I’m sure you have all seen amazingly detailed depictions of flowers, leaves, animals and landscapes on fine antique wood furniture that is entirely rendered in wood. This is the art of Marquetry, or “Painting in Wood” which is the partial or full coverage of a surface of a board or furniture with veneer in the form of a skillfully applied design. (This is different from Inlay, which is the insertion of thin pieces of contrasting wood veneer, ivory, brass, copper, or tortoiseshell into a solid wood background.)

Marquetry has pictures that depict anything from still life arrangements to figural compositions. Given the intricate and non-uniform nature of marquetry works, these are are most often used in smaller works or as a focal point within a larger overall composition. …

My new story explores the little-known story behind Chippendale furniture, and how one young man’s bold idea to create a detailed manifesto about chairs and tables for the British elite transformed his name into an enduring style.

Culture plays an important role in the development of any nation. It represents a set of shared attitudes, values, goals and practices. Culture and creativity manifest themselves in almost all economic, social and other activities. A country as diverse as India is symbolized by the plurality of its culture. In India, some of the arts were invented to connect the human to god, and because of that, the value of art becomes more precious. Some of the arts are worshiped like God and are still considered holy and sacred. If you go long years back, you will realise that there was no tool to record the golden history except for paintings. And that was the time when Pichwai Paintings got into existence.Every …

For most south Indians, the idea of spending summers at their ancestral homes brings back memories of childhood. Running around barefoot on cool red oxide floors, climbing the mango trees surrounding the grand home, running our hands over the heavy doors and pillars while playing hide-and-seek and getting an oil bath in the courtyard — has nostalgia struck yet? Homes like this are soaked in old world charm and unbeknownst to most, rich in craftsmanship and built with care to battle the heat and humidity of the tropical south. Let’s go back in time to explore the beauty and thought that went into crafting a Chettinad house, which can still serve as lessons in designing homes for India.Though the architectural design of the ground floor is typically Tamil, the upper floors have western influences, with cornices, multi-level balustrades, double columns, parapets, etc. Though most of the houses were built in the early 1900s, most of them are in a sad state of disrepair now. With the loss of business after the independence of Burma and Malaysia, most of the Chettiars suffered economic hardships and moved to the cities to look for jobs. …

There was a time when almost every woman’s wardrobe across Southern India would hoard a stack of Telia Rumal sarees or kerchiefs. Sadly, the heritage ‘Telia Rumal’ weaving pattern with its intricate floral motifs, enclosed by geometric borders and patterns is slowly disappearing from the handloom scene of India.

The story of this fabric which boasts of the coveted Geographical Indication tag dates back to over a hundred years ago to a time before the British import of cheaper power loom products took over the textile industry by storm. Today, the Telia Rumal survives in pockets and parcels of Andhra Pradesh, mostly restricted to a handful of weavers’ communities, who the early 19th century, this double Ikat weave dominated the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, gaining prominence under the expert craftsmanship of the weavers of Chirala — a coastal region in the present Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh. …

You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover — but in many cases, we think it’s fair to judge a home by its Vestibule Space . Whether it’s a grand house or a tiny apartment with a nook by the door, your home’s entry is the first thing visitors see when they step inside your house and the sight that welcomes you home every day. So make it a good one!

Windows play a substantial role in the overall aesthetic of a home and typically help to define the character of the Room /House /property.

It’s obvious to see if a property has had windows installed that don’t suit the style of the original building and that’s why choosing the perfect windows to complement the style of a property is vital.

If you are unsure about the style that best suits your property, then take a look around your local neighbourhood. …

If you love the feeling of being cocooned and protected all the way around, then a porter’s chair might be the one for you. Personally, I find these great for sitting in while reading my favourite murder mystery because nobody could grab my neck to strangle me from behind. I know — too vivid of an imagination.