_1643286983551_1643287018223.jpg "Meenu Agarwal")
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Indian interior design has gone through tremendous transformation over the past decades due to global influences and a modern outlook. Thanks to extensive international exposure, people’s lifestyles have changed, inspiring new and modern ways of designing the interiors. But the spaces essentially remain Indian. The sleek spaces formed of clean, straight-lines display an international sophistication, yet are full of the traditional verve and hues.
Indian modern interiors can hardly ignore the rich heritage of arts, crafts, antiques, and the vibrant colours that continue to be an intrinsic part of our culture. But a certain degree of paring back of ornate details and colours has seeped into our modern interiors giving rise to spaces that have a universal appeal and suit the contemporary way of living.
Look at the work of any interior designer in Delhi, and you will see that modern interior design styles are woven into them.
So how do we achieve modern interiors that are inherently Indian?
Here are five ways to bring Indian elements into modern interiors.
Don’t shy away from colors
Modern doesn’t always mean fewer colors. India is known for its chromatic splendor in every sphere of life. In order to create sophisticated modern interiors, you don’t have to give up on that aspect and go only for pastels. Celebrate bursts of colors in your interiors, but balance them out with enough neutral or muted shades so that they don’t overpower the senses. For example, keep the background palette neutral with white, beige, grey, etc, and add pop-up hues through furniture pieces, accessories, textiles, and the like. You could also use peppy shades that are trending internationally to stay in vogue.
Play around with art & crafts
Our country is a treasure chest of crafts and hand-making traditions that have endured the test of time for centuries. Borrow from traditional interior design styles, and include crafts in your uber-modern interiors. A few ornate pieces or crafts-based accessories can be cleverly fused with modern elements to evoke a carefully detailed look. If the accessories are reimagined for contemporary times, even better. Either way, it helps you keep the tradition alive, while also adding a rich note to the space. Handmade luxury furniture, accessories, and curios like sculptures, lamps, wall art, jewelry boxes, etc. help you achieve this. Also, some ancient and folk art forms like Pichwai, Tanjore, Gond, Warli, etc, can be included for decorating the walls. The best part is, today you find many traditional art forms interpreted for the current times.
Blend of styles
One of the main features of modern interiors in India today is the masterful fusion of traditional elements with influences from across the world. A mélange of Indian elements with western styles evokes an eclectic environment that is infinitely interesting and rich. Today, a modern lifestyle entails travel around the world, and with that comes diverse influences, collectibles and mementos. When you weave eclectic objects into your interior decor, you achieve a unique character that becomes a reflection of your personality.
Rich Textiles
India has been traditionally known for its rich weaving techniques. Once you choose textiles from its vast tradition to decorate with, you don’t have to try too hard to bring in Indianness in your interiors. Sometimes, all you need to do is select fabrics with typical Indian motifs for your spaces. The Mughal garden, Indian paisley, motifs of elephants, lotuses, simple kolam or rangoli patterns, and other geometric forms hark back to our heritage. Luxurious fabrics like silk, zardozi, and jacquards too bring in a certain Indian element.
Reinterpret Age-old Materials
One of the best ways to inject Indianness into your modern interiors is through the use of age-old materials that are native to the country. Brass, copper, solid wood, marble, and other local stones, as well artisanal materials like bamboo, cane, jute, wool, have been part of Indian design and architecture for ages. Today, they continue to define a typical Indian factor in interiors. These materials have been successfully adapted for current times epitomizing true modern Indian ethos. Brass in furniture, accessories, and also as accents in flooring and wall cladding is very popular. It can also be used to create screens that define floor plans within spaces.
Modern interiors are a playfield for disparate influences and inspirations whether from within the country or outside. At the same time, they have a universal resonance.
Disclaimer: This is a company release. No HT journalist is involved in creation of this content.
