Minimalistic & classy

BEAUTIFUL HOMES

Lata Devraja’s house on the Outer Ring Road (Bangalore) beckons you to be a part of its simplicity, sit back and soak in the atmosphere. Once you cross the threshold you instantly notice the simplicity and minimalistic interiors, even as the house ensures that it is welcoming and calming. It immediately puts you in a state of tranquility and peace. This house shows how even within a limited budget, it is possible to mix comfort and aesthetics.

To begin with, it is not easy to decorate a villa within a certain budget and then manage to do it with panache! Lata, a practising homeopath, with help from her interior designer Shiva Kumar, manages to do just that.

At the entrance, the first thing you notice are the huge French windows at the far end and you are struck by the greenery and sunshine that it brings in, during the day time (which by night fall transforms into a romantic den, replete with subdued diffused lighting, informs Lata).

Once you have come out from that stupor, you can admire the other aspects of the house. On the right are the study and a puja room, a must for every Indian home, well-lit and decorated with images and idols of various Hindu gods and goddesses. The living room, straight ahead, is minimalistic with neat, clear, uncluttered lines. The marble flooring in the living room is given a breather by a patch of wood, thus breaking away from the monotony and giving it some edge.

The sofas though are a modern mix of wood and cane. The seating behind the sofa caters to a large gathering with storage space for daily newspapers and magazines. The wooden cupboards facing the sofas camouflage a storehouse of books, the residents’ private nook which doubles up as a library.

Elements of nature

The space between the dining and the living area is beautifully enhanced by a water body in an aquamarine tiled bed, dotted with tall urlis made with stone, with a floor to ceiling glass wall as its backdrop and a huge skylight above. There is something relaxing in the constant gurgling of the water; it serenades and soothes you. From the sky light above, one can enjoy the sunshine and the pitter patter of the rain.

The sky light also brings the clouds and the stars right into the house! Shiva Kumar, the interior designer says, “Keeping in mind their love for the traditional, we worked around the concept of a courtyard house. The water body, the transparent wall with the view of the outside and the skylight gives the house an expanse and space while also infusing the house with a lot of light.”

The conservative and traditional taste of the residents is reflected in the simple glass top, low dining table, meant for sit-down dinners, the Indian way! The open kitchen done in chocolate brown is spacious and practical, the cupboards done in raw silk, covered by glass to keep within the budget but the end result of brown and rich off-white looks classy and appealing.  

Traditional elements

The ground floor also houses a guest bedroom which is kept simple, practical and non fussy, with a beautiful view of the garden. The living room and the guest bedroom are kept out of view by two traditional wooden jaalis, a theme which runs across the house.
Made of MDF material, they are used in the puja room, the crockery cupboards and as partitions; yet they do not overwhelm the interiors.

Pride of place

Adjacent to the staircase, there are two Veenas (musical instruments) strategically placed, finding pride of place, gleaming in the soft golden light. These 150-year-old Veenas have a sentimental value and finding the perfect place for them is mandatory in their scheme of things, enlightens Lata.The staircase dotted with wooden planks leads to their private rooms above.

The first floor also has an informal living room where Lata and her family unwind, watch TV or simply indulge in their passion for music; the tabla and the harmonium blending harmoniously with the latest gadgets. The master bedroom done in muted colours has traditional solid wood furniture with a cosy niche created in the wall for a seating area.
The wall behind the king size bed has a mélange of fabric used as curtains to give that extra bit of colour and drama. The room opens to a huge balcony which suffuses the room in natural light.   

Children’s rooms

The entry wall to the children’s room is adorned with a charming painting by one of Lata’s daughters.

The older daughter’s large room has a balcony with huge windows which makes artificial lights redundant during the day time.

The unusual colour theme of warm grays and whites used in the room make it contemporary and timeless.

The bed, remodeled from an old one, sits atop the dark porcelain tiles, looking as though it has been suspended in the air.

The clip board covers most of the opposite wall, done in dull gray and blue fabric dotted with personal reminders, cards and photos.

Use of fabrics

Says Lata, “A mix of fabrics has been exploited in my house, wherever wood can be replaced, to not only cut down costs but also to conveniently change the look of the interiors later, by just changing the colour of the fabrics without overshooting the budget.”

Nine-year-old Anjali’s room has a low bed, again a remnant of the past, with colours brought in by way of pink curtains and a baby pink bulletin board.

A staircase in the room leads to the creatively made loft above, which serves as her private play area, leaving the room orderly and organised.

This house echoes functionality and simplicity that Indian houses are known for.
“We wanted a simple, minimalistic and unpretentious yet classy home with an old world charm, and matches well with the elements of nature,” concludes Lata.