7 ways to use Indian handloom in your home

With an aim to create awareness about India’s rich handloom community that contributes to the country’s socio-economic development, every year, starting 2015, India celebrates August 7 as National Handloom Day.

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Interestingly, August 7, 1905, was when the Swadeshi Movement, an important part of the freedom struggle started that encouraged people to make handloom and depend less on imports. With this initiative, weaving of Khadi became increasingly popular. The tri-colour Indian flag is also made of Khadi.

This year is the 9^th National Handloom Day. On this, PM Narendra Modi launched the e-portal of ‘Bhartiya Vastra evam Shilp Kosh’- a repository of textiles and crafts developed by National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).

Source: Narendra Modi Facebook

Addressing the 9th Handloom Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Vocal for Local has become a mass movement which has given a new impetus to the textile sector in the country. He urged people to popularise local products on National Handloom Day. To promote the handloom industry the government is giving loans without guarantee and providing raw material for the handloom weavers at discount rates.

Ways to use handloom in home décor

You may choose from a wide variety of options from tie and dye, Kalamkari, hand block-prints, Kantha work to embroidery and many more across various design elements in your home.

Hand-block prints predominantly from Rajasthan give a very calm and peaceful look to the house. Mostly on white cotton background, these block printing features intricate floral, paisley and geometric patterns. These designs are now incorporated in coloured background also to add colour to the entire theme.

Hand-block prints can be imbibed in your home décor through curtains in the living room or the bedroom. You can use hand-block prints on cushion covers, bedsheets, table runners etc. Ensure that if you use block prints as your design element in your décor style they remain the focal point and accordingly use the other furniture to complement it. For instance, furniture in wood or cotton will complement very well with this pattern as opposed to something in wrought iron.

Curtains

Source: Ethnic Rajasthan

You can opt for these block-print curtains in your living room space or bedrooms. They are light weight and allow natural light to pass keeping the room pleasant.

Cushion covers

You can use throw cushions made of Khun that is from Karnataka and Maharashtra. The Khun fabric is weaved using pure silk and merchandised cotton. These are woven only in pit looms.

Source: Rihaa.com

Lampshades

Source: Whole Squared

You can accentuate the lamp shade in your home using Indian handloom. For instance, the above shown Pochampally Ikkat lamp shade. Popular from Telangana, these are known for the traditional geometric patterns made using the Ikat dyeing style.

Rugs

Source: Jaipurrugs.com

You can opt for something classy as the above handmade handloom wool and bamboo silk rug that is completely hand made in India.

Table runners/ place mats

Source: veaves.in

Hand-woven table runners and placemats give a unique and classy look to the home décor as every product is different. For instance, the above shown hand-woven table runner with Warli embroidery on it.

Kutch hand-work frames

Vintage Kutch hand-work made of silk threads and mirrors can be framed and used as wall décor.

Source: Triveni Art & Crafts (Amazon.in)

Bedspreads and quilts

Source: House of Elegance

Famous from the state of Andhra Pradesh, the Kalamkari is basically craftsmanship (Kari) using the Kalam (pen). These look beautiful when used as home décor especially in beddings.

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Anuradha Ramamirtham

With 16+ years of experience in various sectors, of which more than ten years in real estate, Anuradha Ramamirtham excels in tracking property trends and simplifying housing-related topics such as Rera, housing lottery, etc. Her diverse background includes roles at Times Property, Tech Target India, Indiantelevision.com and ITNation. Anuradha holds a PG Diploma degree in Journalism from KC College and has done BSc (IT) from SIES. In her leisure time, she enjoys singing and travelling.
Email: [email protected]