Home Review February 2018

UNCOVERED: Co.Lab Design

vol 17 issue 02

February 2018

DESIGN DESTINATION: Bangkok

total pages 132

Within The Law Tejal Mathur Modern Meets Classical N+S Architects Luxury Living Ideas and solutions for A comfortable living experience

ARTFORM: Felix Semper

RS 100 HOME-REVIEW.COM

LIVING THE LIFE!

The design of a sprawling bungalow by Ace Associates is executed with élan

Photo: Cyrus Dalal

T

ejal Mathur gets creative with the design of a law firm in Mumbai.

Staying clear of the usual clichés and gimmicks, she uses a crisp rectilinear geometry and a palette of monochromatic colours to outline the design of this office. Using a layered scheme of squares and rectangles she carves out spaces with shelves of books that reduce the need of solid partitions.

This allows the volume to be flooded by plenty of natural light and creates an ambience of transparency and lucidity. The design scheme is sans any unnecessary accoutrements or bursts of colour, it is muted and contemporary, lending the office a calm restrained vibe, which is in stark contrast to the old world ambience retained by many other law firms.

Located on the outskirts of Anand in Gujarat is a sprawling bungalow that celebrates the business success of its owner. The home is an amalgamation of exposed brick and concrete with glass used extensively to let in light and to frame scenic vistas.

The architects integrate plazas and a large porch for frequent evening soirées with other members of the village community.

Architects Nikhil Patel, Nilesh Dalsania and Ashish Patel along with interior designer Vasudev Sheta, combine their expertise to deliver a residence that has its gates open to the fabric of society in which it is situated.

The Death of Architecture; Circa 2000 is a national travelling exhibition that opens in Mumbai on the 23rd of February and runs till the 4th of March. Thirteen of the country’s leading firms have created exhibits that question and reflect on the changing scenario of the way we build.

It is an exhibit that aims at engaging the diaspora of design professionals to discuss, debate and look for better solutions in our built environment. Do visit when it arrives in your city, it will leave you with plenty of food for thought.

Anish Bajaj, Editor anish@marvelinfomedia.com

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The Death Of Architecture; CIrca 2000 exhibition is visiting your city soon. Log on to www.deathofarchitecture. com for details.

emails + feedback The Concept Called Uniqueness

Innovation Story

Rohan Chavan has created an amazing reconfiguration of the internal circulation patterns with orange and white combinations for UDRI.

I thank Home Review for the brilliant story that introduced the latest products and ideas in the ‘Innovations in Design’ Special.

By Email Sameer Bajpayee

Let us know what you love and hate about this issue. Mail us at letters@marvelinfomedia.com

6 Home Review February 2018

By Email Abisha P.

Design Statement

Impressions on Sand

Shabnam Gupta’s bold design statement is so finely illustrated in the twin level artist’s studio in Mumbai.

It was wonderful to read about the sand artist Calvin Siebert whose beautiful sandcastles are spellbinding.

By Email Saurabh Mukherjee

By Email Devesh Mehta

28 art

34

20

form

Artist Felix Semper’s kinetic sculptures appear to be carved in stone, but they are more than that

An office for a law firm in Mumbai is designed

by Tejal Mathur to evoke a contemporary, international feel

41

Cover Story A sprawling bungalow whose luxury quotient belies its location at Pij, Nadiad in Gujarat, is designed by Ace Associates

By Khyati Babani

44 For the renovation of a Marine Drive apartment in Mumbai, N+S Architects have embellished a Modernist shell with Art Deco interiors

February

50 Melbourne boasts of an incredible number and diverse variety of artworks found all across the city

54

Luxury Living Special

Home Review captures the many facets of ‘Luxury Living’ this month as it brings to the forefront the latest in luxury products and trends

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74 Situated on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, Anantara resort offers you exclusive amenities and facilities and also stunning panoramic views of the ocean

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101

product

BANGKOK A DESIGN DESTINATION

94

designer

Iraa, a boutique restaurant in the Swarnabhoomi township of Raipur, provides a distinctive fine-dining experience

Designers Sofia Lagerkvist and Anna Lindgren present their final work as an amalgamation of constant communication, collaboration and experimentation

106 Hidden away in the heart of Paris, is the Le Roch Hotel and Spa, the hottest new address that exemplifies Parisian chic

february

112

Eclectic styles, varied themes, upcoming trends come together in our newly launched segment!

120

115 GREEN PROJECT The Green House, built by Zen Architects is a charming Victorian style cottage with an Australian twist

124 THE MARKETPLACE Co.Lab Design strives to create comfortable, inviting and illuminating spaces that are pleasing to the senses

10 Home Review February 2018

Get your hands on the latest products to hit the market

129

Editor & Publisher Anish Bajaj Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Features Editor Mala Bajaj

Ramya Srinivasan Freelance Writer Hailing from Bangalore, Ramya Srinivasan is an IIM-B graduate, who worked in the corporate world for twelve years before switching to writing full-time. She has written features, travelogues, book reviews and personal essays for multiple online and print magazines.

Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi Sr. Sub-Editor Anindita Ganguly Contributing Writers Chryselle D’Silva Dias Devyani Jayakar Dhanishta Shah Himali Kothari K Parvathy Menon Kanupriya Pachisia Ramya Srinivasan Shruti Nambiar Virupa Kantamneni Designers Asif Shayannawar Darshan Palav Pooja Modak Snigdha Hodarkar

Priti Kalra Architect and Writer Priti Kalra runs an architecture studio in Bangalore. Her practice is built on the philosophy of mindfulness. Current projects include resorts in Goa and Coorg, and residences and commercial spaces in Bangalore. Her interest in writing comes from an interdisciplinary approach towards design. Her work is published in Design Detail, Antarya and Deccan Herald. You can reach her at connect@pritikalra.in.

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Editorial & Marketing Mumbai Mr. Saurabh Shah B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg., Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 T 022 23736133 / 23736131 / 23743069 E response@marvelinfomedia.com Chennai Mr. S. Venkataraaman Flat No. 2, 3rd Flr, E-Block, Hansa Garden, 30 Madampakkam Main Rd, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600 073 Tel 044 22281180 / 09444021128 Email: svenkat@marvelinfomedia.com Publishing Director Mr. R.I. Bajaj Distributed in India by India Book House Pvt. Ltd. 412, Tulsiani Chambers, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021.

This issue has a total of 132 pages comprising of a 4 page cover and 128 inside pages.

We welcome unsolicited material but do not take responsibility for the same. Letters are welcome but subject to editing. All rights reserved.

Nothing may beprinted in whole or part without written permission of the publisher. The editors do their best to verify the information published but do not take responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the information.

All objections, disputes, differences, claims and proceedings are subject to Mumbai Jurisdiction.

Ace Architects Living The Life!, Page 20.

Established in the year 2000 by founders duo and principal Architects Ashish Patel and Nikhil Patel and lately co-headed by Vasudev sheth and Nilesh Dalsania. Ace Associates is one of the leading and respected Architectural and Interior Design Firm. Ace Associates is a practice of young architects who provide innovative and environmentally sustainable architecture which is driven by function, clarity, sensorial and beauty.

Tejal Mathur Within The Law, Page 34.

Tejal Mathur, an interior designer by profession established her design practice, Team Design in 1998. Her work is a cumulative outcome of the visual stimulation that she assimilates from her travels, or simply from mundane everyday activities. Her firm also has an esoteric line of furniture, accessories and linen by the name of Ironworks.

Editor Mr. Anish Bajaj. Published and Printed by Mr. Anish Bajaj on behalf of the owner Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd, B-62, Cotton Exchange bldg, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033.

N+S Architects Modern Meets Classical, Page 44.

Neesha Alwani along with her partner Shruti Jalan established n+s architects | interior designers | planners in 2000. They strive to search for optimal solutions that result in a functionally, aesthetically and an economically built environment tailored to fulfil the requirements of their clients.

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PAST & FUTURE

E V E N T S 05 11 FEB TO

Stockholm Design Week, Stockholm

The first-ever Stockholm Design Week was held in 2002 and has since then developed into the most important week of the year for Scandinavian Design, where just about everyone in any way connected to or interested in Scandinavian design meet and thrive, bringing home new impulses, contacts and inspiration.

Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair takes place annually over the course of one week. The next Stockholm Design Week will take place on February 5-11, 2018. There is a variety of venues across the city from galleries, showrooms, dinner parties, “after fair” meetings, vernissage cocktails, museums and cultural institutions. It is a mustvisit place for purchasers, architects, designers and journalists. Business and deals are done during the day at Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair, while the evenings are intended for mingling and parties in the city.

Surface Design Show will take place 6-8 February, 2018 in London. With over 170 exhibitors, 45+ speaker presentations and Surface Design Awards 2018, Surface Design Show is the UK’s most dynamic design show and the only event in the UK that focuses solely on interior and exterior surface design, facilitating thousands of innovative and thrilling materials to connect with an audience of architects and designers. Surface Spotlight Live 2018 will provide an opportunity for architects and designers to see the latest and the best of advanced materials curated by the leading experts.

The Opening Night has a Live Debate in association with NLA & RIBA. The finalists of this year’s Surface Design Awards have been announced, unveiling some of the best projects from across the globe which features innovative and exciting materials and surfaces. The Surface Design Awards are part of Surface Design Show.

During three days Object opens its doors to collectors, professionals and other designminded people. This year the fair is even bigger and better featuring work by 100 designers and over 5.000 square meters full of inspiration. A visit to the iconic Euromast is included this year. www.objectrotterdam.com

TO 09Ambiente, 13 FEB

Frankfurt am Main

www.surfacedesignshow.com

TO 09Object 11 FEB Rotterdam, Rotterdam

www.stockholmdesignweek.com Ambiente is a trade fair that brings the future into the present. It sets the pace for the world of consumer goods. The unique diversity in the Dining, Giving and Living areas offers a comprehensive overview and shows the innovative capacities of this pulsating sector.

Here is where business and creativity come together - and where visitors place orders with international exhibitors.

TO 06Surface 08 FEB Design Show, London

Object Rotterdam is a platform for the latest limited editions and one-offs from well-known and upcoming designers working in different design disciplines and with various materials.

Object is the place where the cutting edge between design, crafts, fashion, architecture and art becomes evident and it is a must-see for collectors, professionals and other designminded people.

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Discover the latest trends in high-calibre special shows (presentations), award ceremonies, lectures and events featuring industry experts and famous designers.

The wide ranging programme of events offers a unique and tangible experience of the market. With 441 exhibitors from 89 countries, it is one the most important consumer goods trade fair in the world. www.ambiente.messefrankfurt.com

PAST & FUTURE

E V E N T S 15 25 FEB TO

Modernism Week, California

The world’s most northern design week invites you to come and experience the 7 day city wide design festival for the 10th time. Bringing together people from all different backgrounds, industries and countries, Arctic Design Week seeks to give design a fresh platform and highlights the vital role design plays in our lives.

This year Arctic Design Week presents design talks and workshops, design exhibitions, popup design shops, delicious food opportunities and a number of other events.

The theme this year is “Out-of-the-box” - with a focus on future design and how to break the boundaries that limit creativity. It is an excellent opportunity to be inspired, meet other like-minded individuals and have an unforgettable experience.

The mission of Modernism Week is to celebrate and foster appreciation of midcentury architecture and design, as well as contemporary thinking in these fields, by encouraging education, preservation and sustainable modern living.

Modernism Week’s signature February Event is an annual celebration of mid-century modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture.

This exciting festival takes place in February in the Palm Springs area of Southern California.

Modernism Week features more than 350 events including the Modernism Show & Sale, Signature Home Tours, films, lectures, Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours, nightly parties and live music, walking and bike tours, tours of Sunny lands, fashion, classic cars, modern garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, and more.

Finland

23Death FEB TOof04Architecture, MAR Mumbai

22 TO 25 FEB

India Design ID 2018, New Delhi The Death of Architecture; Circa 2000 is a traveling exhibition assembled by 13 of India’s thinking and concerned design practices.

Through evocative art works, poetry and prose, the exhibition decodes and amplifies actions some which are orchestrated, others inconsiderate.

India Design ID, the country’s most definitive design and home decor week, returns from 22nd to 25th February 2018 at New Delhi’s sprawling NSIC Grounds in Okhla. From new launches and exclusive showcases, to signature collections and beautiful artworks from leadings brands India Design ID has it all covered as it brings to you more than 120 exhibitors from India and across the globe under one roof.

It is a showcase of the finest in home decoration, across categories like furniture, accessories, kitchens, furnishing, lighting and plenty more, held over 5 eventful days where 100 plus exhibitors converge on an interactive platform.

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www.indiadesignid.com

www.arcticdesignweek.fi

www.modernismweek.com

TO 19Arctic 25 Design FEB Week,

It includes ID Symposium: a three-day actionpacked event that is a great platform for architects, design luminaries and creative influencers from India and across the world to participate in panel discussions, interactive sessions, debates and dialogues centred on design.

The exhibition presents evidence that will allow discussions about our present, and yet at the same time is embedded with clues and signs that can help effect meaningful dialogues about the future. In a sense, it consolidates the many critical discussions that forms the dough which leads to design such as those about the demise of our cities as we know them, or the meaning of inspirations from the past, or ideas of beauty, or duplicitous ways of achieving identity, or ways of understanding spatiality.

The exhibition is a strong mirror that will allow cities and design communities to structure conversations that are pertinent to their immediate realm and concerns. It is taking place from 23rd February to 4th March 2018 at Nehru Centre, Mumbai. www.deathofarchitecture.com

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LIVING THE LIFE! 20 Home Review February 2018

A sprawling bungalow whose luxury quotient belies its location at Pij, Nadiad in Gujarat, is designed

by Ace Associates. Tying together the rural roots of the client with his current business success, the home delivers on all the expectations of the family.

Located off a highway near Anand, this plot was chosen from the many available. “Our client was from a small town called Pij, and was very keen on setting up home there,� says Ashish Patel. Architects Nikhil Patel, Nilesh Dalsania and Ashish Patel and interior designer Vasudev Sheta work together, bringing their combined expertise to the projects which they handle.

The L-shaped bungalow has a built up area of 13,000 sq ft and sits on one corner of a 20,000 sq ft plot. From the gate at the entrance, an impressive eight foot wide walkway slopes upwards like a ramp and leads to the grand seven foot wide main door of the house, up a short flight of steps which sit at right angles to the walkway.

Text By Devyani Jayakar Photographs Courtesy Tejas Shah Home Review February 2018

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By-passing the house and walking further on a ramp leads to a temple at the end of it - an impressive structure in which a priest conducts an aarti several times a day. In tones of pink and blue, it has a fish pond on one side of the walkway, which itself has been created from cement grit and stone in a high pressure machine.

“Laid on site, the joint-less surface emphasises the length of the ramp and also gave us an opportunity to put the waste from the site to good use,” says Ashish.

“The brief which the client gave us was simple. The family wanted a mandir and five bedrooms. They visited the site a couple of times, but left the rest to us.

We finished the project in a year’s time,” says Nikhil.

The façade of the low-lying structure is a combination of exposed brick and concrete, with an extensive use of glass.

A part of the upper floor has an additional layer of vertical pipes suspended in a row outside the glass, like a second skin.

The L-shaped footprint of the

building

maximises the views of the exotic plants and the koi filled

water body.

22 Home Review February 2018

with

They also provide a contrast to the strong horizontal lines in the rest of the facet.

“The arrangement adds a certain delicacy, casting shadows within the room in the morning. Moreover, the bungalow is enveloped by large picture windows which almost every room enjoys, hence providing a view of the garden and pool.

“Automated curtains block the heat after 3 pm, including sheltering the staircase on the west,” says Nilesh.

A covered porch can seat several visitors.

“The idea is similar to that of a village in which neighbours congregate informally.

However, in this case, everyone would not be comfortable entering the house; hence this sitout,” says Vasudev. The foyer just inside has a floor in yellow Jaisalmer, with a skylight grazing one wood clad wall. The circulation space which it leads to has a sculpture of petrified wood roots suspended from the ceiling by tensile wires, drawing the eye upwards. It is from this space that all the other rooms are accessed.

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A giant mural of Radha Krishna sits high near the ceiling, measuring 30 feet across and 9 feet in height. “It is visible from the outside, hence its scale,” says Vasudev.

A floating staircase angles upwards at a shallow angle, making the ascent an easy going one. The bed of yellow Jaisalmer below it, created from waste, accentuates the floating effect. The blinds are also in yellow, echoing the tone of the stone, while the string curtains on the upper floor repeat the verticality of the metal pipes outside.

The 25ft x 25 ft living room is an explosion of space, with its 17 ft high ceiling.

Combining shades of blue and natural timber in its colour palette, it has glass glazing on the east and north, facing the garden. A pair of larger than life horse heads, 6 ft and 8 ft high, sits in one corner, towering over the seating. “The room can easily accommodate 60-70 guests for parties and it’s possible to enter it from the garden, without entering the house,” says Nikhil.

“The adjacent open-to-sky sit out has a view of the pool, kitchen as well as dining area. Parties after sunset are underneath the canopy of the star-filled sky.”

The family sitting room is located at the intersection of the L which the building forms, with red sofas and a coffee table in red stone and silver from Jodhpur.

24 Home Review February 2018

The master and guest bedrooms are also located on the west on the ground floor.

The dining room includes an open kitchen with a breakfast counter, accentuated by a downward cove light. A courtyard adjacent to the stone topped dining table has a life-size sculpture of a horse and cart, adding interest to the space. The palette of yellow Jaisalmer on the floor, natural timber and touches of blue is carried through in this space as well.

On the first floor, the walkway to the bedrooms serves as an art gallery. The daughter’s bedroom is a Mughal fantasy, executed in a contemporary idiom to create a feminine space. The white ceiling has intricate motifs, with mirrors selectively set into the pattern. The 9 ft x 9 ft four poster is in a distressed finish, while arches in front of a wallpapered wall give it a layered effect. The en suite bath carries forward the imagery, while the terrace outside has a vertical garden.

The son’s room has a grey palette, with accents in a bold red, bordering on corals and deep jewel toned pinks. “He didn’t want white or brown,” says Nilesh.

The guest bedroom on the first floor reiterates the blues and yellows used on the floor below.

Home Review February 2018

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The sprawling spaces within, enhanced by the landscaping outside, have created a sophisticated retreat in keeping with the aspirations of the family. “There was no scarcity of real estate here,� says Nikhil of this large home, executed with style. director@aceassociates.in www.aceassociates.in

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‘Jimi Hendrix’ - Weighing 35 lbs, this sculpture is made from actual vinyl records of the artist that have been placed together, carved, melted and shaped.

The details on this one tell us just how skilled Semper really is!

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art form

Sculptures That Move Artist Felix Semper’s kinetic sculptures appear to be carved in stone. But there’s more to his masterpieces than what meets the eye!

Ever strolled into an exhibit wondering what would happen if you ignored the ‘Do Not Touch’ sign and dared to touch one of the sculptures on display? Home Review takes you on an explorative journey with Greensboro artist, Felix Semper, and his sculptures where the first rule is - touch the sculpture!

“My sculptures are made of different materials, but they all have something in common - movement,” Semper says.

Inspired by neo-expressionist artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Semper’s fascination with stretchable paper sculptures ultimately gave way to sculptures that have manifold dimensions. He begins by gluing together layers and layers of paper and then carefully carves out a copy of the vision that had once played around in his mind.

‘FS Bling Bling Roosta’ - The flashy rooster weighs approximately 26 lbs and is made of paper as well as wood for support.

Text By Priyanka Menon Photographs Courtesy Felix Semper Home Review February 2018

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Up close, the finer details of the piece mirror his personal interpretation of the artist or object, where a misalignment doesn’t necessarily mean a mistake. Instead, it is transformed into an opportunity to explore the sculpture further and create something that surpasses the initial idea. Regarding this, Semper says, “My art is spontaneous.

So the final outcome may not be what I had originally planned, but I accept all creativity as part of the process.”

“Paper is strong, but fragile at the same time,” Semper says. His sculptures represent the paradoxical nature of life - its permanence and transience. Some of his sculptures don’t just contain paper. Semper is always on the lookout for new materials to incorporate into his pieces.

The material he uses for his sculptures is composed of normal everyday stuff such as paper, books, vinyl records, wood and other found objects. By putting these mundane objects into use in his sculptures, Semper gives the medium a new way of communication and opens up doors for further exploration and experimentation.

“I like to make art that is different,” he goes on. “I want to surprise the viewer because he won’t be expecting the final outcome.”

And you can well imagine the surprise of the innocent viewer who at first glance would assume the sculpture of Ernest Hemingway with a can of pink paint on the head with the base covered with tree bark is the artist’s tribute to the writer.

But in reality, all one has to do is lift the can to see how the sculpture changes shape as does Hemingway’s face. Even what looks like an unassuming can of Coca Cola or a regular cheeseburger gets stretched, twisted, elongated and retracted, leaving the viewer stunned!

Weighing about 30lbs, ‘Cigar Guy’ is a fascinating sculpture, mainly because of the expression, and the facial details, such as side-locks, lines on the forehead, the goatee, etc.

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“I can visualise in 3D and see objects in sculpture form in my head,” Semper adds as he talks about his special process of creation. He began work on his first paper sculpture, ‘Red Head,’ a little over three years ago. After gluing a stack of paper together to make it look like a block of wood, he began carving it. While doing so, he went back to his days as a builder and readjusted the techniques he’d employed back then to suit his new material - bond paper, varying in weight from twenty to sixty pounds.

The details carved on plain paper are astounding, as can be seen here in this close-up of ‘The Big Poppa.’

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Eventually he glued the top stack of paper in such a way that he could expand and retract it, thus giving birth to his signature style. After initial attempts with a knife and sandpaper proving to be too tedious, he devised a special saw and blade, as well as formulated a template to glue the paper manually.

Today, a company does the gluing under his instructions, with lines of glue spaced about 1.5 inches apart on each sheet in order to make the desired pattern. On this block, Semper carves his magic. Each sculpture takes him about three to four months to complete.

Semper’s latest creative spurt has made him turn to other materials, and he does not turn just paper, into sculptures. He bought numerous books on Marilyn Monroe, glued their covers, carved her face into the stack of books and painted the final result.

An additional plexiglass cover keeps the sculpture intact. The same kind of treatment was given to books on Picasso.

Semper also went onto immortalise celebrated and beloved musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley in his own way.

For Hendrix’ sculpture, he stacked hundred vinyl records of the artist, blow-torched and carved his face into them.

Semper’s most challenging project, by his own admission, was the wooden sculpture of Bob Marley. Made from numerous layers of wood, there are twenty-two original paintings inside as you open each layer of the sculpture that were inspired by Marley’s music. This fluid movement gives the sculpture a playful mobility as opposed to the traditional aesthetic.

The wooden part of the sculpture is made from numerous layers of wood held together by a special mechanism that keeps the individual pieces together.

For an artist and creator like Semper, the limitations of a particular medium or art form do not pose a threat for too long.

The man has definitely sculpted a niche for himself in the world of sculptures! felixsemper@gmail.com www.felixsemper.com facebook.com/SemperArtist instagram.com/felixsemper

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The large canvas on the wall is by Ashim Purkayastha.

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WITHIN THE LAW

An office for a law firm in Mumbai is designed by Tejal Mathur to evoke a contemporary, international feel. In contrast to the old world ambience retained by many law firms, this one is crisp yet swanky.

Text By Devyani Jayakar Project Management and Creative Visualisation Rendering Support: Alhad Gore of Beyond Design Photographs Courtesy Prashant Bhat Home Review February 2018

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A large conference table has fresh plants in a recess running down its centre, to compensate for the lack of a view or greenery outside the windows.

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The brief for this 20,000 sq ft office for a law firm in Peninsula Park specified a businesslike yet swanky aesthetic - no rough edges and not a relaxed feel either. The sharp contemporary lines used by Tejal Mathur deliver the required panache, in consonance with an international flavour.

The reception has a desk in white, with a heavy monolithic base in grey marble. Three pendant lights provide illumination, while the backdrop is a free standing screen with a framework of a porous rectangular grid which enables a view into the axis of the office - the waiting lounge behind.

}

Adding a splash of colour is art on the walls from an NGO named ‘Aftertaste’ which supports women. On the right, open shelving for display extends from floor to ceiling and has been executed in a pale green and natural wood. Small artefacts dot the shelves.

The visual impression which the office creates is one of complex layers of squares and rectangles of various sizes but aligned in symmetrical rows, most of which permit views into spaces beyond. Amidst this geometrical composition of intersecting straight lines, the only curves are provided by the lighting.

The windows are double layered and have been insulated from heat and sound. “To achieve this, we had to forego some space.

Additionally, a ledge outside the window sill has faux grass to soften the grey concrete jungle outside,” says Tejal. Even with cabins located alongside the windows, light comes through and suffuses the inner spaces.

The large volumes and swathes of natural light have enabled the use of intense colours such as charcoal, navy and plum. “The black walls can even be used to write on,” says Tejal. The green carpet simulates a feeling of sitting on grass, while deep textures and large masses add character to the space.

Monochromatic walls with white tables and work stations complete the look. Grey siporex lends a 3D effect to the surface of some walls.

Art by Phaneendra Nath adorns the partner cabin wall. Green carpet was deliberately chosen for all peripheral cabins to imitate turf considering a sombre concrete view outside.

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There are no heavy elements and very few walls to act as visual restrictions. “Shelves of books take the place of partitions,” says Tejal. “The office doesn’t maintain a strict hierarchy, so it’s not uptight in that sense.” A large conference table has fresh plants in a recess running down its centre, to compensate for the lack of a view or greenery outside the windows.

“Used as an experiment, the plants only require a spray of mist twice a week and can be removed if their presence is not appreciated. Yet, it’s a formal table…we couldn’t take away from what a law firm needs. Its width facilitates impersonal interaction between those seated around it by maintaining a distance and formality between them; so necessary for the cut and dried deals that are a part of the nature of the business conducted here.”

Pottery in shelving are sourced from Ironworks.

A meeting room, in contrast, has a round table topped with white Carrara marble; crowned with a pendant lamp which has ‘postcards’ on its periphery; this space has an informal feel. At the ceiling, some of the services are exposed, with the intention of pushing up the height as much as possible.

The client lounge doubles as a sun-down space in which clients and partners are entertained. The bespoke patterned carpet flows from wall to wall, softening the space. “It is here that parties are hosted, butler et al,” says Tejal.

}

The café is a relaxed space which functions as a breakout zone for the staff. Drift wood table tops and yellow chairs add to the casual ambience. “Not over-lit, the mood here is a change from the work spaces,” says Tejal. The ceiling has corrugated sheets which have been painted black, while the floor is tiled in shades of charcoal; part of the café is laid in a bold pattern of diagonally laid checks, while the rest is in stripes. The large scale of the geometrical pattern adds visual interest to the space.

“The office even has a massage corner which is shielded by a plant screen. The recliner turns into a flat bed, when needed. The staff works well into the night because they have to communicate with people in other time zones, so this facility helps them to unwind and relax,” explains Tejal.

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A meeting room has a round table topped with white Carrara marble; crowned with a pendant lamp which has ‘postcards’ on its periphery, the space has an informal feel.

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The cafĂŠ is a relaxed space which functions as a breakout zone for the staff. Drift wood table tops and yellow chairs add to the casual ambience.

Designing a space devoid of the expected leather bound tomes so associated with law firms, Tejal has created a new age office which utilises a straight lined contemporary aesthetic. Like a leitmotif, the device of porous screens segregates areas even as it permits views into other areas, while defining the aesthetic of the space throughout.

tejalmathur@team-design.in www.tejalmathurdesign.in

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Raw Textures

By Khyati Babani

DESIGNQUEST

OddCroft merchandise is specially chosen to cater to those who appreciate the fine arts and a touch of royalty and grandeur.

The brand is based in Gurgaon and has been in power since 2016.

Founded by Khyati Babani and her husband, Oddcroft is a brand with a wide spectrum of products that cater to your home dĂŠcor needs whilst making a statement. After working in the hospitality industry and with interior designers from all over the world, the duo felt they have an eye for artistic, quirky and unique products.

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Owl Vases

Photo Frames

In the words of Khyati, “We wanted to help beautify homes all over India by using the e-commerce platform.” All their products are crafted with an eye for detail and each piece is a specimen for better living.

Since inception, the vision of Oddcroft has been to provide out-of-the-box home décor products with an utmost focus on quality, design and service. The team of Oddcroft has consistently aimed at giving the brand a unique identity, which speaks through its products.

Fragmented Forest Lamp

The brand currently has ten categories namely - table lamps, decorative storage boxes, ceramic vases, photo frames, book ends, artificial plants, show pieces, coffee mugs, tea light holders, oil burners and other décor accessories.

Drawing inspiration from iconic décor brands like Pottery Barn, the brand proudly embraces the idea of making their products “odd” and beautiful.

Their products are all outsourced and manufactured outside India.

In the near future, the brand hopes to establish itself as a leading home décor brand in India, with online and off-line store presence and also as an established brand for high-end residential projects.

They aspire to add many new categories and products to their collection this year.

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Moonfire Wooden Lantern

Vases

When asked how she plans to deal with competition, Khyati Babani replies, “Having competition is healthy and it pushes you to do beyond your best. We as a brand will continue to focus on bringing in hand-picked, quirky and sophisticated décor products for our Indian customers, while providing hundred percent after sales customer service.” customerservice@oddcroft.com www.oddcroft.com

Dystopian Book Drawers

Their show stoppers have been the Turkish mosaic table lamps, fragmented forest lamp and dystopian book drawers.

Getting into the specifics, their much talked about Fragmented Forest Wooden Lamp has real raw wood logs on the stand that gives it an earthen and rustic look. Each lamp gives a slightly different look due to the natural shape of wood logs and so no two lamps are alike.

The Turkish Mosaic Lamps are hand crafted with a blast of beautiful colour combinations that go very well in Indian homes and retail spaces.

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The living room enjoys the spectacular panorama of the ocean.

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MODERN MEETS CLASSICAL For the renovation of this Marine Drive apartment in Mumbai, N+S Architects have embellished a Modernist shell with Art Deco interiors to create a scheme that exudes opulence, yet retains its homely comfort.

The existing layout had three bedrooms. “The idea was to convert it into a spacious two bedroom apartment offering more space to the living and dining areas,� said the team. The living room originally overlooked the neighbouring building, while the adjoining bedroom overlooked the ocean. As a result of the re-planning, the living and dining areas enjoy spectacular panoramas of the ocean.

Meanwhile, the bedrooms have been shifted to a more private zone of the house.

Their interconnected balcony overlooks the garden along the side street. The kitchen and service areas have been moved closer to the main entrance.

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Windows have been resized to bring in more light and create a feeling of expanse. The window sills in the living and dining areas drop down to the floor. Outside, a planter box with wooden decking and a metal railing creates the illusion of a step out balcony. Horizontal mullions divide the long window panes. In the bedrooms, the windows have been modified to extend from wall to wall. By keeping the sills high, a comfortable privacy is achieved without compromising on the leafy view.

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The material palette comprises a medley of polished dark teak, while white distressed wood and cream chenille is dotted with touches of bright velvet upholstery. The pale mushroom colour of the walls is complemented with cream marble flooring that flows through the different spaces.

Antique brass hardware holds the woodwork together. “Some of the existing furniture pieces have been restored and refurbished, while most have been customised and fabricated by us,” says the team.

The surfaces of the doors and the mouldings surrounding the panels have a white distressed wood finish. Antique bronze handles and hinges complete the look. “The asymmetrical paneling of the doors imparts a modern twist to the classical design,” says the team.

An existing column divides the living area from the dining. One among a collection of many antique clocks sits poised on this column. The modern classical furniture in the living room is dressed predominantly in muted tones of beige and brown. A deep aubergine two-seater sofa is the anomaly here. The colour boldly stands its ground against an Art Deco wall unit that houses the client’s collectibles.

The floors of the kitchen are carpeted with patterned black and white tiles.

A large six-seater dining table with a central pedestal at its base defines the dining space. A clear lacquer finish accentuates the grain of the wood. An antique chandelier hovers immediately above. An Art Deco bar cabinet clad in rich veneer with brass inlay detailing and a circular brass handle occupies the background. “The beige upholstery of the dining chairs renders a sober and formal feel to the space,” says the team.

The master bedroom suite comprises an entrance vestibule, a walk-in wardrobe, a bathroom and a sleeping area connected to a balcony. “Dark wood paneling wraps around the walk-in wardrobe and bathroom.” A headboard in grey velvet upholstery is flanked by full-length mirror panels on either side. Polished wood side tables with brass hardware sit below. Globe reading lights, a bedspread in an ethnic print, brass hardware and ivory textured paint lend a rich feel to the room.

}

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“The adjoining guest bedroom serves as a den,” says the team. Designed in deep blue and grey, the palette of this room is more modern. A blue and beige carpet adorns the floor. A grey sofa-cum-bed and a blue armchair form the bulk of the inventory in the room. A bright colourful painting behind the sofa adds a playful touch. A swivel cylindrical book rack in one of the corners of the room showcases the client’s love for books. Similar to the layout of the master suite, a walk-in closet and dressing area lead to the bathroom.

The palette employed in the kitchen emanates an endearing old world charm.

While the floors are carpeted with patterned black and white tiles, the wall dado consists of chamfered white glazed tiles. The dark teak under-counter storage creates a striking contrast with the matte white PU finished overhead units.

}

The merger of Modern and Classical styles in this apartment on Marine Drive is subtle, yet impactful. The design meets the needs of the client, and at the same time, fits perfectly in the surroundings.

For N+S Architects, architectural design is a process which involves finding the right balance between function, aesthetics and economics. “We compose a thought, a concept; then express the concept in the form of functional requirements and aesthetic sensibilities; and finally we realise a dream. Architecture is the metamorphosis of an idea into reality.” nspartners@gmail.com

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Hosier Lane is completely covered in art works of different types, scales and themes by dozens of artists.

Beyond the Usual - Street Art of Melbourne TEXT AND PHOTOS BY KUNAL BHATIA AND SHUVAJIT PAYNE kunal@kunalbhatia.net www.kunalbhatia.net Part III of a series of photo-essays from Melbourne. The first two parts focussed on the city’s historic architecture and were featured in the Nov & Dec 2017 issues of Home Review.

As one of the street art capitals of the world, Melbourne boasts of an incredible number and diverse variety of artworks found all across the city and specifically in its downtown core. A movement that began with a small group of artists over two decades ago has today grown into a genre of its own, popular with local residents as well as visitors.

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Hosier Lane, right opposite Federation Square, the city’s central public plaza, is a good place to start exploring. At any given point, every square inch of the lane’s walls is covered with layers of art and a work that is visible today might get painted over by tomorrow.

Hosier Lane can be quite overwhelming and to make sense of individual works, it’s more fruitful to explore some of the quieter lanes.

While free-hand spray or brushing of paint is the most commonly understood approach, the use of stencils that can aid in recreating the same work at multiple places without losing their tangible quality. On the other hand, some artists prefer to work with ‘paste-ups’ ie posters that are created elsewhere and then pasted on location; or by incorporating objects from daily life into a larger two dimensional art piece.

Within the broader discipline of street art, artists over the years have come up with their own forms of expression that not only influence the theme and subject of their works but also the manner in which they are executed.

A good way to explore the many works is by a walk with Melbourne Street Tours, conducted by practising street artists themselves. The artists’ perspectives help to put the works in a political and social context as well as reveal the many layers of meaning behind pieces that may seem deceptively simple or outrightly bizarre.

Top and Bottom: A variety of smaller works are found together on a wall in Presgrave Place.

With growing acceptance of the genre, some street art works have been commissioned by private property owners; such as this piece titled “Indigenous Boy� by Adnate.

A street artist in action working on his piece in Hosier Lane.

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Paste-up works are in the form of posters that are digitally printed and can easily be put up at different locations.

Installation-type street art makes use of objects within the larger piece; such as the modified gun here that shoots in both directions.

Anamorphic street art is painted on a flat surface, but appears to be 3D when viewed from a specific angle.

Stencil based street art, such as this tribute to Zaha Hadid by artist 23rd Key (Jess Kease), makes use of layers of cut-outs that are then painted over.

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The walk by Melbourne Street Tours concludes at Blender Studios, which is amongst the oldest collective of street artists in the city; and a space for ideating and creating different kinds of works even today.

The lane immediately outside Blender Studios is completely covered with a mixture of street art and graffiti.

Melbourne’s street art gives its narrow lanes a characteristic feel, even at night.

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LUXURY LIVING

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LIVING iN LUXURY

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A STYLE TESTAMENT

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A DROP OF LUXURY

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THE LUXURY APPEAL

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PICKING THE RIGHT ACCENT

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UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

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KAFF - INSPIRING CHEFS!

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THE LUXE PAD

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LUXURY LIVING - THE NEW TREND

In recent years, the world of interiors has seen an interest in luxury living. It’s hard to pin down the exact definition that encapsulates the air of affluence, luxury homes tend to have certain common parameters.

Home Review captures the many facets of ‘Luxury Living’ this month as it brings to the forefront the latest in luxury products and trends. From the living room to the bathroom, each zone of your house is now evolving into something that exactly describes the way you feel - aesthetically and functionally.

While ‘Luxury Living’ pays its tribute to tradition, it also gets your own experience into the room.

Living rooms and dining room are becoming grander, yet not going over the top.

Designers have learnt how to make design smile at you and create fantasy. Kitchens are becoming a new address for entertaining visitors in the house and your bathrooms are becoming your private spa.

Out with the old and in with new is something that plagues our society even today and the interior design world is not free from it either.

Browse through the latest luxury living trends that are gaining momentum and setting luxury homes on a platform that is being re-imagined and upgraded.

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The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life - that’s where ‘Luxury Living’ made its entry and today homes are ideally becoming a collection of what you love!

Text By Kanupriya Pachisia

Home Review Now on Apple and Android Devices

All you need to do is download the free ‘Magzter app.

Apple users can download Magzter from the App Store.’ Android users can download Magzter from Android Market.

Try it out today.

LIVING IN LUXURY Armed with a practical approach and design sensibility, today’s interiors are fusing functionality with luxury living. Let’s take a look at some products that are lending that luxurious charm in the air.

MINOTTI ASTON COLLECTION The Aston by Minotti is a family that exudes style and elegance. Inspiration for the sofa, ottoman and daybed is unabashedly retro.

Eloquent lines, conservative scales and painstaking construction express time-tested craftsmanship. An enveloping back echoes the lines of the armrest. Raised off the floor

by Pewter aluminum feet, variable density foam coupled with channeled down quilting lend softness and fluffiness to the experience. www.minotti.com

LIGNE ROSET PLOUM SOFA Designed by R. & E. Bouroullec, the Ploum Sofa by Ligne Roset is the fruit of much research into comfort. The result of a special combination of two materials – a stretchable covering and ultra-soft foam, it is cast out of steel tubes, wire and mesh and sports a covered base. High resilience poly urethane Bultex foam provides the comfort layer. www.ligne-roset.com www.venturainteriors.com

BAXTER LOREN TABLES

DASH SQUARE ACCENT CHAIR COLLECTION

The Loren Tables by Baxter come in three different shapes and finishes. Resting on a black stained MDF frame, the top part is available either in pickled iron, matte antiqued copper or antiqued brass top.

The base is either semi-gloss antiqued copper, glossy chrome steel or a burnished brass. Adding some elegance and drama to its modest footprint, it is definitely a showstopper!

The Accent Chair Collection by Dash Square consists of the Taupe, Chevron, Paisley, Gunmetal, Floral and Sapphire Accent Chairs. Fusing tasteful prints with rustic appeal, vivid colours with intricate motifs, grandeur with drama, contemporary with chic and vintage charm with elegance, these chairs are sure to create a statement piece in any corner of your living room. www.dashsquare.com

www.baxter.it

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IDUS OLD SCHOOL SOFA - EARTH FURNITURE COLLECTION The Old School Sofa by Idus creates a moment of nostalgia in your living rooms.

The tufted design pattern renders the sofa a regal tone. The reclining back converts it into a sofa bed. Padded and cladded in leatherette, its cross section provides for a leisurely experience. With ornately carved legs and rich chocolate attire it seamlessly merges the vintage with the modern. www.idus.in

ZANOTTA LAMA 921 LOUNGE CHAIR The Lama 921 Lounge Chair by Zanotta is a magnet of attraction in your living room.

Adding a contemporary air, its stately design creates relaxed moments amidst luxury.

Standing on a graphite toned varnished steel base, its poly urethane upholstery is backed by elastic strips suspension. While its removable covers are crafted out of fabric and leather, cowhide forms the fixed covers. www.zanotta.it contact@systaworks.com

GIORGETTI ROUND - COFFEE TABLE

The perfection of geometric shapes is lent to the Round coffee tables by Giorgetti.

Pronounced by a soft, round line, the production of the Round table is entirely manual and requires great care. The best Walnut Canaletto Wood is used to facilitate the complicated curvature. Black nickel finished inserts highlight the piece. It is available in three distinct finishes. www.giorgetti.eu info@sourcesunlimited.co.in

CATTELAN ITALIA TOUR - CONSOLE TABLE The Tour Console Table by Cattelan Italia makes a style statement against your living room wall. Its graphite embossed lacquered steel base, Canaletto Walnut leg and clear glass top highlight its design. While it requires wall anchorage, the different manufacturing of wooden leg and top causes a different tonality between them. It can take a spread load of 10 kgs. www.cattelanitalia.com www.idus.in

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A STYLE TESTAMENT With luxury living gaining momentum, the dining room has always led the race. After all it’s one place where you entertain the most. Let’s turn the spotlight on some products signing its style testament.

IDUS TWIGGY LEATHER DINING TABLE Inspired by regal lifestyle to compliment modern décor themes, Idus launched the Twiggy Leather Dining Table. Carved to be an ageless beauty, the base of the table is embellished with overlapping leatherette ends appearing at the front panel, fixed using nickel brushed stainless steel buttons.

Breaking the stereotypes with a fine blend of bold and elegant lines, it stands to stun. www.idus.in

ASHLEY FURNITURE TANSHIRE DINING SET The set exudes vintage inspiration with a softer side. Rustic refinement is at its best.

The set sports a distressed look with wirebrushed detailing. Authentic touches such as antique style knocker hardware, plank style accents and beautiful bun feet are key ingredients in making this piece stand out. In fact, every detail has been carefully crafted in order to provide ultimate luxury, comfort and convenience. www.dashsquare.com

BEYOND DESIGNS DINING CHAIR COLLECTION

DESIGN OWL SAARINEN DINING TABLE REPLICA

The new Dining Chair Collection by Beyond Designs brings together luxurious, eclectic influences from around the world. A mix of fusion, contemporary and timeless designs surround your modest table adding that spark of style and luxury.

With their warm, traditional appeal and excellent craftsmanship they not only create a mood, they also add personality to your home.

Eero Saarinen’s distinctive 78-Inch Oval Table is the result of years of research and design revisions by designer Eero Saarinen.

In his search for a table that made sense of comfort, legroom and ample space for seating, the designer arrived at this table with its iconic “tulip” pedestal base crafted out of aluminum and oblong table top.

www.beyonddesigns.in

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www.designowl.com

MINOTTI VAN DYCK A table conceived as a sculpture that combines sophisticated constructive detailing with a series of luxurious finishes is what defines Van Dyck by Minotti. The striking base is made of a welded 10 cm diameter metal tube and comes in Black-Nickel or glossy painted Butter, Black and Pewter finishes. Its top is available in round, square or rectangular versions in smoked grey tempered glass, marble or wood. www.minotti.com

CASSINA 397 M10 CHAIR The 397 M10 chair designed by Patrick Norguet and launched by Cassina is a piece that adds glamour to your dining room.

This is a chair with a frame in aluminum alloy, legs in solid natural or stained black ashwood, feet in plastic material and seat and back in CFC free polyurethane foam.

It also flaunts removable fabric or leather upholstery. www.cassina.com

GOOD EARTH ROSABAGH COLLECTION

A unision of two of Good Earth’s best collections – Persia Garden and Baradari, the Rosabagh Collection is crafted out of fine bone china. The tableware is embellished with leitmotifs inspired by a vintage Persian miniature and the enchanting garden life of the Mughals. The collection captures intricate outdoor pavilions, birds and butterflies illustrating a paradise garden with accents of 24 carat gold.

ADDRESS HOME MERSIN DINNER SET The Mersin Dinner Set by Address Home is inspired by Turkish inlay work. Moulded in shades of blue and white it also sports a 22 carat real gold inlay. The 22 piece set comprises of dinner plates, quarter plates, serving platters and bowls of various sizes.

Made of quality porcelain is definitely elevates your status as host or hostess. www.addresshome.com

www.goodearth.in

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A DROP OF LUXURY When it comes to luxury living, one cannot ignore the bathroom that has fast become a private sanctuary. Let’s take a look at some pieces that add drama and comfort while meeting your dreams.

AXOR SHOWER HEAVEN 1200 The AXOR Shower Heaven is an impressive overhead shower with a 1.2 meter long and 30 centimeter wide generous, plane surface of high quality metal. Developed in collaboration with the Stuttgart-based Phoenix Design, its four retractable wings and ambient lighting create a new archetype in the shower. Evenly distributed fine silicone nozzles create a spray of luscious silky raindrops offering you a luxurious bath. www.axor-design.com

HANSGROHE RAINDANCE E With its distinctive square design featuring high quality chrome and glass surface, the new hansgrohe Raindance E shower has its spray nozzles positioned in two ways - close together for increased jet intensity and spaced out for a softer jet.

Wall mounted, its shower pipe combines the overhead shower, shower holder and a long thermostat. It also sports a shelf to hold your essentials. www.hansgrohe.in

JOHNSON BATHROOMS FIDDLE BATHTUB

DURAVIT STONETTO SHOWER TRAY

The Fiddle free standing bathtub by Johnson Bathrooms brings comfort and style into your private abode. Made of high quality gloss Lucite - a special cast acrylic sheet and fiber glass reinforcement; it sports a consistency in colour which doesn’t fade. Equipped with an overflow set with drain in chrome finish it has an extra deep design for full body immersion.

The Stonetto Shower Tray by Duravit epitomizes aesthetics in water washed stone surface look. Manufactured entirely in DuraSolid, the shower area as well as the drain cover forms a single visual unit. It is durable and the diligent integrated slope guarantees a perfect experience in the bath.

It can be fitted either on tiles, in a semirecessed or flush mounted manner.

www.johnsonbathrooms.in

www.duravit.in

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GRAFF QUBIC COLLECTION Introduced by Graff, the Qubic Collection is manufactured entirely in emptied brass, with a minimum level of nickel and lead.

Available in polished chrome, Steelnox (satin nickel), black and white, it creates a cohesive look. Polished in elegant it represents an architectural element with a defined contemporary design. Its 3 hole version comes with a separate thinner lever that is the focal point of the collection. www.graff-faucets.com

KOHLER KAMALA Inspired by ancient South-East Asian rain drums, the Kamala vessel-style sink by Kohler is cast of bronze. Covered with an elaborate low relief pattern of dots, ridges, scrolls and links it poses as a piece of sculpture on your counter. A ring of columns towards the center, direct the water into its integrated drain. It sports an aged patina over time that adds to its glamour. www.kohler.co.in

BISAZZA MARMO COLLECTION

The Marmo Collection by Bisazza is a new line of polychrome decorative patterns, made of marble and inspired by traditional stone flooring. Dedicated to the timeless elegance of marble, Marmo is available in nine colours and sixteen geometric patterns.

Each pattern is available in two colours.

An arrangement of geometric shapes adds drama to the product and an element of luxury to your bathroom aesthetics.

TOTO NEOREST WASHLET The Neorest Washlet by Toto is an integrated experience of luxury, style and finish. It works on a hybrid ecology system and has water saving dual flush. It requires a water pressure of only 0.05 mpa. Its tornado flushing feature provides powerful flushing with less amount of water. It also features front and rear warm water washing. www.in.toto.com

www.bisazza.com

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THE LUXURY APPEAL The rapid advancement of technology has improved lives immeasurably, from connecting people across the globe to providing comfort and convenience in everyday activities. Here are some products that are making life more luxurious.

GAGGENAU VARIO COOKTOPS 200 SERIES The Vario Cooktops 200 Series by Gaggenau form a more compact modular system, ranging in scale from 28 cms to 70 cms.

Sitting comfortably alongside gas, induction and glass ceramic cooktops are the more specialized options like the electric grill, steamer, Teppan Yaki and deep fryer.

Matching downdraft ventilation completes the harmonious picture framed in brushed stainless steel control panels. www.gaggenau.com

MIELE BUILT-IN DISHWASHERS Miele offers a range of built in dishwashers for optimum convenience and perfect design harmony in your kitchen. Available in four finishes the built under ones are ideal as a replacement appliance. The front of the integrated dishwashers can be matched to your existing kitchen cabinetry and the fully integrated one is concealed either behind a matching furniture front or a CleanSteel front. www.miele.in

SAMSUNG FAMILY HUB SMART REFRIGERATOR

SIEMENS IQ 700 - TELESCOPIC TABLE VENTILATION

The Family Hub Smart Refrigerator by Samsung is available in three sleek designs.

It comes equipped with FlexZone which helps convert its bottom right door into a freezer with the touch of a button. Three interior cameras help you plan grocery lists and you can sync multiple lists too. It can also play your favourite songs making you rethink the word refrigerator.

The IQ 700 by Siemens is a telescopic table ventilation system measuring 90 cms. Its energy saving LED lighting feature offers optimum visibility while cooking. Its powerful extraction rate supplies clean air while cooking. The intensive setting temporarily increases the extraction rate when kitchen vapour is intense with automatic revert after 5 to 10 minutes. Its 7 segment touch control makes it a delight to handle.

www.samsung.com www.siemens-home.bsh-group.com

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BOSE SOUNDSPORT EAR BUDS Launched by Bose, SoundSport is a wireless in-ear headphone that offers clear and powerful sound. Its antenna is positioned for maximum Bluetooth support and the headphones play consistently, wherever you keep your phone. Its water repellent mesh in the open ports keeps what’s inside dry and fully functional. On a single charge, the ear buds play for up to 5 hours. www.boseindia.com

SONODYNE EX BAR 114 BT The Ex Bar 114 BT by Sonodyne is a premium 2.1 multimedia speaker. Its specialty is the design of the satellite speaker which is a 40 inch wide aluminum tube that can be placed on a table or be wall mounted. The compact sub-woofer provides room filling bass and the remote control provides ease of operation. It can get connected to multiple wired and wireless sources. www.sonodyne.com

SONY BRAVIA OLED TV

Sony’s Bravia OLED TV boasts of a monolithic ‘One Slate’ design concept.

Equipped with Dolby vision HDR and newly developed X1 extreme image processor with 8 million self-emitting pixels, it comes in two sizes – 65 inches and 55 inches. Its new ‘Acoustic Surface’ technology emanates sound directly through the display itself. Two actuators help vibrate the screen that spread sound in all directions. www.sony.co.in

AMAZON ECHO DOT The coolest thing is when you yell at technology and it answers back! Amazon’s Echo Dot is one such device that strives to make your life convenient and comfortable.

It reads out on-demand news, plays your music, alarms and movie times and fetches restaurant recommendations. You can also link it with other smart home devices to trigger lights, appliances etc. with the sound of your voice. www.amazon.in

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PICKING THE RIGHT ACCENT Every corner and every element of a luxury apartment narrates a story. While selecting the right material or piece can be a bit of a challenge, the right accent can totally change the story!

CLARKE & CLARKE MONTANA COLLECTION The Montana Collection by Clarke & Clarke embodies a lush collection of distressed chenille in an array of trend conscious colours. From cool blues to rich jewel spice shades, the light reflecting properties and depth of colour in these fabrics is supreme.

Suitable for heavy duty upholstery and soft furnishings, Montana brings a touch of luxury to the space it touches. www.clarke-clarke.com

RR DÉCOR THE AZURE COLLECTION The Azure Collection by RR DÊcor lends a new definition to luxury fabric furnishings. It is an expressive and textural amalgamation of contemporary fabrics with delicate floral patterns and bold geometric motifs united through a sophisticated neutral colour palette. Exquisite digital prints have been tinted in shades of blue, lime and copper. Its skin friendly linen base makes it suitable for multiple purposes. www.rrdecor.com

DESIGN OWL SUGAR & SPICE

SHADES OF INDIA NEW HOME COLLECTION

Sugar & Spice is a Dual Vase with an outer Egg shaped Vase covering an inner slimmer textured vase. The two vases can be used separately or as a set forming a unique design. The outer egg is made in teakwood from which the center is scooped out after being sculpted. The central vase is a cylinder which fits like a glove into the slot. Both together make an interesting piece of art.

The New Home Collection by Shades of India is not an imitation of cold classic lines but is more casual and one that gives your bed a layered relaxed look. The collection draws on the colours of nature and soil. Tea coloured botanical printed linen has been quilted with katha work. Fine pin tucking has been used on cotton velvet to create a rustic texture. www.shadesofindia.com

www.designowl.com

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DESIGN OWL RADIANT CUT DIAMOND MIRROR The Radiant Cut Diamond Mirror retains the elegant trimmed corners and radiant facets that have made this cut such a popular selection for modern jewellery. It is made up of mild steel and coloured with a gold powder-coat, this architectural jewel will bring intrigue and spectacle to any room it adorns. www.designowl.com

ESSENTIA ENVIRONMENTS ARCHAIC STEED COLLECTION Essentia Environments is all set to give your home a little rustic touch with its very elegant Archaic Steed Collection. Finished with old world charm, these horse figurines depict skilled craftsmanship and attention to detail. The conventionally unconventional collection features chiseled artistry on hard wood. It complements contemporary and traditional homes alike. As a piece of art it brings oodles of glamour to your space. www.essentiaenvironments.com

AJJI THE DOT

Today even furniture is turning more decorative and evolving into a piece of art, accentuating your space with its presence.

The Dot by Ajji is an exercise in simplicity, subtlety and precision. Available in a dramatic crimson hue, it easily hinges on the wall and is very comfortable to sit on.

Designed by Lekha Washington, The Dot is a visual mirage adorning your wall. www.ajji.in

MOMENTI CRAZY PAPER COLLECTION The Crazy Wallpaper Collection by Momenti has been dominantly tinted with neutral colour tones like beige and pale blue. The vivid animal imagery has been given a contemporary twist in the form of doodle patterns. Made of patented glass fiber it allows users to surround themselves with art of their choice. The collection is a natural yet dramatic narration of wildlife. www.momenti-casa.it www.ottimo.in

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UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT Interior design trends have transformed light fixtures into objects that decorate and add charm to your space. Let’s take a look at some fixtures that continue to dramatize your space.

THE WHITETEAK COMPANY MOONLIGHT REFLECTIONS CRYSTAL FLOOR LAMP The Moonlight Reflections Crystal Floor Lamp by The Whiteteak Company is a stunner. It brings old world glamour into your living and entertainment zones. It’s an aesthetic combination of an antique rust finish and glimmering crystals. Industrial in its theme it accentuates with a touch of antique décor. Its openwork globe design has been inspired by Gyroscope and its iron frame represents the Earth’s rotation. www.whiteteak.com

ARTEMEST KALEIDOS WALL LIGHT This striking wall light by Artemest, designed by Camapana Brother Sculptural is composed of six hinged mirror blades in stainless steel. The brass blades and gilded mirrors create a kaleidoscope effect of golden reflections. The piece is backlit with a 9 watt LED bulb and its surface functions as a mirror and can be made in different sizes and colours. www.artemest.com

SANS SOUCI LURE

KLOVE STUDIO PEACOCK

Lure is the latest addition to Sans Souci’s acclaimed collection of lights. Hand blown amber and crystal plates with an optical pattern and brass nano-coating finish define Lure. The interplay of the optical pattern and crystal glass plates create veils sparkling like gold. A statement in your foyer, living or dining room, it not only highlights your space but also completes it.

The name of this unique chandelier by klove Studio takes its cue from its form.

Each lampshade stands synonymous to a peacocks head against a backdrop of black feathers fanning out. A widely celebrated piece it combines Swarovski crystals, beads and aluminium to create a glorious impact.

Hanging as a masterpiece in design, it is sure to turn eyes in your apartment.

www.ss-gd.com

www.klovestudio.com

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ARTEMIDE COPERNICO SUSPENSION The Copernico Suspension by Artemide has been coordinated with the wall lamp model.

Nine concentric mobile ellipses obtained from a single aluminum plate support a circuit of 384 white LEDs. The ellipses rotate independently on two different axes, enabling the light emission to be directed and numerous spatial configurations to be obtained. When the device is closed, it’s completely flat. www.artemide.com

FLOS ZEPPELIN Designed by Marcel Wanders, the Zeppelin light by Flos is a suspension lamp providing diffused lighting. Its white powder coated internal steel structure is sprayed with a unique ‘cocoon’ resin to create the diffusor which is then protected by a transparent spray or finish. Transparent polymethylmethacrylate candles and a faceted crystal globe at the center help create the sparkling effect. www.flos.com

SWAROVSKI THE FYRA COLLECTION

The Fyra Collection by Swarovski enchants the beholder with pieces of perfectly faceted crystal peeking through a windowless lantern-like handmade metal frame. Large chunks of crystal catch and hold light from every angle and release it into space, shredded into myriad flickering fragments of colour. The collection offers single and triple pendants in several sizes and become the focal point of interest in your apartment.

DESIGN OWL ISTANBUL GLOBE CHANDELIER Inspired by the early 19th Century Turkish Chandeliers this sparkling chandelier’s grandeur will bring in resplendent warmth to your living room or Staircase well. A globe-shaped chandelier is strung with hundreds of multi-faceted glass beads and crystals which make this chandelier nothing less than a stunner. www.designowl.com

www.swarovski-lighting.com

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KAFF - INSPIRING CHEFS!

Envisioned opportunity and the huge potential in modern kitchen appliances market brought Kaff into existence. Two decades later, the brand has a pan-India presence and is regarded as a hallmark in the kitchen retail segment. Managing Director, Deepak Anand shares this beautiful journey.

Two decades is a long time! What do you think sets Kaff apart from its contemporaries?

Mr. Deepak Anand, Managing Director.

Kaff’s uncompromising position on good design and premium quality has given the brand staying power and a committed consumer base. The brand places tremendous emphasis on constantly researching and developing its products to ensure that each piece represents the cutting edge of kitchen technology. Low maintenance, durability and user friendly design forms the core of a Kaff product.

The brand’s environmentally conscious ethic translates into products that are designed to enable lower gas and water consumption. Kaff’s thoughtful design strategy also extends to understanding the needs and lifestyles of its large and dynamic consumer base.

Our vast range of kitchen solutions can be tailored for a budget conscious, space economizing set-up or a luxurious, statement kitchen with state-of-the-art technology and every other imaginable accessory. I think it is also our disciplined, open minded, confident and competitive approach that helps us move forward with what we call our extra ingredient!

This long journey must have faced a lot of challenges in the past. What do you think are the challenges that still plague the retail sector today?

The organized retail sector in India has been facing a lot of issues and challenges which are proving to be a hurdle for its fast-paced growth. Even though the organized retail sector is at a very nascent stage in India, it provides ample opportunities for retailers.

The mitigation of a few challenges will help the sector attain higher economies scale and growth.

Some challenges that still bog us down today are global economic slowdown, competition from the unorganized sector, the fact that the retail sector has no recognition as an industry, high real-estate costs, supply chain inefficiencies and challenges with respect to human resources.

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What according to you is the future of the retail sector in India?

The Indian retail sector has come off age and undergone major transformation over the last decade with a noticeable shift towards organized retailing. Infact, A T Kearney, a US based global management consulting firm has ranked India as the fourth most attractive nation for retail investment among 30 flourishing markets.

Today major domestic players have stepped into the retail arena with long term, ambitious plans to expand their business across verticals, cities and formats. The future is definitely bright!

Kaff’s next generation filter-less chimneys are inspiring Indian users and making luxury kitchens. Can you tell us more about your new launch?

The new-age kitchen is more than just a cooking space. It has become the heart of health of the family. Our new stylish chimney hood not just gives you a smoke free kitchen at all times but is designed to make your kitchen a lot like you, thanks to the hassle free cooker hoods with filter-less technology.

Contemporary and stylish with every bit of tradition and love still intact, they come equipped with concealed motors with extra powerful suction capacity. Its wider chambers and optimal airborne grease control zone besides the large oil collector keeps it clean. Its touch control and LED lights only make life easier.

So much is packed in one chimney, yet it makes your kitchen visually appealing! They are available in black, white tempered glass and stainless steel finish and come in four categories Essential, Premier, Collection and Island. With 54 models to choose from it suits different pocket sizes too.

Where do you see yourself and the business in 10 years from today?

Consumer appliances majors are eyeing Indian kitchens for the next phase of growth. A consistent trend in high growth, over the past few years is prompting companies to focus on premium kitchen appliances. Changing lifestyles, from joint families residing in the same house to nuclear families has made the kitchen a part of the drawing room now. Thus, demand for well-furnished kitchens is also growing.

According to industry estimates, the segment is expected to grow at 15-20 percent per annum for the next few years. In fact, the Indian market today is a replica of what the Chinese market was 10 years ago and the premium kitchen appliances market in China has grown 10-fold since 2010. We are also looking forward to a similar exponential growth in our business. www.kaff.in Home Review February 2018

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THE LUXE PAD With luxury living becoming a trend in itself - one which is here to stay, we’ve scooped out five latest trends that patronize the new concept.

Let’s take a look.

In recent years, there has been consistent movement towards new technology and green living and so far 2017 has shown us that the very idea of luxury has changed - from the extravagant to the personal, the meaningful, the practical and the minimal. Here are some of the latest luxury home trends.

Minimalism Minimalism in interiors is a subject that has been much discussed across design disciplines, but when it comes to the luxury home, it is inspiring some of the most magnificent design choices.

Gone are the days of over-decoration, elaborate furnishings and fittings and arguably unnecessary indulgences.

Instead many home owners now have a real appreciation for subtlety. Their decisions center more on functionality, intelligent use of space and refined sense of elegance.

Whether it’s your bathroom fittings or kitchen islands, everything is following a streamlined process. Fittings have become more discreet and simple in appearance and yet have the ability to create the ultimate experience for you. Touch pads are integrating different functions into one eliminating the need of multiple accessories. Walk-in-fridges, industry standard ovens, smart cooktops and ventilators are all making waves in the industry with their versatile design and functional abilities.

Smart Homes In many ways technology has always been central to emerging luxury home trends.

Most luxury homeowners and buyers are digital natives - comfortable using technology and adapting to the latest cutting edge digital wizardry. Smart home tech is no longer in an unstable beta stage - it’s functionally viable.

As new innovations make exciting and previously impossible things achievable in the home, aspirational homeowners seek to implement them. ‘The Internet of Things’ has made it possible to digitally integrate all kinds of aspects into the home. From remotely controlled security alarms and cameras, lights and thermostats, to voice activated personal home assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Home- smart homes are now a rising trend and staple of the modern market.

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Wide Plank Woods The popularity of wide planks has been on the rise. People are trading out conventional widths for more expansive planks. Wider planks represent a return to a more rustic or vintage look and there is a strong trend towards random width installations. Luxury interiors today is definitely about reviving the conventional and going unconventional.

The colour palette on demand is still neutral but wider planks manage to add that pop of visual interest to the room. They have a way of providing the room with a sense of history and charm that is rarely found in mass engineered looks. It also offers its users with the option of going green as some laminated planks are crafted using green technology and they also manage to replicate the look.

Bold Colours With 2018 being predicted to be the year of anything but neutral tones, things are moving in a bold direction. Reds, strong blues and vibrant greens are gaining popularity. Even Pantone’s announced colour of the year is ultra violet - another bold addition. People have clearly tired of neutrals and are willing to drop the boring palettes and experiment with colour.

This can officially be treated as an incentive to push the boundaries of pattern and colour. While 2018 will still witness the use of neutral hues, they will definitely take a background position. In fact, designers are really choosing these colours on statement furniture and accessories. It is also great way to get into the trend without being over-committed.

Aspirational Spaces We have already begun to see a change in the way spaces are being conceived and designed. They are essentially based on how people want to feel. In fact, people don’t want a generic home that looks like one out of the magazine. Instead, owners want to get upfront and crystal clear about how they want to feel and that is where the design story stems from.

With this trend we are seeing even more emphasis on design freedoms. Instead of relying on convetions and pre-determined sets of rules for a particular aesthetic, one truly has the ability create a one-of-a-kind of space - one that entirely defines your personality!

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A brand that is essentially rooted to the earth and the elements of nature, Earthly Creations is all about garden dĂŠcor.

Using quality materials Earthly Creations creates pots in unique shapes which are meant to adorn your garden, balconies and homes for years to come.

Each product from Earthly Creations is naturally eloquent.

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EARTHLY INSPIRATIONS Text By Anindita Ganguly

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A subtle cuteness factor is witnessed in all the creations.

The products from the brand includes animal shaped pots in varied sizes, planters, table dĂŠcor, plant stands and shelves, sculptures, bird baths and feeders, fountains, garden lights and a range of dĂŠcor items.

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According to Harpreet Ahluwalia, the woman behind Earthly Creations, “Since gardening isn’t just a way to turn the plain into pretty, but it feeds the soul, nourishes our love for beauty- all our animals smile back and have a cuteness factor attached to them”.

The designs are conceptualized by Harpreet herself and the production is carried out in the villages and then the finished goods are transported to Noida where each piece is checked for quality adherence.

The second step of finishing, including painting and enhancing aesthetics with functionality is done by a team supervised by Harpreet. Being a labor intensive industry, it’s a mammoth challenge in adhering to supply timelines and quality parameters. About 80% of the work is done in-house while the balance comprising of additives of wood, iron etc. are outsourced with skilled artisans.

For Earthly Creations, inspiration comes from the environment.

For Earthly Creations, inspiration comes from the environment and Mother Nature. The changing scenario in society and lifestyles inspires the evolution of new design concepts. With homes becoming more contemporary and people moving into flats, children are seeing animals and plants only on the internet. Moreover, pollution levels are increasing as well.

In such circumstances, Earthly Creations has brought in something which would fill all these gaps and yet bring awareness to the new generation towards environment with its flora and fauna. The brand has purposely planted their cute animal and bird shaped pots with air purifying plants to counter pollution.

Its a mammoth challenge in adhering to supply timelines and quality parameters.

In the words of Harpreet, “I needed to contemporize the old into new, hence selection of the potters, their training, their livelihood, their adherence to quality and timely supply, their willingness to adapt to new technologies, new ways of thinking and execution, creating a market for them which is sustainable and scalable. We needed to put pride in their work, thus raising their self-esteem”.

The changing scenario in the society and lifestyle inspires new design concepts.

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Earthly Creations attempts at inducing a paradigm shift in the way gardening, gifting and value offerings are done. It is an initiative that attempts to change the thinking across the spectrum by uniting people in fostering the concept of eco-friendliness, thereby making this planet a better place to live in.

The Genome collection, Giraffes, Monkeys and Owls are best selling products from the brand. The design, color, size and use of air purifying plants have made them unique, consequently standing out tall.

Harpreet says, “A long and purposeful way lies ahead. We are keenly looking at expanding our foot print pan India.

Consequently, we are targeting retail chains and franchises on line sales, for taking this initiative forward and to make available these creations to discerning buyers .

Earthly Creations

Phone: +91 981050 2046 www.earthlycreations.in

Earthly Creations aims to induce a paradigm shift in the concept of gardening.

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PIONEERING OPULENCE Classic Marble Company launches ‘9th avenue’ - a collection of rare, exotic natural stones.

Classic Marble Company (CMC) - India’s no 1 stones company has announced the launch of its most vivacious collection till date. Titled ‘9th Avenue’, the exclusive collection comprises of the rarest and most exquisite natural stones found on earth. The limited edition of high-end, first choice materials will be showcased at CMC’s boutique gallery in Silvassa and will be eventually also made available at the exclusive showroom in Bhandup.

The products are handpicked varieties of choicest stones sourced from across the world by a highly experienced team of stonologists.

The first of its kind 9th Avenue gallery in Silvassa will exhibit exclusively handpicked natural stones sourced from Europe, North America and South America.

“The product range offered through 9th Avenue will be a limited edition of natural stones targeted at an elite audience.

Accessorising the space with 9th avenue products will add an extra glamour quotient to your prestige. The product range is not only exclusive but is also a never seen before collection of semi-precious and exotic stones that will allure every eye sight.

A stroll through the 9th Avenue gallery will boggle one’s mind with breath-taking, incomprehensible beauty of the stones,” says Mr Amit Shah, Managing Director, CMC. “We will arrange helicopters for our priority customers to facilitate their travel from Mumbai to our opulent gallery in Silvassa. Such stone enthusiasts will no longer need to travel to foreign countries to satiate their craving for exotic stones,” he adds.

Presently the company offers over 500 varieties of imported natural stones including marble, granite, travertine and onyx among others. With vast experience in the domain of stones, a dedicated team of stonologists will source the products in 9th Avenue. The stones will be merited based on various characteristics including its chemical composition, age, consistency in colour and strength among other factors that determine its uniqueness and pedigree.

Mr. Amit Shah, MD, Classic Marble Company

The resulting installation promises to give a sense of art to the applied space.

The introduction of 9th Avenue will further enhance our brand value and strengthen our position in the Indian stone industry,” concludes Mr. Shah. www.classicmarble.com

“The 9th avenue collection will offer limitless application possibilities to architects with the limited edition stones.

The products are versatile and can be used for all kinds of applications.

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Brand Anantara has been globally responsible for taking hospitality to a whole new frontier and with Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, it has managed to move it up a notch further.

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IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN As soon as you arrive and step inside the premises of Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, Sri Lanka, you know this is all about something out of the ordinary something incredibly wonderful.

You search for a description and what come to mind are the adjectives: tranquil, charming, luxurious, poetic….

Brand Anantara has been globally responsible for taking hospitality to a whole new frontier and with Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, it has managed to move it up a notch further.

Situated on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, what this resort offers you are not only exclusive amenities and facilities which are the hallmarks of the Anantara brand, but also stunning panoramic views of the ocean.

Since it opened in December 2015, this luxury seaside resort has made a name for itself with its thoughtful design and attention to detail. It is a veritable jewel located in Tangalle on Sri Lanka’s southernmost shore, tucked within a semi-circle of a golden sand beach fringed and peppered with coconut palms and other native vegetation.

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In April 2017, Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort was recognised in Condé Nast Traveler US’s prestigious 2017 Hot List as one of the best new hotels in the world, as well as one of the hottest new openings in Sri Lanka.

A mere 40-minute sea-plane flight takes you from Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport to Mawella Lagoon in Dickwella, and just a 10 minute drive from here brings you to the resort.

WATG Singapore the architects of this beautiful resort were assisted by design studio Wimberly Interiors to convert a vast site into inimitable spaces using locally sourced building material, and furniture that was handcrafted by the local craftsmen.

Each of the 152 well appointed guest rooms and villas are reached by battery-powered eco-friendly rickshaws or tuk-tuks.

Just the tranquil walkway to the spa is capable of dissipating stress.

The lavish interior spaces are done up in hand woven custom made Sri Lankan furnishings which are in perfect sync with the symphony of the elegant and understated design scheme underlying the resort. Other generous offerings include the ultimate in contemporary luxury amenities like al fresco spaces to relax with gorgeous views, interconnecting options for families, and special accommodation for the differently abled guests.

At this one-of-a-kind resort the main thrust is on celebrating the carefully nurtured peace and serenity which is only enhanced by the cheerful chirrups, twitters and hoots of the flocks of native birds harboured by the property - a clear evidence of the resort’s crucial policy of a peaceful coexistence with nature.

120 premier and deluxe rooms offer a sumptuous bedroom and bathroom with a rain shower and a separate oval bathtub, as well as a terrace or balcony with a daybed and dining furniture overlooking the ocean.

At Il Mare, one may expect to-die-for views accompanied with a menu that transforms local fishermen catches and gourmet Mediterranean ingredients into classic Italian selections.

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The pool is the very throbbing heart of Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort.

Here hunger cravings are appeased throughout the day with a casual yet comprehensive menu.

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32 spacious one and two bedroom villas entice guests to spend lazy days dipping into their own plunge pool, sunbathing on comfy loungers and dining outside under the shade or al fresco. Extravagant amenities in the guest-villas include a Nespresso coffee machine, wine humidor, bar fridge and a Bose sound system. The two-bedroom Garden Pool Villas also feature an indoor dining room and pantry.

More tranquil seclusion can be found at the double level outdoor swimming pool or at yoga and meditation classes. Keeping fit is convenient with access to the 24-hour gym and there are also bicycles available for guests to explore the resort and the Tangalle village.

Perched on an ocean cliff, the Italian restaurant, Il Mare features an elegant dining room and a spacious outdoor deck.

This resort redefines hospitality by lending itself perfectly to families and it is the only one to offer a children’s and teens’ club. Parents can relish their quiet time while youngsters have fun in the shady playground and enjoy arts, crafts, games, movies and a cosy nap area in the purpose built club under the professional care of well trained staff. For teens there is snooker, foosball and table tennis.

At a resort which features a captivating mix of contemporary architecture accented with local flourishes, history, culture and the most spectacular of views, the soothing sanctuary of Anantara Spa offers a proficient beauty salon along with a bouquet of wellness treatments that draws inspiration from both western techniques and ancient Ayurveda wisdom to help dissipate the stresses of everyday life.

Spoiling guests with intimate dining, El Vino offers Mediterranean degustation menus and tapas accompanied by sophisticated wine pairing.

This is a place where gourmands can have the time of their life, six restaurant, bar and lounge venues showcase vibrant island cuisine and delightful colonial customs.

The all-day dining restaurant, Journeys serves world classics and Sri Lankan, Middle Eastern, Thai and international specialties in refined a la carte or lavish buffet style. Live food stations reflect the food eaten by the merchants and traders as they travelled the spice and silk routes of the Orient.

Guests looking at learning how to replicate Sri Lanka’s bold and succulent dishes can do so at a Spice Spoons cooking class. This includes a visit to fresh food markets, specialty local artisans and the fish market at the Tangalle port. Guests can also soak in the distinct charisma of the land with a range of guided excursions.

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The palette used for the interiors is calming; the villas are at once of the land and yet removed from it.

A seamless transition from the inside to the outside has been established.

Sri Lanka’s southern attractions include Wewurukannala temple, the amazing rock temple of Mulkirigala and Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary.

Spectacular nature and wildlife experiences include national park wild life safaris, interactive elephant experiences, a trip to the Rekawa turtle conservation project and the thrill of whale and dolphin watching boat trips.

Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, Sri Lanka has been designed to promote inner harmony and at the end of your stay what you take back with your rejuvenated self are memories of a holiday which had equal parts of rest, relaxation and pleasure plus a substantial slice of Sri Lanka’s rich heritage and culture. www.tangalle.anantara.com

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Lighting The Architectural Way K-Lite Industries has launched a new series of LED Architectural Lighting that is ideal for urban spaces.

K-Lite Industries, an ISO company, manufacturing indoor and outdoor luminaires have launched a new series of LED Architectural Lighting. Being the trend setters in outdoor lighting and inspired by the “Make in India� vision, K-LITE, through their innovative outlook, have showcased an all new product portfolio under Architectural Lighting. The application includes Facade Lighting, Pathway Lighting, In-ground Luminaire, Uplighter, Updown Lighting, Billboard Lighting, Vertical Light Bars, Wall Washers, Area Lighting poles and above all popular sleek polar lighting solutions.

The solutions offered are backed by extensive understanding of illumination in urban spaces and the expertise gained over a period of three decades. The fixtures are designed to provide value technology, ideally suited to Indian Conditions.

The LEDs used comply to LM 80 testing requirements and from internationally reputed makes such as Nichia / CREE. The luminaires are RoHS, LM 79 and CE certification compliant. The luminaire efficacy (lumens/ per watt) is much above 100 for all luminaires. Varied optical options for lighting distribution and correlated colour temperature (CCT) for cool white, neutral white or warm white are available to suit specific requirements.

Compact without visible mounting equipment and optimised integration, Polar Lighting is in perfect continuity with the geometric lines of the square column. These assemblies are ideal for surroundings of contemporary architectural constructions. www.klite.in

The outstanding item of the series viz., the Sleek Polar Lighting Solutions is a contemporary design that is both timeless and unique in its impression.

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DESIGN DESTINATION

BANG WHERE The capital and the most populous city of the Kingdom of Thailand, Bangkok, nestles amidst the central plains of the country in the Chao Phraya River Delta. Resembling an elephant’s head, the city lies below China, bordering Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.

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KOK WHEN

WHY

This vacation show-stopper is an all-year-round kind of destination.

Although it is warm throughout the year, November and December maybe the best months to visit the city when it witnesses a slight dip in temperatures. March, April and May are peak summer months and best avoided.

Just like the country’s cuisine, Bangkok is a city where the familiar and exotic collide. It’s the contradictions that give this City of Angels, a rich and multifaceted personality. A bustling street life, vibrant night life, majestic architecture interlaced with elements of culture is stuff that is sure to keep most on their toes.

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COLONIAL CHARM IN BLACK AND WHITE The coming together of Thai rock star ‘Noi’ or Krissada Sukosol Clapp, internationally acclaimed architect - Bill Bensley, a three acre parcel of river-front property and dozens of Sino-European antiques is what sums up Siam Hotel - a piece of colonial charm rendered in black and white.

Built in Bangkok’s historic Dusit district, the privately owned hotel of 39 rooms belongs to the Sukosol family.

The hotel’s soaring and genteel proportions are a salute to the bygone Siamese grandeur. From the road, the Siam appears deceptively modest.

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Its tall white buildings open one into another in an intriguing private procession from the street to the riverside lawn and private dock. White walls, matte black blinds, glowing polished tropical woods and cobbled brick courtyards form the signature style. The main hotel is built around the atrium. The breath-taking centre showcases a tiered water feature where large palms grow, reaching the balconies of the second floor.

Equipped with 4 restaurants, the Opium Spa, a library, a cinema house, swimming pool, a traditional Thai tattoo parlour and gym, the hotel also boasts of the first Muay Thai boxing ring and pool villa accommodation.

Peppered by traces of Art Deco in its decoration and an impressive private collection of antiques, the hotel ably reflects Bangkok’s period of grandeur.

TEMPLE TALES In a city that narrates a ‘tale of temples’, the Wat Phra Kaew is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, located on the Grand Palace grounds.

Surrounded by walls more than a mile long, it houses some of the finest examples of Buddhist sculpture, architecture, painting and decorative craft in Thailand.

Central to the temple, the Emerald Buddha, carved out of a single block of jade is about 2 feet tall and is contained in a magnificent ‘bot’. Exquisite inlaid mother of pearl doors welcome you in where the walls are decorated with late Ayutthayastyle murals depicting the life of Buddha.

The surrounding portico of the shrine displays splendid Thai craftsmanship. On the perimeter are 12 open pavilions built during the reign of King Rama I. The temple is made up of stunning statues of Yaksha guardians and rising pagodas but the most noteworthy is the Golden Buddha who sits in the ordination hall, otherwise known as the ‘Ubosot’.

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MOLECULAR DESIGN ‘Molecular Design’ could just be the best tag to describe the interiors of this dessert bar inspired by the main ingredient that forms your last course sugar. Shugaa, conceived by Thai studio ‘party/ space/ design’, unfolds interiors that represent the various molecules and crystals of sugar.

A large polygon installation frames the front façade that allows a peep into Shugaa’s pastel palette of oak and mint touched by candyfloss. Abstract installations of coppered lattice frames, suspend down from the ceiling to hold simple lights. The spiral wooden staircase steals the show with its acrylic railing that hails the crystalline nature of sugar. At the back of the second floor is a third distinct area which offers a quiet place to enjoy a delicacy, uninterrupted.

CREATIVE ADO There always springs something beautiful and unexpected at the crossroads of two creative brains. Therefore it was no surprise when the skilful duo of Francisco Polo and Markus Herchet opened We Do Gallery - a hidden gem in Bangkok.

The adventurous retail formula offers a smorgasbord of furniture, objects and fashion goods, bridging the gap between industry and art. Spread across a predominantly black and white canvas that highlights the pops of colour on display against it, an entire wall section is reserved for rotating contemporary art pieces. Another section is solely dedicated to display exquisite designer sculptures.

With a focus to introduce and curate limited editions, distinguished labels have been added to the line like Moroso, Vitra, Pioriobranco, Boffi, Cappellini and Obi. Track lights provide the right attention on select pieces that make a subtle statement in the otherwise simple interiors. With plans to add a private dining concept and a boutique design hotel, the master partnership is definitely not one without creative ado!

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Text By Kanupriya Pachisia

TRANSFORMING SPACES WITH GREENLAM Greenlam Industries Ltd. has launched its latest innovation in the form of Chevron Floors.

Chevron patterns as an interior trend act a unique and distinct appeal to an otherwise familiar space. Mikasa from the house of Greenlam Industries Ltd. brings to you the zigzag chevron pattern for your floors in their latest Herrignbone collection.

the regular shades. The greyish tone adds a nice cool tone to your room and elevates your living space.

www.greenlamindustries.com

The dark wood elevates your living space, especially if your house has light walls. The zigzag chevron patterns of the planks add a distinct look to your house.

The herringbone collection works well in both commercial and residential settings and like all Mikasa products come equipped with the PlankLoc technology making installation easy. The PlankLoc technology lets the planks fit together without the application of any kind of adhesive.

Oak Smokehouse The Oak Smokehouse from Mikasa’s new Herringbone collection immediately uplifts the look of any space. This new addition from Mikasa engineered wood floors from the house of Greenlam industries Ltd. is perfect for both residential and commercial application. It adds a bold glamour quotient to your setting.

Oak Fume Dark shades give your floor a strong, bold look. The Oak Fume from the Herringbone range from Mikasa, premium engineered wood floors from the house of Greenlam Industries Ltd., is a perfect fit for you drawing room or even your bedroom.

Oak Dusk The Oak Dusk is the perfect choice if you don’t want to do something different.

This greyish floor from Mikasa premium engineered wood floors from the house of Greenlam Industries Ltd.’s Herringbone collection is beautiful and different from Home Review February 2018

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Iraa, an opulent restaurant located in the Swarnabhoomi township of Raipur, has created a buzz among the people of the city thanks to its sophisticated cuisine topped with a tasteful design.

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A KALEIDOSCOPIC FEAST Iraa, a boutique restaurant in the Swarnabhoomi township of Raipur, provides a distinctive fine-dining experience. True to its moniker that means ‘elements’ in Sanskrit, Iraa encapsulates the five elements of the universe in its design, aesthetics and cuisine.

Nestled in the environs of upscale houses and residential plots, Iraa by Design Office appeals to both your eyes and taste buds with its royal ambience. Right from the outdoor area that resembles a palatial courtyard with its long walkway, interspersing water bodies and cool canopies, the tone is set for a one-of-akind experience.

Kajal Parelkar, one of the principal architects of Design Office, talks about the client brief, “Swarnabhoomi is a large, futuristic township in Raipur. And so, the client wanted an upscale multi-cuisine specialty restaurant that the locals as well as people from outside would want to visit.” In tune with the brief, everything in Iraa speaks luxury. But it’s not the kind of distant luxury that overwhelms you, but one that comforts you with its warmth.

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The Design Office team has carved out niches for every kind of diner, whether one wants to socialise, spend family time, enjoy the private dining room or just have a quiet meal.

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Segregated into two levels, the restaurant offers an interesting choice of seating. The ground floor houses an open kitchen with an adjacent community table, a long row of two seaters in the middle, a screened circular arrangement with sofas and a cosy, private dining room.

While the ground level is conceptualised as a vibrant family space, the first level is quieter.

It’s modelled as a library bar, a space to just sit, read and have a drink. Parelkar explains, “This space is ideal to entertain a business client or have a one-on-one conversation; a perfect place to relax, far away from the cacophony of the city.�

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Designed as a living room, the layout here is well spread out. Apart from a private dining room and dedicated seating areas, the floor also boasts of a long line of bar stools along the glazing overlooking the greenery outside; just apt for an introspective diner.

In Iraa, it’s all about making sure that every kind of diner finds his comfort zone.

Parelkar explains, “We divided the spaces as we didn’t want it to be a monotonous experience for our guests. On a certain day, you might just go to have a meal; or you may choose to read a book with a drink; or you may want to celebrate with family and friends in the private dining room.”

By providing unique experiences for the different kinds of diners, Iraa has managed to capture the myriad elements that encompass human emotion. Iraa is all about the elements, not just in the way it caters to various moods, but also in the minutiae of its design.

The first floor is designed like a spacious living room with its own library and a bar, making it ideal to entertain clients or have a tête-à-tête with a friend.

The colour scheme with dark tones and complementing lighter shades uses symbolism to represent the constituting forces of the universe. Extensive use of wood in the décor brings a grounded earthiness and white cushioned seats balance this with their calm composition.

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Parelkar says, “White is a metaphor for how much colour there is inside white light.

Here again, we’ve used the concept of elements.”The Italian marble flooring, too, is crafted in a specific way with patterns and cuts to align with the restaurant’s theme.

Literally as well, the elements are depicted on the wall adjacent to the stairs with five panels of art works representing earth, water, fire, wind and ether. Another instance is the wallpaper on the ground floor, private dining room walls that makes a calculated attempt to bring the outdoors inside. So, while it’s designed as a cocooned space, there is also a sense of freedom and openness to it.

The materials and textures have an important role to play in this story. Wood rules the décor in an unambiguous manner - the rafters chiselling the character of the tall ceiling, the highlight panel next to the staircase, the dark toned flooring at the first level and the brick partitions right before you step inside demonstrate that wood isn’t just an accessory here but is the protagonist around whom everything else is centred.

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Shades of blue dominate the private dining room on the first floor; the bright colour, abstracted away from the rest of Iraa, successfully creates a monarchical ambience.

Parelkar confirms, “The client’s brief was to use wood and natural elements like greenery as much as possible.”

Landscaping is the other component that neatly balances the earthiness of wood with its organic touch. The green wall as a backdrop to the staircase is a beautiful example of the way landscape is used inside. Outside too, the greenery works brilliantly, hanging over the building and concealing its concretisation.

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Resplendent art works across the walls in the restaurant depict the five elements of the universe - earth, water, fire, wind and ether.

Iraa is all about diverging forces coming together. Parelkar says, “The main challenge in the project was to make sure that everything flowed into one another and that nothing stood out jarring.� In the five elements that blend to form one entity, in its wide range of dining experiences and in the sophisticated metro feel that it brings to Raipur, Iraa seamlessly integrates disparate pieces into one cohesive unit. info@designoffice.co.in

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FRont 0esi6n

Synonymous with the region, the Scandinavian flair for product design has been showcased by yet another design duo namely Front Design from Sweden.

Text By Virupa Kantamneni Photographs Courtesy The Designer Home HomeReview ReviewFebruary February2018 2018

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Mikado Cupboard for Porro Inspired by many, designers Sofia Lagerkvist and Anna Lindgren present their final work as an amalgamation of constant communication, collaboration and experimentation. In the evolving world of design, these two designers ensure their derivation is constantly changing and evolving with time. Robotic furniture, explosions and their penchant for the magical world are all examples of their design inspirations.

The Mikado Cupboard for Porro draws you to the detailing of the showcased Olive Ash wood and presents itself as a transparent piece that stands with a multifaceted purpose between a vitrine and a cupboard.

Guided by the yearning to tell their story, the Story Vases bring to light the stories of postapartheid South African women through the daily lives of five women. Text is first woven into metal frames using the traditional Zulu bead craft; glass is then blown into these creating brilliantly striking vases.

Quirky and charming to not just animal lovers, the Animal Thing for Moooi range consists of a perfectly proportioned rabbit lamp, a horse lamp and a pig table. After all “Who wouldn’t want a horse to lighten up your living room and a pig to serve your guests?”

Story Vases

A love for magic and a vivid imagination juxtapose to create a functional product that brings to attention just what it set out to do. The Blow Away vase for Moooi is created by Front and is a digitised version of the royal Delft vase. It is made to appear as if it is being blown by a powerful gust of wind. Its beauty lays in the fact that it is bent but not defeated.

Collaboration and communication between the designers is what makes their products stand out. Doodles created by the designers were burnt onto the birch plywood surface of The Doodle Table. The intensity of the patterns guided the shape of the table itself thereby showcasing the design team’s creative process.

Animal Thing for Moooi

The Blow Away vase for Moooi

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The Doodle Table

The Anomaly for Moroso series challenges the mind into figuring out the unknown animal shapes conceptualised in the form of seating. Natural coloured leather is draped over a wooden mound for stability and fitted with digitally milled foam that gives it the rather teasing appeal.

Taking off from the Doodle table, the Doodle Sofa for Moroso is again a showcase of the design team’s creative process that leads to an eclectic finished product, in this case a half circle organic sofa with the Doodle patterns embedded into the sofa’s foam.

Playful in function and visuals, the Furia Rocking Horse is a chair for a child that was created by the bent wood technique inspired by the iconic Gebrüder Thonet Vienna rocking chair.

Also created for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, the Hideout Lounge Chair has high wings that create a private sanctum for the user.

Using Thonet’s traditional bent wood and rattan, upholstery is introduced to make this piece of furniture a functional private space.

Anomaly for Moroso

Pushing the boundaries of materials, the Randomly Crystallized series with Swarovski has precision cut crystals fused with liquid crystal creating a product dictated by the innate nature of the material itself.

Magnified hand drawn scribbles are essentially what the Scribble Rugs for Moooi are. Simplistic yet fun in an optimally functional way, these rugs lend a colourful sequence to any room’s interiors.

A cupboard with the ability to change constantly, the Changing Cupboard is basic and simple with a strong functional edge. Made out of rotating advertising signs, this cupboard is one-of-a-kind when it comes to appearance.

Furia Rocking Horse

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Focusing on the design process as a whole has always been their forte and the Wallpaper for Eco series is a product of brainstorming, researching and hands-on conversion of 3-dimensional design to usable 2-dimensional products.

Inspired by the origin of wallpapers from textiles, the patterns were created by physically pasting and creating interesting designs which are further drawn into a 2-dimensional medium but with the original design’s depth. Keeping in mind the Scandinavian favouritism towards white, the entire range is white but with enough depth to liven up any regular room.

Randomly Crystallized

“The details are not the details. They make the design.� quoted one of the most celebrated furniture designers of all time Charles Eames. Front design consists of a team that works as a team to create a product driven by their creative thought process and constantly evolving inspiration.

Creating feverishly functional products with an edge makes them stand out in the world of Scandinavian furniture design. www.frontdesign.se

Wallpaper for Eco

Scribble Rugs for Moooi

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TILES WITH DESIGNS THAT SPELL EXCELLENCE Orient Bell Limited has launched a new range of Full Body Vitrified Tiles.

Orient Bell Limited was established in 1977, with its base in New Delhi. The company is one of the largest manufacturers of ceramic and vitrified tiles as well as the first to manufacture ultra-vitrified tiles in India. It has launched a chain of signature showrooms to display the complete product range by aiding retailers in concept selling and is privileged to be associated with the premier construction and consultancy agencies of the country.

Its new product design and development is a continuous process, which aids in providing an extensive product range of tiles with various finishes and textures. With specialty tiles for different applications, Orient Bell has the patents for four varieties of tiles and counts some of the leading developers and government institutions as its customers.

Adding to the line of new products and innovations, Orient Bell Limited has launched yet another collection of tiles, the Full Body Vitrified Tiles. It is a great value-added product from Orient Bell Ltd. The term full body tile, also known as a through body tile, refers to the tile being consistent in composition throughout the body of the tile.

Hence, this type of vitrified tiles has colour throughout the thickness of the tile. Full bodied porcelain is less permeable to water; its body is 0.0% -0.5% absorbent to water.

Generally easy to clean and maintain, these tiles have a stunning and classic appearance.

Because the design is spread across the entire body of the tiles, it will never fade away.

These tiles are often used outdoors due to their water and frost resistance. Available in the size 600x600mm, these tiles are also ideal for flooring in areas such as shopping complex, airports etc. These are currently available in four shades - Beige, Nero, Gris and Cream.

Mr. Ashish Mehta, President Sales & Marketing said “With so many innovations with style, texture, patterns etc. Full Body Vitrified tiles are becoming the benchmark.

These tiles are pigmented across the entire tile (thickness), thus making them sturdy and less prone to traffic. Their water resisting property and ease of maintenance makes them even more suitable. We at, Orient Bell have a massive range for the modern day customer to choose from.� www.orientbell.com Home Review February 2018

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Hidden away in the heart of Paris, is the Le Roch Hotel and Spa, the hottest new address that exemplifies Parisian chic. A short amble away from the Garnier Opera and Tuileries Gardens in the plush Saint HonorĂŠ neighbourhood, Le Roch Hotel and Spa is the swanky new place to see and be seen!

Text By Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Photographs Courtesy Le Roch Hotel and Spa.

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LA VIE En Rose

The tone is established as soon as you cross the threshold with bespoke designer furniture, warm and natural materials giving the lobby a living room feel.

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Guests can relax in the Petit Salon bedecked with books and a quiet library ambience.

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Sarah Lavoine, an icon of Parisian elegance has designed this 5-star boutique hotel in her inimitable timeless and understated style. Keeping the charm of the building and its surroundings, she has imbibed the character of the locale, adeptly applying her strong sense of colours, motifs and attention to detail, shaping the space through materials and lighting.

This brilliant interior designer has literally moulded different areas to evoke a sense of a private apartment that you return to after a long journey - making it a sumptuousness home away from home.

The tone is established as soon as you cross the threshold with bespoke designer furniture, warm and natural materials.

Employing her artistic signature, Sarah juxtaposes soft natural light against deep colours - black contrasting with soft pastels, the ‘Sarah Blue’ and an incandescent speckled brick-red.

The outdoor garden can be accessed through a glass veranda - the place to be when the weather permits.

Guests enter through the library lounge bedecked with books and quiet black and blue hues, while daylight permeates the bar (modulated by brass lamps, a signature of Sarah Lavoine) and restaurant, through a veranda accessing an enchanting outdoor garden.

Daylight permeates the decadent bar and restaurant through a beautiful sky light.

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All the rooms and suites have been designed as small Parisian apartments with Moroccan Zellige decorations in the marbled bathrooms.

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The 32 rooms and 5 suites have been designed as small Parisian apartments with Moroccan Zellige decorations in the marbled bathrooms, specially designed Sarah Lavoine two-toned fabric headboards, wood mirrors, geometric cushions, velvet curtains and rugs executed by Chevalier Éditions.

All rooms use the five different colour codes associated with Sarah Lavoine powder pink, black and white, saffron yellow, pistachio green and the now famous Sarah blue.

Situated in the belly of the Le Roch Hotel & Spa is the relaxing indoor pool, quite an indulgence to have in the heart of Paris! Guests can swim below the gurgling waterfall to access the tranquil hammam covered in black mosaics, a beautiful contrast to the charcoal grey flooring in lava-stone that covers the deck.

A member of Design Hotels and the Compagnie Hôtelière de Bagatelle’s latest addition, Le Roch Hotel & Spa has become the preferred destination for travellers who want to delight in an authentic Parisian experience - your perfect home away from home.

www.leroch-hotel.com

Guests can swim below the gurgling waterfall to access the tranquil hammam through the inviting heated pool.

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Design REZA, Mumbai Jaipur based Sutra Designs offers a comprehensive range of interior design services, custom-designed furniture and lighting products.

Their designs are neither purely traditional nor purely modern and are an amalgamation of functional space planning, colour and texture, proportion, scale and lighting.

The 10,000 square foot rooftop restaurant, ‘Reza’ designed by Sutra Designs has a serene yet suave vibe with its amalgamation of closed and open dining space. The earthy colours add an urban edge to it.

The live-kitchen is a feature of the open space and the closed space comprises of handcrafted meshwork lamps, wooden flooring, partitions of iron filigree and symmetrical wood furniture which gives the space a rustic yet cosmopolitan appeal. Artistic ceramic plates embellish the kitchen counter below the sky-view lounge, adding a unique charm to it. Additionally, the courtyard wall depicts various parts of the restaurant through a wonderful painting.

With private dining area, neutral coloured walls with abstract textures, community tables and every painting on the wall oozing nature-love, Reza has a sense of nirvana with its food and ambience. sutra_designs@yahoo.in

Text By Avani Patwardhan

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Intelligent design need not be restricted to mammoth-sized spaces. Sometimes, even a small idea can lead to stunningly brilliant interior themes.

Mixology Design Mixology spotlights innovative design in various domains such as showrooms, bars, clinics, spas and much more.

Law firm, Mumbai Square Barrel offers a wide range of furniture that reflect your taste.

Founded by the husband-wife duo Pratik and Shikha Barasia, Square Barrel provides designs that manifest creativity, enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit.

With a vibrant approach to a conventional office space, Square barrel has converted a 1000 square foot area into a lively workplace.

To make the entrance of the office engaging, the reception area has been kept in focus while designing.

A white metal bookshelf hanging on the entrance wall is placed in such a way that it looks like an angled shelf protruding out of the wall. Not only does this make the bookshelf extremely functional, but also works as an elegant design element. Doubling as a screen to provide privacy to the employees, the tangram bookshelf placed between the reception area and the workstations, houses a number of books and curios.

Glass partitions line the cabins and conference room allowing natural light to enter into the working space. The simple, clean and contemporary aesthetics of the workstations is derived by using furniture from a modular furniture manufacturer. info@squarebarrel.in

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Jalebiwala Restaurant, UAE, Dubai Empty spaces are the most wonderful ones to create.

Given a blank canvas like this, the Vadodara based architectural firm, ‘The Crossboundaries’ have turned a 2,000 square foot area located in Al-Karama, Dubai into a cozy dining place.

Jalebiwala Restaurant is an interesting blend of fine dining and a feeling of homespun with a capacity to serve almost 92 guests at a point of time.

As the semi-opaque glass door leads us into the restaurant interiors, we get to experience an aura of transition from bright to dark. This play of light creates an interesting feature at the entrance introducing you to other elements such as the customized hanging box lights, backlit maps with the states of India and a mural of ceramic bowls.

The white chairs and the blue and black set of couches give a pleasingly simple look to the restaurant. With an idea of breaking away from the ordinary jaali and floral patterns, they have tried to keep the restaurant interiors minimal and congruous to the overall theme. The colored fabric ceiling enriches the space with an Indian touch of vibrant colors contrasted and complemented with austere walls, giving the restaurant a casual yet suave aesthetic. thecrossboundaries@gmail.com

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The palm trees at the backyard served as an inspiration for Riccardo Zen to render a curved shape to the roof.

GREEN PROJECT

GREEN INSPIRATIONS

The Green House, built by Zen Architects back in 2006, is a charming Victorian style cottage with an Australian twist. Its green architecture and eclectic design principles are centred on the philosophy of not only living amidst nature but also respecting it.

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The dining space adjacent to the courtyard welcomes sunlight through glass windows and provides natural thermal management using exposed concrete floor and ceiling.

Building a sustainable space that takes advantage of the weather forms the underlying theme of the Green House in North Carlton. Whether it’s the curved sloping roof, flipping the living area to the backyard while the bedrooms sit in the front or the use of passive techniques to control temperature, everything about this colonial styled house is centred on creating an energy efficient environment.

When Riccardo Zen, founder of Zen Architects, started to work on this two-storey house, he decided that it should engage with the Australian landscape and its weather in particular. As a heritage building, it had regulations restricting the tampering of certain rooms and structures.

At the rear end, the generous sunlight blesses the living, dining and the kitchen spaces with positive energy.

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The Green House is inspired by the client’s connection with landscaping and represents the innovative use of sustainable design principles.

So, while he left many areas untouched such as the bedrooms at the front, he modified the backside of the ground floor completely to connect better with the Aussie landscape.

“We decided to break down the notion of a traditional cottage. Here, the back of the house is where you live, and the front is where you sleep,” says Zen. At the rear end, the generous sunlight blesses the living, dining and the kitchen spaces with positive energy, in turn creating a passive heating setup which allows the sun to penetrate deep into the house and warm up the thermal mass of the exposed concrete floor and ceiling.

To counter the unpredictable Melbourne weather, the Green House provides different experiences in different spaces within.

Similarly, Zen has also employed several passive cooling measures such as a courtyard pond that renders evaporative cooling, windows planned conscientiously to catch breezes and a two-storey void that facilitates natural heat removal through the stack effect.

As the client was fascinated with plants and desired a “garden house”, Zen wrapped the house with greenery. If the lemon tree at the front garden, palm trees at the backyard, an elaborate courtyard sandwiched between the living and dining spaces romancing a glistening pond within and the rooftop garden are not instances enough to showcase the greenery, there are even air plants doubling up as blinds in the living room.

All this greenery not only provides shade in summer, but also improves the air quality significantly, bringing down the need for artificial means of cooling.

Every nook in the house is designed to work with the capricious Melbourne weather that carries the reputation of having four seasons in a single day. “The idea was to provide different experiences inside the house to work around the weather - the living room is warm, light and formal, the dining area has a robust feel with its heavy concrete floor and ceiling, and the compact studio at the first level feels like a tree house,” says Zen. One incredible dimension of the house is the curved shaped roof that works as a sunlight gateway for the neighbours.

Zen shares that “the shape of the palm trees that allows light to pass through” was a key inspiration behind the sculpted roof.

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At the first level is an enchanting rooftop garden bordered with a timber sledded balustrade and a charming studio space.

Although the project was completed in 2006, it still remains a trendsetter for its amplification design and passive sustainable techniques.

The rooftop garden, perched above the surrounding rooftops and nestled in the tree canopies, acts as an oasis in the urban environment. It keeps the house cool and also helps with recycling of water; all the water from the showers is channelised to the garden.

Anomalous to the standards of the land Down Under, the Green House lives in a narrow plot of 150 square metres. However, it surprises with its roominess and clever compartmentalisation.

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Zen explains the process of making small spaces look generous: “If you create a single large space, the perception of that space can appear smaller than small spaces that offer diagonal views. So, the solution is to create spaces within spaces.�

He applied this concept by placing the windows strategically to offer varied views.

For example, while you can see the distant church from the windows, you also get an immediate garden view.

Although the house sits on a narrow plot, layering of spaces inside and borrowing views from the neighbours create an expansive illusory appearance to the mind.

“While a lot of contemporary houses have large spaces, there is often a lack of depth in the view. People can feel confined with less information for the eyes, and have to rely on large screen TVs and surround systems to compensate,” Zen adds.

In complete contrast, this cosy building provides visual diversity to the eyes by texturing layers of space on top of each other and borrowing views from the outside.

Zen calls this “a seminal project” and an “important test case” for its intelligent use of sustainable techniques leveraging what is naturally available at the site and working hand-in-hand with the local weather. By being ready to challenge the status quo, Zen took the risk of creating an unconventional Green House inspired by his client’s connection with landscaping and one which represents the innovative use of sustainable design principles that has now become a trendsetter for his other projects.

info@zenarchitects.com

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ECORIGHT About 15 years ago Sanjiv Sood, an engineer from IIT Mumbai, decided to do find an alternative to plastic bags and other polluting items. He went ahead and founded an internet based startup called EcoRight, before startups were even fashionable, which made products that are better alternatives for the wellbeing of our planet.

It is but common knowledge now that plastic bags have a huge impact on the planet as they go about polluting our lands, oceans, and air.

Over 5 billion gallons of crude oil are used to make plastic bags each year and an average person uses over 200,000 plastic bags in his lifetime. Plastic is often burnt when useless, releasing toxic substances to air.

Not only that, but these ubiquitous and harmless looking objects have the power to influence our health and wellbeing by having an immense impact on the environment, thanks to their nonbiodegradability. Plastic never bio-degrades but instead just gets broken down into smaller and smaller micro-plastics that enter our food and water.

Text Compiled By Mala Bajaj

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In his words, “We are trying to reduce the amount of plastic used, by offering ecofriendly, attractive and affordable reusable bags. Plastic is literally killing our planet.

Every day 1000s of animals ingest plastic and die.�

EcoRight started out by wanting to build products that will help us march towards a sustainable future. The brand’s primary line focuses on reusable shopping and grocery bags, because single use plastic bags are the worst of the problem.

EcoRight also makes a line of lunch bags as it received a lot of customer requests for washable, reusable, leak-proof bags suited to carry food that would otherwise be wrapped in plastic bags. The future product line is supposed to include cotton drawstring pouches and beach bags.

“We use cotton, recycled cotton and a fabric we call Juton which is a fabric that we get made ourselves and is composed of 50% Jute and 50% cotton. Within cotton we use different types of weights for different bags.

For example - our cotton tote bag is made from a 4.5 oz cotton, whereas our lunch bags are made from sturdier 18 oz cotton,” shares Udit Sood, head of marketing and business development and son of CEO, EcoRight, Sanjiv Sood.

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The bags are made at EcoRight’s manufacturing facilities in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Here the bags are innovatively customised from a mix of cotton and jute.

“We are also SEDEX 4 pillar audited - this means we are ethically, socially, legally and environmentally compliant. We are very strong on women empowerment in India and employ around 150 people of which 90% are women. Some of these women are the sole bread winners of their families,” says Udit Sood.

The brand’s designs are sourced from environmentally-conscious designers from not only India but from around the world.

Udit Sood shares, “We have lawyers, students, graphic designers, sales managers across 3 continents sending us their designs!

Want to design for EcoRight and be a part of an Ecofriendly movement? Write to them at info@ecorightbags.in”

All EcoRight bags are made from 100% natural fibres, eco-friendly dyes and can hold more than 10kg of weight (way more than a plastic bag). The manufacturing units of EcoRight are among the handful worldwide that are ethically certified.

As a B2B business EcoRight, has already helped cut down the use of millions of plastic bags across 28 countries. EcoRight recognises the huge community working towards saving our planet and donates 1% of all profits to organisations involved in saving the environment just like it does.

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“Take one of our bags home, let us know what you think. And above all, don’t use plastic - the world is choking, and it is up to us to stop it doing so. While what we do is a small step in ridding the world of plastic, it is definitely an important one.

Join us in Saving Our Planet, One Bag at a Time,” says team EcoRight. sanjiv@ecorightbags.com www.ecorightbags.com

A BESPOKE COLLECTION Stanley Global Living announces the opening of their exquisite furniture collection store at Hyderabad.

Stanley Global Living has now launched an exquisite furniture collection store at Road 36, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. Stanley Global Living is Hyderabad’s first complete decor destination store. The store has on offer living, dining and bedrooms complemented with decorative lighting, rugs and accessories - offering customers a total touch and feel experience like never before.

Stanley Global Living offer designers and homemakers the very best decor solution from across the world. Their unique and selective furniture collection is designed elegantly by keeping in mind the modern lifestyle.

It is a complete home decor destination store conceptualized and curated by Mrs Shubha Sunil and Mr Sunil Suresh - the founders of Stanley Lifestyles Ltd. The opening was on the 20th of January 2018 and the occasion was graced by none other than the founder and CEO of Stanley, Mr Sunil Suresh.

Stanley was founded in 1996 by Mr. Sunil Suresh who is also the current group CEO. Mr Sunil Suresh started his journey as a young rebel at heart questioning the ways of life and discrimination in the society, which created a base for his ‘Why Not’ attitude.

As a teen, he ran away to Mumbai from his hometown Bangalore and started selling small leather products near Gateway of India to rich folks who stayed and visited the famous Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Later on, he joined a leather garment company as a production manager which gave him tremendous exposure to the world of leather, fashion and luxury.

He travelled intensely and had the opportunity to work with some most iconic European brands where he learnt and understood the contribution of traditional Indian skills and craftsmanship in making some of the global luxury brands and some best articles sold in the luxury markets across the world. That is where his passion for leather and his desire to create a world-class Indian company took shape and he started Stanley Automotive Seating as a garage start-up with three craftsmen and a mere capital of three lakh rupees.

Today, Stanley has a net worth of $ 100 million and employs more than 600 of the best artisan from across India. Mr Sunil Suresh and colleagues share a world of knowledge on sourcing and usage of genuine leather.

This has greatly helped build a company and a team which has the ability to produce some of the best leather articles in the world.

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The architect Emilio Ambasz, in his essay ‘I Ask Myself’, writes - “It has always been my deep belief that architecture and design are both myth-making acts. I hold that their real tasks begin once functional and behavioural needs have been satisfied… The architect’s or designer’s milieu may change, but the task remains the same: to give poetic form to the pragmatic.”

Rooted in the belief that sensitive architecture develops from conversation and discovery, Co.Lab Design was founded in July 2014 in New Delhi, India. Their portfolio, as the name suggests, emerges from a truly collaborative design process.

The studio constantly involves itself with fellow architects and interior designers, graphic designers, artists and other independent design professionals to give shape to its projects.

Founder and Principal Architect, Saurabh Jain, strives to create comfortable, inviting and illuminating spaces that are pleasing to the senses. “We seek to develop thoughtful and sensitive work, mindful of users of all types,” he says. A graduate from CEPT University, Ahmedabad, he has over ten years of experience in design and construction.

The young studio brims with happy energy and buzzes with alternative music. The team members share a keen interest in hand crafted objects and informal urban commerce. Currently, they are involved in residential, institutional and commercial endeavours across varying scales.

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For the design of this architecture studio, Co.Lab Design has devised a 3-dimensional framework which allows for an open and flexible layout. While certain elements of the interiors intermingle with the framework, others hold their ground in independent positions. Together, metal, concrete, wood and marble unite to create a space that is highly modular in its function, easy to maintain and charmingly raw in its aesthetic appeal.

The structure of the framework has been conceived as a system of three layers. The first layer comprises an infrastructure of metal C-sections that gives the framework its shape. The various functions of the office have been planned within this organisational grid. The sizes of the channels are customised based on the electrical conduits that run through them. The manner in which the channels are built up allows for intersections along all three axes.

The second layer consists of three independent objects that attach themselves to the framework. A door, a table and a task light respond to the presence of the framework, yet break away from the grid.

Fashioned in wood and metal, their built language follows the same vocabulary as the dominant framework.

The third layer of the framework is the nature of its own construction. A combination of prefabricated and handcrafted pieces are mechanically fastened together to give rise to each component. The system of assembly leaves scope for easy dismantling. The interface between wood, marble, cast in-situ concrete and the customised steel framework reflects a high degree of craftsmanship. “It is the friction between the systems that generates a degree of curiosity within the observer,� says the team.

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When the owners of this Defence Colony residence approached Co.Lab Design, their primary concern was to fix a leaking basement. It wasn’t long before their discussion turned into a mini renovation project. Among their many requirements, the clients wished to develop a new system of electrical wiring. “The water leakage had instilled in their minds a mortal fear of using electrical sockets with conduits embedded in walls,” says the team. The studio approached this dilemma as a starting point for their concept.

After employing appropriate waterproofing measures, the walls and floor were protected with cast-in-situ terrazzo.

“Running exposed conduits for electrical work became a design opportunity wherein the entire system was custom fabricated in teak and powder coated steel.” A modular junction box allows the system to be flexible.

It can be easily expanded to incorporate new points as and when necessary. The network of conduits creates a running theme in the aesthetics, uniting the different spaces together.

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With respect to the overall interiors, three major interventions anchor the design. A new steel, wood and glass staircase occupies a central position in the living area. Its sculptural quality gives the minimal scheme a bold highlight. A study table crafted in wood and steel, and a bed fabricated out of a single log of Burma teak are the other two focus points.

The Oddbird Theatre is the brain child of two close friends who were determined to make exciting live acts more accessible to the theatre-going public of Southwest Delhi.

Owing to a tight budget, they asked Co.Lab Design to provide them with the minimum infrastructure required to be able to host events. The interior scheme of the theatre is a testimony to that singular vision.

Located inside an abandoned industrial warehouse, the site offered the design team a few elements to pick up from. The existing raw concrete floor of the warehouse is patched up only where necessary.

Further, no attempt is made to hide the air-conditioning ducts. They are merely painted a coat of black to match the existing steel trusses. The exposed brick of the new masonry walls is left untouched. The double height nature of the warehouse works well in the context of converting it to a theatre.

The floor plan is split into two major zones - the social zone and the theatre zone. Situated near the main entrance, the social zone comprises a reception desk, a cafe and bar counter, seating and toilets.

Large floor to ceiling windows spanning the double height ensure ample light in this area. “Reclaimed pine wood furniture, colourful cushions, suspended fairy lights and custom fabricated floor lamps add a level of intimacy to the social areas while still keeping costs low,” says the team. A mezzanine lounge above the toilets allows guests to experience the double height from an elevated vantage point.

Separated by a strong partition, the theatre zone is artificially lit. Blank grey walls ensure that the audience’s attention is directed solely towards the stage. Pine wood flooring extends seamlessly from below the rows of seating into the stage area. The backstage area is modest, separated subtly by a curtain wall. “The design attempts to shun formality and bring artists and audiences closer together, each engaging with the other in an intimate, personal setting,” says the team. saurabh@colabdesign.in Home Review February 2018

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THE MARKETPLACE Roca Presents Alba Bathroom Collection

Roca introduces Alba Bathroom Collection, a premium solution for your bathroom. Inspired by the highest sense of tranquillity, the collection consists of a smart toilet, bathtub, basin and furniture.

Alba In-Wash integrated toilet offers an intelligent system that can be controlled through an App on your iphone/ipad and also through an easy-to-use remote that comes along with the product.

Alba Furniture offers optimum storage capacity despite compact that can easily fit in any bathroom space. The most premium offering in the series is Alba Air & Water Whirlpool that combines water and air massage functions to create a calming experience in your very own bath space.

Commenting on the launch of Alba series, KE Ranganathan, Managing Director, Roca Bathrooms Pvt Ltd. said, “At Roca, we continuously work towards offering smart, innovative and elegant bathroom solutions to our consumers. Alba is range that possess products that go beyond functionality and offer the finest designs combined with the most advanced technology available in the segment.

With launch of this collection, we aim to reach out to the urban customers that aspire for a premium bathroom space to complement the modern day interiors of their homes.” www.roca.in

VitrA Unfolds Metropole Series

VitrA, a leading bathroom solutions brand of Eczacıbaşı Building Products Division in Turkey introduces its high tech & trendy bathroom furniture- Metropole. The new line of VitrA, is designed to add value to architecture. NOA, an award winning design group brings the prestigious Metropole series along with a new range of bathroom furniture. Metropole series, a high-tech and trendy, stands out for smart functionality in tastefully restrained forms.

Metropole series offers a wide range of infinite washbasins which are made with various dimensions for maximum ease of use.

Metropole washbasin units are compatible with two options, mineral cast and ceramic

washbasins, the series promises nearly endless possibilities for restful and inspiring bathroom décor. The elegant & pure white color theme option of Metropole furniture contributes to its beauty of natural bathroom décor.

Metropole is the epitome of architectural aspirations, futuristic materials and visionary strategies. It is, in essence, a matrix that encompasses the codes and the present of the future. The concealed mounting allows for visual continuity and easier cleaning. The WC’s feature water-saving flushing made with a rimless WC pan. www.vitra-india.com

Go Organic Collection From Wicker World Wicker World latest “Go Organic Collection” is crafted by designer Amit Sawhney for the outdoor and indoor spaces.

The collection is inspired by life and nature at its best. It is a creative combination of sustainable elements like Woven Wicker, Reclaimed wood, Regional art like Bastar and Warli with hand woven fabrics like Cotton, Ikat and Linen. Special efforts are put in to conducting Green Practices during production, most important being the use of organic UV resistant paints.

The latest collection offers tables, chairs, lounge sets and sunbeds, coffee tables and hammocks that can be fully integrated into indoor-outdoor spaces as well pool side interiors. www.wickerworld.in

According to Mr. Amit Sawhney-Designer & Promoter of Wicker World, “It has always been my endeavour to use organic & sustainable materials. I love to combine various metals, wood, natural wicker, weaves and textures into a unique furniture piece designed to contemporary urban taste”.

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THE MARKETPLACE DuraStyle Rimless From Duravit

Faber Launches Hob-Cooktop

Faber’s hob-cooktop hybrid is designed with new level of performance. Gas flame is fully controlled with a wide heating range and high output. This allows you to cook faster and more economically for the best possible cooking experience.

With the DuraStyle bathroom programme, Duravit is presenting a rimless, wall-mounted toilet with innovative and effective flushing technology. This rimless, wall-mounted toilet offers an efficient solution wherever optimum hygiene and short cleaning times are required: the dynamic water flow ensures outstanding flushing results. The water enters the bowl evenly and powerfully so that the entire interior surface is fully rinsed during the flushing process. As a modern wall-mounted toilet of the 4.5-litre generation, the DuraStyle rimless delivers optimum flushing results, even with small water volumes, and it also saves water.

Thanks to the open and accessible rim area, it is also much easier to keep clean.

The DuraStyle rimless, wall-mounted toilet is also optionally available with WonderGliss coating. This prevents dirt from gaining a hold and any residue is simply flushed away with the water. This makes it even easier to keep the entire inside bowl spotlessly clean.

DuraStyle also has an impressively modern yet timeless design. The wallmounted toilet with a 54 cm projection is made entirely of sanitary ceramic and has a particularly flat seat that is optionally available with SoftClose technology. www.duravit.in

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The elegant iron trivets can be removed individually for easy cleaning.

Faber’s burners utilize more energy and distribute the heat more evenly over the entire surface of the pan.

Faber has made the cooktop spacious which has made available and maximized the gap between the burners. This in turn helps to use large pots and pans on all burners simultaneously.

Integrated into the knobs, electronic ignition provides an easy and simple ignition for gas burners.

Moreover, Faber hobs are easy to clean as the burner cap and bases are covered with heat and scratch resistant high quality enamel. They also have the additional advantage of cast iron support.

Additional Features include a width of 78cm, black glass finish, front control, four brass burners - 1 dual burner 5Kw, 1 rapid burner 3.0kW, 1 semi Rapid burner 1.7kW and 1 Auxiliary burner 1.0kW. www.faberindia.com

Maison Introduces Soho Collection The chic and sophisticated, luxury furniture brand Maison by International Furniture Brands, has launched its Soho Collection. The Collection offers a full range of accent designs, bedroom pieces, dining room furniture and occasional pieces for the complete luxury experience.

The Soho collection from Maison is constructed with the use of luxurious materials such as brass, marble and the finest woods that include walnut, maple, and rosewood available in 27 finishes. The highlight of the Soho Collection includes the chic and classy Soho Armchairs that are superbly crafted in Solid Beech Wood with an Olive finish or High sheen White maple finish.

True to the characteristics of Soho, the color palette for the Collection is subtle with a focus on creating a relaxing and uncomplicated ambiance using colors such as cream, ivory and bright grey.

The Soho Collection from Maison exemplifies excellence, style, and forward innovation while maintaining tradition.

The collection features subtle interplay of linear geometric shapes, manufacturing skills and more contemporary materials and finishes. www.ifbrands.in