Cherished corners of a vintage lover

This is not exactly a house tour, but a few cherished corners of a designer's home.Nicola, the designer behind the brand “püppilottchen“ shared the pictures of a few corners of her home. The German based designer loves creating quilts, pillows, accessories and toys especially for kids. She's passionate about vintage things and you can see the touch in the images.


Her little terrace with some things Nicola loves - the cast iron table her grandfather made(I love this one), a little stone-collection in a cute bowl, and pottery-frog- her own creation.Looks like creativity runs in the family!


A close-up of the cast iron table


Spring on her terrace, the pine cones in the basket add zing to the arrangement.


Nicola's collection of vintage dolls....she loves collecting all things 'vintage'. She also has a collection of vintage tins in her kitchen, vintage pictures in her living and terrace.


What do you think of her designer pillows, quilts and toys...aren't they cute?

You can find more of her designs here.

Private Getaway: Shirish Beri's Seaside Retreat at Devgad

Great minds, especially creative ones, need time to get away from the daily grind to relax, rejuvenate and refresh! That's exactly what award winning Indian architect Shirish Beri had in mind, when he set off to create a beach house in Devgad, Maharashtra. Incidentally, Mr. Beri was awarded J. K. “The Architect of the year" Commendation award 1995 for the design of this house.


The beach house retreat has been built with the utmost respect to nature.Care has been taken to "blend" the home into its magnificent backdrop. The home is overly simplistic, and so is the decor. The one-room habitat has been designed brilliantly with strategically placed windows to catch every bit of nature one can, even while indoors. What impressed me was the ubiquitous eating/ dining/ sleeping center space - when you see the pictures, you will know what I am talking about.

Below is a personal description by Mr. Beri himself, of a project that's very close to his heart, and no doubt is the source for the brilliant work he executes.

The idea of having a beach house germinated in my fascination with the sea and in my faith in Nature's healing, refreshing and rejuvenating potential. Along with physical stimulation that the sea offers in the form of swimming, jogging on the beach, playing in the sand, etc., the beach house offered a peaceful natural environment with the soothing sound and sight of the waves breaking on the shore.

The view of the sea from most spaces was also an important consideration. Even the kitchen has the view of the sea on the west and of the property gate on the North.

Shirish Beri at work

I felt the need to get away from the busy routine of our architectural office to a place like this for the concentrated, undisturbed creative design process to happen. Thus my own basic architectural work happens here.

The design of this beach house stems from a basic simplicity of life style and from its symbiotic relationship with Nature. It does not appear to be force dumped there, but appears to grow on the site - to belong to the site.

Taking advantage of the undulating site conditions, the following was achieved:

• raised plinth for a better view for the main living and kitchen area.
• segregation at slightly lower level for service areas like porch, utility & servants room.
• mezzanine floor studio-bed at 1.1 M above the main level with better view as well as privacy.
• a changing area with bathroom & W.C. below the mezzanine floor with a direct access from the beach after a swim (this prevents the wetness and sand from spreading all over the house.

The main entrance to the house meanders through the portal or gateway created by the two existing casuarina trees. The Undal tree with a seating platform & Tulasi forms the vista through the car porch.

The house is basically one single unified space under one roof. Different functions are differentiated by low partition walls, curtains, different levels, etc., but the essential flow of space continues uninterrupted merging with the surrounding nature.

The living room space flows into a covered verandah sit out on the west, which further extends down into two levels of the lawns - then into the coconut grove.
At the end of the property, right next to the beach is a built in shady sit out for eating, reading etc.

The flooring is cow dung and mud. The studio has a timber floor.

The house is constructed from the local laterite stone with a hipped timber roof structure and Mangalore tiles.


The house is designed for the coastal climate allowing for maximum air circulation inside, but at the same time being able to contain the fierce wet stormy monsoon winds from the west and southwest.

Living in this house does rejuvenate one's tired nerves. The energy field created here acts as a much needed antidote to today's rushed, competitive & materialistic life style.

Thank you Mr. Beri, for sharing the warmth and beauty of your personal retreat with us. We loved it!

Drool: Nature inspired functional decor

I have a special corner for things inspired by nature. I stumbled upon some unusual décor products on an online store called Supermarket. Take a look at Woodgrain Log Pillow by Angie Johnson...just perfect to create a cozy ambiance in the living room. The designer uses woodgrain fabric from textile designer extraordinaire, Joel Dewberry.


Modulari leaf by RazorToothDesign.Made from light weight synthetic material MODULARI is seamlessly expandable. You get to design your own divider using different combination.


The Driftwood Baroque Chandelier from BoBo Intriguing Objects is one of my favorite. Made of found wood, the chandelier is a classic example of recycled beauty.

Book Review and Feature:Kathmandu Valley Style

Note to readers - This post is lengthy. The first half covers the book review, and the latter half features some pictures from the book. If you are in a hurry, feel free to hop on to the pictures. But do come back again and read the review:)


Here is a book that makes me want to drop everything and catch a flight to Nepal, now! Kathmandu Valley Style, a coffee table edition, brings out the best of Kathmandu's rich heritage architecture, and some really enjoyable restoration projects. It also features the best of noveau Kathmandu style - modern homes that have taken care to carry forward the rich architectural and aesthetic features of old Kathmandu.

Kathmandu Valley Style has been co-authored by Lisa Choegyal - a long-time Nepal resident and author of several books on Nepal, acclaimed Newzealand-based photographer Craig Potton and Gautam SJB Rana - an arbiter of the Nepal style,, and creator of Baber Mahal Revisited (an ambitious private restoration project in the Rana style of architecture).

I know my readers would want me to talk less about the book, and see more pictures. Well, in a few minutes. This is a review, remember? :)

The book has pictures and information of over 40 historic and new buildings, most of them never before photographed or published. I found that quite impressive. When I first opened Kathmandu Valley Style, I thought the rather long introduction (running into many pages) rather unnecessary, but as I read along, I realized the book would have been truly incomplete without this information on Nepal's culture, ethnicity, and the influence of dynasties that ruled the country. In fact, I found myself going back to those first few pages even as I read the rest of the book. For those of us who are neophytes in Nepali history and architecture, it serves as a good reference section, right inside the book! The reader will be astounded by the beauty of the Valley, and the mosaic of architectural legacies that co-exist, handed down by various dynasties. Be prepared to be utterly, completely delighted by the fact that many expatriates have endeared themselves to Nepali preservation and restoration work - in fact, going so far as to making Nepal their permanent abodes (featured in the book as well).

The images, the homes, the restoration work are things that I loved! They are the essence of the book, and the authors have done very well in presenting them. The photography is superior, par excellence!

I don't really think the book lacked anything - it has been well researched and well presented. If anything, it covered so much of the Kathmandu style and architecture, that it left me hungry for the rest of Nepal.

Key Bunch Verdict: Inspiring!

Have a look at the Photographs ©2008 Craig Potton and Serindia Publications. I recommend that you click on the pictures for clearer images:)

The inner courtyard of the mid-18th century Kumari Bahal.
Details of the carved windows and roof struts show
the complexity of construction and variety of design.

The next few pictures are of Kuthu Math. It dates back to 1748. It was restored by Austrian conservation architect Götz Hagmüller and his wife Ludmilla. They live in the top floors of the math. In their quarters, they have brought together traditional elements of historic Newar design adapted for modern living.

Kuthu Muth's most precious cultural treasure -
a painted room, which was once used as a reception area.

Kuthu Muth's kitchen - fine quality wood carving with traditional
brass plates and bowls. The floor tiles are terracotta, and when Hagmüller
couldn't find them, he designed an entire tile factory to produce them.

Hagmüller's kitchen features a montage of useful wall niches




One of the bedrooms in the Hagmüller quarters of Kuthu Muth.
Latticed windows are a legacy of the Malla architecture.

A picture from the Yak and Yeti Hotel.

The copper fireplace is the center piece of the
Chimney Restaurant in Nepal's Yak and Yeti Hotel

Next, pictures from explorer and writer Ian Baker's home in Naxal. It is renowned for its wildly eclectic look, and memorable parties.

The living room has his collection of tantric art and Tibetan carpets
juxtaposed with Newar wood carvings,
Rana-style plaster ceilings and stained-glass windows.

This bronze door handle of Naga Kannya has been newly
cast by Patan metalworkers, using the lost wax process.

The US-based Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust has quite a portfolio of restoration projects throughout the Valley. The picture below is of a small apartment atop their office building in Nepal.

The elegant local style features low-level furnishings,
Newari printed blankets, and a beaten copper bathroom.

An art-lover and long-term resident of Nepal, Janet Rockwell built her Bansbari house on the footprint of an older cottage. She has mixed elements of her native California with Nepali traditional design.

Flagstones along the steps and verandah of Janet's home.

A terracotta tiled floor, and a hand-woven wool carpet, and paubha

paintings on either side of the fireplace.The living room is an interesting
mix of Nepali and American sitting room styles.

Vishnumathi House, the abode of co-author Lisa Choegyal is one of my favorites in this book.

This home was designed to reflect elements of Newar architecture, but with Rana
and European design. It has been built using only traditional elements,
but the layout emulates a courtyard set in a meandering English garden!

The drawing room contains a collection of Nepali paintings,
Tibetan furniture, Himalayan textiles and antique carpets.

My copy of 'Kathmandu Valley Style' occupies pride of place on my coffee table. I find myself getting lost in its pages, and I just can't stop admiring some of those houses. I highly recommend it to those of you who are interested in South East Asian decor. You will find the pictures of the modern work in which old styles have been incorporated (to create an outstanding style statement) very inspiring.

Globetrotting with The Keybunch: An Indian home in Texas

The Austin, Texas home of Subasri Pillai is a delight to the eyes. The home successfully blends Indian accessories and other finds from different parts of the world into its predominantly western, open longhorn architecture.

It's inhabitants - Subasri and her husband, and their 2 lovely daughters have all contributed towards the decor. Most of the art work has been done by Subasri and her younger daughter. While her husband's contributions include installing terracotta tiles at the entry way, track lights in the kitchen and painting custom wall colors. Her older daughter creates handmade pottery and her work - bowls and vases, adorn the corners of this lovely home. With a wonderful mix of traditional and ethnic collections ranging from Mexican pottery to Moroccan lamp shades, the Pillais' style is very personal and simple.

The living room is predominantly Indian. A wicker chest is used as a coffee table for storing all the family board games. Some of the antiques are family heirlooms and some are travel finds.



This terracotta pot has seen 16 coats of paint to get the right hue.

An original mural painting from Kerala adorns the fire place mantel along with South American dancing beauties. The planter seen in the picture was used in Subasri's grandfather's house for measuring paddy.



A closeup of the Kerala mural

Morocan lamp in the dining room corner

An antique Indian horn in the living room corner

A corner of Sri's kitchen - the painting is her latest art project.

This onion and garlic holder in the kitchen was picked up during a holiday in Mexico.

Another view from the kitchen (I simply love the flowers and the arch)

A corner in one of the bedrooms

Older daughter Akshara's bedroom (It's so well co-ordinated!)

A niche near the stairway has been utilized well.

The striking contrast of an old world dining table against Ralph Lauren's "hatak yellow" wall color.

"Princess" the younger daughter's room.
That's a pretty reading nook with a detachable canopy, created by Sri.

The curtains were made using rolls of fabric, and hand embellished by Sri

A lovely space to practice the Violin

....and finally, a beautiful seat by the window, to relax with a cuppa and just watch the world go by.

And oh, before I go - I just wanted to let you know that we have enabled our "Followers" feature. But it looks so silly there saying "zero followers". Won't you add your name to it, and brighten up my our day? :)