The Victorian style furniture draws its influence from the Victoria era that brought us a style of furniture, which was highly decorative and elaborate. The Victorian style arose quite naturally in western society. Initially, they had a tendency to keep each room for a particular purpose. The rooms that were likely to be seen by visitors were decorated with a view to impress. Known for their male dominated society, the downstairs rooms were heavy and masculine in their taste, whereas the upstairs rooms were usually lighter and more feminine. For those of you who have a soft corner for the Victorian style furniture, you would be delighted to know that it is back with a big bang.

Now, it is possible to furnish your home with Victorian touch that will recreate the warmth and feel of that era. However, the style has undergone some transformations, to give it a more contemporary look. During the Victorian times, lot of emphasis was laid on heavy ornamental Renaissance furnishings. Mahogany, oak, faux and bamboo are the most commonly used materials. You can be sure that Victorian furniture reproduction fill your home with some classic designs that will be eye catching and take you back to a royal era. Given below are some benefits of having Victorian bedroom furniture.

Features Of Victorian Bedroom Furniture
·The Victorian Bedroom Furniture set mostly includes a large bed, two nightstands for either side of the bed, a pretty vanity and a large wardrobe to store clothing, which are elegantly designed.
·The Chairs available are in two sizes, the Gentleman’s chair being bigger to accommodate and of course, a smaller ladies chair.
·Victorian furniture gives your bedroom a touch of class and if you are a big fan of romance and the classics, then it suites your bedroom well.
·Victorian furniture in your bedroom makes you appreciate beauty, and at the same time gives you a sense of comfort.
·Victorian furniture still exists, proving it timeless essence, even after undergoing various changes both in terms of style and fashion.
·Victorian furniture in your bedroom features very decorative design and makes use of gold accents and highlights that provides a very classy and elegant look.
·Victorian furniture is quite old and gives a very antique look to your bedroom.
·Victorian furniture is sure to become the focal point and centre of attraction of any room, because it is very heavy.
·The intricate carvings on the arms and legs of these furniture pieces make it unique and a design to appreciate.
·Fabrics are used as an alternative for wallpaper, mainly because they keep the home warm and cozy, during the cold. Victorian patterns and colors tend to be dark, rich and bold.
·The Victorian touch would definitely give your room a wealthy and luxurious look.

Call shopnamaste.com for victorian style furniture from India.

By: iloveindia

If decorators can pull off an uninhibited style and have a flare for the exotic, they might be perfect candidates for designing an Indian theme room. Here are tips for exploring the trendy look that is looking less and less foreign with its newfound popularity.

Colors for an East Indian Theme Room
Bright color is key to an authentic Indian look. Bold reds, brilliant turquoise, and vibrant orange are set off with the glitter of gold embroidery and lacquer. Because the color array is so broad, decorators might consider settling on their focal point first. A color scheme will fall into place easily once tapestries have been chosen for the windows, or an Indian area rug for the center of the room.

Layered colors work well in an Indian theme room. For example, decorators can choose one shade of turquoise for the curtains, another for the throw pillows, and a third for the walls.

Furniture for an Asian-Indian Style Room
Elaborately carved wood is integral to Indian décor. Archways, window lattices, pillars, balconies, and even ceilings display intricate woodwork. Decorators can introduce this motif into their home with carved furniture, accent pieces, mirrors and picture frames.

Wooden furniture in the Indian style is ornately embellished with carvings and ivory, metal, or brass wire inlays. Pieces designed for seating are generally lower than western couches and stools.

Please check us out at shopnamaste.com for furniture ideas.

By: Interior decorating

A few tips on maintaining different wood products:

Sheesham Wood
Most of our furniture is made from Indian rosewood, or sheesham wood (dalbergia sisoo), from renewable sources in northern India. It is dry-kilned and treated prior to manufacture. Sheesham is a heavy and hard wood with a rich chestnut colour, well-suited for furniture making.

Waxing & Polishing

From time to time the furniture will need to be waxed. This should be done using a soft cloth and beeswax, which you should then buff using a soft lint-free cloth. Always work in the direction of the grain, and do not use silicon-based sprays or polish.

Spills & Stains

Although our furniture is dry-kilned and treated, we advise you not to place anything hot or wet directly onto the surface as staining may occur, so try to use protective mats or coasters. Should you spill any food or liquid on the wood, wipe it off immediately with a dry cloth. If the wood becomes marked, gently rub it down with extra fine wire wool in the direction of the grain, and restore the finish using beeswax.

Direct Sunlight
Position your furniture away from direct sunlight and heat, where practicable. This will protect the wood from fading, and help avoid any cracking and movement in the joints.

Please check out our wood products on shopnamaste.com.

By: Bhatik

Financial crisis or prosperity, rich or poor, decorating the house during Diwali is a must for all people. Utmost importance is given to cleanliness during Deepavali because Goddess Lakshmi is welcomed to home on this day. Decoration during Diwali is not all about costly renovation and new paint. Time, few constructive ideas, determination and patience can give every home a makeover and new look during Diwali. Here are few simple tips and ideas for decorating home during Diwali:
Who is going to clean the entire house? Don’t try to clean and decorate the entire house in a day. Forget the big picture. Find time daily to do some work. Make it a point to clean a room daily. Within a week the entire house will be clean. This will help in better concentration and less work.
Forget about painting the house in a short period. Instead give the walls a new look by tickling your creativity. Use floor rugs, wall rugs, old colorful Saris, rangolis, flowers, colorful clothes etc on the wall. Go for bright colors like red, blue, purple etc. (You can also borrow or steal ideas from Hindi serials and films.)
Change the curtains, cushion covers, door hangings etc with bright and fresh color materials. Again look for inspiration in television serials and movies.
If you have time and ideas, change the arrangements in living room. Rearrange the furniture. A change from routine arrangements will bring a smile in all. This can be a Diwali decoration. Bring in new green plants and flowers. Before rearranging, make a sketch in a paper so that you will get a good idea of what to do.
Diwali is all about lights. Make sure that all the lamps are working. Clean the chandeliers. Look for new lampshades. You don’t need to buy them all. Old hard sheets and other colorful materials can be converted into lampshades. While arranging Diyas, try to create different shapes.
Finally, each region has a traditional Diwali decoration. Try to be a bit flexible with the traditional decorations.

Check out shopnamaste.com for all your diwali needs.

By: Hindu Blog

Lavish and eclectic, Indian home decor offers a path towards filling a home with warm colors, surprising contrasts, ornate patterns and rich textures. Add a bit of Indian spice to a room with a scattering of silk pillows and walls finished in a warm color or invest in a full-home makeover from furniture and fixtures down to accessories.

Palette
Warm and rich colors are key in Indian design. White is hardly seen at all, with earth tones and saffron assuming the role of being the neutral shade. Orange plays a major role here, especially shades like sunny mango and deep pumpkin. Red, purple, magenta and wine tones show up on everything from furniture finishes to carpets. There is room for cooler colors as well, such as turquoise and emerald jewel tones. Finishes may be elaborately painted or distressed, but they are rarely smooth and glossy.

Furniture
Indian home decor features bold furniture typically made of wood. A large chest of drawers, an open shelf or a canopy bed are classic elements. Look for furniture that contains eye-catching Indian details, such as panel insets with paintings or enamel designs; elaborate carving; bold color contrasts; mirrored panels; and medium-to-dark stains. A coffee table with a carved top might feature shelves underneath for stacking artifacts or art books. A chaise lounge may have a curved headrest that ends in scrolled wood. Use elegant pieces for storage, such as a rice chest, an ottoman or a shelf with several niches.

Accessories
Begin your accessorizing with textiles. Indian decor is not concerned with pieces that match but rather pieces that contain coordinating elements, such as fabric, motifs or small details like metallic thread. Look for paisley silk pillow covers, vividly dyed saris to use as throws and mosquito nets as canopies or window covers. Textiles often feature beading, fringe, small mirrors or appliques of contrasting fabric. Cushions are popular, too. Place them across beds, chairs and couches and scatter them on the floor or patio, too. Elaborate metal frames look perfect around mirrors, paintings and photographs.

Browse through shopnamaste.com for more home decor ideas.
By: Serena Makofsky

Indian Furniture give style and comfort to every home. It helps to add character and elegance to your place. Wooden furniture has always been known for its durability, elegance and design, which lends an aristocratic look to a particular room, be it an office or a home. The reason why Indian furniture has been regarded as prized possession is its ethnic flavour. Items of Indian furniture are normally made from mango wood, rosewood or sheesham wood and generally posses a rustic style.

Items of Indian furniture are classic and will fit well in many different homes. Indian furniture makes a fantastic focal point for a room, and due to the unique nature receives a great deal of attention from guests to the home.

Now hand crafted wood furniture was much appreciated by the furniture lovers. Such type of furniture was designed by chitra handicrafts these furniture is manufactured by rosewood. Furniture collection come with a natural lacquer finish and rustic good looks. Each piece is used with brilliant colours.

Check out shopnamaste.com for great indian home decor.

By: Free Press Release

We all get stumble across the dreaded decorators block now and then, finding it difficult to make decisions despite wanting a change. Get inspired and back into the swing of things with our 5 simple tips for bedroom interiors.

Interior Tip # 1: Use a neutral color scheme.
A well-constructed color scheme helps bring a room together. Plan your color scheme using a palette of three colors. Work with one main color in a room to create the base. Add a secondary color to be used in a smaller quantity, such as for one wall. Neutral paint colors in medium values will help to create a room that lulls you to sleepSave your brightest hue for the third accent color. Use this color in smaller amounts – on artwork, luxury bedding, throw pillows, wall hangings, and flower vases.

Interior Tip # 2: Invest in classic pieces.

Allocate the largest portion of your decorating budget on bedroom furniture that will have a long life such as solid wooden beds, dresser chests and bedside tables. Keep these investment pieces in good condition and they will provide a solid foundation for your bedroom. Use your decorating prowess to complement your bedroom furniture with luxury bedding, throw pillows and accessories working around your décor scheme.

Interior Tip # 3: Choose versatile bedroom furniture.

Versatile pieces are worth their weight in gold. Whip off a throw or summer slipcover to reveal your classic upholstered accent chair, ready for fall or a new décor scheme. A chest of drawers or blanket chest can take on many roles – in many rooms — as your needs change or you move from home to home. Likewise, an upholstered ottoman can function as a coffee table or extra seating. These pieces will work hard and give you more than your money’s worth over time.

Interior Tip # 4: Update with Accessories.

A well-planned interior can take you from summer to winter with just a few simple changes. By keeping your walls and furniture simple, you can update the whole look of your living room or bedroom just by changing accessories.Classic bedroom furniture, neutral walls and upholstery in plain textured fabrics will allow you to decorate around them as you change your mind, update seasonally, or move homes. Simply update your scheme by swapping throw pillows, duvet cover sets, wall hangings and curtains.So, you can choose a handmade wooden bed for the long term, and complement the rich wood with ruby red throw pillows in the winter and vibrant yellow for the summer. Get creative!

Interior Tip # 5: Keep it Simple.

Clear out the clutter from your bedroom by using clever storage techniques such as under-bed drawers and concealed storage. Use a blanket chest to function as a coffee table as well as a place to store your bed linen. Remember, your bedroom should be a sanctuary where you can relax, switch off from the day and get a good nights rest.

Check out bedspreads and other home decor products on shopnamaste.com.
By:Tribal Monsoon

Handicraft is the traditional art of creating useful objects or decorative items entirely by hand. Wooden handicraft is a craft where skilled labor is employed to decorate or carve wood to create items with bare minimum tools. Each piece of handicraft is unique, owing to its individualistic craftsmanship. Goods involving mass production/machinery are not considered handicrafts.

Indian Handicrafts
India is a land of exotic art and traditions. She has a rich cultural heritage of which handicrafts form an integral part. The history of Indian handicrafts dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization (3000 B.C.-1700 B.C.).

The legacy of traditional handicrafts is passed on from one generation to the next. India’s cultural diversity results in a kaleidoscope of art and handicraft. Be it breath-taking sculptures or awe-inspiring paintings, handcrafted jewelry or mesmerizing woodcraft, it’s all here in India. Indian craftsmen create a gamut of masterpieces with exotic shapes, designs, patterns and colors.

Indian Wooden Handicrafts
In India, wooden handicraft has flourished over the centuries. Handcrafted wooden items are a prevalent feature of Indian culture. Skilled artisans carve traditional designs on wooden items, and enhance their look by painting them or with intricate metal/ivory inlay work. The magnetic appeal of Indian Wooden Handicrafts lies in its exclusivity.

India is blessed with a vast number of tree species, most of which are deciduous and evergreen. Alpine forests and trees belonging to arid regions are also present. These trees are used extensively to manufacture wooden handicrafts. Wooden handicrafts of India are renowned for beauty, durability and utility. Wooden handicrafts include furniture, utensils, boxes, beads, finely carved figurines, accessories etc.

Check out shopnamaste.com for wooden handicrafts and wall hangings.

By: Wooden Handicrafts

Indoor décor: Covering every nook and corner of your house indoor home décor items beautifies the house and make it a better place to live. There are various items to deck up your house’s surroundings like wall hangings, wall décor items, decorative, paintings, lamp shades, lights, designer candles and the list is never ending. Wall hanging décor is ideal for every home. From bold, funky looks to a room that oozes feminine charm, give your walls a stunning look. For an adventurous look, a tropical jungle with leopard prints and birds would be ideal. Some other wall hanging items are metal wall art, wall mirrors, mosaic wall art, framed tin prints, Figurines, Deities, patchwork quilt, etc.

Wall accessories for your home and office can come in bright colored tapestry, glitter, etc. photo frames in various shapes and sizes, Decorative boxes in wood and metal, hand painted or in carving, ceramic, handmade candles and candle holders, coasters, vases, wine chillers, clocks, night lights, folk art paintings, etc.

Outdoor decor: Don’t overlook the exteriors of your house as there are various beautiful outdoor décor items that can revamp the whole look of your house and leave a great impression about your taste. Beautiful hand painted mailbox, wooden mailbox and idols and slates to be placed at the entrance.

Check out shopnamaste.com for decor ideas.
By: Crafts India

Sankheda furniture has a very typical beauty of its own. It is made in very distinctive colors of golden, orange and brown with ornate designs in silver. Of late, the new generation of artisans has successfully experimented with ivory, green and purple.

Making of the Sankheda: Furniture
Over the years, the process of making the furniture has undergone few changes. Teakwood pieces are cut to specific sizes and shaped on a lathe by rotary action of a bow and string. The pieces are then shaved and smoothened to give them their characteristic round shape. After this process, a coat primer is applied to the pieces, which are left to dry. Ornamental designs are then painted on the pieces. The designs vary from a sort of lattice of geometrical shapes to floral motifs. The brush used is made of hair from a squirrel’s tail.

To highlight the designs, the pieces go back to the lathe where they are polished with the pressure of the akik stone. This treatment is followed by the application of lacquer after which the pieces are again mounted on lathes over burning coal. The friction of the lathe’s rotary action and the heat of the coals leave behind a coat of lacquer that is finally smoothened with a leaf of kewda tree.

Finally, the pieces are drilled for fitting torque and groove joints. They are then assembled into a variety of world-famed Sankheda furniture pieces. Normally each piece is adorned with little wooden bells, which enhance the ethnic appeal of this craft. It is possible to make everything from modern Chinese cabinets and sofa sets to traditional swings and patlis for low seating.

Great care has to be taken to maintain this furniture. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight or heat as it loses its glow and the colors fade. It should not be cleaned with oil or water. It should just be wiped clean with a dry cloth.

If you are interested in Sankheda furniture please give us a call at 1-877-435-0007 and we can send you pictures via e-mail.
Please visit us at www.shopnamaste.com for our wide collection of products from India.

By: India Crafts