Monsoon Magic: 8 Plants To Grow This Rainy Season
Bright, large flowers that bloom beautifully in monsoon rains. Attracts butterflies and bees, adding life to your garden.
Sacred herb that grows well during monsoon. Purifies the air and is essential in Indian households for its medicinal properties.
Thrives in waterlogged conditions, perfect for ponds or water gardens. Symbol of purity and serenity, with stunning blossoms.
Easy to grow and maintain, money plants flourish in humid monsoon weather. Known for bringing good luck and purifying air.
Hardy and easy to grow, marigolds bloom abundantly during monsoon. Known for their vibrant orange and yellow colors and pest-repellent properties.
Known as the 'Flame of the Forest' for its fiery orange-red flowers during monsoon. Adds a dramatic splash of color and supports local wildlife.
A tropical plant with striking foliage and beautiful flowers that love monsoon rains. Adds exotic flair and freshness to your garden.
Thrives in moist, shady monsoon conditions. Great for ground cover, creating a lush green carpet effect. Read Next Story
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
This Indian fish can climb trees (here's where you can find it)
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The Hindu
2 hours ago
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Design finds from Chennai
Located on busy Chamiers Road in R.A. Puram, a red brick building houses three stores — Jaypore, Suvasa, and Bagh — and is a one-stop destination for all things decor. From ikat bedspreads to beautifully woven fruit covers, they offer locally made and environmentally friendly products. Here are six picks for the season: Jaypore Founded in 2012 and acquired by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited in 2019, this premium artisanal lifestyle brand recently opened its first store in Chennai, marking its debut in Tamil Nadu. Jaypore curates handcrafted products, sourced directly from artisans and craftsmen across India. They offer a selection spanning apparel, home décor, accessories, jewellery, and more. Storage unit The storage box, priced at ₹2,490, is made of mango wood and brass. Its handcrafted nature means each unit is slightly different, showcasing the artist's creativity. It is part of the Nimat collection and easy to maintain — just wipe it with a soft dry cloth for longevity. Dinnerware Inspired by the nature of Himachal Pradesh, the Ruhan collection offers a luxurious range of dinnerware, including platters and serveware. The collection, with its blend of stylised floral motifs and glimpses of the striking Himalayan Monal, starts at ₹1,590. Suvasa Founded in 2000 by Oona and Rajat Singh, Suvasa launched its new Chennai branch last year. Rooted in Jaipur and inspired by nature, its collections celebrate earthy palettes, tactile textures, and a design ethos that is both understated and refined. Seagrass basket The basket, hand painted with bright red poinsettias, is lightweight and earthy. Made from natural seagrass and cane, it's a multipurpose piece that can double up as an office tiffin bag or a classic picnic companion. It is priced at ₹1,550. Food and fruit covers Made by women artisans, the umbrella food cover is crafted from delicate net fabric and adorned with hand embroidery. It blends functionality with craftsmanship, and is priced at ₹2,100. The fruit cover, also crafted from net, is edged with colorful printed fabric, intricate beading, and hand embroidered French knot roses. Part of the collection for the past 10 years, it is priced at ₹350 per piece. Bagh Bagh by Seasons, a 20-year-old brand based in Vadodara, opened its Chennai branch six months ago. The store combines local printing techniques with natural fabrics to create a style that is uniquely indigenous. All motifs are designed by an in-house team of artists. Ikat cushion cover This cotton cushion cover is a go-to for anyone who loves Indian textiles. Available throughout the season, it comes pre-shrunk and should be hand-washed. The store also provides other kind of cushion covers such as silk block print and jute. Priced at ₹1,500 Bedspread set For a cosy home experience, this bedspread set is a must. Made from hand block printed cotton fabric, this cotton cushion cover is priced at ₹950, the quilt at ₹9,450, and the dohar (a traditional Indian blanket or comforter) at ₹6,350.
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Let the walls talk — colours that shape your space
The Indian subcontinent pulses with seasonal colour as summer tree canopies burst with blooms and tropical fruit perfumes the air. This instinctive celebration of colour naturally extends into home spaces. We confer with leading names in the design industry and visit four projects to understand how the right colours can make an impact and work for all seasons. Rose Milk House by 85:15, Chennai Vaishali Srinivasan's Rose Milk House gets its name from T. Nagar's Amudha Dairy, where the team often sought refreshment during the construction of this project in summer. The principal architect at Chennai's 85:15 studio crafts contextually-rooted spaces with a lived-in appeal. For this 1,500 project designed for her parents, she wanted something special. 'Hailing from Tirunelveli and Pollachi, my parents lived simple lives. After numerous relocations, they longed for a home that echoed their childhood. 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The Leftovers by MuseLAB, Mumbai For Mumbai-based MuseLAB's principal architect duo, Huzefa Rangwala and Jasem Pirani, storytelling is an inimitable ally at the drawing board. The Leftovers is a 2,200 apartment in the Maximum City that poses as a neo-vintage gallery-esque home for a family of art and design connoisseurs. This vibrant redesign has transformed the family dwelling, blending colour-blocking with thoughtful curation. A terracotta ceiling diffuses warmth across shared living areas, while each bedroom revolves around a signature hue. Most dramatically, deep indigo cascades from ceiling to wall in one room, creating a fluid backdrop that amplifies the featured Krishna artwork. 'The colours don't exist in isolation; they dance with the family's treasured possessions — heirloom furniture, curated art, and quirky finds. In this home, colour isn't an afterthought. It's the language through which the family expresses their story and joy,' highlights Rangwala. To introduce colour the MuseLAB way, begin with subtle elements — furnishings, rugs, and layered textiles. Experimenting with tonal variations of a single focal hue creates visual interest. The studio currently favours dusky pinks, powder blues, and olive greens for their sophisticated appeal. 'We integrate these shades subtly and boldly, valuing their aesthetic qualities and adaptability rather than adhering to fleeting trends,' notes Pirani. The Deco Haus by Chestnut Storeys, Chennai At Chestnut Storeys, principal designer Farah Agarwal champions spatial storytelling, conjuring avant-garde environments where contemporary design coalesces with visual drama. Sprawling over 7,000 the Deco Haus is a private residence nestled within Chennai's coveted Boat Club enclave. The brief focused on preserving the home's historic integrity while infusing bold design elements with curated art and sculptural additions. 'At the Deco Haus, colour rules by following a simple rule: statement accents are balanced against subdued neutrals,' explains Agarwal, adding, 'We began with a neutral base for the shell, then introduced striking pops of colour through furniture and accessories — like a vibrant red dining table, sculptural inserts, or accent walls in deep greens. This creates a visual rhythm and incorporates personal elements, like art and photographs, which add meaning to the colour choices.' Agarwal embraces jewel tones this year, blending muted pastels with bolder shades. Earthy hues are incorporated — ochre, moss, and terracotta. 'Texture rivals colour in impact and works effectively in small, replaceable doses. Woven fabrics, metallic accents, and natural materials create dimension, energising your palette,' she advises, encouraging newcomers to be open to colour experimentation. Jade by The Arch Studio, Pune Warmth, cultural resonance, and functionality are the leitmotifs of principal architect Siddhina Sakla's endeavours at The Arch Studio, Pune. 'In 2025, the studio champions vibrant, soothing tones, like soft yellows and deep greens integrated through paint, fabrics, and finishes, creating emotionally rich spaces,' says Sakla. In Jade, a 1,750 sqft Pune apartment, colour manifests as a visual bookmark, offering an individualistic persona. Here, hues are entwined to narrate a cohesive story, iterated further through the adept use of textiles, bespoke drapery, Lakkadhaara furniture (a traditional Indian woodworking technique and style of furniture that involves lacquer work), and ornate gold-accented ceilings. Sakla explains, 'These balanced additions were crucial in fulfilling the client's brief. To move away from sterile whites and create a colourful, personalised home reflecting comfort, utility, and nostalgia.' For Sakla, the interplay of colour and spaces is a carefully choreographed sequence. One can begin by merely choosing a champion hue and building a palette from there, she says. Further, blend subtle patterns and coloured accents via upholstery, vintage finds, or wall mouldings. Layer with curated accessories and rethink essentials like curtains or lighting as opportunities to add colour all year round, she explains. The writer is an architect and design specialist.
