Italian kitchen for your home

You don’t have to travel to Italy to purchase world-class Italian  kitchens. Italy now comes to you with Carysil Biefbi Cucine. An international Italian brand specialist in kitchen furniture, Beifbi Cucine, has tied up with Acrysil Ltd, a leading manufacturer and exporter of Composite Quartz and Granite Kitchenware from India to launch Carysil Biefbi Cucine.

The joint-venture’s first showroom in India, displaying their award winning and exquisite designs of modular kitchens, was launched in Bangalore, on October 26 at Jayanagar 7th block, Kanakapura Road, next to Food-World.

Complete with a five-year warranty on every modular kitchen, Carysil Biefbi Cucine offers designs varying from the sleek and trendy, perfect for single executive living in the fast lane, to the more expressive and multi-utility designs, ideal for large homes. Capri, Milano, Elba, Timo and Salina are the five ranges that will be available in India in matte, glossy, wood and glass finish.

Handcrafted items

Nisha Abraham presents ‘The Redniche Sale’ featuring her hand-crafted items for the festive season. Bags with trendy handpainted faces are Nisha’s trademark.

This season, add to your bling with Nisha’s cushion covers, drawstring bags, wrist bags, gift bags and stoles that are on sale. For that ideal and trendy gift, stop by at Boheme above Contemporary Arts and Crafts 17/1, 2nd Cross, Victoria road. Contact: 41225511. The exhibition is open on Nov 2 and 3, from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm.

Diwali bazaar

Exhibition and sale of intricate, ornate furniture, bedsheets, tablecloths and terracotta from across India will be on till Nov 7 at Central Cottage Industries Emporium, 144, M G Road between10 am to 2 pm and 3 pm to 7 pm.

Tribal crafts on display

Gudi, the centre for art and crafts from tribal, folk communities, is celebrating Diwali by organising ‘Tribal Crafts of India’, an exhibition-cum-sale along with Tribes of India (a project of TRIFED), till Nov 12 to promote tribal art. The exhibition will be open on all days from 10.30 am to 8.30 pm at Gudi premises at 3352, K R Road, BSK II stage. 

Gifting galore

On the occasion of Diwali, Archies has introduced a new gift collection and 106 designs of festive greeting cards. Ethnic decoration pieces, candle stands, photo frames, vases, lamps, tabletop clocks and ceramic idols are now available at exclusive Archies outlets. Prices range from Rs 165 to Rs 12, 999 for gift items and Rs 5 to Rs 125 for cards.

Truly Swarovski

For the upcoming Diwali celebrations, Swarovski have launched new crystal creations. The Silex candleholders and vase, Crystalline candleholder and tealight join the exclusive festive collection of Swarovski Crystal Paradise Birds and Flowers, toasting flutes, Swiss-made watches and fashion jewellery. The products are available in all Svarkovski stores across the country.

Gold festival

Malabar Gold in association with the World Gold Council has been celebrating Gold Festival in all its showrooms across the country.

The celebration started on October 25 and will last until December 15. As part of the the celebration, new jewellery items which include ethnic, traditional, bridal, contemporary and modern designs are being showcased in the showrooms of Malabar Gold. Along with a surprise gift on every purchase made during this period, Malabar Gold has also announced a ‘honeymoon package’ for 500 selected couples to exotic locales of Munnar, Ooty, Kodaikanal, Darjeeling, Manali, Singapore, Malaysia and Colombo.

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New designs of textiles

Nhrishti, an exhibition by Latha Puttanna, is holding a festive collection of her newly designed wears on November 2 and 3 at Raintree, Sankey Road . The collection celebrates Indian textiles, fabrics and exquisite workmanship. It ranges from the traditional Chettinadu blouses, trendy chiffon sarees to Mughal style Kurtas.

The collection of sarees includes hand-painted Kalamkaris on Kanjeevarams, Benaras tissues and cascading Georgettes. For details contact 30623251, 26567349.

Spiritual diaries unveiled

Nightingale of Srinivas Fine Arts unveiled two designer spiritual diaries for 2008. Released for Diwali, the Vedic Diary and God and Goddess Diary comprises rich philosophical and spiritual knowledge quoted from religious texts.

The Vedic Diary comes with two genuine beads of Rudraksha and contains information on the Vedic Tree of Knowledge and the various systems of Hindu  philosophy. Each dated page has details on ‘Thithi’, ‘Rahu Kalam’ and ‘Yama Gandam’.

God and Goddess Diary is cloth bound and offers worship procedures of Indian deities.  It also contains the Muhurtha days for 2008 and Amirtadi Yogas. Each page has quotes from the ‘Bhagvad Gita and the Gayatri Yantra is inscribed on the back cover. Both diaries feature Hindu festivals and ‘Ashtothara’ ‘Shata Namavalis’ for ‘Nava Graha Shanti’. Available in all leading stores.

Chocolates for a cause

Chocolyn is a project launched by the Diya Foundation in memory of my mentally challenged sister, Carolyn, who passed away earlier this year. Carolyn was an active member of the Diya Foundation for over eight years and the Centre brought a lot of meaning to her life.

When she passed away, we requested friends and relatives to contribute to the Foundation in lieu of flowers and the money collected through the generosity of these people was used by the Diya Foundation to launch a chocolate project as part of their mission of helping the differently abled lead independent, meaningful lives. 

Carolyn loved chocolates and this project is a tribute to her life.  By buying these chocolates, consumers will also contribute to helping raise funds for the Foundation and contribute to the livelihood of the differently abled. Call Melissa Arulappanon 98450 22389.

Crystal collection

For the upcoming festive season, Artd’inox,  India’s first branded stainless steel manufacturer and retailer from the house of Jindal Group, is introducing a crystal collection. Ideal for gifting, this exclusive baroque range comprises the company’s unique stainless steel products accentuated by dazzling crystals.

Other appealing gift items such as Diwali thali’s, diya sets and dinner sets are also available. Distingushed by their contemporary design and aesthetic appeal, Artd’inox products are fashioned to enhance any decor and the ranges are known for their interesting fusion of steel with fine ceramics, glassware, wood and leather. For details contact 98450 97970 / 99028 27353.

Platinum all the way

Platinum Guild International has released their latest collection of pendant chains, set, necklaces, earrings and rings. The collection is available at leading Platinum Guild International retailers and is priced at Rs 10,000 upwards. The collection includes earrings emmbedded with prong-set diamonds, necklace crafted in exquisite pave-set diamonds, rectangular shaped pendant in high polished platinum and textured matt finished platinum rings with prong-set diamonds.

For your wrist

Just in Vogue has introduced ‘Aspen’, India’s first and only exclusive ladies fashion watch brand. Targeted at working women in the age group of 25-35, the range has 70 designs and includes leather, gold and silver-plated watches. Prices range from Rs 2500 onwards.

Just In Vogue has a shop-in-shop at Bangalore Central and has opened its latest outlet at Total Mall with 60 international and national luxury brands in watches, jewellery, perfumes and writing instruments. Another outlet at Whitefield is expected shortly.