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A street view in White town, Pondicherry.

Take a tour of this charming treasure trove of natural landscapes,
seaside ports, and centuries-old craft traditions drenched in
skilled craftsmanship and indigenous details. Popularly known as
the “Little France of India”, this multi-ethnic land holds a unique
culture that reflects both Tamil and French influences on its art
and design.
Drawing from the surrounding landscapes and intrinsic cultural
characters, Pondicherry art and design exhibit an innate beauty
and artisanal charm. From ceramics to wood crafts to traditional
doll making, follow our cultural mascot Airavat to explore the
distinctive details that reflect the spirit of the town. Bon Voyage!

The French Consulate, Pondicherry. Ref: Peoplevillage

The French may have left in the early 1950's but the heritage

AFRICAN BUSH CAMPS – KHWAI LEADWOOD TENTED CAMP – MOREMI GAME RESERVE – BOTSWANA

Energised by creative experiences, South African designer Christopher Browne and Debra Fox started Fox Browne Creative in 2009. Their vision goes well beyond the bush; with a belief in tactile interiors, an inherent creative vocabulary, and a touch of humour in all designs, the designer’s roster includes top safari lodges, residences, and hospitality projects in Africa, UK, USA, India, Latin and South America.

“I always was interested in design from a very young age and would spend hours sketching imaginary houses. After a very brief stint in design school, I travelled the world and by chance found my way into the Safari Lodge design world on my return to South Africa”, says Chris of his design background.

The designer’s most recent hospitality project was the exceptional Leadwood Tented Camp situated in Botswana. Set within the Okavango Delta’s commu

A CLAY LANGUAGE

The young, contemporary ceramicist on her process – every planned and unplanned detail of it.

Characterized by a larger than life synopsis, Astrid Dahl creates ceramic works of sculptural abstraction, inspired by botanical beauty and the magnificence of scale. Working from an isolated farm in Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands of South Africa, Astrid is drawn to the material in its truest form – clay.

Read on as we discover the ceramicist’s artistic process, the inspiration behind her works, and how the simplicity of white clay is the perfect medium for the dramatic shapes, light, and shadow that she plays with.

1. What

Synonymous with the quirky and the eccentric, Christopher Duffy’s work is inspired by concepts of gravity, illusion, and geometry. The designer’s brainchild, Duffy London Design Studio boasts furniture wizardry with designs exceptional enough to make one’s jaw drop.

The House Of Things had the honour of curating some pieces from the design virtuoso. But what inspiration lies behind his designs? We chatted with Duffy about his design process, the method behind his madness, and just what makes Duffy London the hippest furniture brand in town.

Q.1 Each of your designs seems to challenge the concepts of gravity and illusion. What does your design process entail?

When considering the ‘design process’ it always starts with the particular illusion or visual effect that we are trying to achieve. We want to make something that we find exciting and that will excite others.
Once we have a visual that explains the concept or idea, we then decide which piece to best adap

Modern art is the creative world’s response to the rationalist practices and perspectives of the Industrial Age at the turn of the 20th century. Artists worked to represent their experience of the “modern” life in innovative ways, defining what exactly art should be and do for a culture.

One of the first artists to step away from traditional painting was Henri Matisse, who led Fauvism in the 1900’s. Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso emerged as masters of modern art – their art inevitably interpreted in relation to their eventful life stories. Infamous as rivals, but more contemporaries in nature, Matisse and Picasso developed a new visual language that gave birth to Fauvism and Cubism – the most popular art movements the world has seen till today.

A LOOK AT FAUVISM AND MATISSE
“To copy the objects in a still life is nothing. One must render the emotions they awaken.”

– Henri Matisse

A philanthropist of wearable and culinary art, Tahir Sultan has had a vivid lineage with feet submerged in Indian and Kuwaiti cultures that have shaped his unconventional explorations on deconstruction and experimentation. The collaborative synergies of different traditions and cultures cede him to constantly push the envelope. His creative olio of mixed and matched elements encapsulate the traditional details and manipulate the preordained notions- both on runways and suppers.

Over a tête-à-tête with The House Of Things, we caught up with Tahir as he took us through his top picks for a stunning table, favourite recipes, and style tips for the festive season.

If you could pick only 3 spices, what would they be?

I can’t. But salt pepper and chilies are a vital part of my diet.

What are your pick

With COVID-19 keeping us cooped up at home, many of us are struggling to work productively. Follow our tips to get yourself inspired.

LISTEN

Raw Mango’s nostalgic, lyrical album GHAR proves there’s truly no place like home.

https://music.apple.com/in/album/ghar-sounds-of-raw-mango/1506130461

READ

Demystifying Self-Pleasure And How To Practice It Mindfully

https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/self-pleasure-mindfulness?utm_source=The+Daily+Good&utm_campaign=a8cc52bfc2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_04_09_08_56&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_cfbed2f865-a8cc52bfc2-146545141

SEE

Fascinating virtual tours of some of the best museums and art galleries around the world.

https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/art-museums-art-galleries-offering-virtual-tours/#s-cust0

LEARN

A morning Reiki meditation to move energy in your body.

https://goop.com/wellness/mindfulness/morning-reiki-meditation/?ref=newsletter&nlptrk=Story2-Edit-Wellness-noproducts-morningreikimeditation&trk_msg=8QI82O5P0UK4T1NM7OUR5906C8&trk_contact=BBR807VT8G2OO7BSJGGP32NCU0&trk_sid=OL735F5G6CD0GKLRQ15LH4PD30&emailkey=6543C5C57572C4522428545925&utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=WATCH+VIDEO&utm_campaign=20200419-special_send-sunday-readerAll&utm_content=biblio+files

Home has always been our safe space—somewhere we can make our own and nest up from the outside world—and in this moment of uncertainty, we're all feeling that more than ever. We realize how important it is to create a place that uplifts and inspires; we’re here to provide a dose of positivity and inspiration when you need it most.

SLOW DOWN

Slow things down and enjoy a meal without deadlines, interruptions, & technology. Set the table for lazy conversation or a much-needed moment of solitude.

WARM TEXTILES

Fresh, tactile furnishings are a great way to update your home, but they’re also great for keeping you warm on Movie nights!

COFFEE BREAK

We’re rushing headlong into that time of the year again – party season. We all know planning the perfect soiree is a labour of love. It is important to create a space that’s every bit as inviting to guests as it is comfortable for you. However, there is no tried and true pattern.

Hosting a party for friends or family should feel like a thing of joy, not a chore. It’s an excuse to wind down, and enjoy good company over a delicious meal. But, as every host or hostess knows: good food on a table does not a dinner party make. By opting a style of entertaining that is formal, relaxed or expressive; you can be assured that you will have a good time as well.

Looking for a crib sheet on how to do your home when entertaining? Whether its Thanksgiving dinner or Taco Tuesday, here are a few tips and tricks which should be followed for any occasion where guests come knocking on your door.

INVITATION IS KEY

This International Women’s Day, we would love to pay tribute to these exceptional ladies who have upped the design ante in the world of design.

GEETANJALI KASLIWAL

Geetanjali Kasliwal, the Managing Director of Anantaya has conceptualised the festival 'Maahi Roj: Earth Day Everyday' based on sustainable practices for the Earth, annually since 2013. A mother of three girls, she actively promotes women’s empowerment and social responsibility while mentoring the next generation.

SARAH SHAM

A far cry from the legacy she was born into – Essajees, a 106 year old, family-run enterprise, Sarah Sham founded Essajees Atelier, which is involved in both commercial and residential projects, as well