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Front Doors ~ more than an entrance to a home. It’s a style statement that sets the stage and expectations for what lies inside. Yes, it’s a reflection of a home. You spot a stylish single front door, and you can’t wait to step in and see the rest of the home. The main doors at the entrance are like the cover of a book. But, the adage does not hold good for a home. You can judge the style and interiors of a home by its entryway where the best is often on display. I spent a good part of my growing up years at my grandparents’ in two southern towns of Tamil Nadu: Madurai and Kumbakonam. The architecture of the ancient houses in Tanjore district has left a lasting impression on me. Several hot summer afternoons spent playing hide and seek in the thinnais (the front porch), mitham…

The TPCL guest house in Fort Kochi designed by Design Combine Architects and Designers makes a big impact visually because of its unhindered use of life-size masks, mural paintings, and statues dotting its walls. The guest house comprises two independent apartments on the top-most floor. The building itself is over 20 years old. The double-height ceiling in the lift+ lobby area gives a vast expanse of space while also serving as the perfect canvas for the “yazhis”. Yazhis are mythical creatures often found at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum of temples in South India. This space is otherwise sparsely decorated; the virtual tour of this space made me feel as if I was touring a museum than a guest house. It’s the impressive private art collection of the owner that lends this feel to the space. There are hints of recycled furniture that blend well with the comforts of…

What are one’s choices for using a 150-sq.ft room? If you are imaginative, it can be multi-utilitarian: a study by day, guest room when you have guests, entertainment room by night.  The choices are endless when you flex your creative muscles as Sandesh Prabhu proves with this brilliant transformation of a study room in Mumbai. When it comes to interior projects, there are few things as exciting as a makeover project. The novelty that before/after pictures bring is unparalleled. Sadly enough, I couldn’t get the before picture for this makeover. But that shouldn’t stop us from deconstructing the constituents of what makes this a standout. Three takeaways for you if you are planning on a renovation: Choose one focal element: it could be a rug, a piece of art work, or furniture. Select everything else that complements this focal point. In this case, it is the horse artwork. If you…

I’m reminded of this quote when I look at this structure: “The structures were austere and simple, until one looked at them and realized what work, what complexity of method, what tension of thought had achieved the simplicity.” Ayn Rand – The Fountainhead If you are reading this post at work, I suggest you come back to it later. Before I realized, one good hour had ticked past while I soaked in the beauty and simplicity of the homes created by Khosla Associates. In my earlier post on why you should hire an interior designer, I emphasized on choosing a house with a good plan and architecture if you are not constructing one. You’ll see why that is half battle won as you see the exemplary architecture of Khosla associates across all their projects. You are gently reminded of Roark’s statements from the Fountainhead as you sift through the creations of this…