Sprucing up your pad? Here's what's trending in the world of home interiors

Contemporary interior designers are skillfully blending a set of diametrically opposite styles that complement, rather than clash with, each other

What is the luxury home of the new age global Indian all about? It’s the kind of space where east meets west, maximalism meets minimalism, traditional meets modern, and where opposites co-exist to complement each other instead of contrasting.

As architect Founder of Archilogics, Saket Sethi, puts it: “The modern Indian home is all about a dialogue between cutting edge contemporary and reinvented Indian.” Sethi, incidentally, was a key speaker at India Design ID 2019.

The pavilions by Apartment 9, K2India, Beyond Designs and many others illustrate the “mix and match” of “the contemporary with the classic styles.”

Bright, perky colours seem to punctuate practical greys. Bold typefaces make a comeback as accent pieces. Re-purposed material, multi-functional design and quirky objects that speak of individuality are popular and these may be outsized, extravagant and whimsical. And while on the subject of individuality, you can be unapologetic and literally put your persona on your wall, floor, furniture, roof with Momenti surface art ‘special’ tiles that allow you to put the stamp of your personality in your home. (see picture: Momenti tiles) You can put up a black and white doodle art, an inspiring portrait or blooming flowers or geometrical patterns with these highly detailed art work tiles used to cover various surfaces in your interiors.

“There was an era of maximalism and then suddenly it became all cut and dry and we moved towards minimalism," says designer Angie Kripalani. "Now we are back to our roots and maximalistic but in a limited way, while keeping the backdrop muted so that the fine detailing comes out."

Heritage seems to be the unabashed new anchor. A new wave of storytellers with immersive and intimate tales that celebrate the creator is finding many takers. Take the case of Sihasn (an e-commerce venture that deals in fabrics for furniture) which is putting up India’s unsung textile heritage on the couch, the sofas as upholstery. The upholstered sofas in ajrakh, kutch embroidery, and Kashmiri crewel embroidery is a bestseller. They recently showcased the ‘Kashmir ki kashida’ collection at ID 2019 and, as Ganesh Shankar founder Sihasn, asserts, “Every  product tells a story. Take the case of the sofa or the rocking chair which have been lovingly and painstakingly crafted with crewel embroidery -- just a two sq m design takes 4 days and the entire sofa is done in 90 days. These stories attach meaning and value, elevating everyday interactions to pleasurable experiences.” He shares how a recent collection in South India, the kanjeevaram on the lounge sofa was a huge hit. The touch of Indian heritage in modern homes is a must-have.

The new luxury home is authentic and personal and celebrates ‘local in spirit' while being global in form. A design-led initiative by Aditya Birla group is engaged in making local relevant to the times. Says Aadyam’s Manish Saxena, “We are working with three clusters of handwoven crafts of Varanasi, Pochampally and Bhuj. For instance we have a collection called Meadow where we have created delicate floral motifs in brocade gyasars and in Ikat. The soft pink with cactus green and lilac is very Indian and yet appeals to the European sensibility. We have many takers internationally too.”

Clean lines and minimalism is what the backdrop of a home typically is nowadays, while detailing is limited to a few pieces. According to Ashok Basoya, Founder, Ottimo, “Clean lines continue in popularity albeit with little tweaks to add warmth and style. In terms of finish, lacquer and veneer continue to rule the roost. But the unfinished look will also be popular. In fact, we expect to find interesting combinations of the finished and unfinished look a la wabi sabi. Think of it as the cultivated natural look.” A lot of natural and hybrid material is driving the furniture and accessories segment, such as re-engineered wood, terrazzo, natural marble and stone, mix fabrics and so on. Designers are experimenting with seemingly incongruous materials in the search for novelty and sustainability, such as cement with bamboo, wood with reengineered plastic, carbon accessories.

Western and Indian classic styles with all their details and layers is in, minimalism is going out. Vintage is back and wing chairs, winged beds and deep sofas in chesterfield style are all back in fashion. Pair these with modern furniture to create a wonderful fusion, says Sachin Gupta, Founder and Principle Designer Beyond Designs. “This is something I have been doing for a long time – contemporarising classic for example, a modern table with vintage style chairs is an eye-catching combination.”

For accessories at home, the idea of eclectism is prime. This can be amplified through a host of pieces in unique shapes and sizes such as table lamps, candle stands, glassware, a signature console or a piece of furniture. Even a wall paneled in wood or embossed leather, dressed up ceilings with fabric cladding or gothic structures, can act as great accessories. 

Colours come with a lot of character. In fact the Asian Paints ‘Colour of the Year’ is Awakening which is a shade of plum, alive with the dynamism of being woke. The official spokesperson explains that the dignity and power of purple fused with the humility of brown, it personifies the strength to stand up when it matters and, to dig in your heels with confidence. Awakening is the colour of courage, to be the change you want to see. According to Amit Syngle, COO, Asian Paints Limited, “At Asian Paints we have been studying colour and its myriad influences on lifestyle in India since 2003. The colour of the year is awakening while the wallpaper of the year derives inspiration from the North Eastern region of India with its diverse landscapes, cultural heritage, traditions and a unique co-existence of the contemporary with the classic.” 

Woven wallpapers is new trend expected to gain ground. It ticks all the boxes that  drive 2019 such as sustainability, design, functionality, and allow you to treat the ceiling and floors as extension of the walls and be free flowing.

In short, if there were two trends that seem to rule the home space then it is back to basics and back to roots. Nature and culture are the most defining trends for the house proud. Perhaps the new age technology bound person, who is bored of manicured minimalism of the prevailing times, is yearning for escape in the throes of something with more meaning, character and a sense of timelessness.