Bright colours, ethnic art and modern furniture highlight the design of this Jaipur home. Photo courtesy Bjorn Wallander/ Shantanu Garg
In recent times, we have heard the terms ‘India Modern’ or Indian Modernism used to describe a certain style of home decor. But, what exactly does it mean and entail? We reached out to leading interior designers and architects to learn about what the design ethos means to them and easy ways to incorporate it in our homes. Aditi Vora Nair, Founder, AVN Interiors succinctly states: “This design style to us means simple straight lined spaces with a deliberate use of bright colours and patterns.”
To navigate the meaning of Indian Modernism, let’s begin with its origins. “In India, Modernism started in the early 20th century with ideas greatly influenced by the Bauhaus and the Art Deco movements. Today, while we are greatly influenced by the western concepts of minimalism and maximalism, I do feel that somewhere we’ve forgotten great homegrown styles and architecture. Though we can’t bring back the palaces of the Mughals or the Rajputs, and the intricacies of temple art, Indian Modernism is a way to bridge that divide by introducing smaller elements and patterns charm and grace into the new wave of design,” says Bageshree Shroff, Founder, Bageshree Shroff Interiors.
The style essentially melds modern and ethnic designs with ease. Photo courtesy: Shamanth Patil/ AVN Interiors. Styling by Samir Wadekar
While Indian Modernism has Indian roots, it has a decidedly global outlook. “Indian Modernism is about weaving the traditional with the contemporary to achieve a new vocabulary that fits the current scenario. It is a masterful fusion of influences and materials—old and new—to arrive at something novel and unique. By definition it offers more freedom to blend styles and that is the stand-out element of our work. Being rooted in the Indian tradition of hand-crafting, while incorporating external influences of styles, results in exclusive designs that can easily fit into any home anywhere in the world. Indian Modernism is pan-international in appeal,” states Sachin Gupta, Founder, Beyond Designs.
It is a fusion of influences and materials. Photo credit: Atul Pratap Chauhan/ Beyond Designs
At the centre of it is a marriage of age-old Indian elements with contemporary design. “I’ve always viewed the idea of Indian Modernism from the classic lens of the deep cultural and traditional roots ingrained in my upbringing. To me, a reflection of that is what makes a space deeply personal and yet relatable. I have found great excitement and challenge in bridging the gap between India’s vibrant colours and the concept of ‘less is more,’ that influences my design and aesthetic sense. There is an immense sense of joy and achievement when I can step back from a home and see the harmonious blend of minimalism design form and traditional styles, a blend that I feel is the epitome of ‘India Modern,’” adds Shroff.
There are three primary ways to recreate Indian Modernism at home—blending the old with the new, utilising art, antiques and colour, and incorporating a traditional layout and indigenous materials.
Adding vibrant home decor pieces, artworks and antiques is one of the simplest ways to incorporate Indian Modernism at home. However, to achieve this design aesthetic, these elements need to be added in moderation. “With any style, it is always important to show restraint. One or two accent pieces lets the pieces stand out and do the talking, as opposed to being an overkill. From larger pieces to smaller ones, the scales can be varied. Bold rugs by Shantanu Garg for Jaipur Rugs, or the masterfully crafted teak wood tables by Casegoods can add an instant lift to your space. Even antique restored pieces from Phillips Antiques or the ethically crafted bamboo baskets by Mianzi work well,” says Nishita Kamdar, Principal Architect, Studio Nishita Kamdar.
“This look can be easily created by using woven cane furniture or solid, bright coloured accent furniture. Adding Indian prints and patterns in different items such as cushions and rugs can enhance this look. Accessories and artefacts too play a big role in achieving this look. For example, you can use a brass urli on a centre table to give an instant Indian touch to modern interiors. Wooden jharokhas as wall pieces and ancient temple remains make great art pieces for an ‘India Modern’ look,” adds Nair.
Photo courtesy: Studio Kunal Bhatia/ Studio Nishita Kamdar
Indian Modernism is characterised by a fine balance of the old and the new. “Wooden or wicker wall panellings, vintage-inspired features or Art deco elements like furniture, lights and accessories, allow you to incorporate Indian Modernism into your space. This design aesthetic features traditional materials interpreted in a contemporary fashion. For instance, richly printed fabrics used as upholstery for furniture pieces, including cabinets and nightstands, and brass accessories in clean forms. Any piece inducing nostalgia or stirring old memories, given a fresh dimension, becomes a modernistic impression,” states Gupta.
Another way to include Indian Modernism into your home is by incorporating traditional Indian home layout elements and indigenous materials. “If I am designing spaces in a new house, I draw inspiration from many elements, including the climate and history of the place. To that end, I am a big advocate of planning central courtyards, high ceilings or a landscape with fountains or Indian sculptures. A modern interpretation of these aspects of our traditional Indian homes from around the country don’t in any way distract from the design of a sleek, independent house, in fact they enhance a sense of well-being,” adds Shroff.
“A lot of traditional crafts like woven cane and materials like terrazzo for flooring have become recently popular, making it really easy for one to achieve this style in their homes,” says Nair.
“For us at Studio Osmosis, designing a space as per the client’s lifestyle, needs and functional requirements as well as something that reflects their beliefs, culture and values is an important aspect of Indian Modernism. For us, it’s about balancing the aesthetics with the client’s way of life and reflecting the Indian-ness in the forms of functional, yet detailed customisation, which is suited to the user specifically,” states Shilpa Jain Balvally, Principal Architect, Studio Osmosis.
“Indian Modernism has come a long way. For me it is a universal approach that respects the local conditions, meets the needs of its inhabitants and regards the environment. It is about design that is true to itself, its culture, its material, its function and its principle. It reflects an individual personality and experiences. In terms of objects, Indian Modernism is about pieces that create a nostalgia of a memory iconic to India, but revive it in a whole new modern light, with new techniques, new functions and a new approach,” concludes Kamdar.