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APRIL

RS 100

www.betterinteriors.in

FOREVER NOW

150+ ways to celebrate jewel tones, handmade products and animal motifs things that will never go out of style

DO IT YOURSELF

BEST BUYS
55 evergreen pieces for your abode

3 delightful set-ups that make your home look ageless 5 India-inspired cues to creating a unique, handcrafted home

Enduring elegance
I have a woven box, a gift from my aunt. It used to belong to her mother-in-law. Its slightly the worse for wear, but I dont have the heart to consign it to the rubbish bin. So, it has moved houses with us, sometimes displayed on consoles, at others sheltered on shelves, but always comforting me with its restfully-faded saw-toothed pattern of magenta and green. Some things are timeless treasures, as are certain design styles. This issue, we present three decor options that never need to be dusted off and re-booted, simply because they stay ageless in a constantly-changing world. One of them, given our cultural DNA and our love for everything resplendent, is jewel tones. Then, there are animal motifs, whether theyre on tableware or wallpaper, going from cute and cuddly to artistic and true-to-life they have always held a special place in our homes as well. And finally, there are handcrafted, tactile elements just like my box. Theres something comforting in touching a crocheted baby blanket or displaying a hand carved statue. And when you know that an object is born of human talent and skill, it becomes even more precious. The Nottambule wallpaper from Floor & Furnishings is Techniques showcases a dining setting decked in emerald green from the Cole & Son Series. and gold; a reading corner, very masculine, imbued with animal Dont miss the solemn owls power; and a rustic sit-out replete with handmade elements. Bazaar approving your purchase! lays out a spread of accessories that will burrow their way into your heart and home...

Editorial

Rupali Sebastian Senior Editor PS We turn 8 this May! As part of the celebrations, we have an issue full of exciting stuff. Dont miss it!

PM Associates

editors pick

expands the footprint of this three-bedroom apartment in Mumbai, creating a modern, clean-lined home as a result.

Hertrich & Adnet

Zecc Architecten B V use Corten steel and exposed brick work to create open spaces and clear vistas in an old railway house in The Netherlands.
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https://www.facebook.com/betterinteriorsmagazine

Randip and Simran Dhingra revel in their love

Takingcuesfromtheislands treasuretroveofartandcraft, Hermes Hertrich&AdnetStudiogivea haslook just aby fresh tolaunched ClubMedBali series of tableware marrying the ethnicandthe modern. thatll set your heart

New in stores

for design and the outdoors in their verdant two-acre farmhouse in New Delhi.
022-30034589

racing! Thats right, the Rallye collection has imagery that recalls a winding race-track.

rupali.sebastian@network18publishing.com
A P R I L 2 0 1 3 BETTER INTERIORS 1 1

PHOTOGRAPH: PRADNYA GULAWANI

FOUNDER & EDITOR, NETWORK18 Raghav Bahl PRESIDENT & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, TV18 Senthil Chengalvarayan SENIOR EDITOR Rupali Sebastian DEPUTY EDITOR Deepa Nair FEATURES EDITOR Ridhi Kale COPY EDITOR Kruttika Kallury SENIOR FEATURES WRITER Sheena DLima FEATURES WRITER Shireen Kanchwala CONTRIBUTORS Navneet Malhotra Latika Khosla SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Ashwin R. Boricha ART DIRECTOR Roshni Thakker CONSULTING ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Shyam Shirsekar SENIOR VISUALIZER Vilas Salve EDITOR - PHOTOGRAPHY Mexy Xavier PHOTOGRAPHERS Nachiket Gujar Joshua Navalkar ASSISTANT MANAGER - PRODUCTION Ravi Salian EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Ananth R. Iyer ASSISTANT GEN MANAGER - PPC Shekhar Khot PRODUCTION TEAM Dnyaneshwar Goythale HEAD - MARKETING Amit Seth EXECUTIVE - MARKETING Ruchi Shrawankar

GROUP CEO, NETWORK18 B. Sai Kumar CEO - NETWORK18 PUBLISHING Sandeep Khosla EVP - HUMAN RESOURCES Sanjeev Kumar Singh

ADVERTISING SALES
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MARKETING

Views and opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Network18 Media & Investments Limited*, its publisher and/or editors. We at Network18 do our best to verify the information published but do not take any responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the information. Network18 does not accept the responsibility for any investment or other decision taken by readers on the basis of information provided herein. Network18. does not take responsibility for returning unsolicited material sent without due postal stamps for return postage. No part of this magazine can be reproduced without the prior written permission of the publisher. Network18. reserves the right to use the information published herein in any manner whatsoever. Published by Lakshmi Narasimhan and printed by Mohan Gajria on behalf of Network18. Editor: Rupali Sebastian Printed at Infomedia Press Limited (formerly known as Infomedia 18 Limited), Plot No. 3, Sector No. 7, Off Sion-Panvel Road, Nerul, Navi Mumbai 706 & published at Network18, A Wing, Ruby House, J.K. Sawant Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai 28. For all international subscription enquiries, contact the Subscription Department, Better Interiors All editorial queries must be directed to the Editor, Better Interiors, Network18, Special Interest Publications Division, A Wing, Ruby House, JK Sawant Marg, Dadar West, Mumbai 28 Tel: (91 22) 30034631-35; Fax: (91 22) 30034499, Email: betterinteriors@infomedia18.in
* ownership of this magazine stand transferred from Infomedia18 Limited (Infomedia18) to Network18 Media & Investments Limited (Network18) in pursuance of the scheme of arrangement between Network18 and Infomedia18 and their respective shareholders and creditors, as approved by the Honble High Court of Delhi and the necessary approval of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is being obtained.

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Contents

APRIL 2013

80

COVER STORY

We break away from the madness of ever-changing trends and go back to the good old styles that will never cease to surprise and amaze us. This month, we bring you three everlasting decor themes delve into the heady world of jewel tones, take a walk in a forest full of friendly animals, or melt in the warmth of handmade products. Cover photograph: Mexy Xavier; Assisted by: Nachiket Gujar; Styled by: Roshni Thakker; Location: WTF, Versova, Andheri (W), Mumbai

DESIGN BYTES
024 068 072
Roundabout Q&A
New stores, products, exhibitions and more a roundup of the design world Architect Navneet Malhotra gives expert tips on insulation and bathroom renovation

024

Colour & Style


ARTISTEASE
Colour consultant Latika Khosla contemplates the old and new through traditional techniques, interactive art and quirky wood work

079

Techniques

TIMELESS TALES

084 072

Three settings that will always look stylish with intriguing animal motifs, charming handicrafts and beautiful, rich jewel tones

THING TANK
046 053
Swish List Bazaar
A comprehensive list of the latest must-buys

STYLE UNINTERRUPTED

How to make your decor evergreen with animal renditions, handcrafted products and luscious colours inspired by precious stones
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046

054

Contents

098

108

CENTRESTAGE
098 108 118
Habitat
THE URBAN ESTATE
Randip and Simran Dhingras two-acre farmhouse in New Delhi is fashioned to fulfill their love for entertaining

A NEW ORDER

118

Zecc Architecten BV bring Corten steel and exposed brick work together to painstakingly refurbish this old railway home in the Netherlands

SHINE ON

PM Associates give a glossy finish to a two-and-a-half bedroom Mumbai apartment

FINAL TAKE
132 146 151
Gallery
Floor tiles, LED TVs, faucets and more a list of essentials for your home

Directory

A comprehensive guide to the stores and people listed in this issue

Pick Apart

The Better Interiors team chooses their favourites

132

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Write back
{DesignBytes} Techniques

Letter of the month A Heavenly { |


|{

RETAIL THERAPY

What do you get when you mix whimsy with drama and add dollops of colour to the concoction? Styled by Tigerlilys Aparna Sanyal, this setting features one-of-a-kind furniture, especially a table spread with food and bright accessories just the ingredients you need for a delightful spring soiree.
ANCHORED BY: DEEPA NAIR; TEXT: SHEENA DLIMA; PHOTOGRAPHS: MEXY XAVIER; ASSISTED BY: NACHIKET GUJAR; LOCATION: COURTESY TIGERLILY, MUMBAI

Harvest

Spring is the right season to indulge in some good, oldfashioned shopping. Usually at the start of this season, I do an overhaul of my stuff and try to revamp my house. This year was no exception and thanks to your exquisite Bazaar section, I was able to get some amazing products including a completely new set of bed linen. My home, with its fresh colours and floral prints, now indicates that spring has arrived. Im really looking forward to your next issue. Cheers until then!
MARINA IRANI, MUMBAI

S
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pring signals new beginnings and rebirth. In India, the season is often symbolized by the coming of new harvest, which brings with it the bounties of the earth. This eye-catching setting celebrates this very sentiment. Groaning under heaped platters of fresh food, fruit and flowers, this Table of Plenty is a reflection of nature's cup brimming over, says Aparna Sanyal of Tigerlily. And indeed, the table is nothing if not lively. Solid elements like wood and metal alongside feather-light fabrics form a unique play of textures. Besides, an imaginative use

of tableware a pillar candle-holder used as a bread basket and the vivid spring tones of pink, green and orange through fresh fruit and flowers mark this frame. What makes the table setting even better is Tigerlilys unique furniture like the Polly Perch Chair added for the just right amount of whimsy. This season, take a cue from nature and embrace vibrant colour palettes for your interiors. Says Aparna, Winter has passed, with its darker palette. Now is the time to bring out the saffron and mehendi hues, the pinks and pastels and cooler shades of green and blue.
M A R C H 2 0 13 BETTER INTERIORS 8 3

LETTER OF THE MONTH

BLEEDING BLUE

The Techniques setting designed by Aparna Sanyal from TigerLily was cheerful and refreshing, just like the season of plenty that it depicted. You can really see her unique (and rather quirky) design philosophy in every inch of space she covered in the set-up. I especially liked the two chairs, Polly Perch and Tiled Frond. As far as products go, theyre a complete package excellent design, attention to detail, vivid hues that capture the imagination and the ability of each of the products to stand out as a focus piece. The attractive decor elements on the table and the dining set too, were very fascinating. I look forward to to seeing a lot more of her mad-yet-charming work featured in Better Interiors.
NEHA SINGHVI, NEW DELHI

Latika Khoslas column in the March 2013 issue of Better Interiors was an interesting read. It was lovely to read how Punes Olive Bistro took shape. The choice of blue as a binding colour was no doubt a good one, and the pictures (especially the novel cup-and-saucer chandelier) are quite indicative of this. All the little bits and bobs of this space come together homogenously while still retaining a distinct individuality. Hats off to the creators of this space, and to Latika for writing about it.
SARITA SHARMA, PUNE

THE GOOD STUFF

BRICK STREET VISUAL TREAT

I absolutely loved the In Focus section with all the lovely spring inspired products. This issue was overall quite a treat with informative and insightful content. The design, too, was particularly eye-catching and the layout was lovely. Cant wait to see the next one!
SIERRA RAJ, GOA

The Habitat section of Better Interiors is my favourite and I love reading about the homes you feature. I am not a big fan of modern spaces, so I was quite thrilled when I saw the facade of the home designed by Dipen Gada in Vadodara. I recall reading about another project by him over a year ago and I must say his work is very impressive. I love brick structures they look so warm and inviting.
AKHIL VELLIYAVEETIL, CHENNAI

I have discovered your magazine only recently and I have drawn inspiration from it. It is a visual feast for the readers. Your team is really working hard to bring your readers the good stuff... I can feel that reading this magazine will soon turn into a delicious addiction. I hope this association will continue and your team will keep on publishing the amazing stuff. Great job, all of you.
NEHA SHARMA, CHANDIGARH

EYE-CATCHER

The cover of the March 2013 issue was a joy to behold. All the elements of spring shone through beautifully. I must offer my congratulations to the team which styled and photographed the setting. Its a pleasure to browse through a well-designed magazine with good content
SUNIL MHATRE, CHENNAI

KINDLY WRITE IN WITH YOUR RAVES OR RANTS TO:

rupali.sebastian@network18publishing.com or post to The Editor, Better Interiors, A Wing, Ruby House, JK Sawant Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai 400028.
NOTE: CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE EDITED FOR PURPOSE OF LENGTH AND GRAMMAR.

ERRATUM: The February 2013 issue wrongly named Varna Shashidhar as Varsha Shashidhar in the Book Review section. We deeply regret the error.

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{DesignBytes} Roundabout

A ROUND-UP OF WHATS NEW IN STORES, PRODUCTS, ART SHOWS AND MUCH MORE.

QUICK TAKE
PUNAM KALRAS NEW COLLECTION

Punam Kalra has introduced her new creations at IM Center for Applied Arts, New Delhi. The series includes diverse ranges of poster beds, wooden tables and chairs to suit your interior needs. Tel: (011) 29832223

The New Original project in China

Furniturewallas new flagship store


FURNITUREWALLA HAS
launched its flagship store in Indira Nagar, Bangalore. The store, spread across 14,000 sq ft, offers furniture, accessories, lighting and art by Farhan and Laila Furniturewalla. Browse through three series of furniture from their spring/ summer 2013 collection: Eclectic Chic, matches a monochrome base with chocolate brown in lush sofas, croc-embossed bar chairs and more; Decorativo consists of aluminium and nickel stained-glass t-light-holders and iron and steel pillar holders; while the rustic Haute Nature collection has furniture made from reclaimed iron and acacia wood. www.furniturewalla.com

RANDOM IN TANDEMS FUNKY HOME ACCESSORIES

Random in Tandems range of fun home accessories consist of flower vases, cushions, glassware, rugs in vibrant hues. Theres something for everyone in this new line of quirky products. www.randomintandem.com

IN A BID TO COPY THE

ROYAL PROCESSION AT DMART EXCLUSIF

COMPILED BY: KRUTTIKA KALLURY, SHEENA DLIMA AND SHIREEN KANCHWALA

Dmart Exclusif has unveiled a collectors edition of figurines called The Royal Procession. This limited edition series is inspired by Indian royalty of the 14th century. Crafted to perfection by Italian designers in 92.5 sterling silver and 24-carat liquid gold, the products are hand-decorated in pastel enamelling. www.dmartexclusif.com

original copycats (China), Dutch design collective Droog have displayed copies of Chinese products at a Guangzhou shopping centre. The New Original project is an attempt to bring the idea of finding inspiration in imitation into the publics conscience. Designers taking part in this exhibition

include Studio Droog, Richard Hutten, the late Ed Annink of the Netherlands and Stanley Wong and Urbanus of China. Organized in partnership with Today Art Museum, Beijing, and OCT Art and Design Gallery, Shenzhen, The New Original project will be on display till 9th April. http://www.dezeen.com/2013/ 03/06/droog-copies-china/

Hansgrohe applauded
GERMAN SANITARY FITTINGS BRAND Hansgrohe, has just been awarded the Marken des Jahrhunderts Leuchttrme auf dem Markenmeer (Brands of the Century Beacons in a Sea of Brands). The brand now stands 11th in the ranking of the International Forum Design (iF) of the worlds best enterprises in design. The award was presented at a gala event at the Adlon Hotel, Berlin by the publisher of the Brands of the Century, Dr Florian Langenscheidt. Hansgrohe has now joined an exclusive group of about 250 German brands, regarded as representatives of their product category with a unique selling point. An advisory board of brand experts chose Hansgrohe as Brand of the Century in the Bathroom Mixer category. www.hansgrohe.in

BLACKBERRY OVERSEAS LAUNCHES WEBSITE

Blackberry Overseas, a leading Italian mirrors brand, has finally launched their website. Now their wide range of over 150 designer mirrors from Italy and Belgium, along with exclusive bathroom accessories by Gesign, will be just a click away. www.blackberryoverseas.com
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Roundabout
PEOPLE
MICHAEL PYATOK

New furniture store in Mumbai


Mumbais new furniture store, Icasa, houses Leather Editions and Italsofa by the Natuzzi Group

THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE of Architects (AIA) recently announced the winner of the 2013 Thomas Jefferson Awards for Public Architecture. The recipient, Michael Pyatok, is an Oakland-based architect whose work focuses on the development and design of affordable housing. Michael earned his Bachelors degree in architecture from the Pratt Institute in New York before moving to Harvard University for Masters. AFulbright scholarship in Finland gave

He is a visionary who created housing projects that fostered social cohesion.


him the opportunity to study housing policies of Scandinavia. He founded Pyatok Architects in 1984, where he cemented his reputation as a visionary who created housing projects that fostered social cohesion. In 1995, he co-authored Good Neighbors: Affordable Family Housing, an instant hit among housing developers across the US.From 1968, Michael taught architectural design in the US and Mexico. For the past 22 years, he has been a tenured professor at the University of Washington, Seattle.He received this award for his contribution to the quality of public architecture while working in the private sector. http://www.aia.org/practicing/ awards/2013/thomasjefferson-award/mpyatok/ index.htm
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ENTREPRENEUR ABHA GUPTA, along with interior designer Nisha Jamval, launched new store Icasa, with a gala Milanese dinner. Located at Raghuvanshi Mills, Mumbai, the 8,000-square-foot store spread over one-and-a-half levels, has a home decor section and also an eatery called Zen Cafe

on the upper level. On display are products from the brands of Natuzzi Group like Italsofa and Leather Editions. One can pick from a range of sofas, ottomans, loungers, edgy coffee tables and much more (prices start at Rs 1,00,000). The design of the store is dictated by the

international standards of the brand. The pristine white palette is chosen in order to help enhance the plush leather and bright hues of the upholstery. The area is divided to form niches that feature mock set-ups to highlight the individual furniture pieces. Tel: (022) 24984824

Sealy forays into India


Posturepedic and High Performance Posturepedic mattresses. These products are manufactured to provide the kind of orthopedic support that your body requires. The space is designed in order to aid the buyers to experience the product (yes, you can lie on them) and make an informed purchase according to individual needs. As part of the roll out, the company plans to open five more galleries in all metros by the end of 2013. Sealy is looking at opening their shop at Hyderabad very soon. Tel: (011) 40591224

SEALY, THE US-BASED BRAND forluxury mattresses, has entered the Indian Market with the launch of itsflagship store at Lajpat

Nagar IV, New Delhi. At the 1,200-square-foot store, the consumer can experience Sealys Palatial Crest Collection, UniCased

US-based mattress brand Sealy, has enjoyed the industry share


for over 30 years. It has now ventured into the Indian market with a new store in Delhi and hopes to expand by setting up retail outlets in other metros by the end of 2013.

Roundabout

Grandeurs new address Asian Paints launches


ColourNext 2013
ASIAN PAINTS LAUNCHED the 10th edition of ColourNext 2013 in the form of five palettes to influence the decor trend of the year ahead. After six months of research conducted by designers and multi-disciplinary experts from across India, the colours predicted for 2013 have been categorized under five broad themes. The first, Gender Blender is a harmony of contrasts achieved by layering different colours to achieve dual-toned surfaces. The colour-wash finish, also a part of this group, has a calm, relaxing effect. The second, Human, ironically draws cues from technology. This scheme includes shades of neon and grey that are softened by fleshy tones such as pink. Taste of Earth, is a combination of earthy tones and textures along with their muted versions. The fourth Pockets of Silence involves a play between soft whites and beiges

AFTER NEW DELHI AND Mumbai, Grandeur has now opened shop in Bangalore. Spread across five levels, the 8,000-square-foot display centre is located at Domlur Ring Road. The display includes furniture, modular kitchens and appliances from over ten European brands. The terrace has a kitchen and a barbeque set-up to experience its application. Also on offer are customized modular kitchen units from Gruppo DelTongo. These kitchens complement the appliances from brands such

as Electrolux, Miele, SubZero, Siemens, Whirlpool and Ariston. These offer a complete range of built-in kitchen appliances such as gas and induction hobs, chimneys, microwaves, dishwashers, ovens, wine chillers, refrigerators, laundry care units and outdoor grills (Weber). In addition to all this, Grandeur also provides bedrooms, wardrobes as well as living and dining solutions from Italian brands like Pianca, Smania, Bonaldo, Alberta and Mercantini. Tel: (080) 41228555, 41229555

with deeper, more somber shades of blues and greys. Lastly, Upcycle has sepia tones, old metal and wood finishes reminiscent of objects handed down through generations. These are accented with brighter, glossier shades to complete the idea of a snazzy makeover. The installations to elaborate these palettes were put together by a team of five designers Mujib Ahmed, Niels Schonfelder, Shimul Javeri Kadri, Dominic Dube and Mozez Singh. Toll-free: 1800 209 5678

Endo Lighting in India


THE JAPANESE LIGHTING solutions brand, Endo Lighting, sets foot in India with its new 4,000-square-foot store, located in Defence Colony, New Delhi. The Endo Application Centre showcases their entire product range and demonstrates the various colour temperatures of the fixtures when lit. This helps
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the consumer to buy the right product for their spaces. One also finds panels fitted with various products to understand the impact of the lights. Whats more, on the upper most level, mock set-ups help in understanding light projections on different surfaces. Tel: (011) 41724499

Roundabout
INSIDE STORY WWW.DWLL.IN

FYI
Freedom to March: Rediscovering Gandhi through Dandi
4th April 13 Ojas Art, 1AQ, Qutab Minar Main Roundabout, New Delhi 110030
The capital will be witness to a group exhibition inspired by the Dandi March. With participating artists like A Ramachandran, Alok Bal, Arunkumar HG and Atul Dodiya, the exhibition boasts of work in various mediums. For further details, call (011) 26644145

Sacred is the passion of the sacred integrity


WITH THE INTERIOR DESIGN website www.dwll.in youve got to read the web address out loud Dwellin, get it? All very youthful and novel, but we wondered if the site would live up to the expectations its name created. The website provides an online service that lets you feed in your requirements and consequently choose an interior designer to take care of your home decor, design and home layout needs. Founded by Pankaj Poddar and Parikshat Hemrajani, both management professionals, you can be sure that this is no amateur undertaking. The strong points of www.dwll.in are obvious. First, theres the attractive design in black and grey colour scheme, and a very quick navigation system through tabs at the top of the homepage. Second, theres a cool section where you can pick a designer based on the city of the site. Third, a stocked gallery of images. And last, theres an exhaustive FAQ section where the owners of the site answer every possible question a home owner would have. On the whole, we were impressed and can only predict good things for this website.

27th April 13 to 10th June 13 Art Spice, The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa, Bangla Sahib Road, New Delhi 110001
Artist Parameshwar Raju, has a flair for the genre of calligraphy. His latest body of work consists of calligraphy ink on archival paper. With creations inspired by Shiva and the Ramayana, his work hold reference to narratives from the Jagannath Temple of Puri. For further details, call (011) 42500200

Check these out too!


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www.geoform.net.au

www.berlinrodeo.com

Please note: For insertion in this column, we require details of upcoming events at least a month in advance. We request you to send in event schedules to: sheena.dlima@network18publishing.com Updates on events is at the discretion of the organizers. Information is valid at the time of going to print.

Roundabout PERSPECTIVE
Kruttika Kallury THINK AGAIN

A Family Affair

Skylines = Attitudes
IN TODAYS WORLD, I BELIEVE IT IS safe to assume that a city is defined by its skyline (or the lack thereof). I was born and raised in New Delhi, where the sky was more prominent than the skyline. It is the city of grand Mughal mausoleums, Rashtrapati Bhavan and expansive parks for recreation. The capital sleeps early and takes its own sweet time to wake up in the morning. In 2008, I briefly moved to Madras (I refuse to call it Chennai). Much-larger-than-life hoardings of political leaders took the attention away from the empty-ish horizon dotted with an odd building here and there. And now, I live in Mumbai. My first impression was that of utter chaos. It did not look neatly planned like New Delhi. And the sheer number of buildings in this metropolis amazed and overwhelmed me at the same time. Eventually I learnt the method in this madness. Whether its the million twinkling lights shining through the windows, or the expanse of a labyrinth of cardboard box-like zhopadpattis that have become an integral part of the cityscape, Mumbai is constantly abuzz and full to the brim of people, buildings, life and powerful emotions. and erratic people in Madras, and the quintessentially laidback, poetic, paanchewing and sun-soaking Dilliwalla are a mirror-image of the architecture of the city. If I extend this (genius) hypothesis and think about all the cities Ive visited, the same theory stands true. London basks in the glory of its past (abundantly clear in the way they have preserved their historic architecture), but never harps on it or lets it become an obstacle for progress. The mix of medieval, modern and contemporary architecture is so heady it doesnt take much to get lost in its sights and sounds. And while Im on topic, it would be fair to mention the innumerable pubs there, a tradition that dates back several centuries but has been preserved with the same zest and fervour as other buildings. Back home, if we head east, theres Kolkata, another metro that boasts of a rich legacy. The old British architecture and the century old manicured botanical gardens, the big yellow taxis and the famous rickshaw-pullers ten steps into the city and it feels like youve time travelled to the colonial era. This city is stuck in a time warp, its design, people and their aristocratic values (a hangover from the British era). I may be wrong, but this is my observation so far. As I grow older and travel more, perhaps even live in other cities, I will first turn to the sky, for thats where Ill find my first cue to the land it shadows.

NANA BY KATARZYNA MALCZEWSKA, a bath and shower unit, has been designed keeping in mind the needs of every member of the family. The bath and the surface under the shower are covered with non-slip mat and the edge has a seating that makes bathing convenient and safe for senior members. http://www.designose.com/2013/03/03/ nana-by-katarzyna-malczewska/

Rise and Fall

I came to the conclusion that people are the exact reflections of their horizons...

I came to the conclusion that people are the exact reflection of their horizons. The busy skyline of Mumbai, arresting and obtrusive at the same time, is exactly like the people here, constantly at work and always everywhere. Similarly, the politically charged
kruttika.kallury@network18publishing.com

THE RISING TABLE, DESIGNED BY ROBERT Van Embricqs, is created out of a latticework of wooden beams to make up the center of the table. The collapsible creation has wooden beams that merge to form a niche in the centre of the table when it opens out. The table, a multipurpose creation, can accommodate knick-knacks in the hollow space while serving as a coffee table. www.robertvanembricqs.com/rising%20table. html

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{ThingTank} Swish List

LIVING IN STYLE

Living in Style has unveiled their Trend collection, imported from Camel Italia. The series features everything you need for your bedroom from beds, orthopedic mattresses and night tables to single and double dressers, dresser mirrors and Swarovski-studded pouffes. Available in two colours, silver grey and cream ivory, this collection is crafted from laminate, Italian HDF board with beech wood framing and PU mouldings. They even have highly reflective glass wardrobes, which come with metal alloy handles donning an antique silver finish. The chairs are available in a bronze tone and upholstered in medaglione fabric with a high thread count.

EBONY GAUTIER

Furniture, home accessories and furnishings an exciting roundup of goodies.

Latest on offer from Ebony Gautier is their Tactil collection. Catering to urban living, this exquisite range of furniture is specially designed for pre-teens and teens. Made of chocolate-foiled compressed pinewood, this collection showcases beige and chocolate tones with aluminiumcoloured edges and colour pads. Clean in design and functional, Tactil boasts of multi-functional, modular workspaces with large storage solutions. This one is bound to be a hit with the kids.

SPLENDOUR

TEXT: KRUTTIKA KALLURY

CASA SHAMUZZI

The spanking new eco-luxury brand from Dubai, Casa Shamuzzi, has launched its spring/summer collection called Perlage. Layered white and silver in varying intensities come together aesthetically in this stark-yet-stunning series of living concepts. Perlage is a comprehensive range of settings such as dining, bedrooms, living rooms and even office furniture that embody the purity of white with the elegance of metallic silver in the form of sofas, coffee tables, drawers, buffet tables, bar counters, floor cupboards, plush beds and much more.
4 6 BETTER INTERIORS A P R I L 2 0 1 3

Splendour Furnishings has unveiled its Ikebana collection, inspired by the ancient Japanese art of flower arrangement. What makes it stand out is the unusual use of colour. The brand has made sure not to use the typical bright hues associated with flowers and chosen the darker tones of nature instead. It features several jacquards: pictorial flowers called Kado, rough branches called Zen, tree bark textures called Kyoto and plainer weaves called Haiku. The use of plush fabrics like velvet lends this range of furnishings an elegant and refined quality that is bound to add class to your living space.

Swish List

GOOD EARTH

The latest exciting series to hit Good Earth stores across the country is Mozez Singhs new Mughal Pop collection. As always, he goes completely off the beaten path and creates an absolutely spectacular range of furniture and accessories. The series is quirky, contemporary, fun and beautiful all at the same time. From his rendering of the Sheesh Mahal in the form of a delicate photo-frame to the bold and edgy Noorjehan recliner, the pieces in this collection are ultramodern in design and functional too. The colours are bright and the use of semi-precious stones provides the right amount of luster to the pop.

MAISHAA

The newest offering from luxury home fashion brand Maishaa is their range of bed linen called Shary collection. How does it stand out? Through the use of an extensive range of colours and the hand-embroidered piping on the corner of bed linen and pillows, combined with a double flap that looks strikingly elegant despite the simplicity of its design. With a white base, the bed linen comes with orange, olive green, navy, yellow and candy pink borders. Designed and manufactured in Portugal, and woven in 100 per cent cotton, this line will grace your home with its clean and cosy feel.

TERRA SANS HOME COUTURE

Fendi Casas latest range of furniture, exclusively available at Terra Sans Home Couture, celebrates the brands first anniversary in India. It consists of exquisite pieces of furniture crafted from materials such as dark chromed steel, horn, onyx, layered hide, exotic leathers, fur, marble, and the finest woods, veneers and lacquers.A special mention of the Brunello dining set is a must. The dining table is wrapped in leather galuchat, a rough-textured material made of sharkskin, with a stainless-steel base. Surrounded byEpoque & Frangie chairs with a chrome footing,its a statement of pure class and elegance.
4 8 BETTER INTERIORS A P R I L 2 0 1 3

KOMAL VASA

Artist and furniture designer Komal Vasas pieces, the Mandala and the Mansara, have been selected to be a part of the annual Salone Satellite exhibition in Milan, a global conclave of creativity. Exploring the realm of the sacred, Mandala, a light installation, is a fantastic study in photography, optics and light. Mansara, on the other hand, is a ceramic sculpture in stark white, a rendition of a caged bird. Komals work clearly reflects the interaction between her and the piece of art.

Swish List

CRISTAL DARQUES

The tableware brand from Paris launched their spring collection in collaboration with Cassandra, a drinkware and accessories producer. The range includes wine glasses, champagne flutes, goblets, highball, and old fashioned glasses. The accessories consist of vases and bowls that add to the glamour quotient of your table. This series is clear and strong, with a delicate leaf motif chiselled onto the body of all products their rendition of spring. The products score a 99 per cent on the transparency index, and the fine lines and perfectly proportioned curves sparkle with the touch of light. The products are durable and resistant, making them a valuable addition to your crockery cabinet.

HERMES

Only Hermes can bring together a stunning set of tableware and racing track! Yes, you got that right, their Rallye 24 collection does just that. The imagery unmistakably screams of the never-ending race track, complete with different tracks that are linked together in a complex whole that challenges the adrenalin lover. The racing colours, grey, yellow, green, red, blue and black, bring the drama to its justified end. And the smooth, lacquered ceramic is Hermes finishing touch. Available in 17 shapes, there are tumblers, oval, square and round plates, and salad bowls and tea and coffee cups to choose from. Ah well get bold and pick up the entire lot, its worth it!

OBSESSIONS XCLUSIF

The latest offering from Obsessions Xclusif is their range of hand-tufted carpets made from New Zealand wool. With modern designs in abstract, geometric and contemporary patterns, these rugs are a reflection of superior quality workmanship. The piles of carpets are tufted such that it creates the effect of a knotted carpet. These products are ideal for offices and homes alike.
5 0 BETTER INTERIORS A P R I L 2 0 1 3

PORTICO NEW YORK

Portico New York brings the runway to your bedroom with their latest fashionable series of bed linen in association with Manish Arora. Four vivid collections mark this range: the Heart Collection with a favourite motif of Aroras brightly coloured hearts, flowers and starbursts; the witty Signature Collection denotes Indias near-obsession with playing cards; the Swan Collection showcases the ordered symmetry and plush floral patterns of European baroque; and the Lotus Collection, with its vibrant blues and greens, encapsulates the full glory of the eternally beautiful flower.

{ThingTank}

Style Uninterrupted
This month, we bring you decor trends that transcend all boundaries of time and remain eternal. From animal motifs that add class to your space and jewel tones with a sophisticated flair to the love and warmth of handmade products, we round up everything you need to make your home look ageless.

A P R I L 2 0 1 3 BETTER INTERIORS 5 3

{ThingTank} Bazaar

animal motifs

Baaya Design

Birds perch atop this kitchen roll-holder. The frame is made of sheesham wood and the duo from burnt wood. Rs 890

Casa Paradox

The Jurassic Lamp is all about eccentric chic. The black matte-finish base, with a relief of creatures that once roamed the earth, evokes images of fossils. Price on request

Mora Taara

Elephants have never looked cuter! These wooden ones cheerfully carry a t-light on their head. Put them in corner and see your guests smile. Rs 750 (each)

Floor & Furnishings

Dress your wall up with the Nottambule wallpaper (non-woven) from Cole & Son. A parliament of owls staring down wisely gives it an interesting edge. Rs 11,099 per roll
5 4 BETTER INTERIORS A P R I L 2 0 1 3

The Home Label

The tortoise door-stopper sorts out the eternal problem of doors swinging with every gust. Besides, it also makes for an adorable accent in those needy nooks. Rs 799

Splendour

Inspired by Sandokan, the fictional Malaysian pirate of the 19th century also known as The Tiger of Malaysia, this Rubelli upholstery fabric has motifs of the majestic cat leaping at you. Rs 18,375 per mt

Mukul Goyal

Add an element of fun in your home with this rustic cast-brass Cow Knob that will change the way you open your doors. Rs 300

Casa Paradox

Quirk works! This Jailbird Cabinet from the Illustratti collection has printed graphics on lacquered wood. Price on request

Renovation Factory Frazer & Haws


Called Honey Comb, this holder is crafted from sterling silver and has accents of 24-carat gold. It serves to accommodate business cards or napkins. Rs 10,600 What happens when you add one part whimsy, dollops of imagination and loads of oomph? You get this delightful cream crockery with dark brown bunnies made on it. Price on request

Renovation Factory
Give a fun spin to your living room with these 100 per cent cotton cushions. Featured here are Pisces Sea Horse and Snail throw pillows. Rs 2,950 (each)

Sanctum

This turtle shaped pot is moulded out of ceramic. Atop the lid, sits its tiny twin. Rs 450

ANCHORED BY: RIDHI KALE AND SHIREEN KANCHWALA; PHOTOGRAPHS: NACHIKET GUJAR AND JOSHUA NAVALKAR (SERENITY AND SPLENDOUR) AND COURTESY THE STORES
A P R I L 2 0 1 3 BETTER INTERIORS 5 5

Bazaar

Cute, creative yet classy... the Bird t-light-holders have been crafted from brass. Rs 600 (each)

Moon River

Ethnic Kraft

This teakwood Antique Design Chair with hand-carved horses is a timeless classic. Rs 15,000

Varnams playful stationery-holder brings the cat and mouse chase right onto your desk. Its made out of rubber wood and sports bright lacquer. Rs 890

The Purple Turtles

Baaya Design

The collapsible breakfast table is made of ply wood. Its surface has picturesque gond art depicting colourful birds hovering over a feeder. Rs 5,500
5 6 BETTER INTERIORS A P R I L 2 0 1 3

Stylever

Lovers of bullfights will find themselves instantly attracted to this Haunting King accessory shaped from polyresin. Rs 1,999

Royal Selangor

This eggcup is shaped like the two-humped wild Bactrian camel. Lift its lid to find a niche that neatly holds the egg. Rs 6,500

The Home Label

Set this pair of wooden teetars on a book shelf, console or your side table, and add some style to the space. Rs 340 (each)

Mora Taara

You can almost hear this beautiful bright ink-blue glass parrot chirping happily. Rs 1,990

Baaya Design

An underwater scene, beautifully enacted in dokra art. The marine elements, made of brass, are mounted on a wooden board. Rs 14,000

@home

Plaster of paris takes the shape of a rather pensive fawn (part of the Calf Collection). Rs 1,299 onward

The Purple Turtles

The little bird that seems to be hovering over the lamp shade is brought to life with the Channapatna lacquer technique. Price on request
A P R I L 2 0 1 3 BETTER INTERIORS 5 7

Bazaar

BoConcept @home

Pallate

Heres a herd of elephants made from wood and wire for your shelf. Rs 1,790

A majestic stag-head peers out of this cotton cushion aptly titled Trophy. Rs 2,950

This life-sized horse is part of Mooois collaboration with Front, a Swedenbased designer firm. It features a polyester base and PVC viscose shade. Price on request

Frazer & Haws Serenity

Gone are the days when you let the cat out of the bag this cushion cover suggests you let it out of the cage instead. Rs 950

Called Out of Africa, this two-tone and dual-textured leather photo-frame is highlighted with a sterling silver elephant silhouette. It has been hand pierced and accented with 24-carat gold. Rs 15,000

Renovation Factory

Titled By the Sea, these glass plates are so pretty that it is a crime to eat off them. Rs 3,250 (set of two)
5 8 BETTER INTERIORS A P R I L 2 0 1 3

Devi Design

Perch this bird-shaped brass paperweight over important documents and give a fun twist to your paperwork. Rs 780

Turqoise

The carved horse-heads on either side of the bench watch over you while you indulge in happy chatter with your mate. Rs 12,000

Royal Selangor

Considered auspicious, these two snakes coiling around the bamboo shoots are reminiscent of Kaa from The Jungle Book. Rs 4,995
PRICES WILL BE SUBJECT TO TAXES WHEREVER APPLICABLE. A P R I L 2 0 1 3 BETTER INTERIORS 5 9

Home Town Turqoise


Intricately detailed, this metal white elephant is a great addition to any room. Rs 850

Hang your clothes, towels and bags on this pair of wall hooks... dont worry, the wooden reindeer wont eat them. Rs 300

{ThingTank} Bazaar

jewel tones

Exhibit D

Titled Empress, this dramatic furniture piece has a highgloss stainless-steel base, while the top uses lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone. Rs 1,40,000

Pure Home Decor

Display your memories in this five-in-one multi-coloured photo-frame made from wood. Rs 1,250

Casa Paradox

Illuminate your home with these Murano Candle Jars made of glass. Rs 12,000 onward

Viya Home

Part of the Celestial collection, these brass door fittings are studded with gems like tiger eye, lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. A technique called pietre dure is used to inlay the semi-precious shells and stones. Price on request
6 0 BETTER INTERIORS A P R I L 2 0 1 3

Tranceforme

Dine like royalty with this Tanjore platter crafted in ceramic. The coloured bands that run around its perimeter sport golden motifs that add a dazzling touch. Price on request

BoConcept

With or without flowers, the Diamond Emerald Green vase will make you home sparkle with style. Rs 3,450

Sanctum

Replicating the fixtures found in factories, this Italian pendant comes in glossy red. Rs 12,500

Nya Nordiska

Rich hues of decorative fabrics (Rania, Eremitage, Monte Carlo, Gloria CS and Casina) come together to create a magical nook. Materials used in this composition include a blend of silk-viscose, acrylic-cotton-silk, cotton-silk and cotton-polyester-viscose. Price on request

Tranceforme

The vivid fuchsia shade of this silk cushion is heightened with lovely sequin-embroidered paisley patterns. Price on request

Tranceforme

The clear glass Echo vase makes for a striking adornment with its rich amber hue. An arrangement of bright flowers will complete the picture. Rs 4,180

Nagina Waters

Wash your hands under the THG Medicis, rim mounted three-hole basin mixer that is 24-carat gold-plated and uses semi-precious stones like lapis lazuli, malachite and rodanite in the centre. Price on request

Serenity

Sit pretty on this intricately carved Old Heavy wrought-iron bench while you gaze at those branches swaying in the breeze. Rs 22,000

ANCHORED BY: RIDHI KALE AND SHIREEN KANCHWALA; PHOTOGRAPHS: NACHIKET GUJAR AND JOSHUA NAVALKAR (SERENITY AND TRANCEFORME) AND COURTESY THE STORES
A P R I L 2 0 1 3 BETTER INTERIORS 6 1

Bazaar

Idus

Visionnaire

This multi-hued chair has been fashioned to resemble an open flower. The wrought-iron frame covered in the resilient urethane foam and the soft padding make it extremely comfortable. Price on request

The main frame of the Morgana chair is made from beech wood, the backrest is veneered in Zebrano, the seat has spring suspension, while the padding is of polyurethane foam. Rs 1,15,000 onward

Fabfurnish

The Trendz Manhattan Arm Chair isnt just comfortable, it is upholstered in cotton which makes it ideal for the upcoming summer months. Tropical fruit wood has been used to make the body frame. Rs 9,990

Serenity

Go green with these emerald hued glass vases. Made out of eco-friendly materials such as repurposed bottles and rope, these are available in various shapes and colours. Rs 1,050 onward
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Casa Paradox

Make your living room stand out with the Teal Trophy cushions that have Swarovski crystals on satin-silk. Rs 7,000 onward

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extend, cancel or discontinue the offer Though Infomedia 18 Ltd. will take utmost care to dispatch the copies safely Infomedia 18 Ltd does not take the responsibility of any postal delays and damaged copies dispatched. Gifts will be dispatched after 8 - 10 weeks. The Image is for representation purposes only. Actual model, colors may vary. The Gift are subject to availibilty. For more information contact Infomedia 18 subscription department. The company at its absolute discretion and without further notice may discontinue, publication of the magazine and in the event of such discontinuation, we shall refund the subscription amount for the unexpired term only, without any interest, cause and consequence

{ThingTank} Bazaar

The Purple Turtles


The shade of the Jenny Pinto-designed Hibiscus ceiling lamp mimics a flower. It is crafted out of banana fibre thats delicately crushed to achieve the crumpled texture. Price on request

Devi Design

crafted by hand

Handmade by skillful artisans, this aluminium water lily table with an antique finish has been inspired by nature in its restful avatar. Rs 9,580

Shades of India

Shades of India

Several embroidered swatches are attached on water soluble paper and stitched with thick cotton thread to create this patchwork panel. Price on request

The Treasure Cushion (a blend of rayon, cotton, velvet and tissue) is foil printed with a metallic sequins and stone work base, pieced together with portions of tissue fabric in front. Rs 3,500

Splendour

Devi Design

The beauty of brass is captured beautifully in this handcrafted 28-inch Peacock Bowl shaped like a feather of the elegant bird. Rs 7,500
6 4 BETTER INTERIORS A P R I L 2 0 1 3

This window treatment (a part of the Ulf Moritz collection) from the German brand Sahco has strips of polyurethane woven in a zigzag pattern. Rs 13,125 per mt

Shades of India

Iron mesh, old newspaper, a bulb and wire have resulted in this eco-friendly paper lamp. Price on request

The Purple Turtles Tesserae


Part of the Sea Urchin collection, the base of the table lamp is made from bent ply, the shade from banana fibre. Price on request

Mirrors, vitreous tiles and stained glass come together on a ply to form a wall mural depicting a tranquil lily pond. Rs 1,400 per sq onward

The base of the Mushroom lamp by Varnam is created using the Channapatna lacquer technique and is adorned by the asymmetric Helice shade. Price on request

The Purple Turtles

The Furniture Republic Fabindia


This fabric wall hanging with cow-shaped patchwork in silk will change the face of a banal wall. Rs 1,290

Not only will this hand-painted, pure Italian leather chair be a conversation starter, its vivid hues will jazz up your living space. Rs 40,000

ANCHORED BY: RIDHI KALE AND SHIREEN KANCHWALA; PHOTOGRAPHS: NACHIKET GUJAR AND JOSHUA NAVALKAR (CONTEMPORARY ARTS AND CRAFTS AND SPLENDOUR) AND COURTESY THE STORES
A P R I L 2 0 1 3 BETTER INTERIORS 6 5

Bazaar

Abaca Ethnic Kraft

Relax and recline on this teakwood chaise longue which has been completely hand-carved. Rs 54,000

Neatly stack up magazines in the Arurog Magazine Basket, handcrafted from rattan vine that grows in the forests of Southeast Asia. Rs 9,300

Klove

Sarita Handa

White is always right. This handembroidered cotton cushion is perfect for summer months. Rs 3,200

Abaca

These handwoven baskets will help you clear the clutter while adding panache to your space. Rs 3,900 (small), Rs 6,700 (medium), 8,700 (large)

Make your home glow with the Aurum light, which has been crafted from hand-blown glass and brass. Price on request

IK Silver

Contemporary Arts And Crafts

Serve snacks or drinks in style with these hand-carved wooden trays which are available in two sizes. Price on request
6 6 BETTER INTERIORS A P R I L 2 0 1 3

A 22-inch hand-embossed sterling silver lamp with floral motifs looks chic and understated. Rs 3,12,000

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{DesignBytes} Q&A

Q&A
Does the colour of indoor lighting impact the colour of a wall? How do I make my dimly-lit lobby look bigger and improve the look of other larger rooms that are flushed with soft winter sunlight? Also, how are LED, CFL and regular filament bulbs different from each other? What do you recommend if cost is not an issue? Pravesh Mehra, Janakpuri, New Delhi Firstly, artificial or natural light has a huge impact on the way our eyes perceive colour. Just as bulbs and tubes emit different grades of light, natural light also changes its tone from morning to evening. A given surface will absorb and mix with the ambient light of the room. The final colour seen by our eyes is the one reflected by this surface. While pure white light makes the wall look pale and the space seem sparse and bland, yellow light adds warmth and makes colours appear rich. Both lights play an important role. While yellow light is used extensively in residences and hospitality spaces, white light has been known to comfort the eyes while working for long hours on a computer or reading (which is why it is preferred in most offices, schools and hospitals). When it comes to your lobby, go for pastel shades on the wall and white on the ceiling if you prefer yellow light. But should you opt for white, use a darker shade of the same pastel colour with healthy doses of diffused ambient lights. Designers often conceal lights in niches and coves in the wall or false ceilings to create

Architect Navneet Malhotra is a perpetual student. He loves to break myths and unmask the true cause for bad work by constantly sharing experience... Path to gaining knowledge is through sharing, is his motto.

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Tips on light fixtures and bathroom renovation


an evenly diffused lighting condition that mimics natural light. This illusion of ambient illumination, supported by other spotlights, easily helps to alleviate the dullness of a closed space. Since your house faces south (given that it receives ample sun in the cold months), it should be relatively cool in summer and warm in winter. Therefore, you can safely use almost all dark shades. If you feel you get too much sunlight, you could use cool colours like blue and violet. In rooms with abundant light, you could also try natural tones such as dark green-grey, brown or deep green. Hot colours like red and mauve can be used in rooms that remain cool. Using wall paints with a slight surface lustre would also help in improving the reflectivity index of the light. But before you do that, make sure you level the wall surface with POP (as highlustre paint accentuates surface irregularities). Lastly, LEDs have been around for a long time but they have gained popularity in building lighting only recently. They are energyefficient, robust and long-lasting when compared to CFLs or the traditional incandescent bulbs. If cost is not an issue, then LED becomes the natural choice, provided you find the fixture design of your choice. Currently, the few branded manufacturers who deal in LEDs are primarily focusing on floor up-lighters and false ceilings only. But beware, as some of these simply put their stamp on cheap imported products. Osram is a good, reliable choice. Please refer to the comparative chart for the three types of bulbs. The data marked below is approximate and indicative in nature. What would be the cost incurred to redo an 8 ft x 5 ft bathroom (completely or partially)? Is it necessary to take the wall tiles right up to the ceiling? RB Deshpande, Pune Cost estimation is an important part of deciding on a refurbishment project. Dismantling the floor and wall tiles will set you

...(LEDs) HAVE GAINED POPULARITY ONLY RECENTLY. THEY ARE ENERGY-EFFICIENT, ROBUST AND LONG-LASTING WHEN COMPARED TO CFLs OR THE TRADITIONAL INCANDESCENT BULBS...
back by approximately Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 lumpsum (LS). Monies for removal of debris can vary, depending on the distance of the site from the dumping ground. But that cost for this will be somewhere between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 (LS). The material required within the WC (water supply and discharge pipes, joints, adhesives, etc) will cost Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 (LS). This does not include the cost of material required from the overhead tank or extended length to the manhole. Labour costs for pipes and fixtures for the bathroom (not including shafts) would be Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000. Waterproofing costs approximately Rs 30 per sq ft to Rs 45 per sq ft, while PCC (subfloor filling) is Rs 20 per sq ft to Rs 25 per sq ft. The cost of wall tiles (considering final quantity + wastage, usual discounts given, tax levied and transportation) is Rs 22 per sq ft to Rs 1,500 per sq ft. Other costs include

Type of bulb used Issues Electricity consumed equal to a 60 watt bulb Lifespan in hours (approx) Contains toxins (mercury)? Sensitive to humidity? Impact of on-off on lifespan Comes on instantly?
6 8 BETTER INTERIORS A P R I L 2 0 1 3

Incandescent 60 watts 1,000 - 1,200 No Little Little Yes

CFL 13 - 15 watts 7,000 - 8,000 Yes Yes Yes (reduces) No

LED 6 - 8 watts Above 40,000 No No No Yes

expenses incurred for mortar and adhesive (Rs 25 per sq ft to Rs 35 per sq ft); labour for fixing tiles (Rs 30 per sq ft to Rs 40 per sq ft); new fittings/fixtures (Rs 8,000 onward); wall and ceiling plaster (Rs 18 per sq ft to Rs 22 per sq ft); painting the wall (Rs 8 per sq ft to Rs 25 per sq ft); miscellaneous fittings (Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000 [LS]) and false ceiling (Rs 45 per sq ft to Rs 55 per sq ft). Keep in mind that all these costs are cost-to-customer and specific to New Delhi only. As for the wall, ideally the bathing area should be tiled upto 7 ft; the washbasin section upto 3

connect more than ten to one circuit. Dust accumulation in these niches is a standard problem that is best controlled with periodic maintenance. Use a vacuum cleaner instead of a broom or duster for better results. As for the difference between Duco paint and laminates Duco is a unique paint that gives an extremely smooth surface finish. A laminate, on the other hand, is a pre-finished multi-layer decorative skin that is glued to wood with adhesives. Duco requires extensive multi-stage surface preparation and paint application. With each layer, the paint surface improves in both texture and lustre. It is sprayed on the surface using a high-pressure compressor machine. Its ability to achieve a good grip with the undersurface and its robust, long-lasting quality makes it the natural choice for the automotive industry. This quality attracted the interior industry as well. The paint had a flawless finish on organic wood forms that traditional laminates were unable to achieve. The only similarity between the two is that they are both surface treatments and their cost is approximately the same (about Rs 50 per sq ft to Rs 75 per sq ft). Dulux and MRF are the preferred brands in the market. I live in a barsaati on the second floor. The roof gets is so hot during the summer that even an AC is ineffective. Could you please suggest a cost-effective solution for this problem? Raghunandan Pandey, Gwalior Summers in North India are dreadful, especially for small independent residential units with large open terraces (barsaatis). These units are particularly troublesome as their small volumes are exposed to the sun from all sides, including its roof. These small structures absorb sunlight all through the day, leading to a large build-up of heat inside the rooms. As a result of this, one needs to spend a lot of energy to cool them. You could start by replacing the single glass panes of your existing windows with double glass panels. Also, installing thick drapes on these windows to prevent deep penetration of sunlight would help greatly in insulating the rooms. But do not forget to open the windows in the evening to allow the trapped hot air to escape.

Additionally, here are a few options to help minimize heat gain from the roof (which constitutes almost 70% to 80% of the problem). A simple solution is to create a nursery with lots of potted plants on the terrace and covering it with a green perforated cloth fixed at a height of 6 ft to 7 ft. Alternatively, you could shade the severely exposed surfaces with tarpaulin. Make sure the sheet is properly secured and that this enclosure has enough gaps to let the hot air out. A thatched roof erected on bamboo will also have the same effect and the area could double up as an evening sit-out as well. You can put earthen pots upside down all over the terrace. The trapped air acts as good insulation. This method blocks sunrays from reaching the roof, but it restricts your usage of the terrace. These solutions are temporary, in that you can remove the green cloth, tarpaulin and the pots in winter. Yet another way to reduce heat absorption considerably is to increase the reflective index of the slabs on the roof by fixing broken pieces of white glazed tiles or by painting the roof white using waterproof cement paint. Needless to say, the second solution is temporary. Broken tiles, on the other hand, can be embedded in wet mortar and the joints filled with white cement slurry. You can pick up broken tiles from any local tile factory. Theyll probably charge you only cartage. Finally, you could look at insulating the existing roof from above or below. White elastomeric coating applied on the exposed roof surface and outer walls will increase their reflectivity as well as improve the waterproofing ability of the slab. The estimated life of these products is about ten years. A slightly more expensive option would be to create a false ceiling in the room. The air gap thus created between the existing roof slab and the false ceiling will reduce heat transfer to a large extent. You can also install an exhaust fan above the false ceiling to remove the trapped hot air in between the two surfaces quickly. You can further insulate the ceiling by fixing 2-inch-thick polystyrene (Thermocol) slabs of 40 kg per m3 density with dash fasteners and chicken wire mesh directly to the underside of the roof slab. POP can then be applied to the underside of this surface such that the wire mesh gets embedded in the plaster. Paint the surface for best results.

ANOTHER WAY TO REDUCE HEAT ABSORPTION CONSIDERABLY IS TO INCREASE THE REFLECTIVE INDEX OF THE SLABS ON THE ROOF BY USING BROKEN PIECES OF WHITE GLAZED TILES...
ft; and the WC area upto 4 ft. Also skirt the perimeter with tiles to avoid mop stains on the wall. The rest is up to your discretion. What is the type of light fixture and what intensity will achieve the best results for a recessed cove in a false ceiling? Also, how do we maintain this space if the room is not airconditioned? And lastly, what is the difference between laminates and Duco paint? Gaurav Sanghvi, Mumbai Using more than one level of false ceiling and cantilevering the lower level can produce recessed coves or shelves that can house light fixtures. Such coves can be used to produce a shallow, diffused light that can either be used to highlight a certain section of the ceiling or help create an impression of floating levels. As the fixtures used within a cove are hidden from view, most of their light is absorbed by the surrounding surfaces and only a small fraction bounces back down through reflection. Owing to this, LED rope lights do not work as cove fixtures, and LED strips, while they do the job, prove to be expensive. On the other hand, the low-intensity, slim T5 tubes, which are easily available, are inexpensive and have a good energyconsumption-to-output ratio. For a continuous band of light, place all the tube lights linearly with a slight overlap to do away with dark spots. To achieve this overlap, connect each tube with flexible wire connectors instead of the regular rigid end-connector fitting. To avoid overheating of wires, make sure not to Send in your questions to rupali.sebastian@network18publishing.com or navneet@aadesign.in

APRIL 2013 BET TER INTERIORS 69

{DesignBytes} Colour & Style

Colour consultant Latika Khosla talks about contemporary craftspeople and how they find personal expression through traditional art forms.
PHOTOGRAPHS: COURTESY FREEDOM TREE DESIGN

Artistease
Latika Khosla is on the board of the Color Marketing Group USA and the founder-organizer of Colors India. She is also the founder-director of Freedom Tree, a wholly-Indian, colour-led lifestyle brand with retail presence in Parel, part of Mumbais trendy mill district. Her studio, Freedom Tree Design, undertakes colour onsultancies and design assignments. Latika is also on the trend panel for Azko Nobel Colour Futures.

COLOUR CONSULTANT Latika Khosla


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he onset of spring brings out a creative sprit. Art shows, design conclaves, retail exhibits... Under the canopy of rain trees, a landmark event on south Mumbais calendar is the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival. The busy downtown street gets cordoned off to traffic. It is taken over by a young design spirit. These are the trendsetters of what we are going to like and see in the near future the independent young designers showcasing their products. MODERN MAKERS I think of them as the backslash generation. Their introduction is multiple. Everyone has two or three proficiencies. They may have trained as a computer engineer, a jockey, an architect, a musician or a writer. And most of them left the comfort of the mainstream in pursuit of greater self-expression through their dream.

The need for personal expression is a great drive behind this creative outpouring. While we saw many of these designers showcasing their individual expression, it is the group dynamic, the presence of so much diverse outpourings that is finding an appreciative audience. INTENTION INDIA There is a strong movement that takes pride in interpreting India. A desire, as stated by the brand Mad(e) in India: Wanting each one in the world to celebrate the spirit of India by owning a piece of it. Swati Sharma, of Brahma Karma says her prints and products portray, Indian craftsmanship in a modern avatar that appeals to the urban sensibility around the world. With global aspirations, there is a demand for an aesthetically correct product. To make something modern, the designers take rich details from across time: mythology, Indian
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Colour & Style

scriptures, the ancient and the nouveau, the quirks, colours and, most of all, the Indian identity. PERSONAL JOURNEYS There are so many personal linkages the modern makers have with their craft. All share a passion for the crafts, with an overlay of business and design education. Karthik Vaidyanathan, the founder of Varnam (colour in Sanskrit), an engineer and MBA graduate, never let the child in him grow up. He was fascinated by the Channapatna toys on his trips to Mysore. Eventually, he left his job and set up a social enterprise with women as the primary artisans. Swati grew up in Rajasthan, where handicraft is woven into the very fabric of life. Three years of postgraduate studies in crafts and design introduced her to the world of techniques across India in a more disciplined way. She developed a deep appreciation for both traditional knowledge and the skills and demands of the contemporary culture. Harshad Patankar, an engineer, kept in touch with his artistic side, roaming the bazaars of Mumbai and keeping in touch with urban
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materials. He left his job and opened a full scale design studio along with his architect wife Aditi, creating quirky objects, art and fashion for interiors. GOD IS IN THE DETAILS Swati recollects her mentor, Sanjeev Bothra, saying, For a designer, detail is God and quality should be religion. All creators want to make beautiful things every day. Little Bent says, The backbone of our design is the belief that beauty should be useful and utility should be beautiful. VIVID VEGETAL Varnam is an ode to a vibrant and colourful India. It has reinterpreted a 200-year-old toy tradition as kitchen and bar accessories, stuff for kids rooms and lamps. Its vivid lacquerware, in spice tones of turmeric, vermillion and henna, is made from a local soft wood, which is deftly turned to create endearing products. The completely ecofriendly lacquer comes from a microscopic tree insect, while the wood is polished with leaves. Like a flock of birds with brilliant plumage, Varnams products fit in effortlessly into Indian homes as bright accents.

From Varnam comes a series of designs that interpret a 200-year-old craft into lifestyle products for everyday use.

CLOCKWISE, FROM ABOVE A tiny telephone print is what you could call a conversation piece! More than the block, its the way its used. Brahma Karmas block prints scatter colour like light on fine fabric, bringing freshness to a room. Designed by Little Bent, the shoe sculpture opens unexpectedly to reveal an obvious shoe rack. The iconic double-decker buses have drawers that stack and store your stuff.

VERY SOFTLY Brahma Karmas fabrics are like a swathe of light on a summers day. Swatis block prints are in soft colours on even softer quality fabrics. Set against white backgrounds, charming patterns of colour peep through, making the product eminently trendy and usable for modern interiors. The prints are recognizable forms of abstract floral patterns such as chrysanthemums and dandelion spores. Geometric tiles and grills give a balance to the collection, while liquid prints in stripes and blurred checks resemble a summer mirage as the day goes by softly. A fun departure is a tiny telephone print, and as a customer explains nicely: Its what youd call a conversation piece WARM WOODCRAFT This artisan couples product range is a little like witchcraft. Surprises lurk in solid wood. Underlying their straightforwardness is a dark streak. Little Bent is the twist in the tale, where you do not know what awaits you around the corner. The aha! of wonder when you open a concealed panel in a giant shoe to reveal a shoe rack. The giggle of delight when you realize that the huge stack of books is a chest of drawers. The little shiver, on seeing a
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Colour & Style

LEFT A delightful humour enters the home with cartoon-like graphics that capture street folk. BELOW Artisanal drawings leap into the computer screen and are rendered in vivid colour when they emerge.

ABOVE The young artisans are sutradhars of a new India, and also image-makers. Digital morphing builds a bridge between the past and the present. LEFT Little Bent's monocle peephole has an intriguing design, and leaves you curious about who's standing behind it.

lantern lit by a ghostly hand. Not knowing what waits behind the monocle peephole. Little Bent strives to exaggerate the simple things that make up the big picture. Each piece is lovingly handcrafted from various polished woods. Whether a signature clock, a home accessory or a fashionable neckpiece, each is artisanal and unique. PAPER IN THE PARK Venkatramana Yerramshetty, who heads his architecture and interior design practice, Venkat Designs, believes art is not just for visual appeal but also has a functional utility. His public sculptures in residential areas are placed to provoke and bring about social interaction. An installation of a human figure sitting on a bench encourages community interaction and involvement with the sculpture. The installations in public spaces and residential clusters encourage the use of recycled materials. They invite individuals to patch them up with waste paper and glue, which is readily available in everybodys home. CARTOON NATION
If traditional Indian artisanship is about tools of the trade, the tool of the new artisan is on

their desktop! Photographs, which capture


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what the eye sees in an instant, morph with digital illustrations. The fast food generation consumes with immediacy. The visual is instantaneously digested. Large text and cartoon blurbs are the sutradhars in this story. Mad(e) in India strives to create and offer thoughtful and interesting products that capture the essence of India and have their own story to tell. Anything which depicts India in its vivid form; there is a focus on joy, experience and the pride of ownership of the end product. Sculptures, architecture, Indian language scripts, mandalas, and stereotypical caricatures, all is fair game. The product is in intense graphic colours against dark backgrounds that give it luminosity. Hyper pink, taxi yellow, plastic blue and signal red. The graphics in bright accents spill across products for the home and beyond ties, boxer shorts and laptop cases. These designers are like kids in a sandbox. I admire their unabashed passion and will let them have the last word. Their design is for the people who love India, take great pride in either being Indian or are intrigued by this amazing, wonderful and incredible country!
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TOP AND ABOVE Venkatramana works with various materials. Functional utility, and conservation by recycling led to paper in the park. Anyone can take ownership and patch up these sculptures made of recycled material.

{DesignBytes}

Timeless Tales
We put together three charming set-ups that will make your home look stylish always.

Feel the tenderness of products that are painstakingly crafted by hand to add a touch of warmth to the next high-tea you host. Sparkle and shine with the beauty of jewel tones bring in a dash of undying glamour to your dining experience. An eclectic mix of animal motifs and figurines dominate this reading room setting.
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{DesignBytes} Techniques

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2 3

A Textural

Odyssey

A casual outdoor seating zone is brought to life by vivid tones and engrossing textures... all painstakingly handcrafted for that exquisite touch.
ANCHORED BY: DEEPA NAIR; STYLED BY: ROSHNI THAKKER; PHOTOGRAPHS: MEXY XAVIER; ASSISTED BY: NACHIKET GUJAR; LOCATION: COURTESY WTF, VERSOVA, ANDHERI, (W), MUMBAI

1 A dignified parrot motif in silk is appliqued on a linen to create this cushion which also has colourful balls stitched onto its edges; Rs 2,250; TRANCEFORME. 2 What happens when a bunch of colourful laser-cut cotton discs are woven onto a linen fabric... an eyecatching cushion sporting a large flower; Rs 1,650; TRANCEFORME. 3 Keep your guests engaged at the table with these multi-hued ceramic quarter plates. While three pieces are part of the Bombay Range, the other is a Tree of Life interpretation from the Gond collection; Rs 2,025 (per piece); BAAYA DESIGN. 4 This beige woollen throw showcases appliqued bird motifs in black and red. A branch-line representation in yellow adds to the look; Rs 3,200; AA LIVING. 5 Use this carefree silk Festival Bag in a dazzling fuschia near your bench-seating... load it with magazines, newspapers or your favourite books; Rs 2,950; TRANCEFORME.
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Techniques

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6 Though synthetic, the refreshing pink and purple colours of these daisies can perk up any drab setting; Rs 585 (per bunch); APARTMENT 9. 7 A gorgeous ceramic vase in glossy blue with base relief depicting a flower and vein design brings more texture to this setting; Rs 2,070; APARTMENT 9. 8 For that unusual element, take a chance on this table decor from Rope International, created from ecofriendly banana fibre; Rs 219; SANCTUM. 9 Stash favourite sweetmeats or use them to store knick-knacks... these distressed-finish wooden boxes sport artistically carved shell designs on the top; Rs 1,850 (set of two); SANCTUM. 10 It wont sing or squawk, but this papier mache parrot handcrafted by Orissa artisans will hang in there to give you company. Also available are a variety of bird species in white, blue, green and black; Rs 460; CONTEMPORARY ARTS AND CRAFTS (CAC). 11 The handcrafted shadow puppet torans from Andhra Pradesh display intricate paintings on leather and sway away in the wind; Rs 850; BAAYA DESIGN. 12 An applique of yellow, blue and green silk fabric adorn a linen cushion; Rs 2,250; TRANCEFORME.
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13 For a little more quirk get this cushion cover... violet and red flowers in felt stitched on to a peach cotton fabric; Rs 850; CAC. 14 & 15 Morning blues will make a quick exit when you set your eyes on this gleeful ceramic tea set in yellow. The red bowls are an extension of the same range when you buy the 15-piece tea service. Also available in blue and green; Rs 850 (set of 7); CAC. 16 A kharek embroidery mini-quilt made from vegetabledyed fabric with wooden dice and coins... play Snakes and Ladders the traditional Gujarati way; Rs 2,190; CAC. 17 Broken bangles in a plethora of vibrant colours come together to make this Choori Tissue Box; Rs 920; CAC.

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18 Artificial white wisteria blooms cascade down a rundown metal cage to bring more freshness to this setting. Also available in lavender and pink; Rs 2,250 (per stem); APARTMENT 9. 19 The silk Basket cushion cover in fuchsia and purple threads from Nur derives its name from the famous basket weaving technique; Rs 3,050; TRANCEFORME. 20 This adorable owl jar made from ceramic and finished in a glossy red hue watches over the proceedings on this lively table. Also available in chocolate brown; Rs 1,800; APARTMENT 9. 21 Exquisite warmth: a stunning woollen handmade jamawar off-white shawl with intricate floral patterns in varied hues. Also available in black, red and white; Rs 3,650; CAC. 22 This humble linen cushion goes dramatic with masterful silk applique work and buttons grouped together to form a heart. The bright and cheerful colours are a definite plus; Rs 1,950; TRANCEFORME.

23 Phat-phat says the multi-shaded scooter in silk created using applique embroidery on linen; Rs 1,950; TRANCEFORME. 24 Big floral motifs in eye-catching tones decorate a buoyant mimosa-hued hand-painted steel kettle; Rs 7,590; SANCTUM. 25 Ecofriendly green Daisy coasters made from grass; Rs 250 (set of four); CAC. 26 This wooden tray displaying a hand-painted tree branch in full bloom is definitely a conversationstarter; Rs 1,950; CAC. 27 The highlight of this cotton Crocodile Neck Pillow is the simple but interesting Rajasthani embroidery; Rs 650; CAC. 28 The Wabi Sabi Pedhi Stool showcases a traditional style of making moodas and charpoys using wood and jute ropes; Rs 1,450; CAC. Unlisted prices are on request. Prices will be subject to taxes wherever applicable.
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{DesignBytes} Techniques

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50 Shades
Inspired by Pantones colour of the year Emerald we put together a sprightly setting that celebrates the colour green and all that it represents.
ANCHORED BY: DEEPA NAIR; TEXT: SHEENA DLIMA; STYLED BY: ROSHNI THAKKER; PHOTOGRAPHS: MEXY XAVIER; ASSISTED BY: NACHIKET GUJAR; LOCATION: COURTESY EBONY GAUTIER, MUMBAI

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1 This green glass beauty can hold a pillar candle and is called the Liv Sketch Hurricane; Rs 2,345; TRANCEFORME. 2 In bright gold, the Mettalic Penia Bowl is both delicate and glamorous; Rs 340; PURE HOME + LIVING. 3 The Fatum quarter plate is just right for a quick pre-dinner savoury, a crunchy salad or an appetiser; Rs 400 (each); PURE HOME + LIVING. 4 This vibrant green glass Fatum dinner plate is slightly translucent making it the perfect companion to the matching quarter plate; Rs 780 (each); PURE HOME + LIVING.

5 These brown ceramic salad bowls look like gold fairy dust was sprinkled lightly all over its surface; Rs 3,800; THE CHARCOAL PROJECT. 6 Its style and elegance all the way with the glass Focus quarter plate; Rs 360; PURE HOME + LIVING. 7 A luxurious alternative to the place setting with the Fatum Dinner plate, this glass moss green Focus dinner plate is streaked with the slightest hint of gold; Rs 720; PURE HOME + LIVING. 8 The New Essential runner, woven from polyester fibre comes in a somber, dark shade; Rs 290; PURE HOME + LIVING.
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Techniques
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9 The Manhattan wall unit has been crafted out of compressed pine wood and stands tall at 230 cm; Rs 2,34,000; EBONY GAUTIER. 10 Made of compressed pine wood with a slick white lacquer finish, the rectangular Setis dining table exemplifies minimalist style. It seats four people and can even be extended when you entertain; Rs 91,000; EBONY GAUTIER. 11 Roll your serviettes into this beaded napkin ring made of strings of golden beads; Rs 90; PURE HOME + LIVING. 12 A bright cotton napkin in lime and grass green keeps things pretty but serviceable; Rs 290; TRANCEFORME. 13 This solid table mat comes in an interesting gold and black pattern; Rs 2,700; AA LIVING. 14 The white tulips in this green vase look as fresh as the real ones; Rs 790 (for a bunch of 9); EBONY GAUTIER.
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15 Let this grass-coloured Opal vase remind you of fresh meadows in the morning; Rs 1,280; PURE HOME + LIVING. 16 A pair of squat fire grass towers in tiny cement pots brings a hint of nature to the table; Rs 320 (each); PURE HOME + LIVING. 17 A glass champagne flute with a narrow bowl makes sure things stay simple but classy; TRANCEFORME. 18 This Swing Tumbler from European glass brand Glaskoch Leonardo is vibrant green and has a saucy curved shape. You can buy it in other colours too; Rs 818; THE CHARCOAL PROJECT. 19 Part of a four-piece setting that includes a knife and dessert spoon, the fork and spoon here have a bright green handle made of resin and the capping between the stainless steel and the handle is done by hand, making it both stylish and durable; Rs 8,000 (set of four); THE CHARCOAL PROJECT.

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20 These two decorative ceramic spheres are a part of the Coral collection; Rs 2,950; BAAYA DESIGN.
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candle will do the trick; Rs 240; PURE HOME + LIVING. 27 Set on sturdy iron stands, the glass Hurricane pillar candle holders look as pretty as a picture; Rs 850 (each); CONTEMPORARY ARTS & CRAFTS. 28 This bell-shaped bottle comes with its own crystal stopper; Rs 850; GRISHAM. 29 The sage hue of the picture compliments its dark wooden frame; Rs 12,000 (set of 9); EBONY GAUTIER. 30 The ceramic Althea candle holders are an iridescent shade of bronze; Rs 410; PURE HOME + LIVING. 31 The decorative Kadiska plate in a calm moss green colour sports a petal-like design; Rs 580; PURE HOME + LIVING. 32 This ceramic jar with a black lid can be purely decorative. We personally feel it would be perfect for holding cookies and snacks; Rs 2,490; SANCTUM.
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21 This metal planter has a charming hand painted design on it; Rs 1,450; CONTEMPORARY ARTS & CRAFTS. 22 This sculpture by Juan Huerta depicts a girl watching a snail. It has a porcelain gres finish and sports soothing pastel colours; Rs 31,000; LLADRO. 23 These slim ceramic bottles are meant to hold oil; Rs 1,200 (each); RED BLUE & YELLOW. 24 This glass duo can house plants or tiny pebbles but looks stunning on their own too; Rs 299 (each); GRISHAM. 25 This Mandarin vase has a pretty bird motif painted on clear glass; Rs 4,700; AA LIVING. 26 A scented candle for the evenings anyone? This Luxury lemongrass pillar

Techniques
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33 This pair of tiny gold glasses reflect light prettily and have room for a t-light too; Stylist's own sourced from RED BLUE & YELLOW. 34 This gold jar with a dome-shaped lid looks suspiciously like something out of Alladins cave; Stylist's own sourced from RED BLUE & YELLOW. 35 This ceramic platter is shaped like a leaf and its edges furl outward artistically; Rs 1,620; APARTMENT 9. 36 This Boxwood Ball topiary in an urn is artificial but it looks very real; Rs 1,090; PURE HOME + LIVING. 37 This exquisite dragonfly with its body carved from wood and wings of shimmering mother-of-pearl, will make an eye-catching home accessory; Rs 15,000; AA LIVING. 38 This distressed wooden statue has a handcrafted look to it; Stylist's own sourced from RED BLUE & YELLOW.
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39 This lifelike trio of artificial pears are lightweight and extremely cheerful; Rs 150 (each); APARTMENT 9. 40 Good things come in gold and green. Take this exquisite glass Gothic foil tray home; Rs 2,450; AA LIVING. 41 The Peacock foil tray in vibrant gold and green is made of glass; Rs 3,450; AA LIVING. 42 This pair of glass bottles flaunts a delicate mesh of gold and silver tracery; Rs 2,850 (each); SANCTUM. 43 The seaweed-coloured Shell bowl pictured here is made of ceramic; Rs 1,800; APARTMENT 9. 44 The Matryoshka doll, also known as the Russian nested doll, consists of hollow wooden dolls in varying sizes that fit one inside the other. Always a good decor option, this little family cheerfully dons the colour of the season; Rs 550; CONTEMPORARY ARTS & CRAFTS.

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45 A ceramic yellow-green frame is the perfect place to display a happy holiday memory or a picture of a loved one; Rs 1,260; APARTMENT 9. 46, 47 & 48 Artificial blooms are the order of the day. These ones in pale green and yellow bring a touch of sunshine into the room; Rs 375 (yellow); Rs 495 (pale green); EBONY GAUTIER. 49 A silk cushion from Onset flaunts gold embellishments and embroidery; Rs 1,450; EBONY GAUTIER. 50 The Adulis Chair has a comfortable round seat and comes in a somber taupe and green colour scheme; Rs 26,000; EBONY GAUTIER. 51 Narrow stark white vases that sport a raised rippled design look stately when theyre grouped together at the corner; Rs 14,000 (big); Rs 9,000 (medium); Rs 8,000 (small); EBONY GAUTIER. 52 This flat box has a smooth leather body with a lid covered in crisp fabric; Rs 1,700; AA LIVING. 53 The small cube box is a companion to the larger one and can hold knick-knacks; Rs 1,500; AA LIVING.
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54 This roti box is a basket woven from natural fibres and has a wooden lid; Rs 850; BAAYA DESIGN. 55 Its hard to really tell the colour of this wide ceramic bowl. Made by renowned ceramist BR Pandit, this fine example of studio pottery can be filled with blossoms, fruit, pebbles or sea shells to add a touch of novelty; Rs 3,050; CONTEMPORARY ARTS & CRAFTS. 56 In bright gold and ink blue, this elegantly crafted Phara Cow is made of fibre with a high Duco gloss. This creation, with its painstaking attention to cosmetic and structural design, is a true collectible and is worth its weight in gold; Rs 9,480; TRANCEFORME.
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57 Whether youre a porcelain collector or not, the limited edition Swing into Spring piece is a well-crafted wonder created by sculptor Juan Carlos Ferri Herrero. Note the delicate porcelain flowers dotting the swing they're especially designed to resemble the new buds of spring; Rs 2,50,600; LLADRO. 58 A large glass, amber-coloured jar lends the right amount of vibrancy to this cooltoned setting; Rs 499; GRISHAM. 59 In sapphire and golden yellow, this quirky but elegant vase stands apart; Rs 7,000; EBONY GAUTIER. Unlisted prices are on request. Prices will be subject to taxes wherever applicable.

{DesignBytes} Techniques

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Here's a reading room designed for a man who needs his space and loves to curl up on the couch with a good book. Dark tones, walls pasted with pages from an old tome and animal motifs give this space a minimal yet mature look.
STYLED AND TEXT BY: RIDHI KALE; PHOTOGRAPHS: MANASA MADISHETTY; LOCATION: COURTESY APARTMENT 9, NEW DELHI

Born to be Wild
1 Bring out your wild side with this showpiece shaped like a jaguar. Made from resin, it also works well as a paper weight; Rs 8,900; ADDRESS HOME. 2 A dogs life, gets a whole new meaning with this Belgium Tapestry Cushion, whose front is made from cotton and back from cotton-velvet. Stuffed with polyfill, this product adds a royal touch to the room; Rs 4,680; ANDY HOME. 3 Dark brown on one side and cream on the other gives this polysilk quilt called Gio an interesting contrast. Whats more? It will keep you warm as you read your favourite novel; Rs 13,500; APARTMENT 9. 4 Tall, dark and handsome, this shiny black polyresin Rhino sculpture makes a bold and beautiful statement; Rs 63,000; APARTMENT 9.

Techniques

5 The Isley Chair has a Mirandi wood frame, CP teak legs, and is made of velvet from Andrew Martin; Rs 65,000; APARTMENT 9. 6 This handmade, antique kilim from The Carpet Cellar is made using vegetable dyes; Rs 38,000; APARTMENT 9. 7 This aluminium-frame, brass timepiece keeps time and adds class; Rs 20,700; APARTMENT 9. 8 Made from croc-leather and steel, this piece is part of a nest of three tables; Rs 8,100; APARTMENT 9. 9 This brass, nickel and aluminium finish floor lamp has a polysilk shade; Rs 27,000 (lamp), Rs 1,800 (shade); APARTMENT 9. Unlisted prices are on request. Prices will be subject to taxes wherever applicable.
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{CentreStage}

Old and New


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A restored railway house, a city apartment and a farmhouse cum party destination three homes with distinct design perspectives.
Randip and Simran Dhingra make sure their 2.5-acre farmhouse in New Delhi accommodates their love for entertaining guests. When a old railway house in the Netherlands was reived and expanded by Zecc Architecten BV, corten steel, glass and exposed brick-work came together to create a bright and airy home. A conventional two and a half bedroom (1,060-square-foot) apartment in Mumbai is given a glossy makeover by PM Associates.
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urban estate
Serving as an ideal destination for hosting parties for friends and family, Randip and Simran Dhingras verdant farmhouse in New Delhi reflects the owners taste and penchant for travel.
TEXT: RIDHI KALE; PHOTOGRAPHS: ATUL PRATAP CHAUHAN

The

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HOMEOWNERS Simran and Randip Dhingra
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ight, Gods eldest daughter, is the principal beauty in a building, said Thomas Fueller, an English preacher, historian, and scholar. Nowhere does this architectural tenet hold truer than in a farmhouse. For it offers extensive scope for blurring boundaries, breaking down walls, bringing the outside inside, revelling in the bounty of space and allowing natural sunlight to flow in abundance. Be it the delicate morning rays, the bright noon glimmer or the soft evening glow, there is enough room for the sun to gloriously bathe every corner. Located in New Delhis DLF Chattarpur Farms, Randip and Simran Dhingras home is a perfect example of this design principle. The couple, who owns the furniture company World Bazaar, believes that its not only important to decorate a house in

the best possible way, but to do it in a manner that is completely in sync with the surroundings and the owners experiences. It ought to be about an individuals lifestyle and personal preferences rather than seasonal fads and prevailing trends. Right from the gate to master bedroom, the duo have evolved their own sense of style, which possesses that rarest of rare qualities a special something called flair. Living here is almost like living in an enchanted forest, engulfed by leafy trees, dangling creepers and sprawling gardens. The farmhouse is divided by lush lawns into the living quarters and the outhouse cum entertainment area. As you enter, plants in all shades of green welcome you; and a driveway surrounded by foliage leads to the front door. On either side of the house, in the thicket, are two paths that take you to the backyard with a swimming pool. Above the pool are the deck and the media room, complete with a home theatre.

Adorned with handcrafted furniture and lights from World Bazaar, the AV room of the Dhingra residence has seen many-a-party. The hardwood flooring and the metallic paint on the walls offers and interesting contrast.

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BELOW LEFT The AV room has a projector and a pull-down screen, a poker table from Maitland-Smith and a bar unit imported from Bali. The doors open to reveal a deck with comfortable outdoor furniture. BELOW RIGHT Take a plunge into the cool waters of this swimming pool. An interesting feature is the water fountain that flows into the pool from the deck above.

Beyond this is yet another garden, usually reserved for parties. An interesting feature of the pool is the low water fountain running from the media room to the deck and into the pool. Outdoor weather-proof furniture gives the deck a casual yet chic appeal, while the AV room is filled with handcrafted beauties. The space is the result of a trip to Southeast Asia that changed Randips design philosophy. The region, especially Indonesia, uses single logs of wood carved to perfection. This is what inspired him to start a store that imports such furniture about a decade ago.

Including such pieces in his home was an obvious decision. To complement the sofa and tables, the flooring is made using hardwood (sheesham) and the ceiling comprises of floor mats from Bali (cut into 2 ft x 2 ft). The seating faces a large mirror, and during movie nights, out pops a white screen from the ceiling. Towards one corner is a traditionally-carved bar made from a single log of wood and imported from Timor, Indonesia. Shiny ceramic tiles cover the space around it to reflect sunlight during the day and artificial illumination at night. Theres even

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a poker table from MaitlandSmith here. Massive windows allow natural light in and afford a great view of the lush vistas. The family of four (they have two young daughters) spend most of their time in the open. Therefore, the backyard is full of different kinds of outdoor furniture. Whether its a brunch in the breeze or a sunset supper, we dine outside almost every day, explains Simran. Though the alfresco area can be best described as boho-chic, the indoors shout out cool and eclectic. This mix of styles creates an enigmatic space on the whole.

The main entrance opens into a Rajasthani-style courtyard with jharokhas and dholpur stone flooring and fretwork. All the rooms are built around this courtyard, and sunlight seeps into every part of the house. Across the front door are the living and dining rooms, to the right is the kitchen and to the left is a staircase leading to the bedrooms split over two levels. Neutral tones dominate the living room, which complements the marble flooring underfoot. Beige leather sofas from World Bazaar bear an unassuming air, while a vibrant Paresh Maity painting,

adds some colour. Here too, you can see Randips fascination with the orient. In a corner lies a mother-of-pearl cabinet with a Burmese Buddha (marked by the elaborate headgear) placed on it. Another corner accommodates a customized bar cum console area made from coconut and wood. More Burmese artefacts, this time a pair of antique birds, perch delicately upon it. As for the dining area, spectacular is the word! Simran designed the crockery cabinets using oxidized lapiz, a type of mother-of-pearl, giving them a golden glow. However, the piece

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CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Simple yet elegant, this outdoor seating space with a low coffee table goes perfectly well with the surrounding foliage. The formal living room comprises of leather sofas and memorabilia from Southeast Asia. In addition to facing the central courtyard, it also has a skylight to ensure that it feels light and airy.

CONCEPT: To utilize the outdoor spaces to their fullest, while the interiors would showcase the
owners love for design and drama.

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In one corner of the living room is the bar cum console made from coconut (peel and shell) and wood, giving the furniture an interesting texture and look. This beautiful daybed has been crafted from railway wood and imported from Indonesia. Placed next to the pool, its an ideal spot to relax and unwind.

The outdoor seating has several colourful cushions. The Buddha, placed nearby, complements this peaceful setting. The best way to enjoy the great outdoors is to dine in the garden. And the Dhingras do just that. A table for ten has been set for friends and family, to enjoy a alfresco meal.

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MATERIALS
Flooring Dholpur stone, hardwood (sheesham), glass and Italian marble Ceiling and wall Oikos paint and tiles Furniture From World Bazaar primarily in a variety of wood

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT The focal point of the dining space is the handcrafted dining table made by sticking together pieces of gmelina wood. The owners love for Rajasthani architecture can be seen in the jharokhas and fretwork in dholpur stone. The courtyard allows light and air to circulate throughout the home. Adding to its charm is the fountain in the centre. The master bedroom can be best described as contemporary cool. A four-poster with straight lines and a leather headboard, is an attractive expression of modern design.

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de resistance of the space is the dining table from Passad. Made of gmelina (a fast growing deciduous tree) wood, each chip is assembled by hand, creating a unique pattern. If the ground floor is a mix of handcrafted elegance, tradition and art, a short walk up to the master bedroom pays homage to clean straight lines and contemporary finesse. A four poster bed lends the room a majestic appeal, while black and white photographs of the couple personalize the space. Since the sun is a permanent resident of this home, in this room too, several windows looking into the garden and courtyard let natural light seep into every corner. The room opens into a seating area, where the couple enjoy their morning cuppa. Influences and inspirations apart, whats clear is that the interiors of this home are a fine specimen of design and layout contrasting but never clashing.

FACT FILE: Location DLF Chattarpur Farms, New Delhi Designed by Randip and Simran
Dhingra Size 2.5 acres Year of completion 2004 Project duration 18 months

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RANDIP AND SIMRAN DHINGRAS HOME

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A glass apart
The mix and match philosophy has been around for a while. A dining table had chairs of different shapes, sizes and colour; or a synergy of various styles was created in a living room. But when it came to flooring, the combinations never went beyond marble and granite borders, which is why we like this one. Who would have thought that hardwood (sheesham) would go so well with glass? Below the glass are pebbles and a water body, flowing through this room to the deck and into the swimming pool. Not only is it a conversation-starter but it also breaks the monotony of wood.

Hit the roof

History proves that nobles, nawabs, maharajas, princes and czars spared no expense to create the most awe-inspiring ceilings. Since a mans home is his castle, Randip and Simran decided to turn to the East for inspiration. They bought floor mats made from bamboo, cut them into dimensions of 2 ft x 2 ft and pasted them onto the roof. This gives the ceiling an interesting texture and goes well with the Asian furniture. Even though it is simple and rustic the result is eye-catching.
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Knock on wood

If theres one material that adds character to a space, it has to be wood. That said, however, most homes tend to use the same colour of wood in a room to tie a space together. But the Dhingras find that restricting. So in their dining room, they have used three different shades of this magnificent material. The first and the lightest can be seen on the door, the second a little darker is seen on the cabinets and the darkest is used in the dining table. This creates quite a dramatic effect.

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A new order
Corten steel meets exposed brick work to create gorgeous open spaces and clear vistas in an old railway house revived and expanded by Zecc Architecten BV in the Netherlands.
TEXT: DEEPA NAIR ; PHOTOGRAPHS: CORNBREAD WORK; COURTESY ZECC ARCHITECTEN BV

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One look at it and any passer-by would be instantly curious about this stunning contemporary house. You can clearly see how the original facade of the historic railway house holds its ground proudly next to the Corten steel and glass extensions which were added to the house.
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ARCHITECTS Steven Nobel, Marnix van der Meer and Bart Kellerhuis

ew meets old and wow! These five words could easily sum up the gorgeous project featured in these pages. But then its not every day that I can write about the resurrection of an old railway cottage into a contemporary home, so allow me to start at the beginning. It all started when the client, a designer himself, approached the talented team of architects at Zecc Architecten BV to transform and expand a railway cottage next to the Santpoort-Noord station in the Netherlands. The architects were given a crisp brief: He wanted us to extend the cottage on both sides... spread out as large as possible and maintain a good balance between the outdoors and indoors. It was also vital to create different atmospheres in the house, informs architect Marnix van der Meer. Restorations are not exactly a cakewalk and here the challenge was also to add onto a weathered house and create a synergy between the old and the new. Tough call, given the fact that flouting conventions of traditional design will run the risk of ending up with an appendage that sticks out like a sore thumb. But for a team who has repurposed old school buildings, churches and even a water tower

ABOVE As if it didnt already feel like living in the wilderness, the architects introduced marram grass, ornamental grasses and thistles in the landscaping so that the client looks out to greens that go on for as far as his eyes can see. RIGHT ABOVE Bright and sunny, the extension that was added to the south side of the house is open to the patio filled with shells. Sliding doors and blinds separate the patio from the living zone which showcases minimal furniture and decor pieces. Every single piece of furniture, art or lighting is thoughtfully positioned for greater impact. RIGHT BELOW A view of the house from the waterfall staircase: the old and the new areas of the house are clearly seen as the white of the extension and the exposed brickwork of the kitchen. Note the staircase, which leads you to the bedroom and bathroom in the basement.

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CONCEPT: To revive and expand an old railway house into a contemporary dwelling; maintain a good balance between the outdoors
and indoors; and to create distinct atmospheres in the house.

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into unique residential dwellings, this test wasnt anything new. The first step was to create a detailed evolution process (and Zecc does this for all their projects): understanding the clients needs and desires, and translating them into functional and spatial design proposals. The architects used models and
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mock-ups from concept to presentation, which were powerful aids in explaining ideas to the client. Their first task was to revive the historic cottage which was weak in its foundation and cracking up in all possible places. To this end,

LEFT ABOVE Bonfire and barbeque parties are frequent on this shell-filled patio with a simple long table and benches for seating. Also seen are the basement bedroom windows at the bottom right. LEFT BELOW An exquisite leather sofa, modern lighting, a luxe carpet; the extension of the living room next to the patio is dressed up minimally. ABOVE A view of the house from the dining area: the old and new coexist and compliment each other well. Note the various cacti, which were specially sourced by the owners. RIGHT The kitchen window stands as testimony to the painstaking work the architects undertook to restore the original brick-work of the house. You cant miss the stone ledge and the old wooden frame of the window.

MATERIALS
Special materials Organic paint (mooiste muren, haarlem) from stucco to wood Kitchen Antique workbench from Timmerfabriek Antwerp (carpentry factor) and Bulthaup B3 Lighting Vintage collection and Tom Dixon Furniture XL calf leather sofa from Flexform, many vintage pieces, long dining table of old houses from Fair + Fair and vintage Eames lounge chair Exterior landscaping Marram grass, ornamental grasses and thistles from Environment (landscaping firm) House plants A collection of old cacti and five-leaf clovers from Emvironment

new poles were introduced to strengthen the foundation and the extensive laminate and hardwood used on the walls and floor were ripped apart to bring forth the original character of the brick cottage. Cubby rooms were liberated by bringing down some walls part of the extension programme designed by the architects. For the expansion of the cottage, Zecc Architecten BV drew inspiration from the topography of the region. The house is bordered on one side by the railway line between Amsterdam and IJmuiden and on the other by the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park known for its sand dunes. The contrast between the straight metal rails and the softness of the dunes is the basic idea behind
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The extension on the east side is more colourful thanks to the Persian carpet, the ochre of the old Eames chair, a surf board rested lazily against the wall and the interesting painting coupled with the natural hue of the brick wall.

the metamorphosis of this railway house. The hardness of steel, concrete and glass across waving grass, shells and wood, asserts Marnix. Therefore, keeping the front face of the cottage intact, the charming railway house is almost brutally shot through with a large Corten steel volume... aesthetically it looks like a modern beam has penetrated through the house. In the two extensions thus formed, large glass surfaces were introduced to focus on the surrounding greenery. As it stands today, the glass volume on the east is attached to the entrance and the living room. A sleeping area with a bathroom was incorporated in the basement of this volume. As the architects created a narrow, elongated extension here, an intimate patio came into being on the south side of the house, which is covered with shells. On the west side, the

expansion is oriented in the width: this forms the dining room for the family of two and is linked to the kitchen which is part of the old structure. Internally, the railway cottage itself is almost unchanged as the remains of numerous alterations were removed, leaving a pure and characteristic brick volume. The architect tells me that this old section provides security and simultaneously connects all contiguous open spaces of the house. From the middle of the house, you experience long sightlines and see a waterfall staircase which connects its two floors. In a waterfall staircase, the stairways of individual levels are arranged as an almost continuous line rather than being configured as a spiral. This way you are able to look two stories up to enjoy a visual treat. This house has two of them: one connects the basement bedroom to the main level of the house, while the other (right in the middle of

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the house) leads you to a bright and happy bedroom on the mezzanine level. If you ask me to pick one singular highlight of this project, I would vote for the versatility of this gorgeous contemporary home. The outside of the railway house becomes the interior of the dining room, while the patio looks like an indoor space its like being one with the woody terrain. Another vital feature which gives the refurbished cottage its distinct character is the blend of uniqueness and practicality where old elements and new additions alternate with each other in surprising ways. Here, hard materials meet the gentle atmosphere of the old house; the age-old exposed brick walls and the modern Corten steel and glass share an easy camaraderie; an antique workbench works well with Bulthaups B3 kitchen; organic paint

mingles with wallpaper; vintage collections converse with Tom Dixon lighting; an exquisite Persian carpet exchanges stories with untreated concrete; Flexforms XL calf leather rubs shoulders with a vintage Eames lounge chair and an old cactus collection and five-leaf clovers murmur sweet nothings to ornamental grasses and thistles. Truly, design classics combine with found objects in the house to create interesting atmospheres and instill a unique flavour to the experience of the house. Talking of synergies, one more was crucial to the project that between the client and the architects. The client was so involved with the project that he lived in a small garden house on the same small plot during the whole construction, Marnix discloses. Not only that, most of the furnishings, furniture and the unique plants splashed across the house were

TOP The waterfall staircase, a key design feature, was created to provide an unusual visual dimension. This one stands right in the middle of the house and leads you to the bedroom on the mezzanine level. Note the original fireplace on the ground level at the far end. ABOVE Against the coffee-hued wallpaper opposite the brick wall of the kitchen, a plush leather sofa, interesting pieces of furniture and art are displayed.
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ABOVE The mezzanine/attic level which can be reached by the waterfall staircase is filled with light and air like the rest of the house. The highlight here is undoubtedly the wooden rafters, which were retained from the old railway house. LEFT In the kitchen, an antique workbench and a white Bulthaup B3 modular kitchen speaks laurels of how Zecc Architecten BV married the old with the new with resounding success.

procured by the client, who runs a design firm by the name Zwzes Interior. Truly, this space showcases the clear vision of the client and the architects that of making the then and now visible and clear, resulting in a home that values the past and celebrates the present.

FACT FILE: Project Rail House

Location Kennemergaardeweg 1, Santpoort, The Netherlands Project architects Marnix van der Meer and Steven Nobel Contributors Bart Kellerhuis, Ren de Korte and Jeffrey van Schoonhoven Project duration 2009 to 2012 Floor surface 190 m Volume 560 m Solid interior Zecc Architecten/Jeroen van Zwetselaar, ZW6 Loose interior and styling Jeroen van Zwetselaar, ZW6 Contractor Tervoort Egmond
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A HOME BY ZECC ARCHITECTEN BV

Bright and right

So you thought attics are only meant to store away things? And they need to be dark and dingy? The architects at Zecc Architecten BV thought otherwise and created a lovely bedroom here. They brought in sun and air by puncturing a section of the wall and painting it white to reflect light... this adds to the whole charm of the space. They left a hint of the past here by keeping the wooden rafters intact, which brings in more warmth. The cacti and five-leaf clover plants handpicked for the house are sure to thrive in this bright and happy space.

A stairway unusual

An engaging architectural feature inside the house can change the mood of the entire house just like the waterfall staircase which the architects introduced in the middle of the old railway house. The stairways arranged linearly, make for a visual treat. There are a plethora of such innovative stairways that you can ask your architect to design for you.

Old charmers and new beauties

There is something enchanting about old homes as they have aged gracefully and are full of stories. And there is something exciting about stuff that is new, bright and raring to go. And when you put them in the same space, it creates a whole new world. In this image of the dining space close to the east side expansion. Instead of bringing down the walls or hiding the original brick wall of the house, the architects and the owners decided to keep it intact, making this space magical. Well, almost!
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The living room, with the red and gold chaise longue, is one of the few spots of colour in this otherwise neutral-toned space. Veneer, white lamination over wood and crystals achieve a wonderful layered look on the wall behind it.

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PM Associates takes a conventional two and a half bedroom apartment in Mumbai and gives it their signature clean-lined aesthetic.
TEXT: SHEENA DLIMA ; PHOTOGRAPHS: SEBASTIAN ZACHARIAH, COURTESY THE ARCHITECTS

Shine on
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f I had a penny for every modern/ contemporary, reflective-surfaced apartment in suburban Mumbai well lets just say, Id be happily vacationing in the Bahamas by now. The trend, says architect Parag Mehta, has really catapulted over the past decade, especially among young urban households. And modern, minimalist spaces are a particular hallmark of Parags firm, PM Associates, which he heads along with his designer wife Neha Mehta. Their work, which twists what one understands of contemporary into something quite distinct, caught the eye of Sakina and Syed, a young NRI couple. Buoyed by trust and confidence, they handed over the keys to their spanking new flat in a posh Andheri high-rise to the architects. It was then that the work to transform your average cookiecutter two and a half bedroom flat into a,

(drum roll please!) contemporary masterpiece began in earnest. Right at the outset, Parag and Neha decided on completely re-inventing the space given to them by creating little functional pockets not open plan exactly, but more fluid than the usual norm in the house. This decision called for completely gutting the house, leaving only the outer shell of solid wall intact. Neha explains how walls take up more space, minimizing the footprint of the house and blocking one room from another. So it is that every partition is not a solid construct of brick and cement, but a slim-yet-sturdy board, a glass door or a marble panel cloaked in either wood, wallpaper or mirrored tiles. The entrance, a fantastic, opulent affair, gives you a taste of what is to come within. It has a
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INTERIOR DESIGNERS Parag Mehta and Neha Mehta

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CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT The Mehtas concentrated on creating pockets of space in the house. In the living cum dining area, you can catch a glimpse of an ante-room separated from the main area by sliding doors. An erstwhile balcony, this cosy deck area flaunts LED floor lights, a wooden deck floor, tiled walls and loads of style. A view of the kitchen, which boasts of wooden cabinetry covered in lamination flush with the wall, and a floating ceiling made with slats of aluminium courtesy Hunter Douglas.

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CONCEPT: To maximize on space and functionality while maintaining a modern and


contemporary aesthetic.

toughened glass door in lieu of a grill, a smooth Corian nameplate and a self-lit shelf above the front door partially tiled with sparkling sunset-coloured stones. The lady of the house is big on bling, says Neha. Once inside, the kitchen (with a dividing wall of a wooden shoe cabinet) lies to your right. Long and tunnel-like, this space looks wider than it is by the neutral colour scheme and has been extended into the utility area. The flush cabinetry is made of smooth laminated wood and well concealed brushed steel handles. An Italian granite kitchen counter and top-of-

the-line gadgets vie for attention with a ceiling made from aluminium slats, courtesy Hunter Douglas. Opposite the entrance to the kitchen, a mirrored wall reflects light and gives the illusion of space. The living room was originally an L-shaped one, with a small bedroom crammed into the corner. You can still see vestiges of this layout, because rather than opening out the space by getting rid of the bedroom, the Mehtas replaced the walls with glass sliding doors, creating an ante-room. The main living area
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MATERIALS
Walls Wooden and marble panels cloaked in lamination, veneer, wallpapers, leather and mirrored panels Floor Italian marble Lighting LED Furniture Leather and customized wooden pieces Furnishings Organza sheers and leather upholstery
uses a wide variety of materials especially in the walls. The main one (marble cloaked in veneer) lies behind a floating wooden panel made glossy by the use of white lamination. On it, a strip of the same stones used at the entrance sparkle richly. The layered effect this wall creates a perfect backdrop for the champagne-coloured leather furniture and sleek accessories. A custom-made S-shaped centre table in a bold black and white wood with lamination is a definitive decor element amongst the neutral hues. Large floortoceiling glass doors, curtained with sheer fabric, close off the living room from a compact but pretty deck an erstwhile balcony. This space took a bit of work. We stripped the floor and tiled the low walls with anti-skid tiles that are the same colour as the facade of the building, explains Parag. But that was just for starters. The LED floor
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CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT Though the master bedroom is relatively small, a large window and a clever balance of textures stops it from being cramped. The wall behind the bed is clad in textured gold wallpaper. The childs bedroom sports pale colours and a cheerful poster behind the bed. A custom-made sink in one of the bathrooms calls for attention. Numerous white flattish pebbles crowd together under a resin layer. This space, though small, is neatly divided into wet and dry areas.

lights create a relaxed ambience and we even put in a cane beach chair, says Neha. The dining area, located in the long stem of the L-shaped living area, features a mirrored wall. Three hoops of LED light set on a wooden panel with the signature white lamination create a clean-lined, white and silver aesthetic. A glass-topped dining table and pale gold leather chairs add to the luxury. In stark contrast to the wide variety of materials used, the floor a smooth Italian marble in brown stretches seamlessly throughout the house. In the master bedroom, Parag pushed the wardrobe into the bathroom, to create extra space. The flush floor-to-ceiling wooden doors of the wardrobe covered in snow white lamination, wall this space. A large window, with a low settee below its sill, brings in natural light during the day. In this primarily white canvas, bold relief comes through the royal purple bed linen and blinds. Curtains would have eaten into the space (their pleats cause visual disturbance) so we used blinds instead, explains Neha. The leather panel on

the wardrobe in stunning gunmetal silver lends a touch of drama. The couple has a two-year-old son whose bedroom is adjacent to theirs. This room has a massive, cheerful poster of a Manhattan cab above the bed. Blue and yellow in icing -pale shades soften the room and a wooden seat cloaked in lemon yellow lamination at the window is a particularly darling touch. When they take on their projects, Parag works on the layout and takes care of the structure, while Neha selects materials and takes charge of the interiors. Materials and plans are approved before they go on site, but there is room for a cosmetic change or two. They admit that this project was completed with almost no hiccups (except a slight delay due to building regulations). Still, it holds a special place in their hearts. Our clients were young parents like us. We ended up going out to dinners in fact, our responsibility to deliver the goods increased when we started to like them on a non-professional level, says Neha. And deliver they did, with a house that flaunts the contemporary vibe effortlessly.

FACT FILE: Location Andheri, Mumbai Area 1,060 sq ft

Design team Parag Mehta and Neha Mehta Project duration 11 months
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A HOME BY PM ASSOCIATES

Bridging the divide

A home doesnt need to have conventional walls. Break them down and opt for panels that segregate spaces but dont block off light and break up the floor. This shot is taken from inside a family room that opens out into both the dining area and the living room. A mirrored panel and glass sliding doors separate these spaces from one another. Though originally a bedroom, now this space can be whatever the owners want to be an extension of the living area or a private corner.

Pad it up

Are furnishings the only way to bring variety into your interiors? Decidedly not! Do what the Mehtas did with this master bedroom. The whole room uses a primarily white palette and a metallic-hued wooden sliding wardrobe panel cloaked in embossed leather stands out and screams for attention. The panel brings interesting visual relief from the glaringly white wooden cabinetry covered in laminates. It also lends an almost royal appearance to the room.
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Welcome home

Make a statement with a stunning entrance. Here, the Mehtas did away with the conventional grilled security gate and installed a door made from toughened glass. Note the use of the word toughened in case you were wondering whether glass equals iron in terms of safety. Besides being as safe as a grill, this door enables one to get a glimpse of the house right from the entrance. The wooden main door is embellished with crystals for a touch of bling and a fancy nameplate reveals the number of the flat through a novel backlighting feature. A self-lit shelf above the door is another light source.

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FAUCET POWER

TEXT: SHEENA DLIMA

If you want your bathroom to flaunt sophistication and style, then look no further. Prayag Polymers, a leading name in bath and kitchen accessories, has launched the Rocio collection of faucets from the H2O Series. The faucets on offer employ brass, chrome plating and a premium glossy finish in their making. The complete series comprises of more than 10 models and every product comes with an adjustable height. With unique features like surface plating (0.3-0.7 micron chrome and 10-14 micron nickel), a steady and regulated water flow and feather touch controls with rust-resistance, these faucets are the perfect choice for your bathroom and kitchen. RS 425 ONWARD

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STYLE AND SUBSTANCE CHEFS CORNER

Recently launched furniture house, Bleu Concepts, has on offer a modular kitchen with exciting interactive features. It is especially designed for the tech savvy who like their gadgets within reach while they cook. A panel system, which forms a part of the kitchen, can incorporate a TV, laptop, speaker and wifi. Besides being built with quality materials (back-painted glass, a high-quality Corian counter and luxurious finishes), the kitchen also boasts of tailor-made, flexible modules, so you can custom-design the space according to your needs. Whats more, the electric shades will give your space vibrancy and top-of-the line appliances ensure that cooking is a breeze. Bleu Concepts interactive kitchens come with a small seating counter and bar. PRICE ON REQUEST

Bravat has recently launched the Glacier series of faucets. Jazz up your bathroom space with these beauties that combine state-of-the-art German engineering and manufacturing technology with cutting edge international design. The faucets available in the Glacier series employ geometric shapes and clean lines and also boast of the touch technology, which allows you to get hot, cold or warm water by simply touching small markings on the product. The faucets are crafted from virgin brass which protects them from rust and are available in a chrome-finish. RS 8,030 TO RS 14,850

FLOORED!

Interface, a global manufacturer of carpet tiles, is well-known for its eco-friendly product catalogue. The company has a whole new range of exciting carpet tiles made from 100 per cent recycled yarn. These floor coverings greatly reduce environmental impact and are smart and durable too. The Urban Retreat series is inspired from natural elements while the Monochrome collection zeroes in on the increasing trend of using combination of colours, textures, patterns and materials to create distinct zones in your home. And with 48 colours available in this range, youll be spoilt for choice. Interface has also expanded their Biosfera collection to include a host of new shades and patterns. PRICE ON REQUEST

TILE TIME

You can judge a home by the state of its floors. If youre looking for class and elegance, then look no further. RAK, an established name in tiles, bathware and faucets industries, has just introduced RAK Wurtzite, a brand new series of vitrified floor tiles that will suit almost every decor style. The tiles come in 598 mm x 598 mm and boast of a lifelike feel of natural stone coupled with the opulent appearance of high-quality marble. The four collections Sapphire, Garnet, Beryl and Amber are available in earthy, subtle colours and the customer can choose among Polished, Matt, Lapato and Natural finishes. The series is available at all RAK outlets across the country. RS 75 PER SQ FT ONWARD
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Gallery
COUCH POTATO
Lifestyle brand Durian has launched the Edward-Identiti series of modular sofa systems. With about 14 different seating units which can be re-arranged using several combinations to suit your needs, the Identiti collection combines functionality and aesthetics. Extremely comfortable, the designers have made sure the proportions between the seat, the back and the arms are precise, providing ergonomic support to the body. Clean lines characterize this highly flexible leatherite sofa, which comes in two colours pure black and classic beige. PRICE ON REQUEST

SHOOTS AND LEAVES

Sonear has unveiled their natural veneers, which aim to capture the true essence of nature and make your home come alive. A first in India, this revolutionary product will now bring the outdoors into your homes. These autumninspired veneers make it seem as if the leaves are falling off the trees and landing in your homes. This product is available in several tones: lighter notes for the living room and darker ones for the bedroom. PRICE ON REQUEST

SLIDE IN

Gandhi Automations has unveiled its range of cantilevered sliding gates. Suitable for securing commercial, industrial and public utility areas, these gates have no ground track or foundation in the roadway, making it convenient for vehicles as they dont experience any bumps. Ideal for road surfaces which are uneven or sloping, these sliding gates dont get blocked by leaves or dirt, which automatically reduces its maintenance. As it is installed without any support at the bottom, the operation of this product is noiseless. PRICE ON REQUEST

INDIA SHINING

Anchor Electricals, a sister concern of Panasonic recently showcased its futuristic lighting range in Light India 2012, an annual exhibition organized by Electric Lamp and Component Manufacturers Association of India. Currently it offers two downlights a CFL which confirms to the IEC 60598-1 and 60598-2 norms and an LED conforming to Panasonics stringent self-regulatory PCSS standards. Globally marketed exclusively by Anchor Electricals, the company is gearing up for a launch of a whole new range of lighting in CFL and LED for residential and commercial applications. PRICE ON REQUEST
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Industry Voice

Whats Cooking?
PAWAN MALHOTRA, MANAGING DIRECTOR, CUCINE LUBE INDIA PVT LTD TALKS ABOUT THE COMPANYS DECADE-LONG JOURNEY AND ITS FUTURE PLANS. Pawan Malhotra
Better Interiors (BI): Tell us a little about Cucine Lubes entry into the India? Why did the company start the India operations? And how has the response been so far? Pawan Malhotra (PM): The journey of Cucine Lube began in the year 2003 in India. We opened our doors to India with our first studio in New Delhi. The market for modular kitchen was nascent, so naturally acceptance among customers was low. Even now, this industry is challenging with a growth rate of 30 to 40 per cent, and more than 80 per cent of the market is still in the hands of unorganized players. But factors like increase in disposable income, changing lifestyles and mindsets about kitchens has led to an increase in customers. We are now a decade old in India. BI: On an average how many designs and styles does Cucine Lube introduce in a year? Are all designs available in India? PM: Cucine Lube introduces about ten different models globally in different colours, finishes and layouts. At present, we are the only company providing unlimited options in their models. Our plans range from traditional to trendy with customizable solutions. We have over 1,000 permutations and combinations in terms of finishes, colours and internals. BI: Does the company create designs and materials for specific markets? For example, in India, we dont use wooden platforms as our food is oily. PM: Keeping in mind the Indian market and the customers needs, the company has just introduced the waterproof carcass material, which makes us the first European company to introduce it here. We recently launched Pantheon for the Russian market royal style, a lot of passion topped with a touch of sentimentality and rich in details, it is truly a masterpiece. We also have the Borgo Antico Kitchen, especially designed for Europeans,
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who prefer traditional craftsmanship, the warmth of wood and the rustic feel of the kitchens of the past. BI: Tell us about the latest innovations and designs that Cucine Lube has launched in the Indian market... PM: We recently launched two of our innovative design collections: Nilde Decora, for those seeking design and aesthetics. It makes use of geometry, functional design in its elegance and textured finishes. It is available in different finishes such as wood and lacquer. Creativa, on the other hand, personalizes your living space exclusively by creating more than eight layouts in a single design. It will allow you to design a kitchen that is always unique. It proposes a line with a strong geometric feel, with the door that combines two different materials and creates colour contrasts. BI: What are the measures that the company takes to keep abreast of the competition? PM: It is very important to establish your presence in the market. We are looking for franchisee developments to increase our presence in all the metros, tier two and three cities. We are looking forward to open the Lube concept stores as well. Besides these, our Research and Development team introduces new models every year. New products always excite the consumers. We also believe in educating our customers about the products. It is helpful in industry growth. BI: How has the year 2013 been so far? What are your plans for the year ahead? PM: We launched our new studio in New Delhi early this year which offers access to 22 live kitchens. We also give live demonstrations of the products in terms of finishes, materials, colours, hardware or internals. We are also looking to foray into other metros, tier two and three cities through the Lube concept stores.

{Final Take}

directory
DESIGNBYTES

Roundabout
BOOK REVIEW
Available at: www.rankingleaves.org

APARTMENT 9 2 Sunny House, Mereweather Rd, Colaba, Mumbai 1; Tel: 32489601/02; Website: www.apartment9.in ADDRESS HOME 14, Raghuvanshi Mills Compound, SB Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 13; Tel: 40040474; Website: www.address-home.com ANDY HOMES Ground Flr, F213/D, Old MB Rd, Lado Sarai, Mehrauli, New Delhi 30; Tel: 46524343; Website: www.andyhome.co.in BAAYA DESIGN Raghuvanshi Mills Compound, SB Marg, nr Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, Mumbai 13; Tel: 65210165; Website: www.baayadesign.com CONTEMPORARY ARTS AND CRAFTS Taj Building, 210, DN Rd,Fort, Mumbai 1; Tel: 23630740, 23696411 EBONY GAUTIER SF 201, 2nd Flr, Infiniti Mall, Link Rd, Malad (W), Mumbai 64; Tel: 65261111; Website: www.ebonygautier.com GRISHAM Shop No 1, Radha Sadan, 18th Rd Corner, Khar-Danda Rd, Khar (W), Mumbai 52; Tel: 26000010 LLADRO Shop No 1, Sunder Mahal, # 141, Marine Drive, Veer Nariman RC, Churchgate, Mumbai 20; Tel: 22823436; Website: www.lladro.com PURE HOME + LIVING DLF Brands Ltd, Shop # 201, 2nd Flr, Infiniti 2 Mall, Malad (W), Mumbai 64; Tel: 67709160

RED BLUE & YELLOW G-11 Laxmi Woollen Estate, Shakti Mill Lane, off Dr E Moses Rd,Mahalaxmi, Mumbai 11; Tel : 666 62641 SANCTUM Vasant House, 19th Rd, off Khar Danda, Khar, Mumbai 52; Tel: 26495755 THE CHARCOAL PROJECT Unit No 1, D-Mall, Veera Desai Rd, Andheri (W), Mumbai 58; Tel: 261936198; Website: www.thecharcoalproject.com TRANCEFORME 36 Laxmi Mills Est, Shakti Mills Lane, off Dr E Moses Rd, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai 11; Tel: 24939916, 9869457852

OBSESSIONS XCLUSIF Tel: (011) 41078083 PORTICO Website: www.porticoindia.com SPLENDOUR Tel: (022) 23675678; Website: www.splendour.co.in

HIGH FIVE!

LG Toll-free : 1800 180 9999 Website: www.lg.com PANASONIC Toll free: 1860 425 1860 SAMSUNG Website: www.samsung.com TRANE Toll-free: 1800 102 9986 Website: www.traneindia.com VOLTAS Toll-free: 1800 425 4555 Website: www.voltas.com

Bazaar
@HOME Website: www.at-home.co.in ABACA G9/G10A, Laxmi Woollen Mill Estate, Shakti Mill Lane, off Dr E Moses Rd, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai 11; Tel: 24933522/44/66 BAAYA DESIGNS (See Techniques) BOCONCEPT Global Foyer, Shop No 15S, 2nd Flr, Golf Course Road, Sector 43, Gurgaon 122001; Tel: 8800193194; Website: www.boconcept.in CASA PARADOX Gallery Mall, 177, MG Rd, Sultanpur, New Delhi 30; Tel: 26802702/2718; Website: www.casaparadox.com CONTEMPORARY ARTS AND CRAFTS (See Techniques) DEVI DESIGN STUDIO 771, Shera Colony, nr Soap Factory, Rajokri Village, New Delhi 38; Tel: 9999033590 ETHNIC KRAFT M- 191, GK Part 2, New Delhi 48; Tel: 9810124667; Website:www.indiamart.com/ ethnickraft EXHIBIT D KH No 382/204, West End

THINGTANK

Swish list
CASA SHAMUZZI Tel: (0120) 4344788 CASSANDRA Tel: (0124) 4911000 EBONY GAUTIER (See Techniques) FENDI CASA Tel: (0124) 4000882; Website :www.terrasans.com GOOD EARTH Tel: (022) 24951954; Website: www.goodearth.in HERMES Tel: (022) 227174 00 KOMAL VASA Tel: (022) 22019996 LIVING IN STYLE Tel: (022) 28757286 MAISHAA Tel: (022) 67718181; Website: www.maishaa.com

Q&A
NAVNEET MALHOTRA Email: navneet@aadesign.in

Colour & Style


LATIKA KHOSLA Email: latika@ freedomtreedesign.com

Techniques
AA LIVING Rajul Apartments, Harkness Rd, opp Golds Gym, Nepean Sea Rd, Mumbai 6; Tel: 23683985; Website: www.aa-living.com

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Marg, nr Primary School, Saidulajaib, New Delhi 30; Tel: 29532090


FABFURNISH Tel: (0124) 6733300; Website: www.fabfurnish.com FABINDIA Jeroo Building, 137, MG Rd, Kala Ghoda, Colaba, Mumbai 1; Tel: 22626539 FLOOR & FURNISHINGS Plot No 42, Sector-32, Institutional Area, Gurgaon 122001; Tel: (0124) 4632308 FRAZER AND HAWS Shop No 11, Main Market, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi 3; Tel: 24647818 FURNITURE REPUBLIC #7, IHDP Complex,Sector 127,Noida 201301;Tel: (0120) 4239004/005 HOMETOWN Future Retail Home Office, Tower C, 247 Par, LBS Marg, Vikhroli (W), Mumbai 83; Tel: 61775200; Website: www.hometown.in IDUS 10/57, Kirti Nagar Industrial Area, New Delhi 15; Tel: 45888000 IK SILVER 2, Karbala Lane, Jor Bagh, New Delhi 3; Tel: 24644797 KLOVE STUDIO J-2, Green Park, New Delhi 16; Tel: 9810273388 MOON RIVER D-16, Defence Colony, New Delhi 24; Tel: 41617103 MORA TAARA 6, Mani Mansion, Peddar Rd, opp Villa Theresa School, Mumbai 26; Tel: 65754822 MUKUL GOYAL Plot # 400, Pace City II, Sector 37, Gurgaon 122001; Tel:(0124) 4032400/01

NAGINA WATERS 31-32 and 45-46, Tribhuvan Complex, Ishwar Nagar, Friends Colony, New Delhi65; Tel: 42603399 NYA NORDISKA Available at: Maishaa, Surprise Household, 2, Kohinoor, 29, Hughes Road, Mumbai 7; Tel: 32972125; Website: www.nya.com PALLATE Ground Flr, Badamia Manor, 34, Clerk Rd, off Racecourse, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai 34; Tel: 42206000 PURE HOME DECOR Website: www.purehomedecor.com RENOVATION FACTORY 44A, Khan Market, New Delhi 3; Tel: 47506800; Website: www.renovationfactory.co.in ROYAL SELANGOR 3rd Flr, Palladium Mall, Phoenix Mills Compound, Lower Parel, Mumbai 13; Tel: 66517426 SANCTUM (See Techniques) SARITA HANDA 16 Khan Market, 1st Floor, Back Entrance, New Delhi 21; Tel: 43521824; Website: www.saritahanda.com SERENITY Clamar Bldg, opposite Guru Nanak Park, Bandra (W), Mumbai 50; Tel: 9920766894 SHADES OF INDIA 127,Meharchand Market, New Delhi 3; Tel: 49053333 SPLENDOUR (See Swish List) STYLEEVER Website: www.styleever.com TESSERAE 972H, Ground Flr, (Below Easy Library), 1st A Main Road, ST Bed,

Koramangala, Bangalore 34; Tel: 9740652337


THE HOME LABEL Website: www.thehomelabel.com THE PURPLE TURTLES #128, 1st Main Rd, Domlur 2nd Stage, off 100 Ft Rd, Indiranagar, Bangalore 25; Tel: 41528039 TRANCEFORME (See Techniques) TURQOISE Shop No 20, ONGC Colony, opp Lilavati Hospital, Bandra Reclamation, Bandra (W), Mumbai 50; Tel: 26402123 VISSIONAIRE The Gallery on MG, 251-252, MG Rd,New Delhi 30; Tel: 41012161 VIYA HOME CRC Complex, 369, MG Rd, New Delhi 30; Tel: 65288824

Industrial Estate, Mahakali Caves Rd, Nr Paper Box, Andheri (W), Mumbai 93; Tel: 30418888; Website: www.anchor-world.com
AOC Tel: (0124) 2806116/17 BRAVAT Tel: (0124) 4945050; Website: www.bravatindia.com BLEU CONCEPTS Tel: (011) 26501236; Website: www.bleuconcepts.com DURIAN The Summit, Hanuman Rd, Western Express Highway, Vile Parle (E), Mumbai 57; Tel: 26269000; Website: www.durian.in GANDHI AUTOMATIONS 2nd floor, Chawda Commercial Centre,Link Rd,Malad (W), Mumbai 64; Tel: 66720200; Website: www.geapl.co.in INTERFACE F/8, First Floor, Prabhadevi Industrial Estate, 408, Veer Savarkar Rd, Prabhadevi, Mumbai 25; Tel: 43213100 PERGO Tel: (022) 6627900; Website: www.pergo.com SEALY Tel: 9818310101; Email: puneetv@sealy.in SONEAR 20 North West Avenue, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi 26; Tel: 45021000; Website: www.sonearply.com PRAYAG POLYMERS 2468, Prayag House, Nalwa Street, Pahar Ganj, New Delhi 55; Tel: 23583772; Website: www.prayagindia.net RAK CERAMICS 1-6, Dheeraj Heritage, 1st Flr, Junction of Milan Subway, SV Rd, Santacruz (W), Mumbai 54; Tel: 26605704; Website: www.rakceramics.com
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CENTRESTAGE

Habitat
The Urban Estate
RANDIP AND SIMRAN DHINGRA World Bazaar, 843/1, MG Rd, Ghitorni, New Delhi 30; Tel: 26502902

A New Order

ZECC ARCHITECTEN BV Westerkade 4, 3511 HA, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Tel: +31 (0)302731289; Website: www.zecc.nl

Shine On

INTERIOR DESIGNERS PARAG AND NEHA MEHTA PM Associates, Vastu Shubh, Vastu Enclave, Behind Manish Park, Pump house, Andheri (E), Mumbai 93; Tel: 9820077083

FINALTAKE

GALLERY
ANCHOR ELECTRICALS Steel House, B-24, Mahal

{Final Take} Pick Apart


Page 80 Back in 2009, when the
world was in a slump, Pantone,the global authority on colour, selected mimosa a warm, engaging yellow as the Colour of the Year. Four years on, this sunny shade still sparkles. Use it on a hand-painted steel kettle and your morning cuppa will never be the same.It can be mixed and matched with so many things. Bring home some sunshine with thisbright and cheery piece. Ridhi Kale

Page 54 As a child, I loved the sketches in my Page 84 In certain, completely non-segregationist


Beatrix Potter books. Peter Rabbits farmyard animal friends (who cried real tears and wore bunny-sized jackets) were my best friends. I was reminded of them when I saw Renovation Factorys cream-coloured crockery featuring chocolate-hued illustrations of bunnies, leaping about or standing at attention, all twitchy-nosed and adorable. Sheena DLima

circumstances, white can always be right! This Techniques setting at Ebony Gautier is one of those. It instantly calls for attention. It is a well-known fact that a lighter palette flushes the space with light. Here, the snow white canvas is generously dressed with emerald-hued products. The result is a bright set of niches in the wall unit that simply oozes character. Shireen Kanchwala

Everyone has their favourites and the Better Interiors team is no exception. Sure, we are a bunch of committed unbiased folk who report on design trends faithfully... but we also drool and how!
Page 98 Randip and Simran

Dhingras farmhouse in New Delhi opens into a Rajasthani-style courtyard with jharokhas, Dholpur stone flooring and fretwork. This style has a typical charm that never fails to grab my attention. Some folk music, and the picture is complete. Roshni Thakker

Page 54 All right, Rupali and Page 108 Exposed brick structures have an earthy,
homely charm that sleek, almost cold, contemporary structures lack. When Zecc Architecten BV takes an old railway home in the Netherlands and painstakingly restores it without losing its novelty, while accommodating everything that a modern family needs, the result is mind-blowing. The shell-filled patio, which is ideal to host an intimate get-together with friends, and the droolworthy extension of the living room complete with a plush leather sofa, make sure that you spend time looking at nature rather than the idiot box! Kruttika Kallury

Shireen had the last laugh when I picked up these votiveholders from Mora Taara for this page as I usually stay away from cute products. But then these are elephants for Gods sake! And they happen to be number one on my list of favourite animals. Arent these two fellows crafted out of wood simply precious? I am definitely taking them home. Deepa Nair
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