Why are there no Muslim philosophers?

Hasan Azad

Few days back, I chanced upon to read this article in a popular web magazine NewAgeIslam.com and thought to share few excerpts from this thought provoking article. Hasan Azad, the author of this article says that his friend posed the question to me that why are there no Muslim philosophers while I was studying some critical Western texts of philosophy in the fall of 2009 with him. Hasan writes,"Although this is a complicated question - which I do not take at face value, given that Kaviraj is himself an important postcolonial thinker - it does point to a significant failure of Muslim thinkers to engage their own intellectual tradition, together with the Western tradition of thought".

He continues and states that on one level the question "Why are there no Muslim philosophers?" is an absurd one. Hamid Dabashi and Walter Mignolo, both major thinkers in their own right, mention the names of a number of Muslim philosophers (Souleymane Bachir Diagne, Azmi Bishara, Sadeq Jalal Al-Azm, Fawwaz Traboulsi, Abdallah Laroui, Abdolkarim Soroush, and Seyyed Hossein Nasr). Wael Hallaq - himself also a very important thinker - has added to that list in his own commentary on the relation of politics and knowledge (Muhammad Arkoun, M Abed al-Jabiri, Ali Harb, Hasan Hanafi, and Muhammad Shahrur).

Hasan wonders why Euro-American public discourse seeks to identify and promote "moderate" Muslims over "extremists"? He ask how Muslim academics themselves contribute to this politicised geopolitical narrative by trying to identify "moderate Muslims and Islam" over other forms of Islam, which are more varied and variegated than anyone could ever imagine. My argument is that by characterising Muslims according to such a "racialised binary", as critical race theorist David Tyrer describes it, Muslim academics are playing the role of "house Muslims".

In recent past I myself have heard a term "pseudo-secularism" used mostly during discussions among Indian politicians. Hasan, too, was charged that he is indulging in "pseudo-intellectualism" while he was trying to put forward his view-point during a conversation. It is a charge, Hasan feels, that normally does not warrant a response, as it is often made to stop a discussion short without addressing the substantive question posed. She or he (the person chose to remain anonymous) argued that one of the advantages that Muslims had was they "refused" to think within colonial paradigms, and that is the advantage that Muslims still have. (It is not clear to me over whom Muslims have or had "the advantage").

Hasan Azad is a doctoral candidate specialising in Islamic Studies at Columbia University. You can read the full article here: http://www.newageislam.com/islamic-society/hasan-azad/why-are-there-no-muslim-philosophers?-are-muslim-academics-playing-the-role-of--house-muslims-?/d/87535

The War Within Islam

The people who do not belong to Islam or do not live in a country where muslim population is not in a majority have their own anxieties, concerns or questions in terms of their relationship with muslims and vise versa. There are issues for discussions or debate that addresses inter-religion relationships or co-habitation. However, most may not be aware that Islam within itself remains in a war. This war within themselves may be between progressive muslims and fundamentalists or it may be of orthodoxy or modern style of living!

Where do you find people sharing views or dissent like this - "I am ashamed of being a Pakistani today. I am ashamed that I belong to a country that kills human rights lawyers and sitting governors, and issues death threats to university professors ... Jinnah made a mistake! Also, where do you think muslim thinkers asking if Iran and Israel trading places?

The War Within Islam is a popular section of NewAgeIslam.com, web-magazine that seeks to promote rethinking on various aspects of traditional Muslim thought so as to enable Muslims to integrate in today’s world. The section 'The War Within Islam' is an attempt of promoting healthy expression of views and at the same times world to understand the muslim world!  http://newageislam.com/a/the-war-within-islam

I fight petrodollar Islam: Sultan Shahin

Sultan Shahin, Editor, New Age Islam

Meet Sultan Shahin - a virtual warrior who takes on Muslim fundamentalists through his web-magazine NewAgeIslam.com. His one of the mission is to encourage people all across the globe to rethink Islam. He says Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance and wish to reclaim Islam from the clutches of jihadists and petrodollar funded Salafist-Wahhabis. 

Sultan Shahin operates from a small room East Delhi’s Patparganj, and spends most of his waking hours at his computer. Through his website Newageislam.com, Sahin ideologically fights the muslim fundamentalists including the tyrannical Taliban and its sympathizers as well as the many Islamic supremacists who claim that Islam alone is Allah’s chosen path to paradise.  “My fight is against petrodollar Islam,” Sahin declares. “I am creating a forum that will lead us to the understanding of a pluralistic, inclusive, tolerant Islam.” And Islam, he adds, is not a new religion. “The Quran says this. It is a reiteration and re-validation of earlier religions,” he avers, seated at his study stacked with scholarly tomes, including several copies of the commentaries on the Quran.

How did all this begin? Few years back, in an interview with Yoginder Sikand, Sultan Shahin said," I have been writing on Muslim issues since the very beginning of my journalistic career in1972. But a note of urgency about the dangers from Islamic radicalism came into my thinking a little later. It began back in the mid-80s, when I was staying at a Pakistani friend’s home in Nottingham in Britain. One day, I overheard the kids of this family conversing with a friend of theirs about Islam. This friend belonged to the Ahl-e Hadith sect, who are known for their stern literalism, being almost identical to the Saudi Wahhabis. This is a sect massively promoted by petrodollars and may even be termed Petrodollar Islam. I heard him telling the kids that the Ahl-e Hadith alone were true Muslims and that the other Muslims were not just really non-Muslims but that, in fact, they were the biggest and the first enemies of Islam. I asked him what he proposed to do with the “first and the foremost enemies of Islam,” that is something like 99 percent of Muslims who are not Ahl-e-Hadees. He said: “Kill them!!!”

You can imagine my horror at hearing this! Here was a bunch of Pakistani youth, who could easily have a bright future in Nottingham University, but who, instead, were discussing hatred, murder and things like that ... I was fearful that if these radical teachings were allowed to spread, they would destroy the Muslims themselves, consuming them in the fires of hatred and violence. 

That is why I decided to start writing about these issues, to counter extremist and radical misinterpretations of Islam and to present what I felt were the true teachings of the faith.

The Screen Shot of NewAgeIslam.com

His website NewAgeIslam.com seeks to promote rethinking on various aspects of traditional Muslim thought so as to enable Muslims to integrate in today’s world. The web magazine discusses fundamental issues  as what Islam actually is, who or what a ‘Muslim’ is, what the notion of a ‘practicing Muslim’ is or should be, what Islam actually says about such issues as women’s rights, freedom, democracy, nationalism, peace, justice, war, politics and relations with the state.

In retrospect, Sultan says, he had faintly realized such truths even as a teenager. Born in a village in Bihar, he used to take the cattle out for grazing which gave him ample time to reflect. The thinker in him made him argue with his father: "Why do you want me to pray to a God I don't understand?" He stopped doing namaaz (prayers) but promised his father that he would study all religions, particularly Islam, and choose the one that most convinced him.

Chimes, Gurgaon: The experience of nature within the spaces of the building

The Architecture of the Chimes Building, Gurgaon is about creating public spaces that are accessible and enable the experience of nature within the spaces of the building, symbolizing life inside the building. The design of the building addresses issues of sustainability, sociability, making room for nature, and program flexibility. The building mass is specially developed to demonstrate a novel solution for a multi-tenanted office building with floor plate size flexibility to create a mix of tenants from various service sectors and industries. To create a high profile address, it was envisioned to organize each floor as potentially heterogeneous open-plan environments that can be combined or be separated by user requests with controlled indoor environments and amenities to suit a variety of needs for large and small businesses organized to share common community resources set up in the building.

Spatial Planning

The design of the building emphasizes diversity of all kinds: juxtapositions of people, functions, built forms, spaces, and activities are just some of the fundamental elements that help encourage an inclusive and sustainable public sphere that thrives at all times of the day and night. The building is raised up from the ground on pilotis, allowing free-flowing open spaces under the building shaded from the harsh sun, with a variety of water pools and guided streams cooling the air, and plants growing within and around the building on the site to cool the ground. A variety of public spaces are created at ground level that is accessible, shaded and close to nature. These spaces encourage serendipitous meetings, foster community engagement and active participation in urban work life. 

At the ground, the concept of openness, spaces flowing together, plays a major factor in the design. The public areas including a restaurant/café are located on the ground floor, with smaller spaces to encourage people to meet spontaneously for coffee or for informal meetings. Various spaces for public functions are offered- an open air performing arts theatre, a cafeteria and a future exhibition space, and a restaurant. A number of available conference rooms, meeting lounges form a complete sociable and efficient center for the complex to respond to all nature of business requirements. Sky terraces attached to each floor plate connect to nature during the work day.

The Visuality and Sociability of the Journey Path

To maximize the use of green spaces and the views from within and outside and make use of the ground, otherwise lost to building footprint, the design places the gardens around glass-lined movement corridors and Staircase cores. The journey path through the spaces of the building, Lift lobbies, holding areas, social spaces, cafeteria and reception are located along the way and designed as people places that suggest the idea of diverse experience of graded light and shaded spaces, landscape variation to include plant and animal life (etched into the stone surfaces), air, earth, and water as part of each of the pauses and transition experiences. Visual connections are made through glass courtyards, corridors, and lobbies, together with the complex interconnections and interpenetration of interior spaces, the interplay of light and choices of just a few material finishes. The symbolism of the landscape and the architectural artifact are intended to enliven the whole ensemble.

Form Development and Building Façades

The form development follows the idea of raising the building on pilotis to relieve the ground and give back the landscape to the ground- creating a sociable and welcoming space of the entrance reception- a glass cube set in a water garden, using plants as tree cover and water as climate modulators. A variety of water bodies and plants growing around the and inside the building to cool the ground, and transform it into a space with positive energy, shaded social spaces, and graded light, open spaces and light wells working as courtyards that relieve the bulk of the form and supply natural light to the inside of the office floor plates.

Flexible Floor Plates

The floor plates are modular, independently equipped with amenities/ facilities for modern office requirements and can be combined into heterogeneous open plan environments to suit a variety of needs for a mix of large and small businesses sharing common community resources set up in the building. With this profile, the flexibility in floor plate size makes for best possible marketing to create a mix of tenants from various service sectors and industries.

Regulating Heat Gain - Solar Facade

The Façade design is guided by its visibility and response to the street corner, visibility from the surrounding spaces and the main roads and to the climatic considerations of the solar path, Natural Light penetration and Breezes. It is equally about imaging a sensible notion of contemporariness, with formal and material choice that echo the historic form of massive Indian wall making that rejects heat and the high sun, but allows filtered natural light. The North allows light, but rejects reflected heat, the ribbon windows on the west, east and south faces are set high on the floor plate to allow the deeper penetration of a limited amount of the harsher western and southern light, but freely allows internal courtyard reflected light and North light to penetrate the plates through large treated glass surfaces. The heat gain thus reduced is further mitigated by the use of use of heat reflective paint and the insulated wall section.

A number of strip windows in the otherwise massive walls are used to visually connect the interior and the exterior and is mitigated by the use of anti-dazzle e-glass so people do not lose touch with the natural environment while at work. Outsiders get curious glimpses of light and activity through the façade that activates the otherwise solid building as a place of action.

Sustainable “Carbon Footprint”: The architecture is used to develop the building marked by energy efficiency, operational convenience, low operational cost and optimized investment costs. It focuses not only on the façade, sun shading, and lighting details but above all, also on minimizing the energy consumption of the building while optimizing natural light consumption. The building is glazed on the benign North face and on shaded facades with higher performance glass responsive to the conditions. On exposed and direct heat receiving faces a solar façade of small openings set up high on the floor allow less direct heat and maximizes penetrations of light into the plate.

Parking and Transportation: The insatiable demand for parking is met by the provision for a double stack parking system (that addresses the needs of commuters), extra capacity preferred parking spaces for car poolers, and parking for the electric shuttle to connect with the future metro nearby. This facilitates an office building without visible cars and frees the ground to landscape and a pleasing outdoor environment.

Returning the Ground to Landscape: The building consists four interconnected floor plate blocks of varied size and scale organized around climate-modifying, natural-light-giving courtyards. These floor plates are independently equipped with amenities/ facilities for all modern office requirements.

- Contextual Responses

- Modular Back-Up Generation

- Thermal Storage Chillers

- Security and Surveillance

- Independent Controlled Floors

- Replenishing Ground Water

- Recycling Waste and Water

- Sociability-Features and Movement

Design Atelier: Design Firm with an Implementation Mentality

Design Atelier is a multifaceted Architecture and Urban design firm that works with a thoughtful integrity and a contemporary sensibility creating distinctive environments, buildings and interiors in five service areas- General Architecture, Campus Design, Housing, Hospitality and Workplace Design. DA was formed in 1992 as a studio workshop that pursued an exploration in building crafts as the founding premise of architecture and design activity. Now a full service firm, we continue to engage with a variety of related arts, graphics and craft professionals to develop more holistic and inclusive solutions for the formation of more humane architecture that responds to society. We dream of translating the underlying principles of a rich Indian cultural heritage into structures for our evolving society into an architecture that is of its time.

Design Atelier works in a fusion style that employs a basic modern sensibility and local material, art and craft to foster a contemporary architecture firmly anchored in specific local peculiarities and to create dramatic impact. We emphasize continuously improving on traditions and translating building elements into something new and intrinsically meaningful. We value daylight, water, and natural elements set amidst enjoyable indoor and open air places to meet in deference to natural conditions. To improve building performance, we apply Sustainable practices to all aspects of our design and building construction, creating a specific form, responsive to the Sun, climatic conditions and local setting. We aim to differentiate each project by a careful orchestration of architectural elements that create a lasting and memorable image. As each new project is unique, our design expects to complement the locale and convey a timeless quality that creates a signature design that enhances the identity of the place.

"Our concerns in architecture are achieving simplicity with a subtle blend of modernity and tradition, East and West, formal and picturesque. We believe that design brings grace to life and that matters", states Aashish V. Karode, Principal - Design & Planning Services, Design Atelier.

Team Vision

Design Atelier wish to leave good marks on the earth and like measure our work by the pleasure of the lives lived in our buildings and projects. Staff backgrounds include Architecture, Landscape, Urban & Environmental Design, Strategic Planning & Communication, Structural Engineering, Air Conditioning, Electrical Engineering, Civil and Public Health Engineering, Project & Construction Management.

A highly qualified team whose expertise matches the project scope, is assigned to each project.

Principals

Aashish V. Karode, B.Arch. IED 1992 ; M.U.D. UC.Berkeley;2002 is Principal - Design & Planning Services. In twenty years as an Architect and Urban Designer, Aashish has resolved to continuously find new ways to renew his faith in the possibilities of design as a medium to craft a better place on earth. He has also taught Architectural Design, Urban Design and the History of Architecture both in India and the United States.

Sushil L. Karer, B.Arch. IED 1992 is Principal - Design. He has spent the past twenty years, immersed in professional design consulting, concept development for large scale architectural projects and interior design. He has also worked extensively in India, Europe-Poland and the CIS, working on design and implementation of major national and international exhibitions. 

He travels extensively in India & abroad to stay abreast of the latest advances in architecture & Interior design, developments in material and construction technologies.

Key Projects

- Chimes, Gurgaon, New Delhi

- Sufi -IT Park, Virsa, Chandigarh

- Indian Oil- PADC 

- Startup Farms Offices

- Fairway Pub, Airforce Sports Complex, New Delhi

- Fitness First, New Delhi, Mumbai, Gurgaon, Bangalore

- Bausch and Lomb Offices

- McDonalds Restaurants

- Fujifilm India Office

- Forest Resort at Garjia

Get in Touch

DESIGN ATELIER

B-24/II, Lajpat Nagar II, 

New Delhi - 110024, India.

Tel.: +91 11 4100 9927

Email: info@da-urbis.net

Website: www.architectsda.com

Why I Will Recommend IHT 9 Shampoo?

By VISHESH CHANDRA SRIVASTAVA

As a staunch believer of naturopathy, I have always tried to treat (successfully) common ailments using herbs, spices, vegetables and fruits. Few months back, some of my friends and a dear relative of mine complained of mild to severe hair loss and most of them were under stress because of this. This prompted me to do a reaserch and find out herbs and/or natural remedy for combating hair loss.

Some years back while looking for adjuvents for allopathic treatment of diabetes, I had done a research over Fenugreek seeds and during this study I had also understood its (fenugreek) property of stimulating hair follicles of scalp. Therefore, I decided to start with Fenugreek for my quest to find a reliable remedy for hair loss.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) has a unique mix of constituents that helps in hair growth. Fenugreek nourishes scalp and gives hair healthy look. The seeds of Fenugreek are extremely potent and thus have a medicinal effect to reduce balding, hair fall, and hair thinning. The most important property of Fenugreek is its ability to dilate blood vessels of the scalp, thereby improving blood circulation and nutrient supply to this area. This function of Fenugreek is almost similar to Minoxidil (Rogaine) a drug that increases hair growth.

To one of my friend, I recommended this remedy: Soak fenugreek seeds overnight. Throw away the water, and grind it to paste. Apply it to hair especially over scalp area affected with hair loss. Massage your scalp slowly with tips of your fingers for 10 to 15 minutes and wash it off after an hour. My friend religiously followed this remedy for few days. His feedback was positive but at the same time he complained that he has to put in a lot of effort and time to complete the whole process of soaking the seed, making paste and then application and massaging. He asked if few shampoos that claim to have fenugreek as ingredient could be of some help … and this question gave another direction to my research and thought process.

I decided to find out brands (shampoos) over the Internet with the objective to find a shampoo which does not only contain Fenugreek but also free from chemicals. My other criteria were:

- As chemical free as possible

- Environmentally friendly

- Comes from established and reputed company

- Recommended by professional websites/hair care experts

- Beneficial for hair loss

Among so many brands available over Internet, I zeroed on a Shampoo called 'IHT 9' primarily because it contains 'Fenugreek' as one of the key ingredients and other reasons being that:

- It is free from harmful chemicals specially SLS & Paraben

- It is without artificial color or fragrance

- It contains rare herbs (all natural) as active ingredients.

Now, when a shampoo declares that it does NOT contain SLS & Paraben, then it is a big plus point. Because most of the shampoos available in the market contains SLS & Paraben and actually these are very harmful chemicals and do more harm to health of hair and scalp than doing any good (except for cleaning of course!). SLS, Paraben and Phthalates have been linked to numerous health problems.

SLS is the most dangerous ingredient used in skin and hair care products. It is very corrosive and readily attacks greasy surfaces. A study at the University of Georgia Medical College, indicated that SLS penetrated into the eyes as well as brain, heart, liver, etc., and showed long-term retention in the tissues. The study also indicated that SLS penetrated young children's eyes and prevented them from developing properly and caused cataracts to develop in adults. IHT 9 Shampoo does NOT contain SLS.

What makes IHT 9 Shampoo safe bet?

IHT 9 is a PERFECT daily hair care Shampoo as this can be used by anyone who want healthy hair and disease free scalp. All of us need a shampoo any way, but since IHT 9 Shampoo is a safe product without any chemicals and also contain natural herbs which have hair regrowing properties, it can be used as a shampoo for regularly cleaning hair and keeping them healthy.

Now, let me first list other ingredients of IHT 9 Shampoo and then outline benefits of some of the ingredients IHT 9 Shampoo contains:

- Saw Palmeto or Serenoa Serrulata

- Indian Goose Berry

- Reetha or Sapindus Mukorossi

- Shikakai or Acacia Concinna

- Bhringraj or Eclipta Alba

- Neem or Azadirachta Indica

- Jatamansi or Nardostachys Grandiflora

- Heena or Lawsonia Inermis

- Aloe Vera or Barbadensis Miller

Let us first understand the importance and benefits of Saw Palmeto. Studies have shown that saw palmetto is an effective anti-androgen. When we discuss hair loss, then one of the most common types discussed is androgenetic alopecia. In men, this condition is also known as male-pattern baldness. (Although androgenetic alopecia is a frequent cause of hair loss in both men and women, it is more common in men. This form of hair loss affects an estimated 35 million men in the United States. Androgenetic alopecia can start as early as a person's teens and risk increases with age; more than 50 percent of men over age 50 have some degree of hair loss. In women, hair loss is most likely after menopause.)

Researchers have determined that androgenetic alopecia is related to hormones called androgens, particularly an androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Saw Palmeto, firstly, lowers levels of DHT in the body by Blocking 5 alpha-reductase. Secondly Saw Palmetto block receptor sites on cell membranes required for cells to absorb DHT. Saw Palmeto, actually acts in a similar way that Propecia (contains finasteride, is a drug with SIDE EFFECTS like impotence, low libido, erectile dysfunction etc.) to fight hair loss. It works by preventing testosterone from converting into dihydrotestosterone, which has been linked to male pattern baldness) does.

Another herb which is a key ingredient in IHT 9 Shampoo and I feel must be discussed here is Reetha (Sapindus Mukorossi). Commonly known as Soap Nut, it is actually the fruits of this plant and is used as natural soap for washing hair. It is a great hair tonic and a natural cleanser for washing hair. It forms a rich, natural lather and is still being used as a naturally produced shampoo by the rural folks in India for washing their hair.

Similarly, Eclipta alba (bhringraj) is also the best known herb for preventing balding and premature graying. It is reported to improve hair growth and colour. The benefits of herbs (other ingredients of IHT 9 Shampoo) Indian Goose Berry, Neem or Azadirachta Indica and Shikakai are well-known and documented.

However, I will highlight the benefit of Aloe vera in terms of its hair care properties. It works wonder for hair loss caused because of Seborrhoea. Seborrhoea is caused when the body produces excess amount of sebum. Sebum is secreted by hair glands and is a natural oily substance. The excess secreted sebum spreads over the surface of the scalp, spread infection which can damage the hair follicles. Aloe Vera gels also curb excessive hair loss by renewing the follicular cycle. This is achieved by helping the scalp return to a physiological balance.

Why I Will Recommend IHT 9 Shampoo?

I will recommend IHT 9 Shampoo mainly for following 3 reasons:

Reason 1: Though all its ingredients are natural and effective, yet I will recommend IHT 9 Shampoo for its two ingredients - Fenugreek and Saw Palmeto. Both these herbs, as I have already mentioned above, not only combat hair loss but can also regrow lost hair.

Reason 2: IHT 9 Shampoo is FREE from chemicals, particularly dangerous chemicals like SLS & Paraben. Majority of shampoos available in market have these two cancer causing chemicals.

Reason 3: IHT 9 Shampoo is absolutely safe for regular use. And you get a win win formula for hair care. Even if does not regrow lost hair, it will at least control hair loss. Moreover, unlike other chemical laden shampoo it will at least NOT harm your scalp and health of hair.

I have myself used IHT 9 Shampoo (Batch No. RI-318) and review is based on usage of the product and ingredients. In no way, this review of IHT 9 Shampoo be considered as commercial recommendation and the information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional.

You may visit the official web site of this product here: www.iht9.com

Meanwhile, I have come across a hair comb made with the wood of neem tree. It is believed that since neem is hair friendly, therefore, regular combing with this neem wood comb may control hair loss and dandruff. You may even try using these combs to get rid of hair problems.

Interior Design: Year 2012 brings forward old ideas remodelled according to new trends

By Minakshi Jaiswal

Interior Designer & Sub-editor

Design Atelier Urbis

Interior design has played a vital role in property pretty much since man began living in caves. The eternal debate between art and design could of course rear its' head again, however when caveman decorated his cave interiors with scenes from hunts and feasts, surely these can be seen as enhancing the interior!? From those early days on we've been party to from every walk of life decorating property with materials from all round the planet, with antique furniture and contemporary furniture, luxurious interior paints and tiles, fantastically modern fixtures and fittings, kitsch doilies and from glamorous plantation shutters to interior designed bespoke shutters… The list is truly endless! This is a year with all the queries. 2012 brings forward old ideas remodeled according to new trends, effortless elegance, vivid colors, striking and out of the ordinary combinations and contrasts. Technology and beauty haven’t always gone hand in hand, but in today’s infused world of style and function, it is now more expected than ever-even in home design. Cutting edge technology is enabling design oriented manufacturers such as to produce stylish products that are also durable and easy to use.

Be daring to handle & celebrate neon shades, using fluorescent green, yellow or pink, delivering thus new accent elements to your freshly decorated interior. Since these powerful colors tend to draw attention, combine them with neutral shades such as white and gray that will soften the visual impact. The striking atmosphere thus achieved will definitely be one of a kind. This year, we should all embrace colors that we wouldn’t normally associate, combine intense shades with balancing tones and think out of the box, giving our home a brand new personality.

Many Architects & Designers, HD had talked to ever, like Ashish Karode, Raseel Gujral, Sita Nanda, Sushil L. Karer, Manit Rastogi, Anjali Goel and many more - they all have emphasized that a pre-design process is very important for every space. So create a Palette of Materials & Colors/ Mood Board before you decide on their selection & combination.

Why Create A Mood Board?

Before handling your paintbrush, take the time to create a mood board. It's a great way to check that your scheme works beautifully before you commit to the work and expenditure of everything you'll need for your room.

How Does A Mood Board Work?

A mood board is a representation of all that you want to use for your space. Interior designers create them when they're planning new looks, and it's a method that will help you, too. By combining your proposed paint color, samples of wallpapers, fabrics and flooring, and pictures of furniture and accessories, you can see the elements of your room in one place, try out alternatives, and check your favorites all work together perfectly.

How to Make a Palette/ Mood Board?

To create your mood board, you'll need to start with a plain piece of board - A3 is perfect, and bigger if you prefer. Then collect examples of everything you might want to use in the room. Buy tester pots for paints, and get samples of wallpaper, fabrics and carpet or other flooring from suppliers. When it comes to furniture and accessories, cut out pictures from magazines and catalogues. You might want to take your own photos, too, of items you see and like, as well as of the parts of your existing room that you're keeping in the new scheme.

Be Realistic

If you're cutting out pictures of rooms that you like from magazines, ask yourself whether a similar scheme would work in your room. Are the proportions of the rooms similar? Would the colors work? Is your natural daylight as good?

Various Aspects of Latest Design trend

Eclecticism = old + new

Modern design meets mid-century interior concepts to create spaces that give us the best of both worlds…old and new. Contemporary design features continue to hold sway, although the move away from minimalism, harsh lines and a clinical ambiance is replaced with a touch of old world warmth. This is the time when that antique piece of furniture can be placed alongside your contemporary straight-line sofas, and not look out of place, and you will get WOW factor in the whole space.

Colors are daring & strong. Green is the dominant color this year. A deeply vibrant green followed by pumpkin orange, bright red-in tones from terracotta to cayenne. Orange, Yellow, Gold-dominating the palette. Deep cinnamon, luxurious violets, turquoise and of course the other color that is hot-Pink-bright and daring.

Metal remains a majorly used feature of design. The only difference is that it is now mixed with other mediums, from wood to leather. Metal laminates are being used on everything. In tones of bronze, burnished copper, gold frosted, nickel and many more. There is a lot of development in this particular aspect of interiors and it’s likely to get more and more creative.

Texture - (the feel of a substance)

Texture touches every feature of design - on walls, in fabrics, in wood finishes, in flooring concepts. Flooring shows increased use of carpet tiles, and carpets that focus on tones and weaves rather than motifs. In tiles, ceramics are out, porcelain is in. Glass continues its reign of supremacy and is being used in a lot of creative ways. Not just for functionality but also for embellishment.

Furnishing fabrics are dominated by textures and weaves that focus on the in-built beauty of natural fibers. Fabrics with metal woven into them, tones and thread work, embroidery and quilting are all making a comeback. Prints are back in action but the motifs are eclectic and the colors very bold.

Roman blinds remain popular as do drapes in contemporary styles. Top treatments bring back a sense of grandeur while retaining the clean lines. Metal, leather and suede are all being used with linen, cotton and silks. Artificial fibers are no longer visible. Handwork and detailing bring in the elegance to the earlier minimalist styles. Embroidery, printing and ethnic styles create their space after a long hiatus. They are now getting used in versatile forms & functions.

Lighting…..again, clean lines, simple shapes. A new feature in the lighting market is the use of motion sensors instead of manual light switches. Every manufactures of Light have a new trend book flowing around. Offices still use fluorescent light but the attempt is to soften the edges a bit and create light that is easier on the eye.

In terms of the material used, metal still rules the roost. But it is metal that comes in a wide range of finishes from hand painted texture finishes to burnished and oiled tones of copper and bronze. Shiny brass is completely out, although brass may be used and finished in a metallic shade. Hand painting is welcome, but in a manner that develops tone and texture…not motifs. They are considered to be a part of system adding lot of positivity to the space.

Kitchens are focusing as much on exteriors as interior accessories. Hardware and fittings acquire much more prominence. Moldings are more detailed although they are kept reasonably small. Open plan dominance keeps the focus on more natural light. Glass is being used in many innovative ways in interior design. From flooring to walls, accessories to fittings, mirrors have rekindled their appeal.

In homes, with the dominance of the open plan, the trend is to remove isolated areas and boundaries and create a place where one area flows into another and there aren’t that many rigid definitions. Essentially, our lifestyle choices are reflecting the way we think.

After a long runway of research & survey, HD concluded some bullets, you would be able to observe all seasons this year.

1. GREEN ACCEPTED AS HEALTHY

The emphasis on green continues to gain momentum. While most people are well aware of the built environment’s impact on our planet, less is known about how it relates to human health. So as they are maintaining their space organically for their own better self.

2. SMALLER SPACES / STUDIO LIFE

Functionality is a substance and small spaces are designed in such a manner that they cater their owner to use it at its best. Gone are the days of cheaply produced mega mansions. Today design is about smaller, well planned spaces made with quality materials that will last a lifetime.

3. DOMINANCE OF ART

No more people want to cover the large extent of their walls, but a light colour wall with a brilliant piece of Art. Now the artists are considered a part of this trend. They have moved to walls & Ceiling from the canvas board. Lobby of Taj Hotel, in New Delhi owns a huge art of M.F.Hussain. He took many months to finish the work.

4. QUALITY MATERIALS DOING MORE WITH LESS

Now Leather looking Tile can’t be predicted till the time you don’t touch it but it’s easy to maintain like a tile but gives a fabulous look of leather. That’s how many materials have been developed and getting launched this year too. Higher functionality & low cost and time maintenance.

5. THE COZY SPACES

Leathers, tweeds, flannels and canvas fabrics are popping up all over furniture. Icons of high style like, and have turned their attention to interiors. Everything from master bedrooms, media room and living rooms, both indoors and out will be dominated by fabrics traditionally seen on large basis

The beauty of interior design as a subject and interest, there are no boundaries, form and beauty can meet in function, as long as we're talking of items for the home or workplace, which serves to fulfill a function, interior design, meets its needs. So please read these pages and we hope you find inspiration and ideas for your interior design project. Don’t forget to ask our experts for any advice or if you would like us to feature a particular subject to do with interiors.

(Minakshi Jaiswal can be contacted at Design Atelier Urbis, B-24/II, Lajpat Nagar II, New Delhi - 110024, India. Tel.: +91 11 4100 9927-28, Email: info@da-urbis.net )