2024 Wrapped: Best Of Design, Decor & Art

Reflecting on a year packed with features across three verticals: design, art and decor. From having a pulse on dominant trends in home design like Japandi, Ware-Minimalism and a search for serenity to spotlighting stunning new developments in Indian craftsmanship, we have been thrilled to feature new, emerging brands, designers, artists and creatives this past year. In conversation with digital artist Samyukta Madhu, we see a future that is adjacent to AI Design, with Dougal Van Tress we learn about the business of antiques and last but not least a behind-the-scenes look into the painstaking process of creating stunning set designs for Heeramandi. 

Best of Design 2024

1. The New Wave Of Indian Craftsmanship: Exploring India’s Furniture Legacy Across Its Four Corners

India boasts a kaleidoscope of handicrafts that reflect the unique artistry of its four corners. From the luminous Thathera metallics in the north to the decadent cladding techniques of Rajasthan, each region offers a glimpse into its creative soul. Venturing east, the transformative power of bamboo finds expression in futuristic design, while an ethereal medley of cane and rattan celebrates sustainable materiality. In the south, the mastery of reclaimed teak echoes the architecture of Chettinad homes. This World Craft Day, we’ve delved into an odyssey of remarkable traditions to unearth the rich vein of heritage that pulses through contemporary furniture studios.

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2. Minimal And Soulful, The Kanso House In Mumbai Is Anchored By Its Unpretentious Style

Awash with simplicity and purity, the Kanso House by Kumpal Vaid of Purple Backyard perfectly represents its moniker with a palette of quietude, sophistication, and minimalism. Modelled after Kanso, one of seven principles of the Japanese Zen philosophy, the 4,000 sq.ft., four-bedroom abode in Mumbai for a family of three celebrates the art of decluttering by relying on tactile materials, subtle colours, and soft fluidity to evoke the personalities of its residents. Designed for a family that cherishes their time together, the residence is an embodiment of peace and tranquillity. 

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3. On The Sets Of Heeramandi: Everything You Need To Know About Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Largest Set Production Ever

Step into the sumptuous world of  Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, the most ambitious set production ever undertaken by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The well-received Netflix show Heeramandi promises a glimpse into the world of courtesans in Lahore. For seven months, 700 artisans worked at Mumbai’s Film City to construct the set on about 60,000 wooden planks and metal frames. The set includes Shahi Mahal of Mallikajaan, the most well-known courtesan in Heeramandi, Khwabgaah, the palace of Fareedan, a rival courtesan, a regal hotel, a white mosque, and several roads and shops, in addition to smaller homes. Here, we delve into the secrets behind this meticulously crafted masterpiece that transported viewers to a bygone era where love, dance, and revolution intertwined.

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Best of Decor 2024

4. DP Curates: 5 Modern Mandir Designs With Unconventional Details

For those who prioritise serenity and simplicity, the design philosophy “less is more” naturally extends to their mandir. Here are five mandirs crafted by design visionaries that thrive with a modern cadence and complement the lifestyle of the homeowners. While Joya Nandurdikar and Amrita Guha artfully intertwine heritage with a contemporary flair, Sneha Talati and Iesha Parekh frame a mandir with detailed craftsmanship. The mandirs by Ground Zero, Studio Design Inc., Neogenesis+Studi0261 speak of clean lines, uncluttered arrangements, neutral tones and natural materials.

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5. The Business Of Antiques With The Golden Triangle’s Douglas Van Tress

Douglas Van Tress had a thing for history, art, and travel for as long as he can remember—a triad of crucial components that led him to quit a consulting job in Chicago and open an antique store. Van Tress and Chauwarin Tuntisak run two antique stores, one in Chicago‘s Grand Avenue industrial neighbourhood and the other in a sprawling complex of modern structures in Hangdong, Chiang Mai. Both stores accommodate workshops where antiques from as far as China, India, Thailand and France are restored to their former glory. Van Tress’s anecdotes are ripe with observations on the behaviour of antique buyers of today. In an interview with Design Pataki, the antique shop owner talks about scouring for rare finds in Jodhpur, buying land in Thailand, and how he enjoys crafting immersive experiences at his stores. 

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6. DP Trends: Everything You Need To Know About Ware Minimalism

Minimalism is known for its clean lines and uncluttered spaces, but it can sometimes come across as too cold. That’s where ‘ware minimalism’ comes in—a style that takes the best of minimalism and softens it with warmth and character. By incorporating textures, colours, and layers, ‘ware minimalism’ transforms your space into a cosy retreat. DP’s latest trend report reveals how to infuse this inviting style into your home, striking the perfect balance between sleek design and comfort.

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Best of Art 2024

7. Digital Bodies: An Insight Into Samyukta Madhu’s Indo-Futuristic Metaverse

Samyukta Madhu fuses feminism, futurism and South Asian aesthetics as she amalgamates culture and tech in a metaverse where the past meets the future. Breaking away from a predefined cultural canon, her futuristic landscapes re-imagine an India without colonisation in our history books. Madhu went viral earlier this year with her recent show titled ‘Reincarnation: Ghosts Of A South Asian Past’ at ‘Collage,’ a spacious two-floor Art Deco bungalow converted into a multi-label clothing store in the heart of Chennai. The curation offers a unique narrative that revives and redefines ancient South Asian beauty in a new digital context. Unlike many conventional digital artists, her visual language is not dominated by AI tools.

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8. Why Subodh Gupta’s Sculptures Are Turning Heads At Aerocity, New Delhi

Born in Bihar in 1964, Subodh Gupta is a luminary in contemporary art in India, consistently pushing the boundaries of media, materiality, scale, and perception through his work. Gupta is renowned for his ability to transform everyday items from Indian life—such as kitchenware and modes of transport like bicycles and scooters—into thought-provoking sculptures, typically crafted from bronze, steel, and aged utensils. With these mundane objects, Gupta moulds narratives of irony and wit, juxtaposing the simplicity of the items with profound philosophies. His 2008 work, ‘Gandhi’s Three Monkeys,’ reinterprets the iconic trinity of peace by depicting human heads, commenting on the consequences of violence and subverting traditional ideas of power and control within the broader context of civilization.

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9. Pixel Prodigies: 5 South Asian Artists Re-Programming The Canvas With A.I.

Social media feeds and NFT marketplaces are awash with panoramic dreamscapes featuring sword-wielding mercenaries and anthropomorphic sea otters rendered with Vermeer-esque finesse. Amid this surge, South Asian A.I. art is undergoing a profound decolonization of storytelling traditions. From Hashim Ali’s unique take on Disney Princesses retrofitted with Mughal decadence to Namaah Kumar’s exuberant commentary on eco-feminism, a swirling metamorphosis is in flux all across the subcontinent. 

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