Wednesday 24 October 2012

A Prince among men.......


# # #

There have been mighty kings, fierce warriors & chivalrous knights, those who forged great empires in their sleep, felled foes for breakfast & dazzled a damsel or two at dinner....so too, princes who pounced & poets who brooded, men seeking knowledge & beauty, others only pomp & power....yet, few among these could lace a boot, petit-point a cushion or give a jolly toss for the finer elements of 'House & Palace'......that was the stuff of ladies, that is until.....'Henry Wilson'. Sure, there are countless, caravans full of creative men.....but for the 'Indophile', there is only one. To the unacquainted, Mr Wilson is a notable photographer, designer, writer & interminable interior-design-guru with a singular appetite & appreciation for all things India.



* * *

While Henry's design books are widely available & showcase the gloriously rich, colourful & diverse interiors of India lovers, lesser known & viewed, perhaps, are photographs of his own heavenly abode. Below, you can take an exalted walk through his magnificent, (self-styled) majestic kingdom.



Holy Maharajah!
Wall-to-wall wondrous wallpaper*



Mhmm, he sews!
Luxurious velvet cushions with 
'petit-point' stitch* 



Regal is as regal does
Beaded skirting & gilded door-ways*


It is not uncommon in many Indian Palaces & homes, to find every square inch of space, carved, painted, tiled, tinseled, mosaiced, marbled, furnished, fussed-over, rugged, 'joojed', color-strewn & bedazzled. It is merely a part of the Indian aesthetic to 'layer-on' the love & adornment. There is a sense of intimacy that comes with this.......knowing that nothing has been overlooked, neglected or given that extra regal touch.



Deep jewel-toned walls of warmth...
Yes your Majesty!*



Pomegranate vines & dramatic contrasts*



  Gold, sandstone & wood  
for his OR her 'Palace'*



Vibrant & earthy, characteriz
the stylish Indian home*
  

No Rani or Indian-Interior enthusiast need face life without a little piece of style on their dial. 'India design' & 'India contemporary ' by Henry Wilson are staples of lavish livelihood & I have spent many an evening drowning deliciously into the pages of both. Few wouldn't be intrigued by his  keen eye for colour & detail & none unaffected by his bold & imaginative celebration of the Subcontinent - layer upon layer of vibrancy, design, history & ideas, all melded into the perfect decorative soup.



A bath & a half!
Interesting tribal & geometric designs
add masculinity



A cosy kitchen-bench of 
 Henry's stencils*
  


# # #

Style sensibilities are so personal & individual, rendering it nigh impossible to say who or what's best....all possess the genius to beautify & enhance, but only some have that rare ability to exploit the imagination, give expression to it in the most abundant & complex way. I've known a chap or two in my time who have each created a rare item of beauty, but I tell you sincerely, a man who can decorate, match a paint to a tile & loop a thread through the eye of a needle.....is truly a man worth knowing.

Thank you for making space in your day to read my post
PLEASE CONNECT WITH ME ON IG or TWITTER
************************************************** 
# Photos from the 'House of Rani'
* Other images taken from 'Elle-Decor' - Celebrating India, Collector's Edition. (Personal copy)
#All Writing & Photography by Rani.C (Char) 

If comments box below does not appear, move cursor along pink bar to reveal the 'comments tab'...I love to hear from you all!

4 comments:

  1. Really enjoyed reading this post Rani -so love all these wondrous sparkling interiors. Would love a bathroom like this one!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Linda, glad you enjoyed & thrilled to share!
    I spend inordinate amounts of time flicking through my books.... they're too, too beautiful to keep tucked away
    Xx big hugs

    ReplyDelete
  3. Really lovely post! Must get that book somehow! Need it on my bedside table to glance at and dream away! Absolutely admire the fearless use of color and styles! X

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you Danielle.....you're absolutely right, it's a fearless use of color.
    No such thing as less is more!
    More is more.....
    Wonderful of you to share your thoughts
    Xx Blissful Shimmies
    Rani

    ReplyDelete

#Thanks for bringing some extra sparkle & cheer to the Palace today. I'm delighted to read your comments (& Shimmying too!!!)