Art Scene India: Home décor

Showing posts with label Home décor. Show all posts

13 Oct 2017

Art in Interiors: Buying Art for the Festive Season

Fresh artworks can infuse a new life in your surroundings and add a creative flair to the décor

The festive season is a great time to renovate and redesign interiors and add finishing touches to the décor. A beautifully designed space is incomplete without good art. Paintings on the wall, sculptures and installations in open spaces, murals painted directly on wall surfaces, assemblages and tabletop sculptures among a host of other options offer multiple ways to individualize interiors and add that creative flair to the décor. The festive season is therefore a great time to buy art for display in your home and also as a gift for loved ones.

Buying Art for the Festive Season, Art in Interiors, Art Scene India, Image courtesy pixabay.com

When buying art, it is best to buy original art by well-known artists, which is not only a great investment but also adds class and personality to the décor. Buying fresh artworks can infuse a new life in your surroundings. Colours from the painting can be repeated or coordinated in the furnishings and even wall colours. And, one can actually decide on furniture, architectural details, for instance create wall niches to display art, flooring, drapes and other furnishing and accessories based on the art.

Also, art can be purchased as a basis for decorating interiors or selected according to the existing décor. For instance, when renovating, select an artwork which can provide a theme for the décor and can even help in choosing the décor style, for instance, ethnic, modern or eclectic, for that particular space or the entire home according to one’s preferences. Look for artworks which appeal to you and then evaluate the purchase based on the available space, wall surface, size and budget.

Commission an artist to do an artwork which is exactly to your specifications in terms of space, size, colours and subject. Discuss the concept and your requirements with the artist to chalk out a blueprint that matches perfectly. Paint an entire wall around a festive theme or paint a piece of furniture in multi coloured hues. It could be an abstract rendition or a work in pop art. There are immense possibilities when you work with an artist directly.

Folk art in vibrant hues is also a good option during the festive season; these are priced affordably and also explore traditional celebratory themes. Buy from galleries which promote folk art where you can purchase exclusive pieces, rather than mass produced images.

Display

To ensure the focus remains on the art piece, the space should be clutter free and the painting well lit. When putting up large paintings it is best to space them out. Save oversized paintings for large areas. Small paintings that reflect a theme or a colour scheme can be grouped on a wall; an odd number is visually more pleasing to the eye.

The wall surface and its size can also be used as a guide to select a set of paintings, for instance, paintings can be grouped vertically on a narrow strip of wall. In passages, more than one painting can be hung on the wall to create a visual diversion in a functional space that is unexciting by itself. Similarly, a set of small paintings in the kitchen is better than having a single large one.

Paintings are typically hung on walls, however, they can also be displayed on a floor easel, which is a great way to fill up spaces; it is especially useful when you don’t want to put nails in the wall. Smaller paintings can be displayed on tabletops with the help of small easels or can be rested against books.

Art can be accentuated with the help of ceiling-mounted spotlights or recessed lights as direct light can damage the paintings.

Published in Times of India, Bangalore
Images courtesy pixabay

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15 Sept 2017

Artistic Touch to Festive Decor

Adapting a décor which is constructed around traditional thematic elements is a great way to highlight rich ancient content in a visual format and to create an interesting and unusual décor

This month as the festivities continue, every day of Dussehra is celebrated with great joy and fervour. Rich in symbolism and with a specific cultural and religious connotation each day is associated with traditional rituals and is celebrated accordingly. The ninth and the tenth days of Dussehra are celebrated as Ayudha Pooja and Vijayadashmi. During the festivals, traditionally weapons were worshipped; however these days tools related to respective professions such as electronic gadgets are also worshipped. Goddess Saraswati as the symbol of knowledge, music and arts is offered prayers to invoke her blessings. The importance of celebrating these festivals in a traditional manner helps in emphasizing their significance and also in inculcating cultural values in the younger generation.

Artist Shraddha Rathi, Image courtesy Rupali & Gaurav Bhatia

During this occasion, traditional arts and crafts can be used in décor to create an ethnic ambience that enhances the festive spirit, as well. Mysore and Tanjore paintings and folk and tribal art with its symbolism associated with festivities are some of the artworks that enrich the environment. Look for traditional paintings that depict scenes from the epics and narrate mythological stories. Oleographs and prints of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma and his contemporaries depicting vignettes from mythological texts add a great interest to the décor in terms of rarity, beauty and traditional significance.

Adapting the décor by accessorising around traditional thematic elements is a great way to highlight rich ancient content in a visual format and to create interesting and unusual décors. Art based on mythology and legends adds to the visual narrative and its rendition can be either traditional or contemporary.

Image courtesy pixabay

For instance, many contemporary artists transcribe text from religious books and scriptures on their paintings and also sculptures and installations which can add an interesting dimension to the festive décor. Incidentally, a few artists also paint musicians on their canvas and create sculptures around musical themes. These can form the perfect accessories in the décor.

The significance of music, musical instruments and other symbols of fine arts, learning and knowledge is primary during Ayudha Pooja and Vijayadashmi. A creative display of musical instruments, especially vintage instruments which exhibit a fine craftsmanship make for an interesting addition in the décor. Antique wood and brass instruments are not only rare, but also exceptionally beautiful and must be displayed with care. These can form the focal point in the décor and can be exhibited on raised platforms or pedestals. Use appropriate and creative lighting fixtures to highlight the aesthetic elements and craftsmanship of rare artefacts.

Similarly, unusual and antique statuettes, figurines and silver and brassware emphasise ethnic nuances and contribute to a traditional look and can be used as part of the décor or as functional objects.

The writer is an art consultant and curator

Published in Times Property, Bangalore

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29 Nov 2016

Protect Your Home Interiors

Many of you are aware that I also write on art in interiors, decorating spaces, and discuss ideas on home décor. As part of this, I am always on the lookout for innovative products that are beautifully designed, can be utilized during the construction process or offer design and sustainable solutions to the consumer.

One of the issues that often comes up in every home is linked to water seepage and leakage, which can result in damp patches, mould spots and leaks in parts of our home. This can be an unfortunate situation due to inadequate waterproofing in buildings and houses. Waterproofing may sound like a mundane requirement or a chore that must be completed somehow. But, believe me it is a necessary step absolutely crucial during the stage of construction to ensure that your house remains waterproofed. Now when you are investing so much in constructing a house and doing up the interiors, apart from the financial commitment you are also investing time and effort in a home in which you and your loved ones will live for years. The last thing you want is a house that gets easily damaged due to leakage and seepage of water from the ceiling, walls or floor. It therefore makes sense to invest in a high quality waterproofing option right at the construction stage.

I often talk about how to buy and display art, how to build an art collection and tips on decorating with art and artefacts. Much of this is really interlinked with waterproofing as well. For instance, if any one of the surfaces that you have an artwork in contact with or in close proximity to is damp, it can be disastrous for your valuable art. And as you know, moisture and dampness can damage artworks irrevocably thereby affecting their investment and resale value.

Similarly, damp environs can be a huge issue for your interiors in general. Furniture, artefacts and accessories and more importantly the health of your family is also affected. Allergies and respiratory problems can multiply manifold in a damp environment, when mould can grow and spread diseases.

Waterproofing at the construction stage itself is the best way to deal with this problem. Ideally, waterproofing should be done when the building is under construction so that the foundation, ceiling, walls, floor, bathrooms and storage tanks are waterproofed appropriately. Also, while renovating remember to implement waterproofing. Again, if there is any seepage later on, waterproofing can still be done to fix the problem. Fortunately, it costs only a fraction of the total cost of the construction; therefore there is no excuse to not implement it.

It is important that you utilise the best quality waterproofing solutions offered by Dr. Fixit. Sub-standard products will not last for long and will cause more problems for you.

Protect Your Home Interiors, Pidilite Bloggers Meet at Acetech Bangalore, Dr Fixit Waterproofing Expert, Dr Fixit Mobile App, Art Scene India

You could also use the Dr. Fixit’s updated mobile application, a user friendly interface to find out what are the various options available to you, and in fact you can also get in touch with them on the contact details that are mentioned on the app itself.

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4 Mar 2016

Wood Furniture as Décor Statement

Home décor is all about expressing your individuality in a creative and aesthetic manner, while keeping functionality in mind. Building your décor around a statement piece of furniture gives a refreshing approach to the décor, and has the potential to create a dramatic visual impact.

What is statement furniture?

Statement furniture is any piece of furniture which stands out in a given space, due to its design, colour and unique aesthetics. It can be a furniture piece that sets the tone for the room; it may even act as a focal point, and essentially ensures that all eyes are drawn to it as one enters the room. For instance, it could be a low coffee table in mahogany, a stunning Victorian desk, an antique dresser or an ornately carved chair. It could also be a book shelf in a startling red or white, or a study table in vibrant yellow!

Wood Furniture as Décor Statement, Asian Paints Woodtech Studio’s campaign, Art Scene India

Now, even if you do not have statement furniture with you, you can easily convert one by using Asian Paints latest range of wood colours and polishes. For instance, this antique chest of drawers here is what I would like to have as an end product which can anchor the space. So, all I have to do is check out their Woodtech Studio and select colours and finishes which suit my requirement. I can also select the wood and then cross check to see what the best matches are.

Essentially, Asian Paints Woodtech series of wood care products offer complete solutions in a wide range of wood finishes. Their finishing products are perfect for creating beautifully finished furniture and floors, and for restoring old pieces. In fact, all blemishes and scratches get blended to create a smooth flawless finish.

The website allows you to create, refurbish and reinvent furniture for your home. Offering valuable advice and tips, the information is easy to navigate and is complete with practical, doable and expert advice tailored completely to your requirements.

For instance, I chose Rosewood for my Chest of Drawers and I was offered information about the wood as well – ‘Rosewood is close-grained hard wood, with the heartwood of either golden brown or a dark blood-red colour and the sapwood of pale yellow. It has an exclusive fragrance. It is hard to work upon but takes polish well. The material has high bending and crushing strengths with low stiffness and medium resistance to shock loads. The surface has a tendency to check and split when air dried rapidly. It is very durable and moderately resistant to termites in Indian climates’. It is good to learn more about different types of wood, and the kind of finishes that match better, and most importantly how best to conceptualize the décor keeping various eras and styles in mind.

Since, I chose a vintage look from the options offered, I could also read more about the thematic and historic details, ‘Vintage interiors are inspired from art styles of eras gone by. Ranging from the English elegance showcased in the royalty-inspired Victorian times to the free-spirited French-born Art Nouveau, there is a vintage style to suit every character palette here’.

What is interesting is that videos from the video gallery offer step-by-step application process of Woodtech finishes and the guidelines to get the desired wood finish, making it easy to work on your own.

The best way to benefit from this range of products would be to visit their award winning concept stores in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. You can look forward to amazing inspiration ideas, expert advice from experienced Colour Consultants and many more services which will help you make your beautiful home a reality.

This post is a part of Asian Paints Woodtech Studio’s campaign