URBAN LIVING - deconstructed !

Having lived in the bustling cities like Delhi and Bangalore for most of my adult life...cooped up inside a man-made cocoon of artificial pleasure with little or no access to the luxuries of our childhood have often made me ponder on the sanity of it all.

How often have you wondered if you could just take one weekend off and transport yourself to that glorious sun-filled balcony of a gorgeous bungalow atop a mountain with the clean mountain air just to revive your senses? The smell of the freshly trimmed grass of the sprawling lawns…the bright blooms bursting in joyous celebration of the season…the cacophony of the birds above…yes! It all seems unreal in the chaotic and dysfunctional city life that you live in now. Shuffling between client meetings in stuffy air-conditioned spaces to jostling your kids around in that tiny speck of green which they call the society garden to rushing home just in time to rustle up some TV dinner, well… it is time to pull the plug and breathe. We definitely deserve better.

While I can’t really promise to transport you to that picturesque place of your dreams, I can definitely help you with a few tips which will make your apartment transform into that wonderful place that you would never want to leave. The trick is to forget the rules and listen to your heart!

CHEATING THE INCHES

If you are living in an apartment, every inch counts! With limited square footage, and with little or no access to open spaces, it can get quite frustrating to make your apartment the perfect home. But …hey! There is hope…as long as you are ready to cheat a little!!

1. MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL

As we all know, mirrors can really turn a space around. If you are in tiny space with a tinier opening for a window, using a supersized mirror will totally extend your space visually. Known for expanding horizons, using mirrors in different mediums like mirror finished cabinet doors, an entire wall in mirror or even the back of doors finished in mirrors will make the different spaces merge and seem much larger. Go for smoked mirror finish on furniture for that glam effect.

2. BRING IN THE LAYERS

I absolutely abhor spaces that are stark. You must have seen spaces having one large painting over one large sofa, symmetrically flanked by similar looking plants on either sides or lamps. A BIG YAWN!! Layering is the key. Add multiple layers of art, varying heights of accessories and hang pendant lights much lower than you normally would. A coffee table with heaps of books and some candles thrown in varying heights and you have instant DRAMA! Forget about the myth that small spaces need to be stark and minimal. In my book, the smaller the space, the bigger the vases, the bigger the sofa needs to be. This makes it more dramatic, edgy and full of character!

Pro tip: Hang obscenely large chandeliers or pendants in small spaces to bring in that oomph and intimacy!

3. TRANSFORMING THE OUTDOORS

Having a tiny wedge of a balcony should not stop you from decorating the hell out of it. Make the outdoors a part of your indoors by turning it into a multi-functional area. A cozy nook for your study, a floating bar unit with hidden storage for all the bar-ware, a love seat to snuggle in with a book, amidst a riot of gorgeous greens and twinkling fairy lights…well! A balcony can do so much more! If you loved your childhood garden back home, why not turn this balcony into one. Don’t have green fingers? Worry not…there is astro-turf (artificial lawn). Adding this to the flooring of the balcony can really bring in that shot of green which will transform your balcony to a gorgeous green haven!

4. CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE

The most important element to have in a restricted floor space is furniture that re-configures. Think nesting tables, art on the wall that converts to a dining table for two, sideboard units with collapsible trolleys for serving, sofas that open up to make a bed.. all work wonders in a small space. In bathrooms and kitchen, the trick is to use the walls vertically to add as much storage or art you want. In the living room, opt for coffee tables which can open up to hide all the junk like the remotes…keys etc. Every foyer or hallway needs a console which can house your daily mail, keys etc or even a stylish bench with a gorgeous tray to hold all the essentials once you are home. Being practical doesn’t mean you can’t be stylish!

Remember- “Fashion is what you buy, Style is what you do with it”. I rest my case!

5. MAKE IT PERSONAL

Whether your entrance door opens up to a narrow, odd-shaped foyer or a pint sized living room, it’s the entrance to your world. Nobody is ever going to talk about your impersonal beige-on-beige apartment…so while we are at it, why not make it punchy and vibrant and all about you! Whether it is a piece of art from the flea markets or a pair of sculpture that you fought your spouse for or books that you have collected over the ages, having things you love and that make you smile around you, goes a long way in bringing that warmth in your home rather than stuffing your home with expensive home décor items. There is clutter and then there are memories! However big or small your apartment is, give it some love and it will love you back tenfold.

6. COME OVER TO THE DARK SIDE

Like my favourite designer, Abigail Ahern says “Painting a room out in a dark hue automatically makes it feel cosy, den-like and snug”. In small spaces, painting out the walls and ceiling in the same colour blends the borders and makes it seem much larger. Forget about light colours in small spaces. Dark, moody hues with matching furniture and bright pops of colour in art and accessories are the way to go if you really want to make a statement! Add a little glitter with shades of rose gold, copper and brass with a darker colour palette and your home will be A-MA-ZING!

So, next time you are in a decorating mood, don’t be afraid of jazzing it up, no matter how tiny or boxy your apartment feels. Just let go of your inhibitions, think stylish, sprinkle some pixie dust and there will be M.A.G.I.C.

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