November 18, 2004

Most beautifully decorated houses follow the maxim of ‘less is more’. Shanaz Ramzi finds a house whose owners ascribe to the maxim of ‘more the merrier’

Over the years, most homes have begun to incorporate fresh flower arrangements as part of their interior decor, and whenever possible effort is made to ensure that living rooms and lounges overlook vistas so that the outside greenery of homes can blend with the inside.

However, if the homemaker has a flair for creativity, dry flowers, twigs and logs can be used just as effectively to create an ambience of natural surroundings, without having to fret about constant maintenance.

A wonderful example is Aqeela and Mohammad Saeed home, practically every corner of which boasts the lady of the house’s artistic touch. As you enter the driveway of the house, you can see a profusion of plants wherever you cast your eyes. Tall, verdant, potted foliage more than make up for the absence of a garden, and hanging planters made of dry twigs, garden accessories and a little rockery with an earthenware ‘ghara’ serving as a fountain give the entrance a distinctive look.

The door leading to the house is just as interesting with hanging planters and potted plants flanking it, and beautiful hand-painted tiles with a colourful peacock made on them gracing the walls on either side of the door. One learns that the tiles have been painted by Aqeela, herself.

The minute you enter the foyer that is a part of the living room, you realize that the decor of this house is definitely not on the lines of ‘less is more’. Every available space has been used to accommodate some fixture or decoration piece, and many of the items have been designed or created by the housewife.

The wall overlooking the door is covered with family photographs while below it is a marble-topped ledge with two huge dry arrangements placed on either end. The wall to the left of the door occupied by windows that overlook the patio, is flanked by a similar ledge decorated with earthenware pots.

A pedestal with a long log arrangement — again Aqeela’s work of art — stands in front of it. Near it is a huge copper planter placed on a stand with an earthenware lamp below it. A stone fountain in the shape of a flower with two fish on top of it sits against a window through which the foliage outside can be seen.

Bukhti guns adorn the wall above, while a massive mauve arrangement graces yet another planter. One wall is occupied by a huge mirror framed with little white and grey glass chips. A 100-year old woodwork with filigree crowns the mirror. On one side of the mirror is a tall wrought iron stand with an Iranian lamp on it. In front of the mirror are wooden decoration pieces such as a carved figurine, a bowl on a tripod stand picked up from various travels.

Wooden filigree work similar to the one over the mirror is an intrinsic part of the decor of the room, for one can also see it on the side table that carries a huge porcelain pot on a stand, and in other furniture items in the room. Little tables abound, for one can find them in all shapes and sizes holding knick-knacks.

There are a couple with brass bases and marble tops that boast Bohemian lamps. A huge artificial potted-tree stands near one of them. The sofa set upholstered in neutral deep beige, is complemented by lots of small cushions. A carved chest with turquoise decoration pieces and a silver planter adorning it, sits against a wall, next to the sofa.

A round centre table has a filigreed top covered with glass — one is told that owner of the house joined two large semi-circular pieces of woodwork to create the table top — and is decorated with malachite pieces. The console table on the wall opposite the sofa has small stone busts decorating it. The wall above has a carved wooden frame with mirrors on either side of it.

A wooden ‘diwan’ with bright turquoise fabric covering and mauve and green cushions provides a striking contrast to the colour scheme in the room and serves as a divider between the living and dining room. A round marble-topped table with wrought iron legs stands next to the diwan, boasting crystal candle-stands.

The dining area has a marble-topped sideboard adorned with a flower arrangement and decoration pieces, placed against the right wall. The dining table looks striking with a purple lace tablecloth draped over it, a silver platter lending it richness.

Complementing it is a huge wooden wall installation that Aqeela designed by, using pieces of wooden filigree which she has joined together to form panels, blue glass placed above and below giving it colour.

The shelf place attached to it is of course, full of decoration pieces. A pedestal stands to its left, with a huge punch bowl on it. Yet another wall has a sideboard with two antique-looking glass and wooden cabinets on either side of it.

The study, too, has a distinct woman’s touch with stained-wood bookshelves lining the walls covered with books and decoration pieces. The comfortable sofa placed against one wall has a window over it allowing a view of the tall lush plants outside. Lots of small tables with wooden and antique pieces occupy little nooks and crannies in the study. Floor cushions piled up against the wall cabinets provide extra seating and an overhanging lamp adds colour to the room.

Thus, sometimes when decorating one’s home, especially if you have an artistic touch, you can adopt a maxim of ‘the more the merrier’ rather than ‘less is more’ and still get away with it.

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