Aspire Design and Home | Designer Travels: Laurie Blumenfeld In Jodhpur, 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.” – Aspire Design and Home
Read the first two installations here.
Third Stop: JodhpurThe lodgings…
A boutique hotel and a fusion of modern and ancient styles, RAAS has an enviable location in the heart of the historic walled city next to the architecturally superb stepwell. With a stunning view of the majestic Mehrangarh Fort ? a wow factor when you enter the main courtyard ? the hotel has four original buildings with three additional contemporary structures that have made imaginative use of space and light. The use of Jodhpur?s red sandstone and architectural carvings drawn from 18th-century Havelis (mansions) unites the old and new. Nothing beats having your morning beverage on your private balcony and watching the sunrise over the ramparts of the fort.
Must-sees for design and architecture enthusiasts…
Jodhpur is known as The Blue City ? with good reason! Walk through the city and absorb the layers upon layers of blues that wash over the architecture.
We took a private jeep tour into the rural areas and witnessed myriad thriving cottage industries. We visited with local potters, rug weavers, jootis (camel leather shoes), sari makers, farmers, and moonshine makers! In the city, we took a tour of the Rangrezz or fabric dyers; artisans working on the famous tie and dye known as Bandhej. Hidden away in corners are ancient Persian techniques of Gota-Patti embroidery, delicate needlework; Zari and Zardosi that use silver and gold filaments; and Danka, ornate and lavish needlework.
We also enjoyed a sunset visit to the Mehrangarh Fort. Aptly meaning ?the majestic fort,? it is one of the largest forts in India and is still owned by the Jodhpur royal family.
Architecturally, the fort is stunning and houses museums with priceless collections of royal memorabilia and art.
Postcard moments…
Visiting the local artists and gaining a deeper understanding of the textile heritage that is little known and explored. I was particularly struck by the painstaking detail work that goes into the needlework for sari making, tie-dye and block printing.
Next stop: Jaisalmer…
– by Laurie Blumenfeld in Aspire Design and Home