May 4, 2006

This week Shanaz Ramzi visits a house in the backwoods whose owners have managed to create a habitat that has its own unique character

Enveloped in a profusion of plants and trees, away from the madding crowd, the home of Naheed and Taufeeq Mooraj in Malir, is a veritable museum full of antiques and unusual artefacts. A one-of-a-kind house, its brick-lined patio leads to the main entrance which opens directly into a large living room, covering four distinct spaces.

Once within, it is hard to decide where to rest your eyes. To the right of the door is a jharoka with a mirror in it and an antique shelf with decorations on it. Adjacent is a red coloured door leading to a bedroom. A huqqa, lots of candles, potted plants and silver planters adorned with peacock feathers take up one end of the room, along with an old sideboard with glass doors. A deer antler dresses the wall, an old file rack lying below.

To the left of this area lie earthenware pieces on the brick-lined floor complemented by a Sindhi jhoola. A two-tiered round table; a tall stool behind it; a takht with ajrak draped on it, and a self-embossed, off-white sofa set make for the main pieces of furniture.

Lots of different shaped tables adorned with tons of decoration pieces lying on or in front of them, lend a cluttered character to the room as does a bookshelf boasting ancient books. A deerhead with a wok full of sea shells lying below it; an antique radio; a spool player from the days of yore and an old clock are some of the unusual pieces that comprise the adornments in this section.

The third space within this large room comprises the dining area and is occupied by an old cabinet full of books and decoration pieces, and a dining table. An archway near the table leads into the kitchen, while a sideboard doubles as a room divider separating the dining area from the fourth space, an informal sitting area.

This is perhaps the most eclectic of spaces in the house as furniture of every conceivable variety has been thrown in. A built-in wall cabinet, an antique cupboard and book shelves add to the varied decor of the room.

Using pieces that have either been passed down to Naheed and Taufeeq by the family elders or picked up by them for their ethnic charm, they have managed to create a cosy ambience that has its own unique character.

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