India Decoration, Interiors, Design Hardback - 2001

From the publisher

India has a mysterious style and exciting color palette all its own, one that reflects the vibrant diversity of its people, traditions, and design. From the Mughal invasion in the twelfth century to the arrival of the British in the eighteenth century, India has survived a turbulent history, yet retains a sense of originality and cultural identity that transcends the diverse influences that it has absorbed.

India: Decoration, Interiors, Design celebrates the beauty of Indian style and interior influence, focusing on the northwest areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Each section of this remarkable resource is devoted to homes of a specific type: merchant houses, forts and palaces, tribal, revival, and modern; but all the attention is focused on the delightful details, innovative patterns, and extraordinary motifs that define each style. Hundreds of gorgeous photographs specially commissioned for this book explore the unique architecture, furniture, wall decorations, textiles, and rugs popular in Indian homes across the entire social spectrum.

The final section, covering contemporary homes, details how this rich artistic heritage has been adapted and updated to the new century. Readers will see dwellings ranging from Faith Singh's home in Jaipur, which richly integrates the block-printed fabrics she produces in her shops, to Amit Ambalal's 1970s home in Ahmedabad which uses a distinct modular construction in concrete and wood.

What's more, India also includes practical ideas for translating Indian motifs into today's home, with dozens of ready-to-use patterns and color palettes for Indian-style stenciling, borders, needlepoint, embroidery, paint effects, and more. Whether one is fascinated by Indian design, culture, artwork, or history, India provides a never-ending treasury of resplendent photographs, classic artwork, and inspirational design ideas.

- Over 300 extraordinary, specially commissioned photographs of outstanding Indian interiors and decorative arts
- A beautifully produced guide to the latest trends for East-meets-West interiors - Provides practical advice and easy-to-use ideas for translating Indian motifs into home decorating
- Inspires the reader in the use of Indian colors, fabrics, and decorative arts in interior design