Monday, July 16, 2007
Anuradha Vakil has to be one of my favourite Indian fashion designer. Her love for traditional textile crafts & her passion to revive them makes her very special.
Anuradha's creations
Why am I talking about fashion & textiles?
Well, She puts in the same passion into designing her workshop-cum-office as she does into her clothes. I have been so inspired by her space I had to share this with all of you:-)
Anuradha states she wanted a very understated look. A contemprory space with an Indian soul.
The reception area with a sofa made of natural fibres and a colourful patch-work upholstery.
Reception area with gorgeous red athungudi tiles with a contemprory black & white border. Antique brocade textiles on walls form an interesting theme. Check out an old sewing machine converted into a table.
Anuradha's workspace, where she creates those rich, colourful clothes.
The meeting area, from here one can see her workspace. The floor level seating with fantastic Kalamkari floor cushions gives a great perspective of the neem tree outside her window.
She has a passion for old chests- she stores her accessories in them.
Lovely antique wooden-chests (Sigh*)
Her tiny loo is also beautifully designed. Gorgeous greens & yellows..the walls have stencilled flowers. Isn't this truely amazing!!!Friday, June 15, 2007
When I saw this on the cover of Inside Outside Magazine few years back I just wanted to be there on the swing...
This is a traditional Gujrati Hitchkar (swing) which can be moved either way to face inwards or outwards.
A series of wood sculptures of birds & serpents are scattered around the place.
The walls of the house are plastered with mud to provide natural insulation against heat. The wall has mud patterns with small mirrors fixed on them. ( Lovely!)
Her living space reflects her beliefs of conserving natural resources & importance of indigenous traditions. The sofas are made of natural materials like cane, jute & handloom.
Mallika's love for traditional crafts of Kutch can be seen in the hand embroidered covers and quilted bedcovers in her rooms.
( images from Inside Outside Magazine, June 2003 issue)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Shaam-e-Sarhad translated means 'sunset at the border'. This resort is a joint venture between Ministry of Tourism India and the United Nations.
Using the material available in plenty in this region- MUD, the artisans from the village of Hodka (Bhuj, Gujarat) have created this beautiful ecological & aesthetic architectural splendor.
The public sitting area in different levels is highlighted with various earthy colours.
This region is famous for it's 'Leeppan Kaam'-Mud-Mirror murals and 'Chittar Kaam'-Mud paintings. These have been used extensively in all the circular huts called the 'Bhungas' 
Bright coloured fabric on the deck chairs.
Inside view of the 'Bhungas'. (Check out the floor to ceiling headboard in mud.)
A combination of traditional mirror work and modern bathroom fittings.
A canopy of brightly coloured fabrics form the ceiling and monochromatic earth colours form the dining area below.
