Furnishings Weave A New Magic

Chandran The furnishing scene is fast changing.

One look at the swanky furnishing stores and the picture is clear.

The plethora of fabrics, designs and prints can give the uninitiated a very pleasant surprise.

The demand for homespun fabrics, traditional weaves, prints and embroideries is sweeping the Indian markets.

Last year a record 6,796 million square metres of handloom fibre came off the wavers' looms as compared to around 5000 million metres annually during the fifties.

The turn about in the mindset of the Indian woman was spearheaded by Bim and the late John Bissel, the American couple behind the Fab India fashions and lifestyle stores, who sourced handloom cloth in Ikat, woven cottons, printed khadis and other natural dyes and colours from weavers across the country.

Special weaves from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Rajasthan were identified and with the help of modern day designers and made more contemporary.

Indian homes got a splash of colour from the resplendent bed spreads, linens, cushion covers, upholstery and curtain cloth.

Haute couture fashion designers further revived the richness of the traditional arts of zardosi, jamdani, gadwall and chanderi making a very Indian handloom fashion statement.

Engaging themselves with the traditional weavers, they redesigned conventional motifs, colours and prints on a wider range of fabrics, more appropriate and acceptable to the new generation.

A common question asked is how does one discriminate between the furnishings in plush outlets and that found in their poorer cousins? "The rule is simple," says Neeru Kumar, weaver of fabrics for furnishings and manufacturer of home textiles.

She says one must opt for soft furnishings in bright colours to make a world of a difference to your home.

"The furnishing market is at its colourful best now with world class fabrics and designs available from all over," says Kaushik Paul, merchandiser at the House of Ishatvam, an upmarket furnishing and home d‚cor in Delhi.

Bedsheets, curtains, durries, rugs, cushion covers, table cloths, mats and sofa covers are all wearing a new sophisticated look.

All-Time Favourite "An all time favourite with the customers are fabrics imported from Singapore and Malaysia as they fit well with Indian homes," comments Paul.

Soft furnishings in deep blues and purples, greens and browns are dominating the scene, while warm colours like rich reds, tangy oranges and lime greens or even sunny yellows are vibrant and exciting.

Colours can be classified into bright, soft, subtle, warm, cool, bold and even dramatic.

They can make or break a look and ruin the ambience of your home.

"Your home must be full of the colours you are comfortable with.

If you are a black and white personality, you won't be comfortable in pastels and vice versa," says Kumar.

What one must keep in mind also is that besides colours being a rather personal thing, much depends on the natural light that comes into your home.

The climate you live in is very important, too.

Finally, always remember the people (and the personalities) who will be living with those colours.

Everyone must feel at home.

Consider the plus points of choosing from the brighter side of the spectrum.

For one your home would always looks cheerful, welcoming and yet soothing.

Moreover, bright, happy colours increase efficiency and give the home a vibrant, exciting and sophisticated aura.

They also create an illusion of space and warmth.

So, spread some sunshine and liven up your space.

Make bright, cheerful colours work for you with resplendent furnishings.