Interior Design Trends in India - A Preview

CONTENTSTrends - Definition & Introduction1History & Tradition of Interior design in India2 - 4An Introduction to the Interior design industry5Current scenario in India6 - 13Leading Interior designers14 -17Trends in Interior design - An Overview18Trends & SignificanceResidential trends19 -31Retail trends32 -38Hospitality trends39 -45Office trends46 -52Analysis & Conclusions53 -59About us60OVERVIEWA general overview of trends and their signiTRENDSficanceAN INTRODUCTIONBefore we start with this report on Interior designtrends in India, let’s look at what trends are, or aresupposed to mean.Trends are a manifestation of new enablersunlocking existing human needs.Human needs are constantly changing with time. Somecore needs remain constant throughout where asothers evolve in alignment with external variables.Some trends remain, only modifying themselvesalong the way whereas others disappear making way for newer manifestations.Global events give rise to global trends. Local cultures are impacted by local events thatshape local trends. Any which way one looks at it, trends are fluid in terms of theirdynamics and most certainly affect all kinds of businesses.“I never predict. I just look out of the window and see what is visible – but not yetseen.”- Peter DruckerThis is certainly a great thought on “predicting” the future. Businesses don’t really haveto predict things. Knowing the future is not really possible. It is not exactly given to us.The point is, however, to better see and understand today’s landscape in order to besuccessful in the future. This report from Insight Instore aims to achieve that.1HISTORY AND TRADITION OF INTERIOR DESIGN IN INDIAInterior Design is, in essence, a part of a larger discipline that is Architecture. BothInterior Design and Architecture are the act of designing within either a building or aspace, and have been adopted to differentiate the unique foci of work of the interiorenvironment. However, it wasn’t until the late 1980’s that Interior Design wasrecognised as a discipline separate from Architecture in India. The historical aspect ofInterior Design is almost incomplete without a reference to the grand Architecture thatthe nation fashioned.From the times of the Rajahs and till today, Indian arts and crafts have embellishedplush luxurious homes around the world. Traditionally, the luxury of a designed spacewas enjoyed only by the affluent in India since it was only the rich who could afford touse expensive materials and hire craftsmen. This is established in the many palatialbuildings that India is home to.On the other hand, the lower income groups worked with what nature provided andcreated wonders in the least available. They created marvellous structures which markthe resourceful and energy efficient approach of the majority of Indians. India’s richculture, diversity and heritage have left us with a wonderful architectural legacy,whether its mud houses in Rajasthan, sloping roofs in Konkan*Source: UK Young Creative Entrepreneurs - 6 things you need to know about the Indiandesign sector. Posted by: creativeconomy | January 21, 2009 & Brittanica Encyclopaedia – History12of Interior Design, Interior Design in the East (India)or the Tanku houses with wind catchers in Khambat.Post Independence, a new India was formed. Poverty stricken, India’s growth hadstagnated at a GDP of 3.5%. India maintained this GDP for almost the next 40 years,until the economic liberalisation in 1991. The economic reforms brought about,changed the face of India by exposing it to the open market, giving way to new avenues in the design fields.Until then Indians themselves never truly explored the potential of design in theinterior sector. Traditionally, Indian interiors are driven by a pure utilitarian motive.Functionality is of prime importance. Simplistic in its style, the interior design of anaverage house would often consist of stone or mosaic flooring, painted walls, colonialfurniture handed down for generations, and local arts and crafts adorning the walls.Over the years, architects took on the responsibility of furnishing a space anddesigned every aspect that went to its conception – from the furniture to the art workto the tapestries. However, this level of comfort, amenities and beauty, were restrictedto spaces belonging to the rich.3Over the last decade, urban India has grown leaps and bounds, from the failingthird world country it once was. India is now one of the world’s largest democraciesand its continuous growth despite the global meltdown has put money into the handsof the middle class youth who are now living a lifestyle their parents had onlydreamed of. A well planned, professionally designed space is now well within theirgrasp and its being reflected in the growing industry of Interior design.14AN INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERIOR DESIGN INDUSTRYIMAGEInterior Design, as a separate specialised design discipline, is a relatively new field inIndia. It has now been recognised as a profession different from decorators andarchitects dominating the field for historic reason. Today, Interior design in India hascome a long way. It has gained autonomy from Architecture and is not just reduced todecoration and furnishings anymore. Interior Design sees space as a livingenvironment and is a holistic resolution of the socio-cultural, emotional and resourceconditions of the context it represents. In the context of design, ‘Interiors’ refers to any space within an enclosed structurethat is inhabitable and human centred. These spaces include residences, offices,institutions, schools, hospitals, theatres, restaurants, hotels and resorts, airports andthe like. This context also spills onto the structures’ extensions such as porches,entrances, swimming pools, landscaped areas, decks, patios etc.The scope is so diverse in today’s times, that the aspects of Interior Design encompassall those contexts and more. This has led to Interior Design’s fragmentation into avariety of specialised micro-disciplines such as Residential Design, Office Design,Retail and Commercial Design, and Hospitality Design.15CONTEMPORARY OPULENCERESIDENTIALTREND 1 This latest trend is a definite shift from the Zen philosophy that ruled design trends inthe past five years. Minimalism is out, Maxmalism is in. Gone are the days of Spartanfurniture, muted tones and unembellished interiors. Today, people love showcasingtheir new stature in society, and opulence and luxury are the key words in residential design.The classical opulent styles of the bygone eras have made a comeback with newcontemporary modern overtones. The emphasis is on detailing, and accessories play avery important role in completing the look. Chandeliers, artwork along with the otherembellishments such as inlay works and cutwork jali* screens are popular.Bold patterns with baroque influences are the newest rage, and are reflected in theprinted wallpapers, upholstery, chandeliers, mouldings and mirrors.Darker hues and English color tones such as khaki and indigo as well as shades ingreys, beiges and even blacks are juxtaposed with natural materials such assandblasted stones and dark woods like walnuts and teaks. *A jali is the term for a perforated stone or latticed screen, usually with an ornamental pattern Source : Wikipedia19CONTEMPORARY OPULENCERESIDENTIALTREND 1EXAMPLE - MUMBAI RESIDENCE The trend of contemporary opulence can be seen in this immaculately done upresidence in Mumbai. This luxury infused space is a perfect example of how simpleelements can be put together to create a truly opulent space. The wooden flooring creates a sense of warmth within the house. The dark woodsused for the loose furniture and cabinets further add to creating a warm and cozyinterior. Crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceilings in focal positions such as overthe dining table and in the living room are eye-catching and further emphasize thelavishness of the décor.Comfortable and rich furnishings in bold patterned textiles and upholsteries addrichness to the house. Wallpaper in a bold print on a dark hue and colours such asblues in the furnishings and reds in the accessories further accentuate the space. *Source: www.elmdesigns.in20INTERACTIVE SPACESRETAILTREND 1Interaction design is an emerging trend in the retail design sector. Interaction design iscreating a new and unique experience for the consumer by exploring ways ofenhancing interaction with other individuals, products and the environment byblending traditional design techniques, an understanding of human behaviour andmodern technology.This trend is an important development in the retail sector in understanding thepsychology of the customer as well as being abreast with the latest technology.One can experience this interaction in various stores such as Levi’s Rivet in Bangalorewhere a 34 feet long Heritage wall has been created and Colours – the Asian Paintsshowroom in Mumbai where you can play with colours in a virtual world to helpchoose your shade of colour.32