November 4, 2004

Decoration of houses in an economical and aesthetic fashion is hard to come by. Shanaz Ramzi discovers such a house

Rarely does one come across a home which exudes charm and aesthetic appeal and yet remains low-cost and totally indigenous. Rumana and Mukhtar Husain’s home is one such abode. Right from the rock garden framing the front of the house to the fifth level of the compact house, every area has been decorated frugally, keeping in mind pragmatic considerations.

The rock garden, for instance, provides the greenery and beauty of a lush garden without getting into any of the hassles of dealing with water shortages and paying for tankers. Huge cacti and other plants that make little demand on their owner flank the driveway and the rockery, the huge earthenware pots and planters adding a distinctive touch.

One is told that the landscaping of the rock garden has been done by the Husains, and its different levels have been eked out not so much for their visual appeal as for convenience, since the plot was uneven and it was more economical to just follow its lines than flatten out the area.

As you enter the house you find yourself in a reasonable-sized room that has been cleverly divided into three parts — a narrow entrance foyer fenced off from the living room by a low wood and metal gate, which in turn is separated from the dining room by a low sideboard.

The wall to the right of the entrance foyer is adorned with masks picked up on the various travel expeditions of the couple. Brass and ceramic decoration pieces adorn the flooring below.

As you enter the living room to the left of the foyer you find yourself in an enclosed area that allows you view of most of the house. Cane furniture accessorized by lots of cushions provides comfortable seating while a square glass-topped centre table with slate pieces arranged within squares adds an interesting touch.

The wall in front of you is red brick-lined and boasts paintings, little niches to hold knick-knacks and narrow red-grilled windows covered with green susi chicks. A red lantern hanging against it completes the picture of an ethnic pot-pourri.

The flooring is of red cement tiles with white tiles interspersed, a modest durri placed against the left wall overlooking the rock garden, its only dressing. The wall boasts windows allowing sunlight and a cool breeze to filter through. Lots of paintings by well-known artists — probably the only signs of true indulgence — adorn the wall, as indeed the other on this floor. A built-in glass and wood cabinet revealing terra cotta figurines and ceramic pieces, occupies one corner. The low, white wooden and glass sideboard that acts as a barrier between the living and dining area is also overflowing with decoration items, some a hundred-years-old.

The back of the sideboard is flanked by a long low chest of drawers that doubles as a bench. Cushions and decorative elements add comfort and appeal to this otherwise, simple, hand-crafted piece of furniture. In fact, throughout the house you find abundant use of simple, local materials without any imported finishes.

The dining table is an interesting combination of steel and wood and one is told that it was once an ordinary steel table that was extended by Husain by adding on wooden pieces to it, when the table became too small for the growing family. A low overhanging lamp above the table gives it a romantic appeal. A built-in cabinet overlooking the table provides more space to boast knick-knacks while the glass cabinet above houses a music system.

Low ethnic chairs flank a huge window on the wall to the right of the table allowing a view of the plant-filled verandah that accompanies the annexe of the house, occupied by Husain’s parents. You discover that the house, built on 500 yards has been designed in such a way — over five levels to be precise — that it accommodates an annexe and an office, and yet does not look cramped. It comes handy for the owner to be an architect.

The basement, comprising the first level, has been decorated cleverly with built-in and external shelves to cater to the requirements of a burgeoning office. The drawing and dining area forms the second level; the annexe the third, and a small projection over the drawing room, not only giving a full view of the downstairs portion but visually connecting the whole house, the fourth level.

This floor is sparsely decorated with a table occupying its centre, a similar low over-hanging lamp to the one in the dining room giving it a semblance of uniformity, as do the little ceramic pieces adorning the area. The fifth level is occupied by bedrooms and an informal lounge.

The bedrooms are also decorated in the same style, so that the master bedroom has windows dressed with susi chicks, niches within a brick wall to hold decoration pieces, and built-in cabinets. Here, too, the floor is covered with a durri instead of a carpet.

So, if you are deft with your hands and have no shortage of ideas, there is no need to invest in expensive local or imported furniture. You can improvise and create your own pieces, giving your home a touch of individuality and keeping its decor well within your budget.

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