The décor in high-end Indian homes across metros, especially in the capital, is going back to
traditional roots, after years
of dabbling in utility and spartan chic of contemporary west.
Two exclusive lifestyle retail spaces in the capital- Good Earth, which recently threw open its door in New Delhi and Elitaire in Faridabad – have adapted
traditional designs from the myths and heart of medieval India and the royal palaces of Europe to suit the minimal and new age aesthetics of elite homes point to the trend.
They are targeting the high-end home market segment of the “aesthetic elite” with a price sweep of Rs. 500 to Rs. 500,000.
Good Earth- a national lifestyle accessory chain – recently put together an exhibition of home accessories by five designers that combined Indian resonance with an international appeal.
The
collection, titled “India Modern” was on display at the 18,000-square foot Flagship, Good Earth’s maiden store in the Indian capital.
“In a resurgent India, the rich cultural heritage is getting layered with a contemporary global relevance. This duality has given rise to a new aesthetic that draws from history to create modern perspectives suitable for contemporary living. The highlight this year at the Delhi store is the Vrindavan collection,” creative director of Good Earth Anita Lal said.
She said the store picks up one collection every year, which is usually an “interpretation of any part of history and culture from India.
“The Vrindavan collection this year celebrates the harmony between man and nature- the story of Lord Krishna and his days in Vrindavan where he played with his consort Radha. We have just taken the symbolic aspects of Vrindavan - like the motifs of the flora and fauna, the peacock, the cows, the lotus and the lamps- minus the god and goddess to give the collection and international look,” Lal said.
The collection features “kamalinis” or lotus showpieces, lotus stools in brass and beaten silver, ornate candle stands shaped like medieval wall panels from Vrindavan homes, peacock and cowherd wall hangings in brass, fluted flower pots, Mughal minarets and geometrical tables inlaid with mother of pearls, abilone and malachite.
The Vrindavan furniture is complimented by Vrindavan Chenille cushions and the Neeltara cushions in silk and velvet, trimmed with satin Mashru and embroidery.
“Mashru” is a traditional silk and cotton weave from Kutch, printed in the Ajrakh technique using natural dyes.
A dining table laid with kansa ware (a alloy of tin and copper) and collections of cutleries like the tia pakhi (parrot) from Bengal, the Rasa or the marigold range of the heartland, the Periyar Indus Rajah from Kerala and Baradari collection from the Mughal era add to the Brajbhumi look.
Designer Vikram Goel, the man behind the Vrindavan collection, said the designs debuted in a Good Earth exhibition in Mumbai in 2008.
“I tried to recreate the motifs of peacocks, cows, lotuses and trees as depicted in the pichwais (traditional Vrindavan paintings and texts) to suit new awareness. I love the diverse techniques of metals,” Goel told this writer.
The collection is also a tribute to the dying art of metal crafting and a bid at revival.
“The clutter is going out of home decor and they are becoming more realistic,” artist Subodh Gupta said.
Interiors were going back to roots and I just love the heritage look, he explained.
Faridabad-based Elitaire, a Lifestyle and home décor retail store spread across 2,000 square metres at the Interiorz Mall, has recreated replicas of six European palaces for Indian drawings rooms.
“Our collections combine opulence with contemporary convenience. The idea behind recreating the palace themes was to offer buyers something more than luxury- a slice of heritage, which they can preserve,” K.V.Rao, chairman of the Dolphin Group, which owns Elitaire, said.
According to him, the high-end retail space is commercially viable because the “recession has not been able to dent the luxury lifestyle segment”.
The home themes – featuring complete rooms with period furniture, accessories and lights – include the 16th century Rosenberg Castle, Buckingham Palace, Castle of Prague, Castle of Sans Souci in Prussia, Palace of Wilanow of the Dutch royal family and the Palace of Versailles from the era of Louis XIV.
The accessories drawn from 82 leading design houses from across Europe are a blend of the grand baroque, the romantic French Rococo and the austere neo-classicism of British royalty.