The Home Of The Wanderer

Let your hearth get a taste of wanderlust with ultimate decor finds from across the globe.

For the world traveller, the home is often as good as the stamps on the passport. But a real curator knows how to steer clear of the usual suspects like Venetian masks from Venice and sundry evil eye trinkets from Turkey. We get together experts to enlighten you on the most exciting home decor finds that are evocative of travel memories and how best to use them. Happy globetrotting!

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Shanghai: The city of action

China is a treasure trove for home decor aficionados. The Mini Tian Di miniature furniture collection from Shang Xia is my favourite, says Gupta of the Hermes-owned Chinese brand that displays exquisite fashion, furniture and artefacts. The collection is clean, understated and Zen, which includes a lounge chair, two-seater chair, tea table, plant stand, stool and more. Another store worth checking out is Banmoo by Chinese architect and artist Lu Yongzhong. Apart from the well-crafted furniture, the home accessories are innovatively designed. We recommend the unique incense stick holders. You can also invest in high-end Chinese fabrics and silks to use as upholstery for the home, suggests Hardesh Chawla, director, Essentia Environments, New Delhi. Get your hands on some vibrant prints that can be made into bed covers, curtains, throws, duvets and cushion covers to add a touch of the Orient to your home.

Use it

The miniature furniture adds a very Chinese zing to your coffee table, says Gupta. It’s also interesting to use in the foyer area.

Find it

Shang Xia, F1, South Tower, Hong Kong Plaza, 283 Huaihai Rd, Shanghai.

Milan: The land of labels

The Italians with their dolce vita really know how to make the most of everything - from their divine cuisine to the dashing Italian marble that’s all the rage for lavish abodes. Italian design is at once graceful, distinguished and casually grand. From traditional old world Italian architectural styles to vibrant Tuscan-esque designs, there’s a homey appeal in their spaces. Gunjan Gupta, Founder & Creative Director, Wrap Art & Design Private Ltd., suggests you invest in stunning vases by Italian architecture and design guru Gaetano Pesce, while you’re in Milan. Because of the manufacturing process, which employs dynamic resins, each piece ends up one of a kind. Permutations and combinations of bubbles, lines, imperfections and dimensions make them unique and original. These vases, a result of Pesce’s collaboration with Fish Design, will appeal especially to those with a penchant for abstract art. We recommend the Spaghetti Vases and Rock Vases collection, which are priced between Rs 9,500 and Rs 73,500 (approx).

Use it

These vases are very striking. Interestingly, they are made of molten plastic that looks like glass. They will look amazing on the dining table or bar, advises Gupta.

Find it

Cosri Design Factory, Viale Lombardia, Milan.

Moscow: Crème de la crème

“Russian icons are instantly recognisable, luxurious and rich. The Matryoshka or Russian nesting dolls make for a great decor element,” says Chawla. The handpainted nesting dolls have been popular since the 1890s. Contemporary nesting dolls differ from classic dolls made at the turn of the century—from animals to sports teams, politics to erotica, and abstract to geometric patterns—artists’ renditions have made them a collectible. The ones depicting Russian fairy tales like The Snow Queen (priced between Rs 1,200 and Rs 85,000) and humorous varieties are sure to be a perfect fit in the kids’ room. Make sure you enquire whether it is legal to export your purchases—often, some artefacts are confiscated at the airport, warns Chawla. Keep in mind that the Ministry of Culture needs to clear anything made before 1945.

Use it

Buy a huge collection and dedicate a corner or console to display them, advises Chawla. Club them with Japanese dolls for effect, he adds.

Find it

The GUM shopping region and Stary Arbat area are your best bet, says Chawla.

Barcelona: Avant garde incorporated

No prizes for guessing that the Spaniards like their homes bold. Nani Marquina, the Spanish authority on carpets, also likes things bold—designwise. “Invest in rugs at Nani Marquina—they are the edgiest in rug design in the world,” says Gupta. From Spanish, Indian and Nordic influences to digital, floral and textural design—it would be criminal to leave Barcelona without these.

Use it

Get one for every room, it will change the space, exclaims Gupta. The ‘Flying Carpet’ is ideal for a casual family or entertainment room, while carpets from the ‘Roses’ collection are apt for a young girl’s bedroom.

Find it

Nanimarquina, c/Rosselló, 256, Av. Diagonal, Barcelona.

Istanbul: Best of both worlds

Istanbul, divided by the Bosphorus, straddles two continents and has a beautiful and spellbinding amalgamation of Asian and European sensibilities. People generally go home with Turkish rugs and Blue Pottery, but the Turkish design scene is very dynamic and has so much more to offer. Apart from the omnipresent evil eye souvenirs, Turkey is renowned for its stunning filigree work - as is visible in its architecture as well. “Those who want to add a bit of understated drama in gold and a lend a slice of modern turkey to their space should check out Armaggan. They have a very beautiful collection of pieces in gold, marble and semi-precious stone,” says Gupta. These exquisite contemporary artefacts are made using indigenous Turkish skills and techniques, she adds.

Use it

Depending on the piece you buy, they can be placed on the centre table or book shelf.

Find it

Armaggan, Abdi Ipekçi Cad. Bostan Sok. No.8 34367 Nisantası, Istanbul

From the April 2014 issue of L’Officiel India.