Sheena Bharwani's home decor

Sheena Bharwani's home is a labour of love. It underwent extensive renovation over the last 6 years and retains a meticulously planned, practical and aesthetic aura. Architecturally the old structure has gained by a magnificent arched façade which reminds of the Vidhan Sabha and Cannaught Place all at once. The vibrant deep chrome yellow and white exteriors are inspired by an Italian fishing village Burano, where the houses are coded in 12 different colours to identify the family tree that has extended all over the little island village.

Nothing, absolutely nothing from the old house has been discarded. Most of the furniture is antique or remodelled antique, treasured over the years dating from the exodus from Pakistan, or picked up from Kabariwallas and antique shops in Mumbai.

Curtains, all made to order with Chikan work butas, embellish each room of the house. Big windows everywhere lit by the green potted plants fluttering in the breeze outside, add natural luminosity to each room.

Light and electricity have really been used thoughtfully. The solar panels on the roof heat up all running water supplies, and glass-cubed roof over staircase, central lobby and corridors leading to bedrooms bring in the oh so welcome sunlight into every corner of the house. Electricity has virtually no part to play during the day, as the house is so well stocked on natural light.

The drawing room with a special ‘Laila-Majnu’ seat for 2 special friends who get oblivious to all else when blessed with each other’s company is a warm corner. The etched glass sliding partition between the drawing room and central lobby gives a nice open feel. Hand-crafted ceramic-tile topped side tables, one with an onyx lamp which was refashioned from a matka from Lahore are delightful.

Brass plaques of Ganpati in jovial celebration, singing and dancing, picked up from Orissa, now framed against dazzling red add a festive flavour to the otherwise Europeanised room. A full length Burano lace table cloth set against burgundy on a corner round table subtly ties up with the Ganpatis on the wall. Bamboo shoots standing tall in a cut-glass vase, announce the good energy in the house. A writing desk which converts into a bar is a thoughtful addition with small parties in mind. It also hosts an antique silver candle stand and coloured glass tulips.

The central lobby basks in the sunlight that filters through the glass-cubed roof and reflects off the sponged sun-yellow wall of the staircase. Chikan and appliqué cushion covers, all made to order like the Chikan curtains in each room add the Lucknowi nafaasat here too.

The dining hall with a 80 year old dining table which sparkles as new was retrieved from Sheena’s maternal home as were the doors that form her bathroom cabinet as well as bathroom door. These landmarks from the British era actually fanned Sheena and Sheela’s fancy to redo the house entirely according to this period theme. Modern practicality and aesthetics have added to the original theme in a big way. In the dining hall itself, the Cuckoo clock got by Sheela from Black Forest in Germany is right out of a English storybook illustration. The life-sized embroidered girl on the mantelpiece is equally British-flavoured, all handmade by the daughter of the house of course!

Madhur who is not a student of fashion communication at NIFT Mumbai has left a bevy of art work on the walls. In Krishen’s bedroom rust fern-prints on off-white walls add a lovely glow to the study den cum bedroom.

The master bedroom upstairs is as airy and well lit naturally as the rest of the house with a flowering Gulmohar peeping from the ventilator and onion-pink Chikan embroidered curtains breezily adding the lived in touch. An elaborate throw-over picked up from Karachi is a close reminder of our Gujrati artisans’ connection with the undivided India’s cultural give and take.

The verandah upstairs opening into a open to the sky aangan is a place where one can spend a lifetime looking up at the blue sky. A cast iron winding staircase leading to the roof with matching grill as a boundary adds to the period look.