Decoupage (or découpage) is the art of decorating an object by gluing colored paper cutouts onto it in combination with special paint effects, gold leaf and so on. Commonly an object like a small box or an item of furniture is covered by cutouts from magazines or from purpose-manufactured papers. Each layer is sealed with varnishes (often multiple coats) until the "stuck on" appearance disappears and the result looks like painting or inlay work. The traditional technique used 30 to 40 layers of varnish which were then sanded to a polished finish.
My love for decoupage, started way back in the 90s when I used to decorate my art school portfolio cases with old picture cut outs from magazines and newspapers. The result was so outstanding that some my friends and students from other batches also started to ask for the same. I’ve always loved paper. In books. In stationery sets. Cards. Pretty envelopes. Diaries. Magazines. Brochures. The works.
I'm a crafter and am always drawn to working with paper. It's such a humble yet versatile medium. I played around with different kinds of paper and finishes for a new outcome for every project. But the experiments sort of stopped once I finished college and started a job as an Art Director.
But in 2006, just after my daughter was born, I began to fiddle with the thoughts of starting my own small, boutique design studio. That would have given me ample time to spend with my lil’ one and home. But the main reason was the itch to do some creative work, based upon my own whims and fancies J I believe that design is functional...design is human. not virtual. because it is meant for people. design is meant for a purpose. if it does not communicate, holds no interaction, then it is not design.
Decoupage fitted perfectly into the picture.
So in Dec 2006, I began hand making some basic wooden home décor accessories like trays, keepsake boxes and coasters etc. I called it, Design5 Studio.
At Design5 Studio, I create 'eco-whimsical’ and fun, decoupaged wooden home decor accessories out of eco-friendly wood. Wood that comes from various sources is laser cut into required shapes and turned into customized wooden home décor accessories.
My designed products reflect my belief that a good design touches you. tickles you. At times, hopefully, even leaves you amazed. A visually stunning graphic piece of work that arouses your senses. any of them. sometimes all of them.
The best part was designing my concepts. But when the designs came back to me after being printed on to paper, they became so alive! I loved decoupaging these papers onto my wooden products. The paper melts into the wood, making the products transform from my ideas to a functional designed real product. I love paper, and layers of it!
Been a while here now. I'm still here. Still crafting. Designing when I can. Still passionate about paper…
These decoupaged beauties are available at many e-stores online and some stores in various cities in India now.