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Spacial haven

Renuka has used soothing colour schemes and basic practicality to create a stunning living space, says Harjeet Kaur Allagh

PHOTO: RAJU.V

Metro culture of living in high-rise apartments is fast catching on in the laid back Vijayawada. Renuka moved into the swanky Prakasa Residency with her daughters, almost six months ago.

The plush interiors of the apartment are as good as any of the decor seen in the pages of the latest magazines on interiors. The accent is on minimalism, rather than clutter. This gives it a look of vastness and expanse. The glossy marbonite tiles on the floor match the ivory palette of the walls. The living room is rectangular and has two seating arrangements. One set of sofas in soft suede upholstery in fawn colour, while the other in bright peach and black, sets off the contrast. The room is illuminated with soft, subdued lights, fixed in the ceiling and a white circular lamp in the center. One corner of the room has an open cabinet with focused lights in them, to highlight the ceramic pots of different hues. The pots are in orange, blue, yellow, green and mauve, all different shades but together they give a harmonious look. The focal point in the center is a large, rosewood vase, placed on a footstool and filled with dry stalks and flowers. Earthenware pots of different shapes are arranged aesthetically on the floor.

On the other end of the room, there is a sofa placed opposite to the T.V cabinet. The wall behind it has a rough mosaic surface in contrast with the rest of the walls that have a smooth altek finish. The drapes adorning the windows are in green stripes with long tasseled khaki green valences.

The simple arch leading to the dining area has a panel of glass bricks on one side, which, when seen from the other side is a cabinet holding artifacts. The dining table is not the everyday run-of-the-mill kind. Towards the wall is a joint two seater with printed furnishing, and opposite it are rosewood chairs and a table with a glass top. Fluorescent, orange and blue cookie jars add spice to the dining table. The wall behind has niches of different sizes with ultra chic black jars placed in them. A buffet cabinet along one wall has glass shelves displaying the glass and chinaware. The wash area is made out of a wooden base with a coloured glass basin placed on it, rather than being embedded in it. This is the latest model of washbasins available today.

Unique kitchen

The kitchen is custom made with all the latest paraphernalia-a hob, chimney, glossy kitchen tops and pull out cabinets. A unique feature in the kitchen is a small trap door, opening into the wash area from the counter. Making it easy to keep the used dishes out of sight. One glass cabinet is used as a corner for puja.

The master bedroom is compact with everything in its right place. The bed is against the south wall which doubles up as a headboard. It is done up in small square stone tiles. The side tables in natural wood have panels going up and around the wall with muted lighting emanating from it. The bedspread is of ethnic, cotton weave. The curtains are in baby pink matt finish with magenta valences. The wall opposite the bed has a T.V cabinet in the center, flanked by wardrobes on either side. A huge dresser with shelves and pull out drawers, contain all the toiletries and cosmetics. Renuka has done up the home herself. Her husband, Garlapati Chiranjeevi, a wholesale steel merchant, passed away in a tragic road accident, almost two years ago. Children are her weakness. Says she: "My only aim in life is to provide good life to my daughters and see them settled comfortably."

The guest room has a simple wooden bed, a matching dresser and wall-to-wall wardrobes. A side panel has a bookshelf, music system, telephone and a bright vase of flowers to make the guests feel at home.

The two young girls, Pratyusha and Praneeta share the same room.

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