave Designs from India Into Your Decor
Work carved woods, patterned textiles or hints of bling into your modern space for an ethnic-inspired visual tapestry
Houzz Contributor. I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel and design. I just completed my first remodel, turning my crumbling 1941 kitchen into a beauty of grays, whites and natural wood. If I could, I'd sleep on the countertop. That's how much I love it.
You can also read my parenting blog on Baby Center http://blogs.babycenter.com/author/sschoech/
Houzz Contributor. I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel... More »
I've never been to India, but I've always been attracted to Indian design. I love the textiles — everything from brilliant saris to muted block prints — and the colors. I love the classical architecture, the garish billboards, the woodwork and the religious iconography.
Because India was crisscrossed by so many people over the centuries, Indian design has elements from the Middle East, China and Europe. It is a rich tapestry that has taken thousands of years to develop.
But as with any contemporary design based on a place or a culture, you should proceed with caution, using the elements of Indian design as inspiration or as a launching pad. To get an Indian look that is not too "India World USA!," go less literal, more suggestive. Kind of like flirting.
These 14 rooms are very different from one another, but they all use India as their starting point. Some are eclectic modern, while others are more overtly ethnic inspired. All of them are beautiful.
Because India was crisscrossed by so many people over the centuries, Indian design has elements from the Middle East, China and Europe. It is a rich tapestry that has taken thousands of years to develop.
But as with any contemporary design based on a place or a culture, you should proceed with caution, using the elements of Indian design as inspiration or as a launching pad. To get an Indian look that is not too "India World USA!," go less literal, more suggestive. Kind of like flirting.
These 14 rooms are very different from one another, but they all use India as their starting point. Some are eclectic modern, while others are more overtly ethnic inspired. All of them are beautiful.
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Ornate Carvings
The ornately carved antique doors add depth and a little grandeur to this otherwise plain space.
The ornately carved antique doors add depth and a little grandeur to this otherwise plain space.
The carved doors leading to this breezeway are in rich contrast with the modern building. To me they feel like a seductive invitation to enter.
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If you can't swing a large, antique architectural element, furniture can add the same richness and texture. A piece like this could easily be the inspiration for an entire room.
by betsy burnham
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Decorative Furniture
This amazing inlaid dresser is at home in this modern eclectic room. The room is not obviously Indian, but this piece adds a little hint of spice.
This amazing inlaid dresser is at home in this modern eclectic room. The room is not obviously Indian, but this piece adds a little hint of spice.
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An ornate piece like this could live comfortably in a white, modern room as well as in a richly colored, layered room full of texture.
by Serena & Lily
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This ottoman is a beautiful mix of subtle, modern fabric and traditional Indian design. It could work almost anywhere.
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Arches and Architecture
The corbel arch is one of the most telltale Indian architectural elements. This room uses that shape, as well as screened panels, ornate textiles and traditional furnishings to bring India to mind in a modern, Western room.
The corbel arch is one of the most telltale Indian architectural elements. This room uses that shape, as well as screened panels, ornate textiles and traditional furnishings to bring India to mind in a modern, Western room.
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| White corbel arches and filigreed panels. It's almost like the Taj Majal. |
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| Textiles India is rightfully famous for its textiles. Many modern designers (Madeline Weinrib, John Robshaw) and even companies like Hermès have turned to Indian textiles, in all their patterned, sequined, metallic-trimmed glory, for inspiration. |
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A tapestry made from scraps of vintage saris. Drool.
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A block print in indigo. Simple, modern, Indian.
by One Kings Lane
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A pouf made from scraps of Indian madras and hand-stitched kantha cloth.
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Metallics, either printed or woven, are common in India textiles, as are block prints of iconic Indian images, like these elephant riders.
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Color
Just look at that blue. And that ceiling! Swoon. So much of India is about color — fearless, vivid, mixed up-color. Oh, and a little bling too.
Just look at that blue. And that ceiling! Swoon. So much of India is about color — fearless, vivid, mixed up-color. Oh, and a little bling too.
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If you are not ready to go for full-on painted ceilings with bright blue walls, you can at least add a little color with some throw pillows, right? India "lite."
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Elegant bling — it's every girl's dream.
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by TILTON FENWICK
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| Pattern Not all Indian textiles are bright or blingy. This room is subtle, airy, modern and definitely inspired by India. This is what judicious but still exuberant use of pattern can do. I love this room. |
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A simple block-print bed set can add texture and pattern without adding more color than you are comfortable with.
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Modern, geometric pillows with block prints from India. They have an ethnic vibe, but they're still very laid back.
More:
My Houzz: French Colonial Mansion in India
Guest Picks: India
Moroccan Style
More:
My Houzz: French Colonial Mansion in India
Guest Picks: India
Moroccan Style
Ideabook published on April 8, 2012.
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De-Cor, Globally Inspired in Pasadena,CA. Absolutely the best selection of India's finest. I've attcahed some spaces in which I used artifacts, furniture and architectural remnants from India. Thanks for this great ideabook.
Charmean Neithart
I wish the author had included more of the vivid colors that is typical of the various regions in India. After all, who else has an entire holiday dedicated to color?!!
There are lots of good books that show some examples - one of the books I love is "India: In Word and Image" by Eric Meola and Bharati Mukherjee. It's a very large, coffee-table style book - that I just couldn't put down. I wanted to immerse myself in those beautiful colors and never return to my formerly favorite neutral colors again!!