As I cleared my bookshelf and bubble wrapped the knick-knacks, my mind was flooded with memories that this home and city holds. Very soon I will move to a new city, a new apartment which will have to be transformed into a home. This was reason enough to spend my time looking for inspirations over the world wide web. Soon I was creating a mood board for the new space, letting my mind wander and collecting ideas on how it will come together.

In the last decade I have lived in 7 different homes and over the years my notions of “good aesthetic” have transformed. The décor for the first two homes had a lot of Indian influences with some contemporary & pop-art pieces. Soon I was drawn towards Scandinavian and linear designs and in the last two years it is a mish-mash of everything I like. Today if I have to define my home, then it would be a space, of an individual who is interested in books, plants, travel, photography and one who loves to entertain.

Homes are like self-portraits, a space where we assert our identities. I love a good home, a calm and happy space with fresh, familiar energy, lots of natural light and objects that inspire. I do not follow any rules or trends while doing up my space, I just follow my heart. It is not overly constructed nor elaborately designed but is quite functional. It is a space where the set-up is fluid and I flex my creativity. Since there is no thumb rule and that’s when the magic happens. I create nooks or change things around depending on the mood, occasion or the season. More pastels and linens during summer and deeper hues and warmer furnishings during winters. Repurposing old wine bottles & ceramics, moving around plants, curios & furniture. It is like a blank canvas where I can move and change things around as much as I like.

Most items on display have a story or a memory attached to it, a travel tale or two, a flea bazaar find, a handmade craft piece by a local artisan or a refurbished vintage piece. Many a times I pick up a piece of art or décor even if it comes with a small irregularity. It gives it a feeling of being authentic and is a reminder that it has been made using hands.

A common thread in all these years of putting together homes has been tones, textures and colours. I am not a monochromatic person, a riot of colours & prints is a must and I do not adhere to any theme. You will find flowers, small vignettes, quirky personal objects, plants, souvenirs, pictures, art by friends & a collection of well-thumbed books scattered over the place. It’s more like an organized mess with lots of space to entertain. A casual, effortless, a well lived-in and much loved space.  

If I ever get a chance to own my space, then it would have to be a New York style loft with floor to ceiling windows or if I move to the mountains then it will be a cosy cottage. Read – Kate Winslet’s home in the movie Holiday but with lots of bougainvillea. I will have to figure out how to make that possible!