Indian Selections

…bringing India to you

Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Indian Style Styling For Your Home Interiors

Posted by jasnav on February 10, 2011

India has a huge variety of cultures, with each having its own unique style in terms of interior décor. In this article series, we will be taking a peek at what each Indian culture has to offer in terms of unique Indian home interior designs.

We will start the series with the northern most Indian state of Kashmir.

Kashmiri Home Interior Design

The northernmost state of the country may be currently embroiled in controversy, but its rich cultural heritage is something unique and deeply traditional. Those having an access to the interiors of Kashmir are full time ambassadors of its natural beauty as well as the welcoming nature of its people.

Kashmir homes are mostly wooden, and they are designed in a way so as to keep out the cold. Warm woolen carpets are essential parts of any Kashmiri home. They are a way of keeping away the cold of the floor. When entering a Kashmiri home, it is considered essential to remove any footwear outside so as not to dirty the carpets.

The seating arrangement in a traditional Kashmiri village household is strictly on the ground. Colorful woolen carpets adorn the seating area, and often a separate mat is placed to mark the sitting spot. A visitor may be offered a cushion to sit on depending on the degree of regard he or she is supposed to be given.

In modern Kashmiri homes sofas and sitting chairs have caught the fancy of the local populace, but by and large the sitting arrangement on the floor is the preferred one.

Heavy, thick, dark curtains are the norm in most Kashmir Indian home interiors. Again, the purpose is to keep out the cold. Do not be surprised on being offered a ‘Kangri’ the moment you take a seat in the Kashmiri home to help you keep warm. This Kangri is nothing but a clay pot filled with coal embers to keep you warm, the same that almost every Kashmiri is found carrying in winters. You would also immediately be offered some of the best blankets in the home to cover your legs, should you feel the need.

Traditional embroidered curtains of Kashmir are made of thick white cotton cloth, embroidered with bold designs of pretty and colorful wool. The same cloth is also often used as bedspreads and even for making cushion covers etc. You can generally find this at any Kashmiri showroom or outlet in Kashmir.

The eating area in a traditional Kashmiri home also has the seating on the ground. The ladies of the house will serve hot meals and have their own meals later. In keeping with muslim traditions of sharing meals, three or four people eat from a single common plate. Of course, the tradition difference of visitors is kept in mind and generally they are offered independent plates.

Kashmir home interiors are unique in themselves as they make and use their own handloom cloth and traditional embroidery. Plan a trip to Kashmir to have some of your best ever holidays as well as collect lots of traditional home interior stuff!

Posted in Cushion Covers, Embroidery, Online stores, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

How To Get Vintage Décor For Your Home Renovation

Posted by jasnav on September 23, 2010

Looking for the vintage look to reflect your taste in life and culture? This article addresses the interior décor of your home in the vintage style and gives you some fresh and interesting ideas.

All you need for achieving a stylish modern vintage living room is plenty of imagination with a stylish approach. It also does not have to mean buying expensive antique furniture. You can create number of designs using distinct pieces of vintage furniture.

Colors Ahoy!

Choose a color scheme, and be prepared to alter furniture to make it fit. Slipcovers in a neutral beige or chocolate brown are an economical way to change a couch or sofa’s appearance without paying for a major reupholstering job.

Add color in small but interesting tidbits on the pillows using luxurious fabrics. Use some paint to spruce up mismatched furniture. Painting or staining is an easy way to unify a collection of secondhand furniture. Use the right paint that is compatible with wood, sand or strip furniture. Use crispy white paint to give your a room a beach cottage feel. Use a rich brown stain to make the space feel warmer.

Smart Storage

Several ways are offered by modern vintage design offers of incorporating storage space inside a living room. Bookshelves or built-ins are the best way to create space. An easy and convenient way to add some storage to a living room space is by the use of free-standing or built-in bookshelves.

To add vintage flair to pre-fabricated bookshelves, try using wicker baskets to hold mails or office stationery or break up a line of books with a few antique knickknacks.

Traditional built-in bookcases adorning your wall can be given a fresh look with streamlined canvas storage boxes. Even a handful of modern, sleek vases will do wonders.

Use a trunk with a flat surface as a coffee table. Cover the box with a vintage scarf or other old yet expensive looking fabric to protect the lid. Thereafter you can use it for easy access to blankets or extra magazines.

Fancy Furniture

Low benches create a free-standing window seat. All you need to do is to simply position your bench next to a windowsill and cover in colorful cushions. You can use a bench with a hinged seat as a book shelf or for magazine storage. Use use the space under the bench as additional storage for boxes or baskets.

Vintage Accessories

Combine function and funkiness for a modern vintage living room by using accent pieces.

Use tea trays to create a unique tabletop. A tray with clean modern lines or an ornate antique service tray is useful as a makeshift tabletop. You can place a tray on a settee a, coffee table, or a footstool to get a usable table surface.

Bookends are an easy way to integrate a unique vintage feel with regular book storage. Use bookends to create book storage spaces. Consider painting some dingy bookends with bright colors like yellow, orange or blue to go with the rest of your room interiors furnishings.

Spooky Tales

Use a projector connected to your PC or TV to create a room with spooky images. Horror movies played on the walls create a unique Halloween atmosphere. Spooky images downloads are available in plenty online. To get a vintage Halloween experience, look for free old horror movies. A vintage decor reflecting older times would not look complete without spirit photos.

The main theme of vintage decoration in a modern style means working with existing furniture pieces and a few more accents to create a unified looking yet diverse living room.

Go for the vintage look to make your living room both stylish and chic.

Posted in How to, Online stores, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | 11 Comments »

Indian Cotton Sari – Different Ways Of Draping The Good Old Cotton Sari

Posted by jasnav on May 17, 2010

Over the centuries, wearing styles of the famous Indian cotton sari have undergone major changes. While some wear it the traditional way, some prefer to go innovative. Fashionistas feel that every province has a different draping style.

Follow the tips given here to know about the different ways to drape the same good old cotton sari.

Bengali Style

Remember those gyrating dance movements by the suave Madhuri Dixit and sassy Aishwarya Rai in the Bollywood flick Devdas? The duo sashayed the screen wearing the cotton sari in the Bengali way.

The cotton sari makes an ideal choice for the Bengali way of draping. Devika Pochampally saree will make for an ideal option for this style of wearing. Since it has a broad border, the look will be on the right lines with Bengali draping style.

In the Bengali draping style, the main sari is tied around the waist and the anchal or pallu falls on the left side after coming through the right side. There are no pleats used in the draping which makes it more comfortable to wear. The anchal is supposed to come from under the right arm and then draped over the left hand shoulder.

Paithani Or Maharashtrian Style

The traditional Marathi sari comes in eight and nine metre versions as compared to six meters for most of the others. Charu Gadwal pure cotton sari comes in bright colors symbolizing the coastal greenery. The Chanchala Gadwal pure cotton sari is another ideal option for paithani way of draping.

In the Maharashtrian style, one part of the sari is tucked in the back area on the waist. This layer comes in between the legs and the rest part come over the chest area as pallu. The lower portion resembles a dhoti sans pleats after being draped.

Bollywood actresses are a big fan of this form of draping. Look at the current heartthrob Priyanka Chopra in her latest hit Kameene sporting this style.

The overall style gives freedom of movement as well as a sensuous look. Usually this form is also worn during weddings by Maharashtrian brides. Even women in the coastal areas of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh wear their cotton saris in similar fashion.

Gujarati Style

The gujrati style of wearing the Indian cotton sari is also known as the seedha pallu style. This form of draping is quite common in the hindi belt states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh etc. The Chavi Gadwal pure cotton sari is a great option for the Gujarati way of draping.

In the Gujrati style, the pleats are tucked in a manner so that they open out from the right hand side. The pallu falls down from over the left shoulder. This form of draping shows off the work on the pallu.

Tamilian Style

The Deepa chanchal pure cotton saree will look great as Tamilian way of draping, which is considered to be one of the deeply traditional ways of draping a cotton sari.

In the Tamilian style, the sari is tucked in the waist and the pleats are centred on the left leg. The pallu falls over the left shoulder to be wrapped and tucked on the left side of the waist. This form of sari draping is also used during classical recital ceremonies apart from weddings.

Get innovative and drape the good old Indian cotton sari in different ways.

Posted in ethnic Indian attire, Indian Sari, traditonal clothes, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

What Pochampally Sari To Wear On Your Pre And Post Wedding Functions

Posted by jasnav on May 11, 2010

Sometimes spending a bomb on heavy saris for each wedding occasion shoots up the budget. Make the right choice between high budget, high quality and medium budget, reasonable quality options for different functions of the wedding.

Here are some exclusive options to be worn during the different functions during the wedding. Take it easy is the way to be when it comes to looking and feeling good.

Haldi Function

The haldi function is considered to be the most pious and traditional of all the ceremonies conducted during the wedding. Usually the bride wears a cotton sari in yellow and red combinations.

Times are changing and so are the traditions. Instead of the regular yellow and red border sari, opt for the Drashti pochampally sari in a similar color combination. It is a pure cotton sari available in bright color combinations.

Besides, Devyani and Disha pochampally sarees will be ideal for the occasion as they have subtle yet gorgeous work done on them.

Mehendi

Mehendi ceremony is another occasion where the brideÆs comfort matters the most. Usually, the bride has to wear uncomfortable attire while the professionals are applying mehendi for hours together. Neither can the bride wear gaudy clothes nor completely casual pyjamas.

The ideal option remains the bright Falguni pochampally which is highly ravishing. Besides, the color combinations are equally gorgeous and suit all possible skin complexions.

Sangeet Ceremony

Sangeet is one time when everyone is on the dance floor. The fun and frolic mood should not be barred for the bride. The bride can definitely opt for the classy Geet pochampally silk sari for an elegant look. This will help her in feeling comfortable yet look very classy.

Keep in mind that you drape the sari properly and tuck it tightly to avoid any wardrobe mishaps. For an even more elegant look, do pick up the Dharini pochampally sari.

Cocktail Function

The cocktail party is the one time when conventions and modernism come together. Cocktail party is one informal moment where everyone comes together to raise a toast for the bride.

For the brideÆs look in the cocktail party, it should be neither very traditional nor very informal. You can go for the Gayatri pochampally sari or Fatima pochampally sari. To add to the innovative look, sport a trendy halter neck blouse as it will add the oomph factor as well.

We will not discuss the actual wedding sari here as that has been covered in detail in a complete article elsewhere in this series.

Post Wedding Functions

The post wedding functions are considered to be more on the serious side as the newly-wedded bride is solely involved in the rituals. She needs to perform her household duties as well as perform the rituals at the same time. For her comfort, Dhara and Dimple pochampally sarees are an ideal option. Not only are the colors bright and attractive but are easy to carry too.

The idea is to buy a sari keeping in mind the utility factor too. You cannot just buy a sari to be worn for a single function.

So plan what to wear on your pre and post wedding functions accordingly in order to be comfortable.

Posted in ethnic Indian attire, Indian Sari, traditonal clothes, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

 
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.