Happal

In the evolving world of interior design, the "new luxury" isn't about high-tech gadgets or sterile, perfectly finished surfaces. Instead, it is defined by character, story, and the "hand" of the maker. As a textile designer specializing in home furnishings, my mission is to bring warmth and authenticity into living spaces. To achieve this, I have turned my focus toward Custom Block Printing—a centuries-old craft that is currently undergoing a massive global renaissance.

Whether it’s a set of oversized floor cushions, a bespoke tablecloth, or structured upholstery for a mid-century chair, custom block-printed fabric offers a tactile depth that mass-market digital prints simply cannot match. It allows me to bridge the gap between ancient Indian artistry and contemporary interior aesthetics.

The Designer’s Edge: Why Choose Custom Block Printing?

As a designer, I am often frustrated by the limitations of commercial textiles. You either find a pattern you love in the wrong color, or the right color in a generic pattern. Custom Block Printing eliminates these compromises.

• Total Aesthetic Control: When I design a home furnishing collection, I am in control of every variable. I can specify the exact Pantone shade for a "buta" (floral motif) to ensure it complements a specific wall paint or furniture timber.


• The "Human" Texture: The beauty of block printing lies in its subtle variations. The slight overlap of a border or the varying intensity of the ink creates a visual "vibration" that gives the fabric life. In a living room, this texture creates an inviting, cozy atmosphere that feels curated rather than manufactured.


• Sustainability and Longevity: Most of my custom work is printed on natural fibers like heavy-weight cotton duck, linen, and hemp. Using AZO-free dyes and traditional sun-drying methods ensures that these home furnishings are as eco-friendly as they are durable.

Designing for the Modern Home: From Concept to Cushion

The process of creating a home furnishing line through Custom Block Printing is a labor of love. It begins on my drawing board, where I reinterpret traditional Rajasthani motifs—like the lotus, the paisley, or geometric jaals—into something that fits a 21st-century home.

Once the sketches are finalized, they are transformed into three-dimensional wooden blocks. For a complex multi-colored bedspread, we may need as many as five different blocks, each precisely carved to layer colors on top of one another. The fabric is then stretched across 6-meter-long tables, and the rhythmic "thump" of the wooden block begins.

For my latest collection of table linens, I experimented with "negative space" printing—where the block creates the background, leaving the motif in the natural color of the fabric. This technique highlights the crispness of the carving and the organic quality of the textile, making each piece a standalone work of art for the dining room.

Styling Hand-Blocked Textiles in Interior Spaces

Integrating Custom Block Printing into home furnishings allows for endless styling possibilities:

1. The Statement Table: A hand-blocked tablecloth in indigo or madder red becomes the focal point of a room. Pair it with simple ceramic dinnerware to let the textile do the talking.


2. Layered Living Rooms: I love mixing different scales of block prints on a sofa. A large-scale floral print on a floor cushion paired with a tiny geometric "boti" print on a throw pillow creates a sophisticated, "collected-over-time" look.


3. Bespoke Upholstery: Using reinforced, hand-blocked canvas for accent chairs is a fantastic way to introduce a burst of pattern into a minimalist room.

Sourcing Excellence: The Jaipur Connection

A textile designer is only as good as their manufacturing partners. To ensure that my designs are executed with the precision and soul they deserve, I look to the historic heart of the craft: Sanganer, Jaipur.

I am proud to share that for my most recent collection, I bought my custom block printed fabric from RR Printing Tools. Known as a renowned block printer in Jaipur, RR Printing Tools provides the perfect synergy of traditional skill and professional reliability. Their master carvers and printers understand the nuances of fabric tension and dye absorption, ensuring that every meter of fabric meets the high standards required for luxury home furnishings. By collaborating with a heritage manufacturer like RR Printing Tools, I am able to bring the authentic, sun-drenched artistry of India into homes across the world.