MY excitement knew no bounds when my folks decided to shift to a new home after 15 years. Having drooled over hundreds of interior designing books over the years, I was elated at finally getting the opportunity to create picture-perfect interiors.
So, the enthusiastic ‘nouveau interior designer’ in me embarked on her first and personal project. I knew the basic design principles: function, mood and harmony. Following the first principle was a cinch; simply satisfy the functional requirements of each room and decide on their logical placement. Beds for bedrooms, sofas for living room ...
All good interiors should exude a certain ‘mood’ or style and all decorating are planned around it. Classic or contemporary; rustic or refined, stark or ornate: a decidedly difficult selection, since each and every theme looks fetching in the catalogues. After much deliberation, I settled for a classic English cottage look. Pleased with the choice and armed with the knowledge of what I was looking for, I looked around in every home-store in town. Every item had to be selected with careful consideration according to the theme and my personality. Yes, our personality counts here. After all, how else would my ‘finished’ home reflect upon some of my warmth, charm and pizzazz? Selecting soft floral printed upholstery, lively pastel wallpaper, hand-knotted rugs, fabric shutters and cane furniture was pure joy. Like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, the acquisition of each coordinating article was superbly fitting into my imagination.
With major decor taken care of, it was time for the crucial aspect of any good designing — accessorizing. Lattice screens and a crocheted shawl (to be thrown over the wicker chair) were a must (they always do that in the catalogues). A macrame and bead chandelier for the dining room, tufted pouf with ribbon and a huge rattan chest for the bedroom completed my purchase.
Eagerly anticipating the realization of my dream home, I checked for the last but crucial design principle, that is, ‘harmony’. Yes, everything was in keeping with the right budget, right proportions and right mood. I had finally done it and was immensely proud of it.
But, just as all good dreams abruptly come to a halt on waking up, so did mine. After just one week of moving into our new ‘cottage’, every member of my family started whinnying and complaining about my insensitivity towards their treasured possessions, which I had allegedly ignored when decorating. Now, how was I to explain to dad that the classy Louis XVI wall sconces, which he got from London, would just ‘not hang together’ with the cottage atmosphere; nor would a genuine snakeskin ottoman, gifted by an uncle from Sudan? Mom wanted to know why ferns and ivy replaced the spiky cacti, which she had lovingly tended for years. My sister couldn’t realize that her prize-winning art project console mirror, encased in ethnic rainbow-bright embroidered frame, violently clashed with the simplicity of the decor. Why couldn’t my brother see that we shouldn’t have his ‘Mr Football’ alarm clock nor his flashy-orange, inflatable plastic sofa cause it will ruin the desired effect? And what about all the eclectic souvenirs fondly collected from around the world? And what about the assortment of gifted picture-frames? I was bombarded with questions and surrounded by unhappy faces.
Eventually, however, I had to agree with them. No, doubt my home was aesthetically pleasing and had captured the true essence of a cottage ambience, but, despite achieving the perfection and style, I had long desired, my home seemed as impersonal as a hotel room. It is, indeed, these little cherished knick-knacks and personal possessions that lend a home its homeliness.
They say all’s well that ends well. Today, as I look around my abode, I see an ultra sleek glass-and-steel wall-clock mounted beside a Chinese peasant hat, an Art Nouveau lamp dangling over a Scandinavian rug, dried flower arrangement next to a chromium -plated ashtray: along with content faces of my family. My home, now, may not be fit to hold a candle to the Ikea catalogues, but it is warm with cherished articles and valued possessions, exuding a personal touch and pleasing the hearts of its occupants. So ... any takers for this designer?
MY excitement knew no bounds when my folks decided to shift to a new home after 15 years. Having drooled over hundreds of interior designing books over the years, I was elated at finally getting the opportunity to create picture-perfect interiors.
