India Style [Hardcover]

Monisha Bharadwaj (Author), Bharath Ramamrutham (Author, Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1999

Indian style is eclectic, weaving together influences from many regions and cultures. The range of traditional and modern designs found in India is awesome. Brilliant color schemes are symbolic of religious beliefs, whether Islamic, Hindu, or Christian, and often correlate to the basic elements of air (white or silver), water (blue), and fire (red, orange, yellow). Additionally, space is an integral aspect of Indian design and architecture.

This vibrant book explains the diverse origins of the ornamentation that epitomizes Indian style, elaborates on the differences between regional decorative traditions, and presents the treatments of doors, windows, floors, and walls that can be emulated in the West.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These two visual sourcebooks are full of photographs to inspire amateur and professional decorators. Each depicts how each style has been interpreted for today's living through the use of traditional, ethnic accents. India Style concentrates on the decoration of entire rooms in contemporary India, with an emphasis on the culture and traditions that inspire the decorating. Katoh focuses on details, such as textiles, furniture, and folk art, that make up Japanese-accented interiors. She also gives an overview of contemporary decorating as practiced by native and Western-born Japanese. Each of these books provides good coverage of contemporary interpretations of ethnic decorating styles. For larger collections.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Soma Books (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579590527
• ISBN-13: 978-1579590529
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #178,384 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Interior Design > Style

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Beautiful and Practical, May 26, 2002

By 

Padma Chebrolu (Cincinnati, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: India Style (Hardcover)

Monisha did a great job in writing this book. It reflects her good taste in decorating homes in Indian style. Eventhough it is nice to see some of the maharaja styles decor she definitely includes examples of decor of regular households and contemporary looks that could definitely be applied.
Most of the decorating items included in this book could be found in Indian arts and craft stores. The colors are so vibrant and enticing in each and every photograph. I read this book so many times, actually it is a very nice relaxing reading companion. I usually leave it on our coffee table when we have get togethers with our friends. It is a good conversational piece and everyone wants to borrow this book. Nicely done!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sure to fire your imagination, October 15, 2002

By 

Recipedelights-dot-com-chef (San Francisco, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: India Style (Hardcover)

When asked to describe Indian style in one word, most people would say "colorful". That is indeed true. Indian style is rich in color, which is liberally used by everywhere- from palaces of erstwhile maharajas to homes in rural and urban parts of contemporary India. What fascinates most westerners is the ability of Indian interior decorations to assimilate mind-boggling number of styles from different cultures and even different eras. The whole design flows with ease- different elements blending together to enhance the look rather than impart incongruity.

This book presents exactly these aspects and is meant to inspire the reader. As each part of the home is visited, different styles are explored, explained and in some cases, re-interpreted for contemporary living. Some of these are high-end and would not be practically possible to duplicate. But most can easily be adapted in the Western settings to infuse them with an ethnic flair or just make them outright Indian. The beautiful color pictures are sure to fire your imagination. The types of accessories shown are commonplace in India and at most Indian art stores in other countries. You may not find the exact duplicates but you are bound to find something close. Recipedelights.com recommends this book and feels that it will start off the reader in the right direction. Everything else is limited only by the reader's imagination.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Beautiful and Practical, May 26, 2002

By 

Padma Chebrolu (Cincinnati, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: India Style (Hardcover)

Monisha did a great job in writing this book. It reflects her good taste in decorating homes in Indian style. Eventhough it is nice to see some of the maharaja styles decor she definitely includes examples of decor of regular households and contemporary looks that could definitely be applied.

Most of the decorating items included in this book could be found in Indian arts and craft stores. The colors are so vibrant and enticing in each and every photograph. I read this book so many times, actually it is a very nice relaxing reading companion. I usually leave it on our coffee table when we have get togethers with our friends. It is a good conversational piece and everyone wants to borrow this book. Nicely done!