Fabulous furnishings

The opening of the second boutique of India-Weaves, conceptualized and run by Pheroza Godrej and Firoza K. Kavarana, partners in this four-year venture of high-end furnishing fabrics was on November 25, 2007. The swanky, new 3,000 square foot state of the art showroom is located at the 110-year-old Godrej premises at Lalbaug, next door to the Bombay Gas Works, while the earlier one nestles on one side of the Cymroza Art Gallery premises on Bhulabhai Desai Road.

Bombay’s art world was amply represented at the celebrity studded opening of the Lalbaug showroom which was turned into a hothouse of exotic blooms on elegant display. Tastefully furnished, the showroom is formatted as a drawing room suite with richly upholstered furniture embellished with specially embroidered cushions and throws. The fabrics hanging in discreet open wardrobes are traditional Indian weaves, tweaked for a modern-day sensibility. Ranging from taffeta silk, satin silk, organza, damasks and hand embroidered Kashmiri motifs, they are meant to accentuate the interiors of homes, both old and new, display windows, offices and hotels. Rich textures, a veritable treasure trove of prints, patterns and weaves seduce the viewer. An adjacent room is available especially for consultancy services offered by highly trained in-house professionals while a stylish office is located across the passage.

The new India-Weaves showroom at Lalbaug

Kavarana, an acknowledged interior designer and decorator, spoke to Bombay Times, on the eve of the opening: "We have never been women of leisure. While Pheroza has been successfully running Cymroza Art Gallery and is actively involved with a number of environmental and social causes, I have been in the interior decorating field. We consciously got into this venture together to give our creative talents a fresh lease of life, and the one thing we promised ourselves was not to be run-of-the-mill, we would strive to be specialists with a difference. And so was born India-Weaves, our furnishing fabric boutique.” From what Parsiana witnessed at the Lalbaug opening, this is a promise that has been amply redeemed.

India-Weaves can be contacted at Godrej and Boyce Premises, Next to Stone Source, Old Bombay Gas Works Lane, Opposite Shaman Ford Service Station, Lalbaug, Bombay 400012. Tel: 24716900-07, e-mail: indiaweaves@ vsnl.net, website: www.india-weaves. com and India-Weaves, 72, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Next to Cymroza Art Gallery, Bombay 400026. Tel: 23686366. Fax: 23686367.