Potter's magic

Sat, Jul 19 01:20 AM

It does not boast blown-glass chandeliers, shining onyx or anything similarly ostentatious. The USP of this house is minimalism, aided by free-flowing space and soothing colours.

Sitting on 240 sq yards, the bungalow took two years to build and another six months for Anju to do the interiors before she could move in with husband Tarun and son Anmol, 21. When the huge gates open, the first thing one notices is a platter with water and floating rose petals next to the stairs.

A bright red painting with a focus light on top, and two of Anju's vases in beige make a still life in striking contrast. The house has a dual entry point - one leads to her studio,through a lush garden with stepping-stones in interesting shapes like tortoise and frogs; the other is the main entrance that leads to the living area.

The wooden doors have been beautified with zari work sandwiched in glass. The skylights are even more appealing as Anju has pressed leaves between glass sheets.

She says, "It is an innovative concept but tough to implement. I plucked leaves, put them in water for many days, cleaned them and then put them between glass and finally had them put up as skylights.

" A cool palette The colour palette ranges from white to beige, complemented by the bright paintings on the walls. Kashmiri carpets adorn the Italian marble floor, while the contemporary wooden furniture in walnut finish is draped in off-white cotton mixed with raw silk.

A huge golden Buddha statue atop the staircase is a dominant feature in this part of the house. Although the walls are simply plaster-coated, there is a spectacular carving in fibreboard next to the door leading up to the balcony.

A half-painted golden candle on the centre table makes the setting exotic at night. "The bright red throw on the table glows when the candle is lit and is reflected in the big mirror right behind," Anju says.

The staircase in the lounging area leads to Anmol's bedrooms - yes, he has two bedrooms as he wanted them in different colours! - and a gorgeous terrace garden built on two levels. High on comfort The staircase, decorated with beige vases, leads to Anmol's pantry.

A pilot, he is now based in Hyderabad and likes to snack by himself whenever he visits. His bedroom is done up in vibrant red and the bathroom oozes quiet luxury.

His other room has low seating with a dash of fuchsia. The room has emotional value as it has all his toys from childhood.

A small lobby leads to the terrace garden filled with bamboos, bottle palms and hibiscus plants. The flooring on the rest of the terrace is in Italian tiles embellished with small pieces cut from blue tiles.

The water-tight sealing prevents seepage. "On a cloudy evening, we love sitting here on garden chairs with a cup of coffee," says Anju.

The master bedroom has a bed with no pillows, but a huge wooden headboard that doubles as a comfortable backrest. A flat screen TV and wall-mounted speakers lend a coolly modern touch to the room, offset by the warmth of the teddy sitting on a wooden table.

"It was gifted to me by my son on Valentine's Day," Anju says. Her own world Anju's studio is the most artistic part of the house.

This is where the self-confessed workaholic spends all her time. The walls have been done up in cement in places, in bricks in some other spots, and hand-painted here and there.

The black kadappa flooring is not sombre at all, as the place is full of vases and pots in beige, gold and white. The ceiling has a layer of 40-year-old wood with embedded lights.

The whole effect is quite stunning, with a focal point created by a fountain in one corner. Anju's own description of her house is: "It is classy, a reflection of my beliefs.

People tell me that when they enter my house, they get positive vibes and feel purified.".

Inside News

Editor's picks