Smartbuy issue dated January 12, 2011

SmartbuyWednesday, January 12, 2011

G A D G E T S | A U T O | L U X U R Y www.blsmartbuy.com

Business Line

Create your own boudoir!Three luxurious themes to stylise your homes2

2 January 12, 2011Smartbuy

WHAT’S HOT this week

Team SmartbuyEditorial

Anushya [email protected]

Ketaki [email protected]

Mahananda [email protected]

S. [email protected]

Design

Bryan [email protected]

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Advertising Contact

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Web Advertising Contact

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Follow us on Twitter This 152-inch 3D telly from Panasonic features a self illuminating display. It produces four times theamount of information than a regular HD display, which results in true to life images even whenviewed from a short distance. Other features include contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1, high speed drivingtechnology and crosstalk reduction technology. Rs 3.5 crore

The Red Dot Award Winning sound system from Creativestreams music wirelessly from any compatible Bluetoothhandset, media player, netbook, notebook or any otherBluetooth A2DP enabled device. The ZiiSound D5 alsoserves as a dock for your iPhone or iPod and even the iPad, ifbundled with a detachable transmitter. Rs 17,999

Get snapping with this new 14-meg digicam from Casio! Smallenough to fit into the palm of your hand, the Z800 sports a 4X opticalzoom lens that starts at a 27 mm wide-angle view (35 mm filmcamera equivalent). You can directly upload the pictures you shooton to YouTube or to your photoblog. Rs 9,495

Cover photo: Better Interiors

Larger than life Panasonic TH-152UX1

Sound everywhereCreative ZiiSound D5

Picture perfectCasio EXILIM EX-Z800


The new series of laptops from Dell feature 11.6-inch TrueLife HD glossy WLED display and full-length ergonomic keyboard with raised keypads.The Inspiron M101z laptop is powered by AMDAthlon II Neo Mobile processors and integratedATi graphics and gives you more than six hours ofoperation with its standard 6-cell rechargeablebattery.Rs 20,900 onwards

Unveiled at the CES, the new-age Xperia Arc is a 4.2-inch touch screen smartphone featuring‘Reality Display’. Powered by Sony’s Mobile BRAVIA Engine, the Arc comes with an 8.1-megcamera that delivers exceptional image quality through its bright f/2.4 lens and Sony’s award-winning Exmor R technology. A built-in HDMI connector allows you to share your pictures andvideos in HD on your telly and you can download Android apps on this smartphone that runs onAndroid 2.3.To be announced

Ahead of the curveSony Xperia Arc

The HTC Mozart is the second phone from the companyto feature the Windows 7 operating system. The phone iscrafted from a single piece of anodised aluminium andfeatures a 3.7-inch WVGA multi-touch display. Thecamera is an 8-megger, with Auto Focus, Xenon Flashand 720p HD recording. For all music lovers, the phone isequipped with virtual surround sound, and featuresMicrosoft Zune integration. Rs 26,490

Inspiring performerDell Inspiron M101z

Smartphone symphony HTC HT7 Mozart

DIGICAM line-up

Features galoreSony CyberShot DSC-WX5

A superior Auto mode that combines exposures fordynamic range and minimal noise makes the WX5 abonfire night essential. The antimotion blur and hand-held twilight features also aid photography in low light,as does the maximum 3200 ISO setting. Oh, and there’s afireworks mode, if all else fails. The WX5 also creates 3Dpanoramic shots, although this isn’t advised in low light,has a 2.8-inch, 4,60,800 dot LCD display, a 5x opticalzoom and takes 12.2-megapixel snaps. It’s a very goodall-rounder.Rs 21,235Love - Superior Auto mode, anti-blur features, niftypanoramasHate - So many features you may get confused

Bang for the buckNikon CoolPix S3000

The 12-megapixel S3000 features a 4x optical zoom,2.7-inch LCD and is just 19mm thick. It includes fewmanual controls, but you will find lots of features thatmake life easier for amateur photographers, includingfour anti-blur functions and Scene Auto Selector, whichoptimises settings for your surroundings. ISO goes allthe way up to 3200 – good news for snapping fireworksin low light– although noise creeps in at ISO 800. Picturequality isn’t amazing and it’s not one for action fans, butit is pretty cheap.Rs 7,950Love - Slim and stylish design. Price tagHate - Lack of creative possibilities due to its point-and-shoot nature

Low-light wonderPanasonic Lumix DMC-FX700

Small, chic and touch-controlled, the 14-meg FX700is a feature-heavy compact with a bright Leica F2.2-24mm ultra-wide angle lens and burst shooting up to10fps at full resolution. Despite its high-end features,the FX700 is especially easy to control using the 3-inchLCD. Autofocus tracking, Intelligent ISO control andIntelligent Exposure mode make taking duff photoshard and low light performance is very good, with amaximum ISO of 6400. There’s also an effective fire-works mode created especially for festivals.

To be confirmedLove - Plenty of good auto modes. Fast shooting.

Good in low light. Excellent Leica lensHate - Complex menus

SHOOTING STARS

This material is translated or reproduced from T3 magazine and is the copyright of or licensed to Fut

Rough and toughOlympus μ TOUGH-6020

Waterproof to 10m, shock-proof to 2m and freeze-proof, this tough compact is built for action. Its 14-megsensor, 5x optical zoom and dual-image stabilisationwork to create images that look great on the 2.7-inchscreen. However, as is often the case with ruggedisedcameras, the Olympus can’t match up to softer rivalsfor overall performance. Maximum ISO is lower thanthe rest at 1600 but photos still show traces of noise.The autofocus system is irritatingly slow too, partic-ularly in low light conditions. Rs 16,999Love - Tough, waterproof and smart looking. PhotoSurf allows easy browsing by date, name etc

Hate - Slow autofocus

Best clickCanon Ixus 300 HS

Debuting Canon’s new HS system, which includes anew high-sensitivity sensor and Digic 4 processor, the300 HS gives better performance in low light and has ahigh-speed shooting mode – up to 8.4fps. Also on boardis a bright f/2.0 wide-angle lens, sharp 3-inch LCDscreen, 3.8x optical zoom and the best image stabil-isation on test. Ideal for shooting at night, the low lightmode can reach ISO 6400, although image quality thendrops to 2.5-megs. Stick with 10-meg shots at ISO3200 and you won’t be disappointed. Rs 24,995Love - New HS system delivers excellent images even in

low light. Speedy shooting. Build qualityHate - No internal storage

High-speed shootingCasio Exilim EX-FH100

The bulbous, 10-meg Casio FH100 isn’t a looker, butits speedy focusing and high-speed continuous shoot-ing, at up to 40fps, will ensure you don’t miss the climaxof the fireworks display. Dual-image stabilisation keepsthings sharp and the wide-angle lens with 10x opticalzoom is good for both panoramic shots and close-upscomposed on the crisp 3-inch LCD. If you’re shooting inlow light, the ISO mode – which tops out at ISO 3200 –will fill your shots with noise. Not ideal if you’re tryingto snap a catherine wheel, but it’s a solid cam for lessautumnal pursuits.Rs 16,000Love - High-speed shooting and 10x zoomHate - Poor low-light shots

ture Publishing Limited, a Future plc group company, UK 2010. Used under license. All rights reserved

You no longer need a DSLR to capture that perfect,professional shot. Compact cameras are now offering better

lenses, faster processors, shake-reduction technology, sky-highISO settings and noise reduction – so next time there’s a

dazzling fireworks display, whip that digicam out of your pocket and start shooting!


CAMERA guide

Basic Compact CameraWith their compact sizes, these cameras have a number of creative

features that are handy for simple, everyday photographyRs 4,995

Extra AA batteries withslow self-discharge rate

Rs 200

A basic lint-freecloth for cleaning

the camera andlens

Rs 200

A small, portablegorillapod for yourcompact camera

Rs 1,000

A small camera pouch forcamera protection andtransportationRs 450

A smart batterycharger with autocut-off chargingRs 800

A memory card, andan extra one whiletravellingRs 350

= Rs 7,995

Advanced Compact CameraThese cameras often shoot in RAW or can support an external

flashgun. They are a link between basic compact cameras and DSLRs

Rs 26,995

An extra Li-ionbattery for powerbackupRs 1,800

8GB SDHC card formore storage andfaster speedRs 650

Lint-free cloth toclean the camerabody and the lensRs 200

A lightweight yetsturdy tripod for lowlight photographyRs 3,500

A medium-sized bag,if your camera isbulkier than a regularcompactRs 1,500

= Rs 34,645

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Add-ons for the shutterbugIf you’ve just invested in a new camera, you should be prepared for some extra costs. You’ll need to budget for a few add ons such as memory cards, a camera bag and a few accessories. We’ve categorised your camera needs according

to basic, amateur and professional – so you’ll know exactly what you need for your next purchase

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D. Krishnan

The Tamron 18-200 E3.5-6.3 Aspherical Af lens isa multipurpose lens suited for most photograph-ic situations from landscapes to portraits, andsports to events.

It also has a Macro mode which enables you to get asclose as 18 inches to the subject.

The lens is ideally suited for candid and child photog-raphy. Measuring 3.3-inches and weighing just 400 g, thelens is one of the lightest and most compact in this range.

It is made with Tamron’s proprietary technology thatuses special low dispersion glass.

We put the lens to test in our lab and on the field and foundthat it functions best in bright light conditions.

The focussing was fast and accurate, the colour rendi-tion excellent. The lens was able to capture different huesof red, green and yellow accurately, with detail in bothhighlight and shadow areas.

The focusing tends to be a bit slow in low light andstruggles a bit when shooting against strong lights. Shoot-ing indoors in available light may be difficult as you pro-gress towards longer focal lengths of the zoom. However,this can be bettered by using a tripod.

The results were pleasing with enough detail in the

shadow areas. One plus point was that the zoom has a lock option that

can be engaged to prevent accidental slippage. We alsonoticed that there was no vignetting of corners at theextreme ends of the zoom, a good indicator of performancequality. With mounts to fit Nikon, Canon, Pentax and Sonycameras, the lens is a good buy for the entry level photog-rapher who wants a multipurpose lens with an eye on theprice tag.Rs 17,500Love - Compact size and zoom rangeHate – Poor low light performance

Interchangeable Lens CameraDSLRs and mirrorless cameras give the user much more control when shooting and offer a lot more

features with far superior image quality

Rs 58,950 (Kit)

= Rs 76,650A high quality camera bag

to store your camera,lenses and other

accessoriesRs 4,000

A strong and sturdytripod to support theweight of the camerabody and lensRs 7,500

A cleaning kitfor the camera

and opticsRs 1,000

Utilities to protectthe lens fromexternal elementsRs 1,600

An extra Li-ionbattery for powerbackupRs 2,200

16GB SDHC Class 6memory cards for storingRAW files and HD video

Rs 1,400

Test photos: D. Krishnan

Photo: S. Thanthoni

Within shooting range for beginners

Better Photography

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True to life colours are captured accurately Close-up shot at 200mm


AUTO focus

Jason H. Harper

The Audi R8 Spyder makes me want to move toCalifornia.

A few minutes in the convertible, sun pinkingmy nose, and I’m ready to trade my life in the

blizzard-prone Northeast for earthquakes, fires, statebankruptcy and paparazzi.

Since the Spyder sports car starts at $ 1,61,000, I’llprobably have to live in a rundown place in the Valley, butI’ll still be ruling Los Angeles from the Audi’s leather-bucketed throne, with the V-10 engine right behind me.

I’m a fan of the R8 coupe in both 4.2-litre V-8 and 5.2-litre V-10 guises, and was not surprised to see Audi roll outa topless version. It’s a time-honoured - and bottom-linepleasing - tradition among makers of exotic cars.

What I didn’t expect was that trading its metal lid for asoft top would also set the rather constrained R8 free. Itditches the Hugo Boss suit and briefcase for board shortsand aviator shades. The convertible looks different, han-dles differently, and completely changes the perspectivefrom inside the car.

My metallic-brown test model twinkles in the L.A.

sunlight as I snap down the freeway at 85 mph, other carsceding territory to its bright LED running lights. Then,into Beverly Hills for a latte, where I’m one of the tribe. Nomatter that I’m an arriviste - so is everybody else.

Power talkThis R8 has the larger V-10 engine, and it arguably hasmore power than you need in a convertible. After all,ditching the top also means that the R8 could no longerfunction as a weekend racetrack car, a personal fantasy Ioften entertain on snowy Sundays in New York City.

Manual shiftIn the coupe, I prefer the superfast 6-speed automatictransmission, controlled by behind-the-wheel paddles.You can shift in a tenth of a second. Yet here I’ve got anold-world, six-speed open-gate manual shifter. You haveto negotiate the metal stick through a series of open,gaping slots, large enough to drop a nickel into.

On the racetrack you lose too much time finding thosegears. Yet in the convertible it’s perfect: Passengers inhigher-riding cars get to look down into the open cockpit

and watch the operation. Every time you shift, there is asoft clink of metal on metal.

Caffeinated, I head for the Angeles National Forestnorth of the city, a place I’ve always imagined as primevaltimberland, but which suffered a terrible fire in 2009, so Ifind instead spindly copses of flame-touched foliage. Whatit still offers are thickets of looping ridge-side roads.

Corkscrew turnsI drive for hours and hours and am never once behindanother car. The R8 pulls me relentlessly along, grabbingpurchase with all four tyres through tight corkscrew turnsand open sweepers. The combination of all-wheel-drive,mid-engine layout, manual transmission and big engine isthe perfect algorithm for a convertible.

It’s not as stiff as the coupe, true, yet it feels more likemotoring. The weight is ideal, and even though I’m shift-ing mostly between redline at third into fourth, I comenowhere near the limits of the car. If I heard tyres shriek-ing on these narrow roads, it would mean I’d done some-thing grievously wrong. The brake and accelerator pedalsare perfectly situated for blipping the gas as you downshift

Time to play Spyder-man

- a racing technique used to blend engine speeds and one ofthose esoteric techniques that’s both pleasing and rare toget right. I do it correctly almost every shift in this car.

There are a few things I’d change. Mostly, I wish the R8had a “mean” button you could engage, which would openup the engine and allow it to get really throaty and wild,more like the Lamborghini Gallardo from which it isderived. Even when you’re really gunning it, the V-10 istoo polite by half. Fine around town, but out here I want tohear myself.

Leg crampsThe footwell is also cramped, with the left-side dead pedalpushed too far forward, so my left leg cramps. I wish theseats had slightly better lumbar support, too.

In the shadows of the mountains it’s much colder, in the50s, but it’s below freezing back home so no worries. I’m ina T-shirt with the top down. I get out at the crest of a7,000- foot ridge, ostensibly to look at the view. I soon giveup peering through the smog and just stare at the car.

The Spyder has lost the coupe’s signature side scoops,and you can no longer see the engine itself behind glass.Yet with the top missing, the proportions are better -wider and more squished. More exotic.

I leave the mountains far to the east of the city. It’ll be along ride back on highways, along flatland that’s alreadyfull of traffic moving at 80 mph. I hurl myself into it,confident in my machine. No more snow days - just warmwind in your face. It’s a California dream.

(The author writes about autos for Muse, the arts and leisuresection of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)

Engine: 5.2-litre V-10 with 525 horsepower and 391pound-feet of torque

Transmission: Six-speed manual or six-speedautomatic

Speed: 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds

Gas mileage per gallon: 12 city; 19 highway

Best feature: That sense of entitled freedom

Worst feature: Can we get a bit more noise, please?

Target buyer: The Los Angeles titan

Price as tested: $171,915

The 2011 Audi R8 5.2 Spyder at a glance

Photos: Bloomberg

Team Smartbuy

Around the world, in some of the greatest brandmuseums you will find one iconic, instantly recog-nisable symbol that has inspired and built the auraaround the brand that it represents. The Spirit of

Ecstasy – the enigmatic mascot of Rolls-Royce Motor cars, hasbeen carved to perfection and set atop the trademark bonnetgrille of every Rolls-Royce car that has ever been producedsince February 6, 1911.

Now, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is celebrating one hundredyears of the Spirit of Ecstasy, the famous flying lady mascotthat has inspired and continues to inspire owners and enthusi-asts of what is arguably the world’s pinnacle luxury brand.

To mark a year of celebration, every Ghost and Phantomproduced at the home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood will bear aSpirit of Ecstasy with the inscription Spirit of Ecstasy Centen-ary – 2011. This will be etched into the base of each statuette,in a specially selected font ‘ITC Willow’.

A number of events have also been planned to mark thisspecial year. On February 6th – the date on which CharlesSykes’ Spirit of Ecstasy design was first registered – Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will host a drive through central London. Ahundred contemporary and historic Rolls-Royce cars willmake their way through the capital’s streets taking in keylandmarks en route, such as Berkeley Square and ConduitStreet, the current and original homes of Rolls-Royce inLondon.

The story of the Spirit of Ecstasy is one of glamour andintrigue. The mystery surrounding the identity of the ladywith her dress billowing in the air, who was immortalised bythe Rolls-Royce symbol is probably second only to the magicof Monalisa’s smile, a woman whose identity continues to bethe subject of considerable speculation.

Here is an extract from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ officialversion on the history of the Spirit of Ecstasy:

It starts at the dawn of the motoring era, when open roadsand the end of the hated Red Flag Act in the UK bringseemingly limitless possibilities for car makers, owners andenthusiasts. It ends in tragedy for more than one of theplayers, but leaves us with a legend. And a motoring icon thatcontinues to inspire those who make and enjoy Rolls-RoyceMotor Cars today.

The tale starts with three very different people; CharlesRolls, Henry Royce and Claude Johnson, the founding fathersof the Rolls-Royce brand.

The Honourable Charles Rolls was an aristocrat, engineerand one of the most experienced drivers of the day. At the turnof the century, he ran a car import business near Earls Court.Dissatisfied with the quality of foreign cars, Rolls sought andfound a kindred spirit in Henry Royce, an established electri-cal engineer with a car manufacturing business inManchester.

The men were brought together in 1904 by Claude Johnson,who became known as the hyphen in Rolls-Royce. Johnsonhad been secretary at the Motor Club of Great Britain, latterlythe RAC Club, but in 1901 had joined Rolls in business. WhenC.S. Rolls and Co. established exclusive rights to sell Rolls-Royce cars from its dealership in Conduit Street, Mayfair, itwas Johnson who helped drive its success.

Johnson was a man with a talent for marketing, with estab-lished links to newspaper owners. In an early advertisementfor Rolls-Royce he famously coined the line ‘The Best Car inthe World’, a phrase repeated by the motoring press of the day,and a moniker that is still applied to Rolls-Royce modelstoday.

John Scott Montagu was a friend of Claude Johnson andCharles Rolls, as well as a fellow motoring pioneer. He found-ed The Car Illustrated in 1902 and today his son’s estate inHampshire continues to guard the Spirit of Ecstasy legend.

Montagu appointed a young sculptor and illustrator calledCharles Sykes as resident artist for his magazine in 1903. It

Celebrating

Photo: S. Muralidhar

was Sykes’ beautiful illustrations and bronzes that signpostedthe way to the creation of the first Spirit of Ecstasy.

The final and most important player in the story is EleanorThornton. Eleanor was secretary to Claude Johnson at theMotor Club of Great Britain. She subsequently joined Monta-gu as his personal assistant – and thereby became a co-workerof Sykes. It is upon Eleanor’s image that this very Britishlegend takes shape.

The Rolls-Royce board had publicly voiced its displeasureat a growing fashion for gaudy bonnet adornments such asportly policemen that ill-befitted the best cars in the world.And so Johnson turned to Sykes, whose illustrations andsculptures had so impressed him, for asolution.

Thus far the story is fact. But it is toEleanor Thornton that we turn forthe mystery and intrigue. Eleanorwas a hard worker, who becameknown as the ‘brains behind thebusiness’ while working for Mon-tagu. Previously, she had been in-strumental in preparing the famous1,000 mile trial for Johnson duringhis time at the Motor Club of GreatBritain, a competition that did so much toignite a passion for motoring in its early years.

But Eleanor was much more than just a competent col-league. Beautiful and provocative, she became an inspirationfor Sykes artwork. We know for example that she was Alice inMotorland, a serialisation that parodied Alice in Wonderland.Eleanor appeared on several front covers, including the 1905Christmas edition where she took the form of Alice gliding in awinged chariot.

But Eleanor was almost certainly the inspiration for manymore of Sykes early sketches, paintings and bronzes. TheWhisperer is perhaps the most famous example of a Sykesfigurine in bronze, which more than hints at the famousbonnet mascot to come.

Tragically, Charles Rolls was never to see a Spirit of Ecstasyfitted to a Rolls-Royce model. A passion for aviation led to atragedy in 1910 at an air display in Bournemouth. It was theUK’s first air fatality.

For Eleanor too, the story ended in an untimely death.She and Montagu travelled to India in 1915 at the height of

the First World War. Eleanor was never to return, she was thevictim of an enemy torpedo attack on their ship, the SS Persia,in the Mediterranean. Montagu survived, returning to readhis own obituary in the Times.

So what of the legend? Is the figurine that has adornedRolls-Royce cars for a century really Eleanor Thornton? Manybelieve it to be so. But the truth is that no one knows for sure.Sykes never spoke publicly about Eleanor in the years be-tween 1915 and his death in 1950. He may have confided in hisdaughter Josephine. But, when asked about Eleanor, herfather and the Spirit of Ecstasy, Josephine is reported to havereplied: “Eleanor was a lovely person. It is an interesting storyand if it makes you happy, let the myth prevail.”

Perhaps the story was stoked by Johnson, a man whorecognised the power of PR and the allure of a legend.

What we can say for certain is that the Spirit ofEcstasy is a true icon. Just as each statuette isunique - a consequence of the lost wax tech-nique still used in production - this symbolof automotive excellence commandsunique emotions and meanings for thosewho admire her.

And whether her image is that of Elea-nor Thornton or not, one thing is certain;the Spirit of Ecstasy continues to intrigue,excite and inspire those who work for Rolls-RoyceMotor Cars today.

the Spirit

LUXE homes

‘Trio-fic’ interior themesGraceful lines of Art Nouveau, Boudoir-inspired flamboyant textures and sensuous

colours and a majestic Colonial setting. Here are three splendid settings that can envelope your homes and wow your guests

Step back in time, and immerse yourself in thesumptuous beauty of the boudoir style. Before weget into the details, a little background on thisdesign style. Traditionally, the word ‘boudoir’ re-ferred to a small room exclusive to the Frenchladies; a feminine and fussy, often visually clut-tered space where they retreated to indulge andward off their blues. Not for the fainthearted, thestyle exudes a sense of sophistication with a touchof outrageous fervour. To get the perfect look, seekproducts that will reflect the magnificence of thesurroundings. An ornate antique mirror will openup the room, whilst a chaise or settee with gold-leaf embellishments will add a touch of sensation-alism. Spice up the setting with textures renderedthrough the curls of a stunning oak candelabra (orcrystal-studded wall scones); sure to spark off aromantic mood. A surprise element is the beigecarpet with an intricate arabesque pattern thatbrings a sense of warmth to this grandiose affair.Since it is all about over-the-top decor, the fancierthe better. So, scout around in antique shops foraccessories with gold trimmings, and pick up luxu-rious silk and satin furnishings.

The Boudoirglamour

>> A period piece, the mahogany hand-carvedmirror is embellished with gold leafing (as seenon cover)>> This oak, gold-leaf candelabra is sure to lookregal placed on either side of your dressing table(Rs 1,27,000 onwards)>> The glamorous Italian gold-leaf Love Seat isthe quintessential piece of furniture for a bou-doir-inspired setting and is hand-carved out ofrosewood with gold leafing (as seen on cover)>> Simple and elegant, an arabesque patterncarpet offsets the bling fervour (as seen oncover)>> The ornate French table lamp sports a cottonshade (Rs 38,000) >> A finely carved Italian marble-topped, rose-wood side table with real gold leafing along itscircumference (Rs 62,000 onwards)All products from The Great Eastern Home andthe carpet from Ali Joo


Fluid forms, aerodynamic horizontal lines,whiplash curves… this setting echoes the beau-ty of one of the much talked about art forms ofthe 1800s — Art Nouveau which is French for‘new art’. Although it is difficult to bring aboutall the aspects of this elaborate style form, thesetting captures its essence. The undulatingshapes and asymmetrical forms come alivethrough the magnificent life-size mahoganymirror whose frame branches out in a sinuousmanner to hold the dressing paraphernalia. Inthe same vein, is the painstakingly hand-carvedBurma teak and rose wood side table flauntinga smooth round shape. Adding softness to thecomposition are the accessories in form of ele-gant silverware, the subtle lighting brought inby the ornate chandelier, a transparent sheerthat flows unhindered, complemented by thebroody brown colour palette. After all, ArtNouveau is not just about natural forms, it ispresenting them in a highly decorative style.

Art Nouveauelegance

>> This magnificent art nouveau mirror is handcarved in mahogany: The Great Eastern Home>> Simply stunning, these Persian rugs flaunt delicate floral design: Ali Joo>> Fluttering in the evening breeze, the organza sheer lends an aura of subtle elegance. Available in stores such as

Good Earth, Fabindia, Atmosphere and AA Living>> A play of light and shadow sets the stage for this set-up. An ornate baroque-styled chandelier breaks the

monotony of clean lines: Raj Lamp Export>> For your knick-knacks, a pure silver bowl: Silver House>> Flaunt your prized possessions in style: bracelets and neckpieces entwined around the branches of the mirror

frame: Silver House>> A trio of pillar candles for subdued lighting available in stores such as Good Earth, Pallate and Apartment 9>> The Burma teak and rosewood side table will work perfectly as a cocktail table, courtesy the glass-holders (Rs

52,000 onwards): The Great Eastern Home


Classic indeed, this stiff-upper-lipped stylemade its presence around the 1900s. One wayto get this look is to pick up stuff that exudesvolume and masculinity. For instance, this set-up is marked by minimal but massive furniturepieces, which are sure to make an impact onany space. The show-stealer is the coffee-huedmahogany table- supported on regal and pow-erful looking lion faces, and featuring intricatehand-carvings along the edges. Equally impres-sive are the Burma teak book cabinet and thetall mirror that render a sense of drama to thestudy, complemented by the armchair and thefloor lamp that amplify the luxurious aura ofthis period. Lest we forget, the colour scheme iscrucial to get the perfect look. It’s a good idea tostick to a monochromatic palette. This settinguses a brown one with a touch of black (themirror) to accentuate the masculine appeal.Don’t miss out pewter accessories (such as thestag candle-stand) which were in vogue duringthis era, and team them up with glass, silver orbronze to complete the look.

Colonialmagnificence

>> This large Burma teak book cabinet will add impressive scale to your library (Rs 2,50,000 onwards) >> Standing tall, is the slender Burma teak floor lamp (Rs 42,000 onwards) >> The gracious oak chair with its low seat features spiral work along the arms and legs (Rs 64,000 onwards) >> Reflective glass candle-holders soften the solidity of the wooden elements (Rs 9,700 onwards, each)>> A cut above the rest: the massive mahogany table features large lions for the base and detailed handcrafted

work on the edges>> The beautiful rich tones of the carpet create a warm and inviting image >> The life-size mercury-coated piece comes alive in the black-polished Burma teak frame (Rs 2,50,000onwards)

All products from The Great Eastern Home and carpet from Ali JooBetter Interiors


MELANGE luxury redefined

Ostrich print in mauve, mixy croc in maroon and suede in coffee.Adamis’s 2011 collection is for the leather-holic. Grab on to handbags,wallets, travel bags, belts and accessories at select boutiques.Rs 8,400 (in pic)

Leather overdose

Military style now seepsinto handbags fromBaggit with exaggeratedzipper trims, gold andmetal detailing,camouflage prints andmilitary cuts in earthyhues, army green andcamel shades. Available at its outlets.Rs 1,200 onwards

Marching in

After wowing us withtheir clothes, designersShantanu & Nikhil stepin with their accessoriesline – S & N Co.Product’s. Fromexquisitely crafted pensand pencils in leatherand metal finish, to aleather and metal USBwrist drive, tie andcufflinks to wine setswith an assortment oftools, take a peek at theduo’s creations at theirstores in New Delhi andMumbai. Rs 5,500 (in pic)

Luxeaccessories

Churning out yet another range ofaccessories, TAG Heuer has someclassy leather products lined up.Take a pick from its card and key

holders and vintage wallets, inneat designs at its boutique and

select watch stores in New Delhi.Rs 7,000 to Rs 12,500

TAG yourself!

Thalgo makes the coldseason a pleasant one

for your skin with somespecially designed

products. The ComfortRange includes a

‘delicious’ cream, an‘extreme’ one and a

melt-away-maskinstant comfort, all richin Complexe Algomega.

Available at leadingspas and salons.

Rs 1,820 to Rs 2,980

Winter glow

Smartbuy issue dated January 12, 2011

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Transcript of Smartbuy issue dated January 12, 2011