Decor's difference is in the Details & Design

The concept in vogue seems to be the `international look' that revolves around a minimalistic design that is more space-oriented, more open, and larger looking. "There is a definite trend towards the international look, be it in architecture or interiors", says architect Pradeep Varma.

Special features

"Minimalism which held sway last year looks set to hold good for the next couple of years", feels architect Ponni Concessao. So, intricate craft, be it in metal, plaster or wood and laboured overlays like cornices are out of fashion. The Zen concept, with its simple, horizontal, curvilinear, and free flowing and the air of openness has been especially popular. Special features such as wide hallways blend now seamlessly into design. Cathedral ceilings are becoming passe because families tend to prefer usable space below the roof. Garages are also getting bigger to accommodate more vehicles.

Be it the kitchen or the study area, the gravitation has been towards an open look. "With the joint family system gone, and not too many people living in most homes, the need for closed spaces has gone", explains Ponni. The entry of versatile polycarbonate material such as Corian (that allows moulding and interlinking of furniture into one seamless, monolithic whole - a chair and table combo for instance) into Indian markets has also been also triggering this open, zen concept. The furniture also seems to be inching more and more towards the floor, which again virtually enhances the volume of space.

Changing lifestyles do call for changing living spaces. "Tomorrow's homes will have sliding doors, pocket doors, and other types of movable partitions that allow flexibility in living arrangements. Dedicated living and dining rooms are being replaced by large multipurpose family areas", says Ponni Concessao. Architects and designers, are now trying to evolve home designs which will be easy to move around in, even if you or members of your family have physical limitations. The flexibility concept holds good even more at work spaces. "There is also a move towards personalising office spaces giving each associate the option to opt for his own choice of colours and lighting, and a flexibility in design that allows one to open up to the rest of the office or close oneself into privacy through sliding panels", says Pradeep Varma.

As far as workspaces are concerned, the mantra seems to be ACP (aluminium coated panels) for the partitions, the false ceilings, the cladding. "The accent is now on speed of delivery, of quick setting finishes, on good ergonomics, efficiency of flow", says architect Sujatha Shankar. With the market flooded with choices, this has become very much possible. New age material like synthetic UPVC coated windows that don't rust are catching the consumer's attention, who has very less time and energy for maintenance regimes, she says.

Taste for natural wood

On the other hand, quite a number of people seem to have taken a fancy to natural material, be it natural marble, natural veneer, natural wood, pebble patches, and lots of cane and jute. In fact, a project by interior designer Varsha Raheja has tree trunks as pillars for tables, slices of them for counter tops. Like the kurtis of 1970s coming back in fashion today, natural wood - be it Burma teak or Brazilian wood is back in fashion now, just like in the 1970s. Interiors and costumes apparently follow similar tangents, apparently. But curiously, the taste for natural wood comes along with a definite passion for glass. Glass is in fashion - all types of it, for all purposes, and wherever possible - glass floors, glass partitions, glass walls, glass tabletops. An extensive use of skylights is another highlight of this glassy look.

Thankfully, people have finally decided to do away with display cases. The idea that has now caught on is carved out alcoves as a setting for a single or few exquisite artefacts, romanticised by a differentiated background texture and colour and highlighted by spotlights. Rather than a glaring general lighting, there is a definite preference for diffused lighting, as from hidden lights behind a beam. The idea is mood creation.

"Today, interior design has also emerged as a tool for branding", says Pradeep Varma, adding, "This branding strategy through interior design is targeted more at the associate working at the organisation, than the visitor. The idea is to use design to flash subtle, feel-good messages about the organisation, project company logos, vision and mission statements, to enhance the employee's tie with the organisation, so as to retain his links with the firm.

Unlike in the past, Chennai seems to have kept pace with the other metros, thanks to the IT boom opening up Chennai to the world. There is no longer a mad rush for Indian artefacts. They are still in demand, but their dosage is reduced.

The `museum look' or `anchored in the past' is no longer in vogue. Chennaites seem to have decided to go international, and live in the `here and now.'