In good hands

Choosing a decorating style that reflects your personality can be a challenge.Textile designer NEERU KUMAR helps pick up the must-haves.

The key elements that set the mood in our homes for comfort, reflection and aesthetics vary according to our personal tastes and preferences. We reflect our own unique sensibility that evolves in time with constant experimentation.

Most homemakers dream of creating a space of their own which is full of character, is at once contemporary and classic, while also being distinctively drawn from traditional and modern inspirations. Having said that, the idea should be to achieve an understated and minimalist look that brings out the natural beauty of all the materials and elements used to create the ambience. Here are some of the essential ingredients needed to make a house a home and give it a distinct edge.

Hand-stitched quilts
Embrace a warm, richly patterned look. Kantha throws made from repurposed saris and textiles add charm to your living space with beautiful colours. There are some pieces that exhibit outstanding hand skills that still exist in our country. In this age of diminishing hand weaving skills, we have been able to create and retain some of the best quality woven textiles for home.

Hand quilting and weaving is truly a labour of love. The choice to incorporate hand quilted and hand woven pieces in our space gives it texture, where the hand stitches play a prominent role in the design. Some of the hand quilted patchwork khadi throws with visible hand stitching has a cozy aesthetic.

Cushions
These play a major role in creating a comfortable environment and are a must in our interiors. They help define the outlook of a space, which is what makes them extremely important to the overall look.

They also reflect your personal aesthetic. They play a vital role in a space where there is fixed furniture that one has; one can restyle the look and feel of the space with embroidered cushion covers to suit different kind of interiors.

Natural fabrics
Using natural fabrics such as linen and cotton lend a chic ambience to the spaces that we inhabit. Solid colours for upholstery, or curtains lend a minimalist yet trendy atmosphere.

Hand-woven throws and textiles add a distinct richness and elegance to the ambience. Neeru Kumar products are available all over India under the brand name "Tulsi". Check www.tulsionline.in for details.