Every once in a while I hail a cab to take me to a part of the city I haven’t been to before. This mini-adventure is refreshing to the soul and the mind. Unfamiliar sights. Fresh scents. Some familiar cacophony. Different perspectives. Every old neighborhood of Bangalore has a strong regional influence some of which can be seen to this day. I had a meeting at Frazer Town around noon, and this seemed like a good opportunity to soak in the sights and sounds of Pottery Lane, a to-visit neighborhood on my list, for long. Pottery town can now be safely crossed off. I booked an Uber cab expecting the ride to Pottery Lance to last an hour in the peak morning traffic, but it was much quicker. I got down at the cross roads of Pottery Lane where the porch of every house dotting the narrow alley had over…
Where do you go to (my lovely ~~~ too much Peter Sarstedt over the weekend) for interior inspiration? Blogs? Facebook groups? Or good old magazines? My favorite go-to place for home tours is the GoodHomes magazine. I have some of the best issues stacked on my coffee table in the living room. It’s been a while since I have featured some of the bright homes from GoodHomes. First, it is Manisha Vinod and Ajay Raghavan’s home. Calling this a colorful home would be an understatement. This home is bold, bright, cheerful, and as the article rightly puts it, it takes us back to our childhood of fairy tale living. There’s chaos; there’s splashes of color; order goes to the wind; that’s what makes this room a delight. Characters and fables come alive in this room. May be a bit too much to calm the mind at times for someone like me.…
This post is sponsored by Capricoast. We often associate wood as the material for interiors. After a radical introduction of stainless steel as the prime material in our previous kitchen tour, today I take you through its traditional alternative: a ply kitchen that is budget-friendly without compromising on accessories. This is also executed by CapriCoast. Just like the previous post, all frequently asked questions are addressed in this post: how much should a ply kitchen cost, will the vendor undertake civil work, what material to use in a kitchen, is waterproof ply necessary etc etc. This home is part of the Zed Homes community, an eco-friendly project that is close to our hearts. Key details about the project: Name of the project: BCIL, Zed Homes Location: Bangalore Size: 8 feet hob side (hob and sink on opposite walls) 11 feet sink side Material used in kitchen: Ply Shape of kitchen:…
We visited Hampi for two days last weekend (the long weekend of Ganesh Chaturthi). Unlike most places, the planning bit to Hampi was challenging since we decided not to drive and take the train instead. I found very little information online on how to travel to and from the hotel, and how much it would realistically cost. Almost everyone we knew had only driven before or stayed at a guesthouse, we were confused over what to do. One of the key parts of any of our trips is the hotel. If we visit any place, let’s say for two days, one day is just for lounging in the hotel doing nothing but indulging. So, it goes without saying that the hotel must be good. Since the trip to Hampi was planned just a week before many of the hotels were either sold out or quite expensive. This post is mainly…
Planning to buying a old home and renovate it on a budget? Then this is for you. You will discover which interior designer to connect with, and garden, flooring and furnishing ideas. There’s something about taking a peek inside real homes. There’s a bit of suspense of what lies behind those doors, of how people dress their homes, and the excitement builds if the doorway is tastefully decorated. What I have for you today is the renovation of a 20-year old home in Vidyaranyapura, Bangalore by Jyothika Baleri of Destination Designs. Renovated homes are tricky and it takes trained eyes to see beyond what is obvious and unlock the potential. What to consider when renovating a home Typical questions that would arise in one’s mind are: does the house need to be demolished completely? what architectural features can I retain? how much of the wood can be reclaimed and put…
In this post, I analyse and review if you should consider buying a row house in Renaissance Nature Walk. Continuing with the House Hunt series, today I present to you one of our ah! moments. One where space is the king. One where light rules, and flows in unhindered. One where you can spread a chataai on the terrace and gaze at the stars without the exhaust smoke choking your lungs. One where you can indulge in a hobby. One where you can take a walk every evening without watching your step for stepping over trash. One where there is a hint of greenery from the living, dining, and the guest bed room. One where the windows are not dots on the wall; they are the prominent features. One where the living room opening up to the green patch gets a character with the double ceiling; it makes you feel the…
Owning a house was THE goal after kids’ education and wedding for our parents’ generation. That is slowly changing now with most of us getting an apartment in early 20s. Signing on the dotted line in the agreement should bring happiness. Ads show images of folks like us sitting on the balcony/lawn sipping tea leisurely flipping through the pages of newspaper. Often, they are flanked by manicured lawns, a blooming garden and children playing carefree on wide roads. How far from reality! Making the decision took us months after an exhausting house hunt. And when we made the decision, we had butterflies in our stomach and months of sleepless nights over loan and interiors. We had no clue what we had signed up for. And I’m sure there are hundreds of you out there on the same journey. A house is a big fat elephant. Things were not so complicated…
It’s been three months since we moved into this new house. It feels like home now. We cherish the crisp air in the mornings, the evening breeze, and I must sheepishly admit, I sometimes miss the sounds and cacophony of Marathahalli. In today’s post, I offer you first glimpses into my kitchen: a place that I hold dear to my heart because of the time and effort that went into its planning, civil modifications, designing, choosing a vendor and execution. Kitchen layout: It is a 14 feet long by 11.5 feet wide east facing kitchen. The kitchen is flanked on north side by the living room wall and on the south by the utility. It is open on the east and faces the main road on the west. There is a huge 4 * 3 window on the west side. Civil modification: Originally, the kitchen was smaller as it had…
A duplex apartment in Bangalore designed by interior designer Shivani Dogra. This home is rich in fabrics and artifacts sourced from the local market. Most of the projects I have featured recently require a great deal of wood work, sourcing materials across locations, and needles to say, a huge budget. From my experience of doing up our new home, I can safely say any ethnic touch costs a bomb: be it sourcing a wooden pillar or carved wood furniture. Shivani’s projects have always appealed to me because they are not high on budget, and the focus is on styling to make a room come alive. Her clever use of bed spreads, coordinated curtains and blinds gives a seamless look to a room. I take you through her latest projects as Shivani shares some nuggets of wisdom on decorating with you. Stepping away from her characteristic monochromatic style in the previous…
An interior designer who specilaizes in home renovations in Bangalore illustrated this home tour.