Settled in for a Lifetime (Home Tour)

I’ve always loved showcasing homes that are not forced to look good but have come together very organically over the years. And by that I mean a home that is not caught up in trends or imitating another's style but a home that has interesting layers of its own. Each layer replicating the personality, interests, style, aesthetics of its home owner and decoding the meaning of ever evolving perception of relaxed living. We have toured Hemangini’s rental pad earlier and now a year and a half later we get to take a tour of their very "own" piece of haven in Gurgaon. 

Dr. Hemangini Hoskote is a Consultant Nutritionist with a Ph.D in Nutrition and Mr. Hoskote is a senior leader in Quality and Business Excellence. They share the home with their teenage son who is quite the decor enthusiast. He has had his fair share of influence when it comes to his home's design and style. 

The Hoskote family wanted to embrace a design scheme that’s contemporary in style yet exudes warmth, elegance and simplicity. Infact, this design plan was advocated by none other than their teenage son. It seemed right in the context of the relatively modern apartment with high ceilings and a glass wall running through the entire one side of the apartment letting in abundance of sunlight for a bright and airy space.

The Living Room is furnished with pieces that have clean lines and a contemporary feel. A supporting cast of well edited accessories add the shot of color, pattern, texture, identity and make a cultural point with its design. But most importantly, I think they have cracked the code when it comes to the process of a home being relaxing visually, physically and mentally! 

Brass tattoo markers (the two thin sticks displayed on the wall) were found at a local weekly market at Lake Inle, Myanmar. Another unique element added to the wall display is an antique carved wooden kavadi that the family found during their Chennai stay. It was recently refinished and proudly made part of the living room.The black throw is a Ladakhi shawl and the Ikat one is from Java, Indonesia. The turquoise silver and leather lamp is Moroccan.

As a family, the Hoskotes love traveling and photography. They seamlessly integrated their interests into the design of the home by displaying pictures from their travels in different corners of the home. Majority of photographs are grouped into simple frames that are propped on white ledges in the living room that blend into the wall creating an almost floating effect. Besides bringing back memories of fun times, these framed pictures are great conversation starters! Hemangini makes sure to update the pictures in the frame every now and then with the latest ones from their various vacations and globetrotting expeditions. 

Here's what Hemangini had to say when asked about her decor style, "We have deliberately not followed any particular theme/style but primarily used a few hand-me-downs with travel finds. The thumb rule we follow is, one has to absolutely love it and it has to be 'hatke' (unusual/unique), before we buy it and bring it home. The apartment had white walls which are a perfect back drop for the colorful finds."

More from Hemangini, "We did not hire a 'contractor/decorator’ as we do not like the 'decorated' look with gypsum board ceilings though we had to go with the existing gypsum board ceiling in some parts of the apartment."

This corner has been personalized with wooden musician ladies that were picked from an antique store in Jew Town, Kochi, Kerala. The terracotta pieces are all from Goa, acquired over several visits from Potter's studios to antique stores. The Indonesian mirror was bought when the Hoskotes lived in Dubai. Accentuating the bench style seating are throw pillows that pick up the rust and terracotta hues from the gallery wall above.

One of the bedrooms was converted to serve as a media room. It's where the family spends most of their down time. Hemangini decided to have a collection of posters of their favorite movies framed to reinforce the theme and also clearly gives away that the family members are movie buffs!

The media room also serves as their library. With abundant display and storage space on the adjoining wall, books and other collectibles are neatly organised and provide a clutter free look. A diverse collection of musical instruments from Africa, Mauritius and Indonesia allows for a visual change of scene.

Lovely little corners are created using the family's collectibles and rightly shows the power of grouping things in varied heights and textures.The tribal Ganesha is from the Craft Museum, Delhi.  On the console table along with the brass statue of Radha and Krishna are vases and porcelain fishes that were brought home  from a pottery exhibition in Gurgaon. The pencil sketches featuring the horses were done by none other than Hemangini herself.

The dining area has an informal vibe and suits the family's relaxed style of hosting. The ta-da element in this space is the wall of masks. The collection was amassed from family vacations to North East India, Far East, Mauritius, Africa and so on.

A practical dining set works in tandem with the rest of the clean line vibe evident in the home. Clearly "comfort is everything" is a norm that takes charge with the decor in this home. Overlooking a balcony area, the doors are thrown open when entertaining on weekends or to enjoy those relaxed and laid back evenings after work.

Absolutely love the open kitchen-dining-living concept! Over to Hemangini for more as to why she prefers this concept, "It was a plan that I had always wanted in my dream home and am loving it. It’s so much more fun to chat with family n friends as one is rustling up a meal. And it works perfectly with our lifestyle. The cleanliness freak that I am, have to be a little more efficient in having the kitchen even more cleaner at all times! I opted for the open shelves as I wanted the kitchen to look light and airy. Upper kitchen cabinets would have made the kitchen look smaller n boxed in."

What a charming breakfast bar! I'd make excuses of having frequent hunger pangs just to enjoy this lovely nook, wouldn't you?

The Hoskotes were very clear from the onset that the maid's quarters would be converted to a home office for Hemangini. Hemangini shares, "This makeover did take the longest time and even though we had a relatively tight budget we didn't compromise on the look n feel of the office. In a space little over 100 sq feet,we managed to create a small, cosy office."

The walls of the office have SH Raza's prints and pencil sketches made by all members of the family.

The gallery wall in the Master Bedroom suite has a host of paintings and travel memories. The pencil sketches here too, are those done by the talented family members. The Copper n Gold art work, is a temple etching on rice paper, bought in Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

More pretty corners from their Master bedroom. The easy chair is an heirloom piece that was handmade by Hemangini's grandfather-in-law! The console in the master bedroom has baskets from Bali, Thai wooden bust, Myanmar lacquer bowls and marble plate from Goa. Love how the old and the new have together so effortlessly in this space.

And finally we get a peek into their son's room. Done up in shades of deep blue, the textured wall was what the young man decided on all by himself. This room is everything a teenager would want - practical, comfortable, low-maintenance yet stylish, masculine and totally lit!

I hope you enjoyed the home tour as much as we loved sharing it with you. Things to take away from this home tour : 

~ Skillful space planning, 

~ Visualizing the function of the space before executing the design plan, 

~ Include artwork to make the space feel more soulful and individualistic,
~ Mixing and layering the old and the new to create a classic vibe and

~ Visually linking the color scheme or decorating style of rooms that open onto one another.

Thank you Hemangini for trusting me yet again with your beautiful home to be showcased on TECD. We wish you and your beautiful family the very best! 

(Image Credit: Hemangini Hoskote, do NOT use the image/images from the blog without prior written permission of the homeowner and TECD)

Revisiting the Home of My Design Gurus (Mini - Home Tour)

I thought it was about time that we revisited the home of my design gurus - my parents. I did share an elaborate home tour 3 years back. From then to now, there have been a few changes, but a home as beautiful as this, deserves a second look. The images I'm sharing today have been hibernating in my archives for over a year now. If you want to know, why I decided to share them now, reason being, I'm  terribly home sick. I could use any help to heal the way I feel right now!  

Let's start with the coffee table display in the living room, shall we?As most of you would remember, my parents are avid collectors of brass artifacts and Ganesha statues (I'm happy these genes passed onto me;) This love for all things brass is reflected in the choice of artifacts showcased on a wonderful vintage teak table with a marble top from Rain Tree. A collection of bells in different materials ranging from silver, brass to bell metal (a combo of copper and tin) happily keep each other company. (FYI : bells intended for use in the worship of Lord Shiva will have a figure of Lord Nandi). Some gardening books mirrors their interest in plants, a Dhokra lamp and an intricately hand carved brass Ganesha make the display complete. Adding a touch of green is the Zebra plant (Haworthia Fasciata) housed in a container from Kerala made from a coconut tree trunk. 

This corner is my absolute favorite! The decor elements here are all so South Indian - Tanjore paintings, hand carved stone Ganesha statue and Nandi, an antique pillar used to hang the Singh's collection of brass bells and lamps and the bronze urli.  

Here a reclaimed pillar base it used to display some vintage brass chombus (a traditional container used by the religious men to carry water) Upcycling at it best won't you agree?

The unique circular Ashta Lakshmi & Panch mukhi Ganesha Tanjore was what my husband and I had lovingly bought for our very first home in Bengaluru. We found it on one of our trips to Trichy. Got it restored and it graced the walls of our Bengaluru apartment. It is a heavy piece and it took all our might to get this up on the wall in India. There was no chance that the dry walls of our home here in the US, could carry all that weight so we  decided that mom would be our best best to safe guard this piece till we were able to return and reclaim its possession. But in the meantime, it sits pretty on the walls of the formal dining room in my parent's home. More lovingly scrubbed brass artifacts and a vintage trunk makes for another wonderful display.

Flowering branches from the garden outside get tucked into a unique brass container. A few artifacts from a Nepal trip complete this lovely corner. Notice the little trunk like side table, it doubt duties as an additional storage option. The little tile inlay detail was something that dad added himself to give the trunk a visual edge. 

Another closeup shot of the intricately carved stone Ganesha. Also sharing this frame cause, mom got some beautiful marigolds to fill in the Urli:)

Finally, a shot with the Kerala style lamp in focus. I hope you enjoyed the visual snippets. I can't wait to visit my parents sometime soon.......until then, patience and these pretty images will have to do.....

(Images: Sruthi Singh. The images are the copyrighted and belong to The East Coast Desi. Please do not use them for commercial or non-commercial purpose without the prior written consent.) 

It is that time of the year again! (Diwali 2016)

Yes it is! 

Let me give you a quick run-down of the festive atmosphere here at the TECD casa..... Everything is squeaky clean and shiny for Diwali.....come evening and the home is enveloped in the candid glow cast by the flames lit from the diyas and candles.....The kitchen smells heavenly with the aroma of ghee being generously added to every dish.....Diwali gifts are being wrapped for family and friends......And marigolds and mums are happily conquering different areas of the home with their cheer!

Whether you are celebrating Diwali to commemorate Goddess Laxmi’s birthday or are celebrating it to honor Lord Rama’s return from his exile, for me, it is a wonderful time of the year to slow down for a moment, observe traditions and gather family and friends around and enjoy the precious company of my tribe!

To make it extra special for my tribe, I’ve created a festive atmosphere with fall colors this Diwali. Yes, I didn’t have to look very far for inspiration. All I had to so was to peep outside my window. The Golden hues of the leaves have been mimicked by the glistening brass and the orange and red tones are being aped by the seasonal flowers like Marigolds and mums. 

I think Marigolds are quintessentially Indian! If I had to describe these beauties, I'd say that their ruffled edges, look like beautiful ghagras being twirled around in merriment. And their exotic fragrance may not be the sweetest but its familiar scent brings back impressions of a happy time for me. So when a wonderful neighbor friend, very graciously shared these blooms from her garden, I was so excited to include them in every possible vignette that I had visualized.  To add a special unconventional touch to the arrangement, I brought out my dried lavender stems that I have been saving since last summer. The final effect is what you see above! 

And then of course, I had to bring out the terracotta diyas for no Diwali decor is complete without their presence! But to minimize the mess, I just stuck in votives into them and was done lighting them in no time!

When it comes to tablescapes, I have two of them planned out this time. First one is the one that you see above. A simple center piece created by grouping my vintage amber miniature glass hobnail oil lamp, brass kalash pots (holding pretty apricot colored mums) and an intricately carved wooden charger. A beautiful runner with floral embroidery forms the base of the setting. The delicate embroidery picks up the hues that I intended to juggle this time for Diwali, making the entire setting look cohesive. To add a more Diwali-ish effect to the setting, I went ahead and added some embellished votive holders in the same shades. (Decor Tip: Incorporating seasonal colors into your festive decor is always a good idea as it makes it so easy to create a pulled together look in no time. Like for instance, the stores here in the US are now brimming with decor in fall hues.) Second, is an elaborate tablescape  with red roses and a lot of shimmer for my Diwali party that I'm hosting for a group of friends. This will be happening this Saturday, so I'll try my best to sneak in a few clicks and then share it with you'll at leisure.......

Before we wind up, I had to include this image here that garnered so much attention both on FB and Instagram.  Black is a bold color choice to go with but I'm glad the final effect is awesome (if I may say so myself)! My readers too backed me up on this non-traditional color choice and had the nicest things to say about it in their feedback ......you guys are the best! 

And finally my mantel all decked up for the festival of lights......

I wish you (my favorite people) a laughter filled, fun, green and safe Diwali! 

(Images and Styling: Sruthi Singh. The images are copyright protected and may not be used without prior written permission.) 

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)