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Photo: R. ASHOK

Classy Compact and comfortable

The city has caught up with the trend of investing time and money to spruce up the interiors. Starvation for space is not a matter of concern for the people any more.

“In fact, it is easier to jazz up smaller homes and apartments than bungalows,” says Augustef Manimaran, an interior designer from Mccarthy Interiors.

Wooden furniture, in any day, is advantageous over the iron ones. They offer a rich look, besides being comfortable. Be it wrought iron or wood, furniture must be teamed with appropriate colour shades on walls. Paints have always been a powerful tool to doll up or mess up the look of homes.

“It is better to paint pastel colours across the homes. Going in for different colours for room would be expensive when it comes to re-painting. Also, bold colours would give the room a cluttered look,” he says.

If going in for a re-painting with bold colours pinches your pocket, here is an easy way to spice up your home. Flashy coloured cushions on couches could enliven the plain setting and provide a cool look. Wooden seats could be given a flat squab cushion, either with light-shade stripes for an elegant slant or Gujarati works for an ethnic look.

Nonetheless, the bright colours are much in-vogue and people are no more shying away from colours. As a case in point, take a look at Shanthi’s home. Her younger daughter’s room has been textured painted in bright blue and every corner of the room dazzles with cartoon characters.

“The architect had long arguments with my daughter. He suggested a pink shade in the room for that girly look. But she was particular in painting her room with blue. This colour scheme actually seems to have liven up the space,” says Dr. Shanthi, an ophthalmologist.

Her waiting room dappled with picturesque painting of hers and a mammoth French window, bringing in the beauty of nature into the home. The God of Wisdom Ganesha has taken a new avatar of style icon at Dr. Shanthi’s home. An avid collector of Ganesha idol, she has stacked up about 300 idols in her Elephant-headed-God-shaped glass cabinet bordered with gleaming wood.

“Ganesha idols look great in whichever shape they are. The cheerful-face is any designer’s delight,” says Dr. Shanthi, who has painstakingly designed the interiors during the construction.

Kitchens are more than cooking and cauldron. Modular kitchen, which is in vogue in many apartments, no doubt, gives a sleek look. But for Dr. Shanthi, readymade packages are a strict no-no. Her spacious kitchen is refreshingly free from cutlery clutters.

“I had designed the kitchen to suit Indian way of cooking. The readymade ones are designed for western style of cooking,” she says.

Ensconced amidst the sprawling lawn, Priyanjali Anand’s home is unique in its own way. The minimalist look gives no clue about the breathtaking antiques sited in every corner of her home.

The royal-looking diwan with silk cushions on them is just a pointer to the rich curios for any observer. There are aesthetically carved wooden fans, Geethopadesham in bright sandalwood, rosewood glass case gives a feeling of time warp. A Mysore veena and a Thanjavur veena carefully encased in teakwood case take their share of space.

Rustic interiors infuse life in home, suggests J. Ramanan, an architect.

“Commercials are more interested in thematic style, opting for Roman and Greek style of interiors. Straight lines rule the interiors when it comes to the choice of minimalism.”

For Raji Ramakrishnan, the aesthetic appeal of her home is the striking patio that flows into the living room, forked by a French window.

“Sunlight adds glamour to one’s home. Well-lit and clutter-free living space would enhance the beauty of home. Rectangular and square shaped-furniture save spaces and is easy to maintain,” she suggests.

Swish interiors or unpretentious furniture, the city is slowly making the people spoilt for choices.

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