Rawla Narlai, Jodhpur

By Anamika Butalia

Take a cue from the interiors of Rawla Narlai to pair vintage furniture with pastel colours

Once a hunting lodge, Rawla Narlai is a heritage hotel set within a restored, 17th century fortress-like structure. Each of its 32 rooms offers several decor ideas for home interiors.

To replicate the understated look in the bedroom, pick up pieces of wooden furniture handmade locally — from reading chairs and teakwood nightstands to lampshades, ottomans and cushions upholstered in ethnic fabric.

Get inspired by the muted and monochromatic latticed screens in the deluxe rooms. These would make a great partition between living and dining rooms, for example. Match cushion covers and upholstery for seaters to that of the partitioning screen for a cohesive look.

Dress up walls by creating niches for lantern-inspired lamps and framed photographs. Frame and hang old black and white pictures to add a distinctly individualistic old-world charm.

If neither the white and cream deluxe rooms nor the vibrant standard rooms appeal to you, take cues from the little things. Include pretty block-printed soft furnishings such as cushions, throws, bedspreads and curtains in shades and fabrics that pair well with your existing interior décor for that Rajasthani charm.

If you’re a big fan of monotones, here’s a smart way to work them in – use several shades of it. Here, the sweeping use of blue doesn’t get boring as there is a differentiation in the shades, lighter blue on the ceilings, deeper shades for soft furnishings and a blue-green variant for the chairs.

A smart way of breaking down walls between spaces and allowing some fluidity is by creating a lattice screen or jalis. This allows light to flow through the space while also maintaining privacy. Notice how the different flooring also cleverly demarcates rooms within the same space.

Make sure a heady use of bold colours is balanced by more neutral shades. Here, while the striped bed linen is clearly the central focus, the cream walls and white ceilings play a crucial part in not overwhelming. Display artefacts, souvenirs and even earthen lamps or diyas in wall niches for a rustic feel.

Utilise some extra space at the foot of your bed to create a seating arrangement with a sleek, vintage bench propped with cushions. Make the most of an awkward corner by placing a work desk against it. You can purchase a foldable one that can be stashed away when not in use.