Guide : Blending modern and ethnic styles in your home

Modern Ethnic Interior Design : What is Indian Modernism?

While ethnic home décor tends to be rich in colour, pattern and a mix of materials, this is essentially the antithesis of a modern house design interior. Influenced by Art Deco, Indian Modernism upends this idea and is a style that blends the intricate design elements of ethnic décor with the cleaner lines of western minimalism. The overall effect creates simple, straight-lined spaces where smaller details, decorative aspects and traditional patterns are allowed to shine.

Plus, while typical modern house interior design focuses on a neutral palette, here there is a more lenient acceptance of colour, permitting a deliberate and restrained use of brighter shades within the slightly more austere design mores of contemporary styling. The basic concept of Indian Modernism is that placing the focus on a few key aspects of ethnic or modern design trends helps create a more cohesive outcome and a better overall flow within the space.

Modern Ethnic Interior Design: The Basic Do’s and Don’ts

Keeping specific do’s and don’ts in mind, you can craft a space that balances the inherent functionality of modern design with the charm of ethnic motifs. For example, say your aesthetic sense tends towards a more ethnic living room décor but you want your space to allow for easy movement under furniture so the robot-cleaner has room to move. 

Add Texture and Pattern

Love the practicality of the contemporary aesthetic but still want your heritage to shine through? Go functional and modern in your furniture choices, but appoint a large, traditionally woven rug as the hero of your ethnic living room décor – drawing the eye and adding a splash of colour and pattern to a sleek space. Or place a couple of Ikat embroidery cushions on your modern couch to make it a little more cosy and inviting. Adding texture and pattern through your soft furnishings and upholstery is a great way to add a hint of handloom charm to an otherwise more simply designed living room.

Work Around a Focal-Point

In blending two diametrically different styles, an easy way to accomplish a cohesive effect is by having a single area or piece be the focus of each room. Think about what you consider the essential elements of ethnic house design and try to place that as the focal point of your room. For example, when you think of “ethnic décor” the first thing that comes to mind may be tall brass temple lamps, a traditionally carved joola or maybe your grandfather’s wooden reading chair. Any of these could be the focal point of your room – add electric diyas to those temple lamps and they become a unique, modern lighting option; place the joola on your deck along with wicker furniture in a more contemporary style; and that old wooden chair – with the addition of cushions and a rug in a neutral colour palette, and a modern standing lamp besides it – makes a perfect, cosy reading nook that’s not at odds with your design scheme.

Play With Fabric and Materials

Remember that using fabric doesn't just mean cushions, curtains, rugs and upholstery. One of the most common uses of traditional fabrics is as beautifully woven, embroidered or worked wall-hangings – from Kalamkari print scrolls, to elaborate mirror-work tapestries. Adding this style of ethnic wall décor as the focal point in a room is a great way to bring a sense of traditional luxury to any space. As for material, you could also play around with bamboo, rattan-work or cane furniture and décor, to bring an extra aspect of texture to your space. Introducing traditional wooden doors or a beautifully carved jali into the space can also help showcase an ethnic influence without detracting from your modern décor theme. 

Remember To Accessorise

Details are always important when it comes to ethnic home décor, and never is this more so than when you’re blending the ethnic with a modern look. Incorporating small elements of Indian heritage through brass statuary or traditional crafted ceramics and stonework is a great way to hint at an ethnic influence without overwhelming the eye. Place a mini stone urli on the table at your entryway to collect keys, hang a trio of small brass temple bells as an ethnic inspired wind-chime on your balcony, or place indoor plants within terracotta pots for a green space that still blends seamlessly into the simple lines of a contemporary space.