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When creative minds meet
- HINDUSTAN TIMES ESTATES (May 2005) |
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When two creative minds get
together to design their home, the result is sure to be
different – something that is evident in
architect-cum-interior designer duo Pradeep and Anshu Pathak’s
South Delhi home.
“Our home is a reflection of us
being together in all colours of life. The idea was to create
a wholly Indian ambience, but with modern amenities so as to
ensure a certain degree of comfort. It is a typical Indian
courtyard house, puritanically aesthetic and reminiscent of
the country’s architectural traditions. The summer sun filters
in lightly from the two courtyards, hued in Mediterranean
blue, maroon and saffron,” says Anshu.
The idea of an open floor plan
grew out of the Pathak’s “need for a lot of fresh air”. Except
for the bedrooms, the other rooms do not have any doors,
therefore, there is no obstruction to cross ventilation. ”The
whole house is awash with natural light for most part of the
day. Flanked on either side of the bedrooms, the courtyards
provide the feel of the outdoors even when one is inside.”
Says Anshu. Alongside the two courtyards are seating
arrangement where the family enjoys their cup of evening tea. |
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Anshu’s liking for strong
colours is evident as soon as you enter the Pathak home. While
the entrance as well as the dining room walls are hued in
orange, the house showcases art works like painted panels,
murals, terracotta urns and glass lamps designed by Anshu
herself. Even the sheers as well as the silk cushions have
been hand embroidered by her.
Anshu’s
inspiration for the interiors of the home was the peacock. “I
was inspired by its vibrant colours when I was doing the
house. It provides the perfect backdrop for the folksy
bric-a-brac that is truly Indian in nature, be it brass
sculptures of various idols, hand embroidered fabrics or
terracotta lamps. On the door to the master bedroom, on the
orange walls of the dining room entrance as well as in the
glass and wooden artifacts that decorate the house, the
dancing peacock is present in all its resplendent hues
everywhere,” she says.
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The six foot long mural of
Lord Krishna playing the flute, designed in coloured
mirrors and beads provides a fine backdrop for the seating
area in the living room, which is at level lower to the
rest of the rooms. The marble centre table flaunts a metal
chessboard from Athens, Greece. The blue sofas are touched
up with rich silk cushions in bright shades. Two tall
cushions in bright shades. Two tall bookcases hold an
enviable collection of books on art, philosophy, travel,
fiction, architecture and religion. The dining hall has a
glass cabinet that holds artifacts from Malaysia, Athens,
USA and China.
Art is
the central motif in the bedrooms as well. The master
bedroom boasts of a wall painted in blue with shining
silver stars. The kids’ bedroom has a colourful rainbow
painted by Anshu. Creativity speaks for itself! |
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