Indian Home Decor: 7 Inspiring Spaces

By Patrick Wilson

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In the northern India state of Haryana, near New Delhi, Aman Nath and Francis Wacziarg purchased and restored a pair of havelis , mansions constructed around courtyards. Nath's haveli was built in the 18th century; Wacziarg's dates from the 17th century. ( August 2000 )

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At the Taj Lake Palace, the Chandra Prakash royal suite was converted from the hotel's old conference room. David Edwards, who led an interior design team from the Singapore offices of James Park Associates, added a marble jali , or carved screen, as a backdrop for the four-poster. Gilt-framed mirrors line the room, which retains its original ceiling paintings of birds and mythological scenes. ( March 2004 )

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Furniture by Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann fills the Maharaja of Indore's study, where maps of India and the state of Indore were painted on the wall by Eckart Muthesius and Ernst Messerschmidt. ( May 2002 )

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From the Suraj Poul guests of P. R. S. "Biki" Oberoi's Naila fort proceed to the Surya Mahal, or formal drawing room, which is defined by flat cusped arches. Interior designer Sunita Kohli conceived the floor's pietra dura detailing. Elaborate brass-mounted doors open onto the gardens. ( August 2001 )

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"It was a challenge to develop a hotel so close to the Taj Mahal," architect Prabhat Patki says of Amarvilas, the Oberoi Group's newest hotel, in Agra, India. "We chose to modify traditional designs and add Asian elements." The forecourt of the ceremonial entrance pavilion is lit by torches. ( July 2001 )

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Situated along Lake Pichola in Udaipur, India, Udaivilas occupies 30 acres and offers 90 rooms, including five suites. Architects Nimish Patel and Parul Zaveri set about creating a resort that evoked traditional Mewari architecture. A guest room has a jharokha , or window seat, that looks out onto a private terrace. ( April 2003 )

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London antiques dealer Geneviève Weaver shares her best sources in India. The Desai Shivlal Lalchand stall in Bombay's Mangaldas Market offers a range of fabrics. "Their muslin is one of the finest I know." ( August 1999 )