Traditional Indian Furniture Designs and Techniques
There are different techniques and designs that go into constructing the furniture and storage units of a home. The variations lie in the raw material used and the entire manufacturing process. These differences make a furniture piece suitable for a particular kind of theme and setting. When we talk about Indian and ethnic style of living, there are some techniques of furniture making that are creative and unique, and are only practiced in India. We have gathered a list of some Traditional Indian Furniture Designs and Techniques for you to get inspired from. Read on!
Kashmiri Wood Carving:
The Kashmir region is one of the areas in India which is known for its intricate wood carving patterns and techniques. The wood used in the process is that of walnut- Kashmir being the only region where this variety grows. The deep carving technique involves patterns like dragons or lotus flower motifs, while the shallow option includes designs like open or lattice work depicting the Chinar motifs. The last option is the semi-carving technique, which is a thick panel along the rim of a surface; this is used mainly because it allows the grain of the wood to be displayed along with the carver’s skill. Wax polishing over these patterns brings out the inherent sheen of the walnut wood. All of these techniques look the best in a traditional and ethnic setting. These carvings and patterns on dining room chairs and bedroom headboards help in providing definition and texture to a room.
Jaali Designs:
The term Jaali is the Hindi translation of the word ‘net’. Indian fabrics and furniture make exclusive use of this Jaali or netted option in their designs. The furniture and doors & windows in this category can include patterns like geometric flowers teamed up with ornate leaves and creepers. It is up whether you’d prefer to go for the intricate netted variety, or one that is less decorative and airier. The former variety is useful where there is a requirement for privacy- one of main reasons why this option is widely used in room screens and dividers. The latter, on the other hand, is used in verandas and rooms where more natural light and air is required. When you want to include these designs in your furniture and yet don’t want air and light to pass through them, apply the netted patterns over a layer of wood or metal.
Shekhawati Jodhpur Style:
There are various styles of furniture that comes under the Rajasthan option of Indian designs, and the Shekhawati Jodhpur style is probably one of the most prominent amongst them. The furniture under this category is known for itsbeautiful carvings done by the skilled craftsmen of Jodhpur region in India. It is made using different kinds of wood like rosewood, sheesham, mango and acacia Arabica. After all the carving and painting, varnish is used as a coating to ensure durability. Since this style uses ethnic borders and motifs, it is most suited for living rooms with a traditional Indian setting. Some of the carvings are based on traditional Indian art, and they depict Hindu Gods, kings and queens- making furniture of this type an absolute feast for the eyes.
Cane and Bamboo Weaving:
Cane and Bamboo weaving techniques for making furniture are mainly used in the Indian states of Assam and Himachal Pradesh. There manufacturing procedure consists of multiple steps — the collection of raw material from the forests, then obtaining a smooth surface of the cane and bamboo by scraping off the upper layers, cutting of the long cane sticks into smaller pieces, and then splitting the raw material to obtain thin strips. These strips are then bent using a blowtorch that may cause some burns on the surface; these are removed by rubbing with sandpaper. The process of weaving the furniture is carried out after this step. Finally, a coat of varnish is applied to make the piece durable. The warmth and organic feel of cane and bamboo makes this kind of furniture the perfect addition to the outdoors, or an interior with a casual, laidback theme.
Be the first to comment
Originally published at www.helpmebuild.com.
