Tranquilitea - A Tea Lounge.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtxVF-VHpoQKIZ25MsGAhqXlGqYyNQ0grMSHTdJRRdqOZhPf0lY_8t9WOAZ1AL5GTIO9XmRQ9OEnaDWOX_J-jZcz8AEzkmj8mw_4BFsQFTii8FhqJs6bddTPG70BvafctUYtpjGluHR40/s1600-h/tra1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073885930676979986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtxVF-VHpoQKIZ25MsGAhqXlGqYyNQ0grMSHTdJRRdqOZhPf0lY_8t9WOAZ1AL5GTIO9XmRQ9OEnaDWOX_J-jZcz8AEzkmj8mw_4BFsQFTii8FhqJs6bddTPG70BvafctUYtpjGluHR40/s400/tra1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> On our recent trip to Coonoor, the lovely hillstation at Tamilnadu. We spotted this lovely old british style bungalow with beautifully manicured lawns and colourful flowers.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Hesitantly we drove inside and realised it was a tea lounge called Tranquilitea. Wow! </div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073885926382012674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLsOFlzIrZDOP-IOpTZc542Q-QeiUdpPjIj1W2r_q6JArRYWqGN2P1p5ekP4db0eLMqCR-6-O9AuQTid7FqLgPSBYpyyadJyoU9d9sSeAuAabgUj7LLALY9QbkQxomTJSF37bOKTGBKIo/s400/tr.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Retaining the British style, with fireplace et al. intact they had created a tranquil tea lounge where one can savour the flavours of Handmade Teas, Frost Tea and many more and be transported to the bygone days of the Raj.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073885934971947298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLu-OWfDUH6Q1W8nSH42advtn9Rf9osX0fr0Cc9mK3OPLizDPvnXQpZkG-p_cQ0YXdhdYSM3ReCob6ao9FONYSU0_262pnw4sb-41CLPLi3E8tqNOZy_RlQMJccXlehEHcoYgeAVeDtl_V/s400/tt1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073885934971947314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukpMAUPn6JBGCvQnorrhEdesSRdjtaNbweMDWU49tm4szdCWaYwbWh_wVdpZYIBe5noetZ10LOrRuOIPhi-VpKIk2koxMWBT3YeHXMI1scrwlP0wEHLoirUgSM5rYElx6GFTYN9zkYmcd/s400/tt2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />

Tranquilitea - A Tea Lounge.

On our recent trip to Coonoor, the lovely hillstation at Tamilnadu. We spotted this lovely old british style bungalow with beautifully mani...

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Shaam-e-Sarhad- A Rural Resort.

<a href="http://www.nivalink.com/shamesarhad/index.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031657613547640434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqadsCTPL1a0mTmgtPXLqIg7o7N3wp47Z4FXyfe6xPLsgkvFaZJAAE2KpZlX4ngbCHYEXHQxndiaU__C1HDUDlwabiemN1W42VlOHgURsJd5xshIa8k1QaMbWHzeOBjISYoqdhE9apmDpi/s400/mud1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> Shaam-e-Sarhad</a> translated means 'sunset at the border'. This resort is a joint venture between Ministry of Tourism India and the United Nations.<br /><br />Using the material available in plenty in this region- MUD, the artisans from the village of Hodka <a href="http://www.travelmasti.com/domestic/gujarat/bhuj.htm">(Bhuj, Gujarat)</a> have created this beautiful ecological & aesthetic architectural splendor.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpLeREi6Kmd9sxbtUWOroFMXb5XajyYlNLtLD2sgbfDhdlJyjhjgKgei6iC1oNldJvGN5JPygjTwRAwBHGRszqJRNTHCRFjhnhYovwc5OWXrVQLtbydzYFsumBHrwAvcHCQMWaMkF7P08/s1600-h/mud2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031657463223785058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpLeREi6Kmd9sxbtUWOroFMXb5XajyYlNLtLD2sgbfDhdlJyjhjgKgei6iC1oNldJvGN5JPygjTwRAwBHGRszqJRNTHCRFjhnhYovwc5OWXrVQLtbydzYFsumBHrwAvcHCQMWaMkF7P08/s400/mud2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The public sitting area in different levels is highlighted with various earthy colours.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpBstL5s6cmTtlgvR6sYZdAe9EM20SDtL5EA1GqKJXl5fDpbifBwUGx-eKuwfdPftfUGSXdtDJtl4SDuM50z2u4Zl__-GrpVanSj5iFSSS8GN_txwj8L6Tycwrvh5haYhr1vp5Q_byhTi/s1600-h/mud3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031657252770387538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpBstL5s6cmTtlgvR6sYZdAe9EM20SDtL5EA1GqKJXl5fDpbifBwUGx-eKuwfdPftfUGSXdtDJtl4SDuM50z2u4Zl__-GrpVanSj5iFSSS8GN_txwj8L6Tycwrvh5haYhr1vp5Q_byhTi/s400/mud3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> This region is famous for it's <em>'Leeppan Kaam'</em>-Mud-Mirror murals and <em>'Chittar Kaam'</em>-Mud paintings. These have been used extensively in all the circular huts called the 'Bhungas' </div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB1IQqYVU7pZpMsdoTVtysAesdXDStrdl3x6lP1h2rl2WRhf_T6FbAp30y6RiWchTXThT6Ao-D0iTiTTd726fEZuVXyAS9x_cSayMNEDjEyKgkjRNDljfuQBB4i0GU5EfoH8snQaAkgUa/s1600-h/mud5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031656986482415170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB1IQqYVU7pZpMsdoTVtysAesdXDStrdl3x6lP1h2rl2WRhf_T6FbAp30y6RiWchTXThT6Ao-D0iTiTTd726fEZuVXyAS9x_cSayMNEDjEyKgkjRNDljfuQBB4i0GU5EfoH8snQaAkgUa/s400/mud5.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Bright coloured fabric on the deck chairs.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0oWIkhv0_c_zPGGYjpXwAuM6F39eN9-J-eKgQXqLt6DkeAnCdXkua-bEAosqXQNNYVng9s2Ff6PlVmi8KpejomtEcq66i2616ZreJ4nFzfvndn5V2sl4kIIvr62AGdhbPCofijI5xZ_d/s1600-h/mud7.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031656140373857842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0oWIkhv0_c_zPGGYjpXwAuM6F39eN9-J-eKgQXqLt6DkeAnCdXkua-bEAosqXQNNYVng9s2Ff6PlVmi8KpejomtEcq66i2616ZreJ4nFzfvndn5V2sl4kIIvr62AGdhbPCofijI5xZ_d/s400/mud7.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Inside view of the 'Bhungas'. (Check out the floor to ceiling headboard in mud.)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EFooLH4ZvBnVcbxXM7nnki2nEJem1rW9RfbU3mqwQORCx6kseSMmFnfTNjl7sDNCL1FOeRVSHnjyNQVAnngKlcSJU_xT1XO_TQjIGJfBq-zMNhUNX03SZ67l8nzJO8D_eTcUIZ8nyBbz/s1600-h/mud4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031655414524384802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EFooLH4ZvBnVcbxXM7nnki2nEJem1rW9RfbU3mqwQORCx6kseSMmFnfTNjl7sDNCL1FOeRVSHnjyNQVAnngKlcSJU_xT1XO_TQjIGJfBq-zMNhUNX03SZ67l8nzJO8D_eTcUIZ8nyBbz/s400/mud4.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>A combination of traditional mirror work and modern bathroom fittings.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBOa3ncB75TLkAwx9nUiGLjurgWVDYi5oAoqGUMiH_ei_6_I-6c0FH_zzrdjltdLEJ8p6DIyZC3zauyqLoqu8BcpQaRad8A-DP34e3s_j7XwJ8LDk_JftKB6hvzSD0-I29Ayrt48B6Jwu/s1600-h/mud6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031655182596150802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBOa3ncB75TLkAwx9nUiGLjurgWVDYi5oAoqGUMiH_ei_6_I-6c0FH_zzrdjltdLEJ8p6DIyZC3zauyqLoqu8BcpQaRad8A-DP34e3s_j7XwJ8LDk_JftKB6hvzSD0-I29Ayrt48B6Jwu/s400/mud6.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>A canopy of brightly coloured fabrics form the ceiling and monochromatic earth colours form the dining area below.</div><div><br /><div><em>(Images from Better Interiors- Feb2007)</em></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Shaam-e-Sarhad- A Rural Resort.

Shaam-e-Sarhad translated means 'sunset at the border'. This resort is a joint venture between Ministry of Tourism India and the U...

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Ecological Architecture.

<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2763/3282/1600/218818/home_earth1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2763/3282/400/800327/home_earth1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2763/3282/1600/672266/home_earth2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2763/3282/400/337839/home_earth2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2763/3282/1600/669214/home_earth3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2763/3282/400/939411/home_earth3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2763/3282/1600/374593/home_earth4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2763/3282/400/787034/home_earth4.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2763/3282/1600/979412/home_earth5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/2763/3282/400/40838/home_earth5.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Terracotta Walls, No paint, No conventional coverups, only muted earth tones.<br /><br />This home designed by <a href="http://www.inika.com/chitra/index.htm">Chitra Vishwanath </a>is an example of a 'building creating a positive impact on the land.'<br /><br /><em>Pic.No.1 </em>The entrance to the house that blends with its lush green surroundings.<br /><br /><em>Pic No. 2</em> A circle of space in the terracotta wall of the back verandah. It frames the greenary beyond. <em>( how lovely!)</em><br /><br />Pic No.3 The circular holes are used as shoe racks. (<em>In India its customary to leave ones footwear outside the house)</em><br /><p><em>Pic No. 4 Lot of open space and rough finishes with smooth ochre floor.</em></p><p><em>Pic No.5 An open Bedroom.</em></p><p>Very interesting. Earthy. Eco-friendly.</p><em>(Images from Better Interiors Magazine. February 2007 issue.)<br /></em>

Ecological Architecture.

Terracotta Walls, No paint, No conventional coverups, only muted earth tones. This home designed by Chitra Vishwanath is an example of a ...

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