Mallika Sarabhai's Country Retreat.

When I saw this on the cover of <em>Inside Outside Magazine</em> few years back I just wanted to be there on the swing...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDx3Ft6Uch2l8Kgmfjo_GmTbqzeinlZnG-3rppo2370rVDpVXtM31m4DtVNp15rXpTYHPVfxzjU67EV6ZAF1QAwgMl18CrTPl6dzZDqn3rGw9RQ99cYaxbp88XyI-sXEzm2y3KW1rVw3GY/s1600-h/ms1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076214533095853026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDx3Ft6Uch2l8Kgmfjo_GmTbqzeinlZnG-3rppo2370rVDpVXtM31m4DtVNp15rXpTYHPVfxzjU67EV6ZAF1QAwgMl18CrTPl6dzZDqn3rGw9RQ99cYaxbp88XyI-sXEzm2y3KW1rVw3GY/s400/ms1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a></div><div>This country retreat is designed by Nimesh Patel & Parul Zaveri of <a href="http://www.abhikram.com/Home.html"><strong>Abhikram</strong></a>, for their friend <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mallika_Sarabhai"><strong>Mallika Sarabhai</strong></a> a famous Indian dancer, activist & environmentalist.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZoPa8j8D4rDVvtMCPQ-1RbL82fc7S9n-NQv933Gvs3OhAk-Cpk1TuwwW7g1DRlDhHZR59kTPOaEXI_FDv4-tnw4LzpLSAWiWPQlvftClKdiErZdpPXUSkYj_U1tbYQClrwn2zJhWKGWs/s1600-h/ms2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076214533095853042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZoPa8j8D4rDVvtMCPQ-1RbL82fc7S9n-NQv933Gvs3OhAk-Cpk1TuwwW7g1DRlDhHZR59kTPOaEXI_FDv4-tnw4LzpLSAWiWPQlvftClKdiErZdpPXUSkYj_U1tbYQClrwn2zJhWKGWs/s400/ms2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>This is a traditional Gujrati <em>Hitchkar</em> (swing) which can be moved either way to face inwards or outwards.</div><div></div><div>A place in a natural setting where one can rejuvenate and escape from the stressful city life.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizePN99SUdMexTznT7phXE7tlWiHCKztD-MJPFeiE_kZB6q2zfD00Au9YqwMiAzTNgNA2hp6lc4oP0uRkEu056kCLwmjuCCOndcUGQ79NpwyBxVJzfEmLvo1fwn6CPSk3XO8U75r7LgIgo/s1600-h/ms3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076214537390820354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizePN99SUdMexTznT7phXE7tlWiHCKztD-MJPFeiE_kZB6q2zfD00Au9YqwMiAzTNgNA2hp6lc4oP0uRkEu056kCLwmjuCCOndcUGQ79NpwyBxVJzfEmLvo1fwn6CPSk3XO8U75r7LgIgo/s400/ms3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> A series of wood sculptures of birds & serpents are scattered around the place.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalKA-JQ0i9q9Vpn54jUTc_Y0QWJUkzWZXNKdW_ROErmG4vHVA1DqM2kAzS76RCHrQuzb64nQ3wTJOyxOLcZg2m1rYreQ1Y1WfqAYx6_55wL_JL4tD__MZJeV8faYahZnjXaSP1GDHrxsS/s1600-h/ms4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076214537390820370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalKA-JQ0i9q9Vpn54jUTc_Y0QWJUkzWZXNKdW_ROErmG4vHVA1DqM2kAzS76RCHrQuzb64nQ3wTJOyxOLcZg2m1rYreQ1Y1WfqAYx6_55wL_JL4tD__MZJeV8faYahZnjXaSP1GDHrxsS/s400/ms4.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The walls of the house are plastered with mud to provide natural insulation against heat. The wall has mud patterns with small mirrors fixed on them. ( Lovely!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibO7Xg9YCvig67vePhdBLv-3xNPpMaMI8vRju_pzDFkOde-XpPVXs3sH8PiMmiwQlAhM9medHx5pJF2As2g_zBiEbPtDuhNw4azdfYyrP9uAE8LUUbWx_DRe9MT1XL0RtBj3F3ZqQ2DksL/s1600-h/ms6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076214537390820386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibO7Xg9YCvig67vePhdBLv-3xNPpMaMI8vRju_pzDFkOde-XpPVXs3sH8PiMmiwQlAhM9medHx5pJF2As2g_zBiEbPtDuhNw4azdfYyrP9uAE8LUUbWx_DRe9MT1XL0RtBj3F3ZqQ2DksL/s400/ms6.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Her living space reflects her beliefs of conserving natural resources & importance of indigenous traditions. The sofas are made of natural materials like cane, jute & handloom.<br /><br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076214885283171378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYh_fRTU6Tex43shnrfWqOjX8Kew4IQ3Y_-RrOQfVKCqbX9ADMiXPdyG3k1Ns1Amp0j78dLl7T7xh9Nlqwu5pa9JyjhqBn3JBUpIic7TT3_oW432Hn2DywWkL_Ip_eXv3CdTvJNyI3miYM/s400/ms7.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div></div><br /><p>Mallika's love for traditional crafts of Kutch can be seen in the hand embroidered covers and quilted bedcovers in her rooms.</p><p><em>( images from Inside Outside Magazine, June 2003 issue)</em></p>

Mallika Sarabhai's Country Retreat.

When I saw this on the cover of Inside Outside Magazine few years back I just wanted to be there on the swing... This country retreat is de...

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Doorway to Heaven.

Rural India is a great inspiration for door art & vibrant colour combinations! Here are some inspirations. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075411614729669442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDMpyoLukoXXtNciRkeil5ihkcRgE6XWHevm8L0UbBn05NCMTos4ZWUSJSzDXELJ0MzYnasZOtK8G9mo85FaWBoZ98v-r4Lw0UhWffGOGCe4EiKsSU1jRBLOLntbfpnGb3_mMIp5Qfitr/s400/door2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-l4mcUuFpsiD76PJsOLzvKXiZw2K6BNe8XEyVmqjxqRuz64HdiidRvrcTSr6y5KcNMU_2Iw2vwkc78h09TLxLk79weER-fYgWdCWJtP1MlKvhqmhWxPeMr_GklztYUHGfOV0FEU3Dg9Yn/s1600-h/d3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075412280449600386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-l4mcUuFpsiD76PJsOLzvKXiZw2K6BNe8XEyVmqjxqRuz64HdiidRvrcTSr6y5KcNMU_2Iw2vwkc78h09TLxLk79weER-fYgWdCWJtP1MlKvhqmhWxPeMr_GklztYUHGfOV0FEU3Dg9Yn/s400/d3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALaC5vgBKK8PRNCX2g-_FXYWRIyXwtoU8e1MnFQf8BcZ_-FE2cAfNH8KX7vlQQc7QgopqztVB-aehtObkhc-nX-_lRPqQkGTyP7IgmKHhJ1aXklk_vt8lCITUUuM_mJunbXlS2bpNUlkS/s1600-h/d4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075412280449600402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALaC5vgBKK8PRNCX2g-_FXYWRIyXwtoU8e1MnFQf8BcZ_-FE2cAfNH8KX7vlQQc7QgopqztVB-aehtObkhc-nX-_lRPqQkGTyP7IgmKHhJ1aXklk_vt8lCITUUuM_mJunbXlS2bpNUlkS/s400/d4.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDQXSfNSiqP2PHA47_rfm5sd8y3CBpztYBTsbuyzTJZ8yGCbyb8nXSTeUBxzoVSM-ZCOcZu36a_rIhyphenhyphenxlb9aWqGKNzkP49yns-okgZwGWqcBU4zTpXZkWqkgQEspRwRHvgwCpgCjnPzUk/s1600-h/door1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075411610434702130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDQXSfNSiqP2PHA47_rfm5sd8y3CBpztYBTsbuyzTJZ8yGCbyb8nXSTeUBxzoVSM-ZCOcZu36a_rIhyphenhyphenxlb9aWqGKNzkP49yns-okgZwGWqcBU4zTpXZkWqkgQEspRwRHvgwCpgCjnPzUk/s400/door1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijalsz5mHLtQWQ8jhed6-3rtQ0Xf6VgiUXj7ZRAFDdFhUX_EpRRq6KqKAVAvyRDwNuL8NZbifgfz62s_oeHZMfgtG5wrNKBsk1e-PjJy7PqQjHBvYT08PEWAf71R38x_RAgRysPuLbnBMC/s1600-h/door3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075411619024636754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijalsz5mHLtQWQ8jhed6-3rtQ0Xf6VgiUXj7ZRAFDdFhUX_EpRRq6KqKAVAvyRDwNuL8NZbifgfz62s_oeHZMfgtG5wrNKBsk1e-PjJy7PqQjHBvYT08PEWAf71R38x_RAgRysPuLbnBMC/s400/door3.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075412280449600370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3TcptkktbobAFdah1YIQ7MXIU92hDXiNXabZ9Hi63qamtFdJalLusQjlfq3D6sXWfbSPlPN1ut6Q8gMogeMh13wYDpzY4duzEqJTvAAdVlp9NRDnHrlBqcK6gvL2OPvujgeXHKXORKpZ/s400/d1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsJu-cuNajdhbPeYxlq_o_Yig1SyYIp4660ceYgzefdemmVR4CbMcncfZgahicJwsBC3WluCKTEtOy2-fIMS5WjKoBrDPG9FaccmUgMDG8QhZoRbJPcVB1mxfdw6To7egJLYbt8eP9m8n/s1600-h/door5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075411619024636770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsJu-cuNajdhbPeYxlq_o_Yig1SyYIp4660ceYgzefdemmVR4CbMcncfZgahicJwsBC3WluCKTEtOy2-fIMS5WjKoBrDPG9FaccmUgMDG8QhZoRbJPcVB1mxfdw6To7egJLYbt8eP9m8n/s400/door5.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>This an old chettinad door restored from a demolished mansion. We loved the brass door knocker and intricately carved panels, we got it embedded in one of our living room walls.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5075411610434702114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VJSdjkng1_OHp0x109W3_liYWdtyCKZzZIL6M0XETBDkwCtIptM892UFUx5v2lNKM39iwEtZ7aRHadcgehNP1qW20yhfRrWw4ebhpFkfE8XynmtPnaxLRQACn6563WKjm4azScAwMRnm/s400/door.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />

Doorway to Heaven.

Rural India is a great inspiration for door art & vibrant colour combinations! Here are some inspirations. This an old chettinad door r...

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The Chettiar Mansions of Karaikudi.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OJMoZn3dAkEQxPXm1xlmMr4t7P0CvBpVZ86rwJqTvbZQEqQ6ou0LWyHVBZqVONJsbp_hUINiff_kgRed21FrfOa4ERf4WftPvBCeNxZXanNh-kbv2Lwf4JQbPnfnPeDBusC7u_9GIwfS/s1600-h/c1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074417475829533106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OJMoZn3dAkEQxPXm1xlmMr4t7P0CvBpVZ86rwJqTvbZQEqQ6ou0LWyHVBZqVONJsbp_hUINiff_kgRed21FrfOa4ERf4WftPvBCeNxZXanNh-kbv2Lwf4JQbPnfnPeDBusC7u_9GIwfS/s640/c1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a>Karaikudi is a city in Tamilnadu which is known as the homeland of Nattukotai Chettiars. Chettiars are a prosperous banking & business community many of whom migrated to Burma, Sri Lanka, Malaysia etc .<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8XYWxkuj9zx6Hepr2_AYyXSBgmxDurIkRvjPazoqGE-YO6xTAxB5Nfdy0LEpEMtuo_5vud1dKKpg0MMrB779NyTKdab_FYR2LN0mtEL2jpnW4Xtpde0PxZTz7G-cYZ-WW5pA3qHXxDeX/s1600-h/c2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074417480124500418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8XYWxkuj9zx6Hepr2_AYyXSBgmxDurIkRvjPazoqGE-YO6xTAxB5Nfdy0LEpEMtuo_5vud1dKKpg0MMrB779NyTKdab_FYR2LN0mtEL2jpnW4Xtpde0PxZTz7G-cYZ-WW5pA3qHXxDeX/s640/c2.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a> We visited a mansion of one of the Chettiars who welcomed us into their home with open arms.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTu9XSo-LVNr2QzNUjUT7KUc_-YCO9GXqn6TOJMPayb73rkJParC9U0qohJLVGWDu-g-GgEei8ySGWb-t0PdkW4PQP3akoYJGug7WFSNjTYvMVCI9a3vUPj4ppH6k9cm1mUTgl_zLa_GW/s1600-h/c4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="491" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074417484419467746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTu9XSo-LVNr2QzNUjUT7KUc_-YCO9GXqn6TOJMPayb73rkJParC9U0qohJLVGWDu-g-GgEei8ySGWb-t0PdkW4PQP3akoYJGug7WFSNjTYvMVCI9a3vUPj4ppH6k9cm1mUTgl_zLa_GW/s640/c4.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a> Intricate carvings on the door just took my breath away. <img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074417810836982274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVpjG8se_lim3YX8fDazsjmw-4XWcpJkyt5t_7ejts6iVxve4bVJc7bXaG1r4XGLH8MNwyORUvrkb1DnccbVgK1Ttfy9fTGN_6x5Ug0gZmV4ztkZSVTbisoRerDV4fFMTaD0ZcZ91e5kO/s640/chettinad_doorcarving.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="480" /> Close-up of the carvings in one of the main doors.<img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074418725665016338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_Q2AjXccLm7hTrEPbiEN6uDyCg1UFmr-jUFR7oeO2m76SmotBicX8LsuREJZWplK89sPFxFLkbl7yBRs4BWqtQ6Bjcymnf9H97G6iSCpWKyAc2lO_OI44rne3r-ju7MiZYf4hB0QMOis/s640/c6.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />The design is typical of traditional south indian village homes...there is an open courtyard in the centre through which natural light fills the whole house.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWatTqhDjzujviXyDX38VDFacL6M-Dc0oyAzlbPNWILPAf6ukkCkKTreZiFcmwP8M9TDzJX6Sg8heCyZ3f837gCflFrTxNcL4OkSZU7VzegLsfv5lNFKgDz5AR9zFDovyENnMq7npqsX3/s1600-h/c5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074417484419467762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWatTqhDjzujviXyDX38VDFacL6M-Dc0oyAzlbPNWILPAf6ukkCkKTreZiFcmwP8M9TDzJX6Sg8heCyZ3f837gCflFrTxNcL4OkSZU7VzegLsfv5lNFKgDz5AR9zFDovyENnMq7npqsX3/s640/c5.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a> Beautiful stone-carved pillars line the courtyard. Colourful handmade floor tiles called Athungudi tiles demarcate the various sections of the house.<img alt="" border="0" height="480" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074418729959983666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjDMZueBvusaKrwKObjYWEW0xwA64K98qYaAlk-Gy6qltqd2fHj5oYnrtpYHc5EBTOR9t6EItBszUkBjjXD4sEddJUi_MxQEcgI4q1prD345kHv_rj7bXP7M5-9oPpgG1QQ5o-iFtjBj7/s640/c8.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />This entrance room had a chess board floor design.<br /><img alt="" border="0" height="472" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074418725665016354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpug_BooDSJL54EnlGHyi04tACn34zwu_gdvIGjCPZEMy2ADZAlyMGeiW_eGVzlq2glOoclIHXWzkYukw_jbZJDtD_gcJTluMejQafpU1gpJD3oSDDOuLOgqYxWRxiwWsQR9NMX2aFsT5J/s640/c7.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" />Just loved this space dedicated to the black & white pictures of their ancestors. Lovely!<br /><br />The highlights:<br /><br />* Intricately carved doors in Burma Teak.<br />* Carved stone & wooden pillars and beams.<br />* Handmade Athungudi floor tiles.<br />* Carved wooden furniture with antique tiles.<br />* Antique furnitures, enamel, lacquer & wooden vessels from Burma, Srilanka, Malaysia etc</div>

The Chettiar Mansions of Karaikudi.

Karaikudi is a city in Tamilnadu which is known as the homeland of Nattukotai Chettiars. Chettiars are a prosperous banking & business c...

Read more »