Spice Route: Colorful India-Inspired Interiors

One of the remarkable things about the culture of India is its vivid colors, rich textures and blending of patterns.  While living in Toronto, one of my favorite things to do was to stroll the Gerard Street India Bazaar, a largely Indian community with storefront after storefront of amazing fabrics, saris and jewelry, not to mention fabulous Indian street food.  From doors to spices, it is an exotic treasure trove of color, history, and enchantment!

Flickr photo by E. B. Sylvester

Flickr photo by Khaotic Serenity

Flickr photo by nethopper

The spice route can be interpreted in a modern fashion for today’s interiors.  Think of using a lively color palette.  I like to start with a dominant color like this electrifying orange and then highlighting with blues and greens.   Mix textures like velvet with high gloss laminate trays, embroidered pillows, and sleek modern pottery.   I like to add something highly carved with an aged finish to suggest the ancient architecture and craftsmanship of the area.

This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Brass

President,  Design Theory Interiors
If you remember the garish orange-toned gold bath fixtures of the past, then this post is going to be hard to swallow.  Hopefully that dreadful finish will never rear it’s ugly head again, but there is definitely a movement toward the gold-tone finishes.  While this won’t represent the demise of the satin nickel finish, it will broaden our options and steer us toward a return to a little glamour.   The return of gold, brass, antique brass and even shades of copper are much more sophisticated and subtle and will be showing up in Baroque, Traditional and Contemporary forms.

Source: arteriorshome.com via Jamie on Pinterest

Take this decanter by Arteriors  Very sophisticated geometric antique brass stopper reminiscent of the sexy sixties.  Perfect for a contemporary or traditional setting

Source: arteriorshome.com via Jamie on Pinterest

I envision delivering martinis in to dinner guests on this antique gold tray with one hand while laying out a linen cocktail napkin on a perfect 45 degree angle with the other.   Tray by Arteriors.

And don’t think bath fixtures will be left out.  This is Kohler‘s Vibrant Brushed bronze finish in a very sleek, contemporary form.

This is a rather contemporary take on the industrial table with tripod legs and adjustable height.  Very graceful in an antique gold finish.   By Barbara Cosgrove Lamps 

And if your tastes run toward the more casual styles, these reproduction pharmacy floor lamps come in a polished chrome, aged brass and aged copper finishes.  Also by Barbara Cosgrove Lamps

Keep your eyes open.  Most times these subtle movements in style go undetected by the naked eye until the market is saturated.   Be the first to diversify your in-home metals!