Lost

“Are you lost?”

“No dude, I’m just fabric shopping”.

Welcome to Lost City the New York based fabric company dedicated to rediscovering the fading art of hand embroidery. The multicultural capital of Lucknow serves as home base for the local artisans employed by Lost City. The goal is two-fold, for local artists to revive their ancient crafts and for affluent westerners to get a piece of the action.

The stunningly beautiful fabrics are influenced by everything from art to poetry to music. So intricate is the fabric that a yard of fabric can take up to three weeks to produce. Damn! And you thought making chapattis took too long!

For more info, mosey over to www.thelostcityproducts.com

Home Sweet Home

So you’re decorating your new digs and you want to stay true to your roots, but in a more….eclectic moden way. What’s a desi to do??

You could mosey on over to ABC Home and Carpet. Think sumptuous Victorian settees upholstered in gold colored saris, intricately carved wooden armoires, rose colored lanterns, and hand woven rugs.

A modern day Indian fairytale set in the heart of Manhattan, ABC’s flagship store is sight to behold. From their rotating installations (including a Valentine’s day tribute to Krishna and his Gopis) to their month long ode to the subcontinent earlier this year, ABC’s love affair with India is certainly remarkable. The store features several collections, including India Bed, Sacred Body Sacred Home (featuring our favorite deities), and Indo-Colonial among others.

So pull out those old saris, light a little incense and let ABC inspire you to create your own little desi installation right in your own home.

For more information or to place an order, visit their website www.abchome.com

Om Shanti

Riddle me this, joker. What does one do when your pad starts to look oh-so dull and your wallet looks oh-so thin?

Paint? No. Wallpaper? Definitely not. What you need is a few sassy new pillows from Om Home. The unique online shop designed by Oorbee Roy, is inspired interestingly enough by the ancient art of alpona (otherwise known as Rangoli).

After learning of alpona from her grandmother and mother, Oorbee was soon hooked, doodling and drawing on every possible surface. However it was a fateful trip to Kolkata that sealed her destiny. While visiting relatives, Oorbee learned that alpona is unfortunately a dying art form. Determined to keep it alive, she began collaborating with local artisans to create a line of textiles including pillows, placemats, and napkins. Working with a fair trade group in India, Oorbee’s roy incorporates traditional Indian elements with modern design.

Named after childhood memories of India, such as the Tolly Club, New Market, and Calcutta Cricket and Football Club (C.C.F.C.), the collections come in sunny colors like carmine rose, sunny lime, and coral, among others.

Now you can bring the traditions of Rangoli right into your own home. Even if you’re not exactly an artist.

Om Home, www.omhome.com, sold online and throughout the U.S. and Canada.