A Chandigarh home that’s a microcosm of India, and its rich crafts traditions

An Ode To Craftsmanship

Ila's home is a microcosm of India—the best of India. Right at the entrance are long, hanging deepams from Kerala; and a Krishna statue from Tamil Nadu. As you move inside, you’ll notice the poetic interplay of ikat prints from Hyderabad, with the bold, block prints of Jaipur. Intricately carved teak wooden cabinets made in Jodhpur are offset against cane baskets of Nagaland. The bright colours of Phulkari, ethnic art prints from Kolkata, work desks made by Kashmiri artisans and larger-than-life wallpapers by Asian Paints coexist harmoniously, painting a serene picture as if, titled 'India Pride'. "I wanted a lot of handwork to go into each piece of furniture. While the sofas and tables in the public areas are more straight-cut, the consoles and side tables are intricate. The fireplace is perhaps the most interesting place because of the artworks above it. These were all made by an artist in Kolkata who painted different cities of India like Lucknow, Kolkata, Patiala; some works also cover interesting parts of Indian history. Although the fireplace traditionally looks European, the artworks ground the design and bring it back to India," comments Ila. Other sections of the house that tell similar stories of ethnicity are the master bedroom with a custom, arch-style headboard which is reminiscent of Rajasthani palaces, and, the guest room, with small, arch-style niches on the walls with tiny bronze articles that too speak of the royal architecture of the Pink City.

Recycle And Reuse

While most pieces in the house were specially commissioned, a few others were given a fresh lease of life with clever re-upholstering and reuse. Take for instance the piano table in the children's bedroom, which once served as the TV console. The coffee table in the living room is another intriguing piece. Its Phulkari top was a bedsheet but with no new purpose. "I loved it because it's so typical of Punjab and so I used it on the coffee table and covered it with glass. This turned out to be a great idea because if you use Phulkari in upholstery (table linen or cushion covers), its silk threads tend to wear off easily. The glass protects it and showcases it well, and gives a different look to the coffee table," shares Ila.

While a crowd of varied designs and ethnic influences converge in this fascinating home, each element finds its identity, and has a pride of place. This is perhaps why the home’s interior design truly represents India—so vibrant, so different yet so truly together.