Wallpaper magic
Anyone who has admired the palaces of the rich in Rajasthan, the havelis of Bengal, residences in Andhra Pradesh or the old wadas of Gujarat and Maharashtra, will have admired the wonderful wall paintings created by unknown artists in the years gone by.
Even today, in the far-flung rural parts of India, folk art motifs like warli paintings, kalamkari vignettes, Madhubani pictures and Kalahasti prints are seen in eye-catching panels in affluent village homes. India’s climate is warm and moist for the major part of the year and therefore, sticking decorative paper on walls has not been a popular choice.
This is changing fast as luxury comes into Indian homes. With air-conditioned drawing rooms and bedrooms, newly affluent Indian families are choosing to recreate the snowy cool ambience of Europe right here! Yet others are choosing the exotic golden seasons of spring and autumn in the USA to decorate their homes in tropical India. Affluent young couples are choosing wallpaper from a mind-blowing variety created by top designers of the West.
Among the leaders in wallpaper concepts, the most famous are de Gournay of British vintage, who have now joined hands with Indian décor specialist Sita Nanda.
For those who love nature’s abundance, there are fresh white florals and trees on rich gold, pleasing green and off white — with an occasional touch of pretty birds and butterflies. For those who prefer a starker summer feel, there is the understated white with tendrils of leaves in grey and gentle olive, or verdant leaves on pale lemon.
