Preserving memories in a Restrained Maximalist Style

By eschewing traditional design rules and embracing only that which brings out their authentic personal style, the "Desor-Singh's" have created a beautiful home away from home in Melbourne, Australia. Their 3 1/2 year old home is a delightful melange of  aesthetic collections, sentimental keepsakes, fun accessories, color and pattern in abundance and subtle desi touches to proudly display their bond with India. Neha and Kabir are both IT professionals and share their beautiful home with their 3 year old daughter, Mila. The couple met at the University 14 years ago and have been together since. It is their "poles apart personalities" that brought them together.  But somehow these differences work very well together in creating an amazing home that encompasses their different styles and personalities. Neha tells me, "Kabir is quiet, an introvert and happy to stay at home with his family and his play station kinda guy. Whereas I am talkative, social and love to be out and about."

Rather than focusing on one style, the couple decided to decorate with memories and thus bring a slice of the past to a newer home. Result being a fun, functional, cozy, interesting and exuberant home with meaningful vignettes at every turn. In Neha's words, "We have tried to preserve a lot of old family memories and used them to add soul to the decor around the house. We've used a lot of older objects from our childhood homes in India to build a space that has an emotional connection and a sense of comfort. If I had to classify our style it I would say bohemian, eclectic and restrained maximalist. I say restrained because as usual Kabir and I had very different ideas when it came to decorating the house and he loved the clean minimalist look whereas I wanted to fill the house with plants and colors. Needless to say I won him over but he does keep me from going overboard!"    

Neha's favorite feature is 'The Great wall of India'! She has effortlessly created an eye catching display by juxtaposing Indian touches in terms of wall art and little figurines. Almost all of the elements in this vignette have a sentimental connection. The vintage flat woven rug was handmade by a woman in Bikaner (Rajasthan) and belonged to Neha's mother. It was made when her mum was born, to be used later for her 'dowry'. The small painting of a woman in the doorway was done by Neha's mother during her degree in fine arts. The woven fan is a treasure that belonged to Kabir's father and is displayed with fond remembrance. The framed cross stitch embroidery was done decades ago by Kabir's mother, now gracing the walls of her son's home in another land.

To broaden the color palette, Neha decided to add a bunch of Turkish kilim pillows to the lounging room. She says they were a splurge that she never regrets buying them as they bring in that punch of color and pattern that she was looking for.

As you can tell there is a strong Bohemian influence in Neha's style. Here's more from Neha on why she's drawn to the Bohemian look, "It resonates very well with my idea of home. I think Indian homes have been doing bohemian decor before such a term even existed. The use of colorful dhurries, cane and wicker, decorative baskets, crocheted or knitted throws, vibrant art pieces, brass and copper, all these are integral to the boho style and have a been part of Indian homes forever. So it is no surprise that this style comes easy to me."

Neha is a huge fan of layering! She's more than adept when it comes to mixing and matching. She does this without overwhelming the space, making each item stand out in the happy decor compositions that she creates. Love how she has layered the phulkari throw on the couch with the Turkish pillows. Another treasured piece, the phulkari textile is around 25 years old and hand embroidered by artisans from Punjab. It was lovingly given to the young couple by Kabir's parents.  

The main challenge that the couple faced in setting up base here in Australia was getting the right pieces that complemented their decor style. Neha explains, "It was difficult to find things that showcased our roots and our personal journey here in Australia. And shipping from India was not an option. We ended up getting a lot of the smaller pieces from India like family heirlooms, old toys, textiles, art and then blended them together with bigger pieces bought here, thrift store finds and some weekend DIY. With the bohemian style garnering popularity it has become a lot easier now to find such eclectic home wares anywhere in the world but it is not always kind on the pocket."

Another lovely corner in the living room is strategically sprinkled with more of the sentimental mementos that the couple own. The tall brass diya, Neha inherited from her Aunt. The stack of brass pots are from Kabir's parents' home. The wooden chess, a gift that Neha bought for Kabir from Simla during a university trip.

Neha has always had a thing for baskets! So she decided why not group all of her pieces in one place to create more visual impact. The colored baskets were ethically sourced from women in East Africa. These baskets are woven by hand using seagrass and sisal. The aztec patterned basket is from the Maati collective in Munsiari, India (Its made from bamboo by a local craftsman Nain Ram from Jaiti village in the mountains. The bamboo is then darkened using ash to create the pattern.) The other ones are lucky thrift store finds.

More from Neha on why decorating with memories is so important to them, "Our daughter was born here in Australia and we want her to be her own person without imposing or forcing our cultural and traditional beliefs on her. But we do want to share our memories with her while we build new ones together. So it was important to us to have a house full of objects old and new that we are emotionally connected to. It feels amazing to see my daughter playing with our old teddy bears or her grandmother's brass kitchen set. Using objects tied to our special memories as display items around the house makes them topics of conversation and interest for her. Plus we feel a sense of belonging, a sense of 'home'." I can so relate to all that she has to say!

Comfort and style combine in Kabir's den/gaming arena. Bookshleves to keep the clutter organised as well as provide a place to display their collection. A pop of color is integrated into this area through the Ikea Strandmon wing chair, framed Hayley Mitchell artwork and selective accessories. As is with any other corner in Neha's home, Greens are a must to pull the look together. Neha shares, "He loves his ps4 and it occupies a proud spot on the desk/shelf opposite the chair that I always conveniently crop out of this pic. Not sure if this was his idea of a man cave but I love it and he can have the garage if he doesn't like it;)" Now that's one chic and comfortable gaming space if you ask me!             

A close up of Neha's collection of Hayley Mitchell artwork in the den area. Love how the Thanjavur Dancing Doll picks up all the colors from the artwork. 

Neha is quite the DIY queen if you ask me. She recently undertook this mammoth stenciling job! Armed with Cutting Edge Stencils and some paint, she turned a blah cabinet into one that screams global style. The framed artwork is another of Neha's DIY projects. I personally think that's a brilliant idea to sneak in some color through the mat boards in the wall art.  

Here's a quick rundown of the foolproof decor mantras that have worked for Neha:

~ "Bring the outdoors in by having greenery inside the house. Plants would work better than any expensive decor item while improving the quality of air by being a natural humidifier and freshener!

~ Use textiles. Cushions, throws, tapestries help you add color, texture and patterns to your space without burning a hole through your pocket.

~ Color coordinate but do not over do it. Build a flow by connecting the colors in the room and using a focal point. For example if use a yellow chair as the focal point like I have done in one of the rooms, make sure there is just enough yellow in other objects to make it look cohesive but also use other complementing or contrasting colors along with it."

When it came to setting up a play area for Mila, the couple decided to set it up right next to their main lounge area for easy supervision. By focusing on creating separate play zones and colorful work stations around the periphery of the room, the center opened up keeping the space open and airy for child's play. The adorable playhouse that you see was a DIY project by Neha! Cardboard boxes, paint and lots of art paper was employed to create the cubby house. No points for guessing, it is Mila's favorite spot. She escapes to her little retreat and is lost in there for hours together. Another favorite with Mila is the teepee tent. The blanket layering the floor by the teepee was made by Neha's grandmother when Neha was a baby. The cat painting on the cube shelves was done by Neha's mum while the 3 bears was handpainted by Neha herself.

Well preserved vintage Indian toys that belonged to Kabir's mother are now lovingly handed down to Mila. I am told that Mila cooks up a storm with these in her play kitchen!

With that we come to the end of our home tour. Wise parting words from Neha, "Don't try to make your home a catalogue home. Instead, use your individual style and fill it with things you love and cherish. Let your home tell a story of who you are. And it because of this that our home is a place that provides a sense of warmth, comfort and security, where we love coming back to at the end of the day, everyday."

Thank you Neha for inviting us to tour your fabulous home. We wish you and your wonderful family, the very best! 

To stay connected with Neha and follow along her decor journey of #decoratingwithmemories, do join her on Instagram.

(Photo Credits & Image Copyright: Neha Desor. The images may not be used for commercial or non-commercial purpose without the prior written permission of Neha Desor & TECD.)

An Intimate space as fresh as the Spring Greens

Today's bedroom in focus is a beacon of visual simplicity. Balancing the abundance of white and neutral shades in this bedroom are the pops of cobalt blue and cheerful fuchsia. With no dearth of windows and a view of the trees at all times, the light from the window bounces off the whites in the room making it bright even on a sunless day. This gorgeous room is put together by Pratiksha Tandon, an Architect and Interior designer, currently living in the bay area. Here's what Pratiksha had to share about her design aesthetics, "My design aesthetic has evolved over the years from living in different parts of north India then travelling to the east coast and now finally the west. Having lived in apartments throughout, I realized the value of having limited functional pieces of furniture which are versatile in their use. I personally like bright, clutter free spaces. I believe one can make any space beautiful by using things one already owns without indulging in expensive decor pieces, with a little bit of creativity and an eye for good composition. In addition to that I love layering different colors, textures, prints and fabrics in my styling."

Simple clean lines and a clutter free organised space allows the eye to travel unimpeded, bringing an instant calm and serenity that every private sanctuary should explicitly communicate.

As you can gather, Pratiksha believes in the art of mixing. Be it textures, colors or patterns she has a way with them. For the current bedding, she has effortlessly managed to intermix pieces from 3 different bedsets! A wicker basket from a thrift store finds a cosy spot on the nightstand as a plant holder. A few books and other tchotchkes complete this functional yet personality filled corner.

I'm not surprised when Pratiksha tells me that her favorite spot in the house has to be this little reading nook. Propped up with cushions in blues and whites, this corner allows one to be insync with the outdoors despite being comfortably seated inside.  

A bunch of very healthy succulent cuttings from a generous neighbor adorn the empty planters and vases. Prathiksha says, "I cannot imagine a home without plants. They infuse a space with so much life." I couldn't agree with her more.

With that we come to the end of this no fuss private sanctuary. Hope you took away some cues to see how you could infuse aesthetic charm and visual interest in an all neutral intimate space. Thank you Prathiksha for sharing your decorating tips and a slice of your haven with us on TECD. Should you wish to follow along with her on her decorating journey, connect with Prathiksha on Instagram.

(Image Credit/Copyright: Pratiksha Tandon. The images may not be used for commercial or non-commercial use without the prior written permission of  Pratiksha Tandon & TECD.)

Smitten by Antique Charm (Home Tour)

The sprawling eight year old pent house of Air Marshall Prakash Pingale and Sonali Pingale in Pune, is the perfect canvas to their collection of antiques and treasures that has been amassed over a period of 45 years. Does the name Sonali Pingale ring a bell??? Well, you guessed right! She is the founder and lady behind the leading furniture and home décor boutique Sanskriti Lifestyle. Her connoisseur’s sensibility shines through the perfectly curated collection showcased at Sanskriti and also extends to their personal abode.

Sonali’s style is pretty much Indian with a contemporary twist. Sonali on her decorating style, “Travel and moving houses was inevitable with my husband’s job. We literally used to move every two years. As a result of which we lived in many houses, from roomy bungalows to pigeon-holes. The many challenges helped me in developing my own interior style - indo-contemporary.” And when you take a closer look at the home, you realize this style that she is referring to advocates passion for surrounding yourself with things you absolutely love, a style that experiments with pushing the boundaries of a look to its limits, a style that exudes an air of improvised appeal yet looks sophisticated in every way……Shall we get on with the home tour then? And Trust me when I say, you are going to have a lot of “where did she get that?” moments, as you read through this home tour that is filled with visual surprises! 

The dramatic entryway to the Pingale’s home is a mirror of sorts. It acquaints one with the home owner’s inimitable personality, individualistic style and their exquisite taste when it comes to decor. Antique jackfruit wood pillars from Kerala flank the entrance to the home, making it a grand welcome. The Buddha bust and framed Sreenath wall art came from Bali. A set of mismatched plates (some new, some old) collected from the Pingales various travels makes for an interesting collage. Sonali on the strong presence of antiques and vintage treasures in her style of decorating, “I like old and vintage pieces because I can relate to them. I grew up with these things around me.”

As we make our way through the home, the transition areas which are normally the hardest of places to decorate have been given purpose by creating interesting displays in them. More ceramic plates, a beautiful carved console with a marble top, old south Indian lamps grouped on a side-board and a large antique traditional brass lamp from Kerala mingle happily together to create what is a warm and lived-in feel. 

Did your heart just skip a beat? Mine did too! When I first laid eyes on their gorgeous living room, I was completely captivated. Though each piece is a statement piece and can hold its own in a room, the way Sonali has found the perfect placement for each one of them, is pure genius! It all looks so cohesive together without each of them vying for attention. The Brahmin boy painting is a copy done by a local artist and framed in an old wooden door frame. The Devi riding the tiger is from Karnataka, and is an old piece made out of wood. The ornate rosewood chair is an antique and was sourced from Goa. Taking center stage on the coffee table is a bronze breastplate that is worn by the Theyyam dancers of Kerala to take on the female form. Now that is definitely a conversation piece, won’t you agree?

The Tanjore paintings that you see all over the house are 25-50 yrs old. Antique wooden finials have been given a renewed purpose as mini shelves. They display an assortment of brass statues. A crew of old copper pandaans (beetle-nut boxes) make for another wonderful grouping on the coffee table. 

The stairway leading up to the bedrooms, houses stone sculptures on the window sill and colored glass lanterns hung together at varying heights to make a pretty grouping. The delightful painting is by a new-age artist, Devidas.

On the landing of the stairway stands a Buddha from Bali and an old Tanjore glass painting above it. On the adjoining wall, are antique wooden carved kavadi panels that are very popular among Lord Murugan’s worshippers in South India. 

To contrast the mustard wall color, a pair of wooden Hanuman statues with a beautiful peeling patina of rust from Karnataka is teamed up with an over-sized mirror and console. Sonali on her decorating mantra, “My mantra is very simple really. It’s your home- do what makes you happy. Surround yourself with pieces you like. It’s your own private haven so don’t worry about what others have to say.” I totally second that!

Every arrangement points in the direction of Sonali’s discerning eye for beautiful things! Another vintage armoire in a distressed teal shade pops against the mustard walls. Perched on top of the armoire is an old Vishnu lithograph (thought to be more than 50 yrs old) and other wooden finds that make a fascinating display. 

As you can tell by now, Sonali is an advocate for the avant-garde decor style. The unusual pairing of old Christian icons with the Ganesha statue from South India set on a wooden trunk from Kochin, boasts of this very fact.

Another one of those happy experiments where Sonali has successfully put together disparate pieces in a stunning vignette. Antique Tanjore paintings are placed over a pitara from Rajasthan with a collection of antique lamps. The African figure that you see is originally meant to be a musical instrument.

The guest bedroom of this home is no different. It carries the same vibes as the rest of the home and is chock-full of found treasures. The console was custom made by using old carved pieces of wood. Hanging above the console is a painting by contemporary artist, Devsale. The art deco style armoire you see in the corner is over 60 years old.

The master bedroom is another well put together place. A refuge that is replete with more art, artifacts and distressed one-of-a-kind furniture pieces. This is by far Sonali’s favorite room in the house, “It’s comfortable and I can completely unwind in here.” The rooster art is an oil painting by an African artist while the painting on the easel is done by a local artist.

In the Pingale’s home, the outdoors receive as much attentions as the indoors. This is the sit out on the terrace with an old bench painted bright blue and an old continental brass bed. In the corner is an old altar from Goa. 

This was my 25th home tour and I truly wanted it to be a special one! And boy, the Pingale’s home is the perfect fit to celebrate this milestone. Thank you Sonali and Prakash for letting us tour your gem of a home. It would definitely be amiss if I didn’t mention the lovely Shalaka Pingale here. It is because of her, that this home tour came together so beautifully. Thank you Shalakala for all the effort, I owe you one.

As for you my readers, I know you would want to go back and take in every detail possible. So go right ahead but don’t forget to write to me with your wonderful feedback !
(Image Credit: Shalaka Pingale , The images may NOT be copied /used for commercial or non-commercial purposes without the prior written permission from the Pingales and TECD)

Personal Montage (Home Tour)

How does one transform a house to a home (and this ask from a design perspective)? I personally think there are three significant triumvirates in making a space one’s home: 

~ First, the home has to unapologetically reflect you. If you ask me, this is the one and only antidote to all design dilemmas. 

~ Secondly, one has to balance function and comfort, never sacrificing one for the other. The home has to be able to assist you as a work horse to meet your lifestyle needs but at the same time be able to serenade you when you come home after a long tiring day at work.

~ Third, the décor of a home should encourage inspired living. And by this I mean, influencing you in positive ways to be happy, imaginative, creative....cutting it short - motivating you to be your best.

Our home tour today, encompasses all this and more! Welcome to the home of Shalini Vemuri and Surya Chavali in Nashville, Tennessee. Shalini is an artist by profession and a trained Bharatnatyam dancer. Surya on the other hand, is a software engineer working for a Fortune 500 company. The couple have put together this personalized retreat in a short span of 2 years. The home is not only a window that lets us see the true essence of its residents but also serves as a prototype that successfully embodies the triumvirates that I spoke of earlier. Let's get the ball rolling shall we?

Adorning an antique coffee table (that the couple bought all the way from Chicago) is a magnificent statue of Lord Nataraja. This stunning panch loha (five metal) figurine is of immense sentimental value to Shalini as it was custom made by her husband from Chennai and gifted to Shalini before her Arangetram. A gleaming Copper kettle with a bunch of butter colored Snapdragons tucked into it parlays beautifully alongside the statue of the cosmic dancer.

As most living rooms, the Chavali's space is the epicenter of all family activity. The combination of a couch, divan and accent chair offers plenty of seating options. The divan, a random purchase from a store, down in Nashville complements the desi tone of the living room. It is spruced up with handmade cushion covers from Rajasthan and the red embroidered wall hanging with intricate mirror work is another piece of great sentimental value as it was handmade by Shalini’s mom 22yrs ago! 

The corners of the living room have been used to their maximum potential by employing Rajasthani style bookcases or cabinetry that not only assists in showing off the exciting partnership of a bold color combination but is also the perfect backdrop for the couple's collection of unique artifacts sourced from all over India. 

The Venkateshwara artifact hails from the village of Kondapalli (Andra Pradesh, India). These beauties are made of wood and are a huge favorite during the Navrathtri doll festival display. 

As for the intricately carved TV unit, it was a lucky yard sale find! Lucky indeed! Sarees have been repurposed as curtains to echo the bold accent hues of cerulean blue and flaming red. Absolutely adore how, Shalini has used this color combo by creating subtle pockets of color through out the room.

A closer look at another traditional, Rajasthani style cabinetry that serves as the couple's pooja (prayer) corner . The top is adorned with antique brass velakkus (lamps) flanking a Meenakari swing for a miniature idol of baby Krishna.

Shalini is a self thought Madhubani artist and finds solace in experimenting with colors on a blank canvas."I was always interested in arts. But what attracted me to this particular art form was the element of life form depicted in every piece of art. I am personally drawn to bright colors - that is just me, and I made sure that the pieces that I created included every possible hue." 

Shalini shares her story on creating a desi vibe in her home and how it all came together to reflect the couple's Indian roots, "Being so far away from my home, India, it made me bring my culture and my artistry here to my home in the United States. I've juxtaposed bright decor accents with my vibrant Madhubani style paintings. I have made sure that even my garage gets a touch of the Indian culture. An entire wall is covered with my inspiration from Kalamkari. An artist and a huge art enthusiast, my home is a perfect example for the interplay of the vibrant hues and my roots."

Shalini's design aesthetics is something that she inherited from her mom, "My mother, an artist herself has been a very strong influence in my life, and has inspired me to appreciate art in every form." Being exposed to the rich cultural environment of both North and South India, it is no surprise that her home is a classic blend of all that is so wonderfully Indian, "I was born in Southern India. My summer vacation memories take me back to the temple architectures and the rich art forms that are in abundance in the peninsular states. My later years were spent in South Delhi, an environment that is a medley of influences. We had Mughal architecture from the North, royalty from the East and the colors and craftsmanship of Rajasthan from the West. I wanted my home to reflect it all. "

 Shalini swears by these Decor Mantras:

"~ It is important to have some live plants inside the house . They not only add beauty to the space but also purify the air. 

~ Display Idols that can bring in positive and calming energy into your home. 

~Ensure that the color palette that you choose matches your personality and opens up the layout. 

~ Lights: Make sure there is abundance of natural light. If you have fewer windows, go with sheers and light colored drapes.

~ Ventilation: Though here in the US we hardly open our windows, it is very crucial to do once in a while.

~Lastly, Be Bold or Be Italic, Never a Regular."

The dining area too echoes the vivid blue but this time it is mixed in with a streak of flushed pink. Table cloth from Dilli Haat and fresh Lillies (a favorite with Shalini) rev-up the neutral backdrop.

I absolutely love armoires! More so the ones with glass doors like these that reveal the contents and add to the visual display. Crockery in happy shades of blue peek through the glass doors. Drapes in shades of white and stems of money plant dangling down the side of the armoire create an informal dine-in setting.

A sneak peek of the Chavali's media room. Comfortable lounge seating with a well stocked bar at close quarters is perfect for those movie nights or to unwind with buddies on a weekend night.

Block print sheers let in plenty of diffused natural light into the bedroom creating a dreamy backdrop. Colors, patterns and fond objects guide the look in this relaxed space.

Shalini's dressing nook. I just love how she has used an armoire as a substitute for a traditional closet. With the glass doors, one is forced to maintain order and stay organized. I also like how she has her accessories displayed on the dresser. This was you are able to see all your options and getting dressed in the morning is a breeze.

The Chavali's outdoors too gets that personal touch. Even the most neglected of the spaces like the garage, has received a makeover at the hands of Shalini's creativity.

Shalini, on what a home means to her, "Home is a reflection of one's personality. My home reflects warmth, colors and positivity. It is never about the money you splash on a home, instead it is about the on-going process of decorating. So enjoy it to the fullest, as it is the memories that you make along the way that you will cherish forever..." Thank you Shalini and Surya for so graciously inviting us to tour your beautiful home. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you'll and I must add that I especially found Shalini's enthusiasm through the entire process so very refreshing. I wish you nothing but the very best! 

Signing off for today with Joyce Maynard's quote, "A good home must be made, not bought." Have a great weekend!

(Image Copyright/Credit: Shalini Vemuri, The images may NOT be copied /used for commercial or non-commercial purposes without the prior written permission from Shalini Vemuri and TECD)