Aspire Design and Home | Designer Travels: Laurie Blumenfeld In Jaipur, India
“Wish you could see the world through the lens of a designer? Our newest column ?Designer Travels ? will allow you to do just that. Follow along as our first contributor, interior designer Laurie Blumenfeld shares her expeditions, cultural experiences and international finds, and learn of the power travel has to influence interiors once one returns home.”
Read the first four installations here.
Trip Recap:The plan: Two weeks? vacation with my husband
Destination: Rajasthan, India. Five Cities; Udaipur, Narlai, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Jaipur
Month traveled: February
Temperature range: Low 80s in the day; 50s at night.
First visit or repeat destination: This is my fifth trip to India.
Travel planner: Erica Gragg of Escape Artists
Final Stop: Jaipur
The lodgings…
The Samode Haveli is a 225-year-old mansion located in the walled city, an ornate oasis in the midst of the hectic old town. The rooms and suites are set around an ornate mosaicked courtyard, and while each varies in style and size, there will be some heirloom present to remind you of the history. Verdant gardens, a pool and a stepwell within the premises all add to its charm, as do the many decorated alcoves, courtyards and terraces. We stayed in a suite with multiple rooms, archways, Sheesh Mahal (mirrored rooms) and hand-painted designs!
Must-sees for design and architecture enthusiasts…
Jaipur was designed along the ancient Hindu treatise of ?Shilpa Shastra,? a science similar to the better-known Feng Shui. Jaipur is laid out in a geometric grid of streets and squares making it one of the earliest planned cities in India. In honor of the visit of Prince Edward, then the Prince of Wales, the city was painted a rich terracotta, a tradition which has continued through the years. This is the reason why Jaipur is often called the ?pink city?.
First stop, the Patrika Gate; it?s on the way as you leave the airport. The pillar of the Patrika Gate is painted with some important facts about different parts of the Rajasthan state. The colors and patterns are MAGNIFICENT.
Hawa Mahal façade ? It was designed by Lal Chand Ustad. Its five-floor exterior is akin to a honeycomb with its 953 small windows called Jharokhas decorated with intricate latticework.
City Palace is a showcase of opulent beauty and is aesthetically stunning. Filled with courtyards and breathtaking rooms, each gateway and each luxurious space has its own fantastical design with Sheesh Mahals, glass stones, and endless color palettes. The remarkable Rajput and Mughal architecture makes brilliant use of repetition, intricate scalloped details and colors!
Rambagh Palace ? The grounds and architecture are truly spectacular. Each room is sensational in its own right. Have a drink at the Polo Bar. Eat a meal in the courtyard. It was particularly meaningful to me because I had celebrated my 13th and then most recent birthday there.
Postcard moment…
A private birthday blessing by a Hindu priest at a 300-year-old Krishna temple.
Shopping for objects, furnishings, textiles, and more…
We purchased gorgeous fabrics from Saraf Carpet and Textiles in Jaipur. We had them made into clothing on the spot ? a dress for me and a vest for my husband. They measured us and delivered the pieces to our room the next morning.
Brigitte Singh, Anokhi, and Nila House all offer a modern take on traditional styles for fabrics, gifts and clothing.
Don?t miss a chance to shop for jewelry from Gem Palace. You enter into a fuchsia-colored velvet room which immediately sets the mood. They have the very best collection of unique gems and jewelry designs. The women of India are adorned in jewelry but also, so are the camels, horses and elephants ? all fabulous. Gem Palace?s designs capture the Indian aesthetic but with a decidedly Western touch. Some of the pieces we purchased are modern takes on the design details of the magnificent City Palace.
Lasting influence…
In all five destinations throughout Rajasthan, I noticed how deeply India affects my designs. I can clearly see now that celebrating my 13th birthday in India had a deep influence on my design aesthetic and life trajectory. Their use of colors, patterns, organic shapes and scalloped edges show up in many of my designs and material choices. I often gravitate toward vintage Indian furniture. I see so much India in my designs. My former marble bath looks very much like the Patrika Gate!
India continues to light my soul on fire with every visit. Each day was a full education of Indian history, the people, architecture, incredible meals and local craftsmanship.
– by Interior Designer Laurie Blumenfeld in Aspire Design and Home