Home And Farmstay Tour: Adwait & Uttara Kher

Home And Farmstay Tour: Adwait & Uttara Kher

I happened to see the images of
stunning wooden vases in unusual shapes and a home filled with
extremely beautiful wooden accents shared by someone on a Facebook community.

 I contacted that "someone" to see if he could show me the entire home and got to know that what I had seen was just a trailer (picture to abhi baaki thi). Below are the images that I had seen on FB.

I received this message from him "kind of you to have liked our work. Altho' the picture above has been conceptualized and executed by us, it is not our home. Attached are a few images of our residence. If this belongs to your 'line of work, we can have a tel con. tomorrow." The images of his home left me speechless and spellbound. I went ahead, talked to him on phone for good 15-20 mins trying to make him understand my work as he wasn't aware of  "blogging" and he then very sweetly and humbly invited me to his home in Nashik. Well, I have kept that proposal safe with me. Dear all meet MultyDEsign, one of the nicest and the most humble person I have ever come across. Later I came to know that he is a proud father of  Saunskruti Kher (an actress) and Saiyami Kher (lead actress of movie Mirzya).

Dear readers, let me take you all to Nashik once again to take a virtual tour of Adwait and Uttara Kher's country style home that is filled with old world charm and vintage treasures. Tucked away from the hustle-bustle of the city in nature's lap amidst lush greenery and an exceptionally serene environment is this little gem. Every inch of the home reflects the sweet, warm and humble persona of the homeowners. They also own a furniture studio called Uttara & Adwait Furniture and hence most of the furniture pieces in their home are from their own collection. 

No matter classic or modern, a swing never fails to add that traditional element to the decor. And if it is a beautifully carved teak wood vintage swing then the pleasure of sitting on it and reminiscing the good old childhood days can be an unbeatable experience.  

Did the porch below reminded you of your grandparents' home. Restored windows installed on the wall aren't just a piece of art, they actually serve the purpose. With exposed brick walls, stone skirting, wooden benches, trunk and vases this quaint porch is like a smile on the front of this home.

Come on in dear readers, this is the entrance to the home and you all went gaga over this image when I shared it on my Instagram. A huge carved wooden panel above the main door (of course well secured) and the openings in walls on both the sides of foyer make it look grand and magnificent. An elegant teak wood console table with woven baskets and wooden Roman numeral knobs is ready to catch the attention the moment you step in. While the colonial style wall bracket in one corner reminds of the bygone era. 

Now as you move further, you'll be in a dilemma whether to go right or left. Let me tell you both the sides will make you forget all your troubles and worries :)

The right side houses a "home bar" that Adwait likes to call "bar bar dekho".  

And to the left is this peaceful prayer room. Now I'll leave the choice to you. Pick your choice and stay there for a while :D

Home is filled with reclaimed wood and restored furniture pieces and is a perfect example of when old meets modern. 

Below is the image of a small sitting area in front of the prayer room that attracts chess lovers. Woven furniture and earthy tones create a warm and pleasing ambience. Two windows next to prayer room are the ones that you have seen in the image of the porch. Would you like to have a closer look at the chess table. Let me show you.

Vintage chess table and hand-carved oversized pieces are so quaint and yet so charming. Did you notice the king and the queen, what a unique piece. 

The sitting area extends into this drawing room which is quite airy, bright and profoundly spacious. Subtle colors make it a perfect place to relax and rejuvenate. Woven furniture with gentle sloping curves, layered with soft white seat cushions and paired with long khatiya/charpai(bench) add gorgeous texture and dimension to the room and make it look both modern and country style at the same time. 

So those of you who had chosen to stay in the bar (towards the right of the foyer) Come on it's time to move ahead and check out Khers gorgeous dining room which is filled with warmth and of course old world charm. Woven furniture ties all the rooms together in this home and sets the theme whereas wooden accents and vintage windows are a great addition to the country chic decor of this home.  A splash of color is added using table runner and mats. 

The sky window right in the middle of the home not only is a source of ample natural light but also offers an opportunity to bring nature inside. Organic and natural elements here make us feel calm. There is nothing like the smell of wet earth and sight of fresh green nature and that's what you can see and feel in this home. 

The bedroom is a clutter-free space done up in calming colors with a pop of ochre and fuchsia. The bed is made of carved teak wood. Clean lines and minimalistic decor open up the space. 

The couple's love for vintage pieces and wooden accents is quite evident throughout the home. An intricately carved exquisite reclaimed window installation on the exposed brick wall in their table tennis room is a conversation starter. 

Below is an image of their patio that is filled with vintage furniture which I would say is considered staple while decorating this home. And this is where the home tour ends and now let me show you 

Uttara & Adwait Furniture studio.

Their furniture studio is strewn with elegant furniture pieces. Collected from across the globe reclaimed and restored wooden accents, vintage articles and woven furniture is their speciality. 

What you see below is their far east collection. Uttara & Adwait have successfully completed many interior projects. Their new venture is a farmstay. Let's check out that too.

Far away from the noise of Nashik city and close to the vineyards and lake is a newly built farm stay named Utopia. If you plan to visit Nasik make sure you check out this place if you want to spend some peaceful time in nature's lap. Hills in the backdrop, lush green carpet of beautiful grass, the gentle sound of flowing water and melodious sound of the chirping birds what else can be more relaxing and soothing to the soul. 

The Khers have designed the farmstay in country style. There are ten cottages that are well equipped with modern comforts while maintaining the natural essence. 

With its true rustic style exteriors and interiors, Utopia is an authentic farm stay experience. 

Bedrooms are designed keeping comfort in mind. Hence open space, neutral shades with the right amount of colors and eye-pleasing decor accents make this bedroom a perfect sleep sanctuary. 

Here is one more bedroom with soothing colors and peaceful ambience.

I bet once you feel the experience of staying here, you would definitely want to go time and again. 

This brings me to the end of this entire feature. Hope I didn't disappoint you. Make sure whenever you plan to visit Nashik check out this amazing place called Utopia.
If you are still craving for more beautiful homes then click here.
See you all soon

. Thanks!!!

40 Ideas for Outdoor Dining Rooms | DIY

Home Tour: Amal Rosa Augustine

Home Tour: Amal Rosa Augustine

Today I'll take you all to Bangalore, a beautiful city where I spent just one year but fell in love with it for a lifetime. We'll take a tour of a home that envelopes British colonial elements and is a minimalist's paradise. Come on in!!!

Amal Rosa Augustine who lives in Bangalore with her husband and a toddler has opened the door of her two bedroom apartment for 3D readers to take a peek inside and her home reminds me of English empire style. Let's start with the console table in below picture that sums up the British colonial style of decorating perfectly. Hammered metal platters in dark tone are paired with a carved wooden frame in ivory that matches the accessories on the console to create a cohesive look. Touches of gold and wooden furniture with clean edges infuse some modern elements. Tradition or modern, plants never go out of trend and Rosa knows that well. 

This minimalist home is a reflection of a clean, pure and serene environment but what makes it British colonial style home is woven furniture in dark wood, light and airy colours, soft & subtle furnishings, eclectic accessories and tropical foliages. Below is the picture of Rosa's living room where dark wood furniture creates a contrast against white walls. The overall feel of this place is traditional with a splash of exotic. 

I love how Rosa has given an extra visual punch with colours. Here is what she shares with us "My tiny apartment in Bangalore was purchased in October 2016 and it's just a 1400 sqft flat with two bedrooms and a study. When I started to do my homework for the interior styling of my house I had some dreams about it and I think I was able to turn it into reality (at least three-fourths of it if I say precisely). I didn't follow any particular style in general and it is a mix of traditional, rustic, farmhouse style. some of it is inspired by Pinterest, interior magazines and home decor websites."

Right opposite to this seating arrangement in the living room is the entertainment unit that you see in below picture. TV unit in dark wood, woven baskets on the wall and on TV unit, some picture frames and colonial hurricane lamp wall sconce reaffirm my statement that this home is a true colonial style home. Every room is dotted with the exotic plants that make the place tropical paradise. 

Further Rosa says "I have to mention here my dear friend Seethu who helped me throughout designing my dream home and also for my husband for signing all the cheques without looking at the amount and above all my parents who made this a reality".

Have a look at this hand wash basin area next to the dining room. It is not only wonderfully organized but also a testimony to the fact that modern and British colonial style mesh together well.

Rosa shares some sweet memories, "my family is a very spiritually oriented family and hence all around the house, you can find bible quotes and lot of images of Jesus. The most integral part of my house is this small prayer area. I love everything about this. The holy family statue was a gift from my parents when we moved into our first home after our marriage. I carried it in all the homes we rented till date and finally to our own home."

The dining room is simple and minimal with woven chairs in dark wood that bind the entire space together.  Balcony space has been converted into an open seating area. Huge windows allow the influx of glare-free ample natural light. This adds the visual depth to the confined sitting area. Bamboo blinds bring texture and organic feel of outdoor to the indoor and create a beautiful dappled light effect that makes the atmosphere soothing and relaxing.

Potted plants add the incredible drama to the place no matter if they are placed on the floor or on the wall shelf. 

The sideboard and crockery unit here offer both style and storage. The displayed crockery here is white that adds a streamlined, contemporary twist to the British colonial style. 

Rosa has to say something about her balcony. Here is what she said "this is an area which was actually a closed common balcony area as per our builder's plan but I turned it into an open area which is an extension of our dining and living rooms. It has really made a good impact and changed the look of entire apartments feel."

"Even if it’s not open I never restrained from growing plants. I have put some of my plants and this area is my husband's and mine most favourite nook in our home."

Rosa is in a mood to share more about her favourite places in her home. 
"Next favourite place in the home is this sitting area. It’s called the “chai corner”, I love sipping my morning and evening tea in this place and it’s so peaceful and comfortable."

Now let's move on to the kid's room and study. Here is what Rosa shares,
"This is our study (the so-called half bedroom). We hardly kept any furniture in this room because this room belongs to the two crazy people in my family. The half of the room is for my daughter and the other half is my husband's office space. My daughter loves this room and it means the world to her. She spends most of her time in this half bedroom. Most of the things here are made by my 14-year-old niece and I gave them their rightful place because of her ardent love for my daughter."

Now before we go further let's have some coffee that is being brewed in Rosa's small and stylish coffee station. 

"This is a small corner in my kitchen which I have turned into a coffee bar. Saw this on Pinterest and it had to be in my home as I love playing with chalks and that's why you will see lots of chalkboard paint done here and there in my home."

"My kitchen is a tiny place but I love to look at the brighter side of it. I feel it’s very easy to maintain and keep a small kitchen spick and span."

The master bedroom is crisp white, comfortable, relaxed and elegant that rightly define the British colonial design. All these elements bring an air of romance and sophistication to the overall design.  

"Our master bedroom is kept very simple. My husband is very particular about making it clutter free and also, I was concerned about my 3-year-old daughter so I kept it minimal. Other than the bed I only have a cot and a chest of drawers in my bedroom for a storage.  Picture frames with family pictures on the wall above the headboard remind us of our loved ones and we all just love looking at them."

Her guest bedroom is a place where I would love to retire for the night. It is such a soothing place with walls in white, furnishing in cheery lemon and dark toned furniture that pops against the pristine walls. I am so in love with this unusual wall decor where embroidery hoops are acting as a frame and beautiful fabric is given a place of artwork. 

White, brown and lemon employing a crisp and minimal aesthetics. Traditional style infused with a contemporary style of decorating in right amount results in British colonial style and truly love how Rosa has effortlessly achieved this look. 

Since I don't like to restrict myself to a particular design or decorating style so 3D is a place where you will find homes decorated in various styles from traditional to modern, ethnic Indian to British colonial, collected to simple and minimal and studio apartment to a sprawling bungalow. Hope you liked what you saw today, a completely new theme of decorating!!!

Thanks a ton Rosa for this wonderful treat to our eyes. Wish you and your family love, luck & sunshine.

Dear readers, I had committed to publish this post but now I'll take a break and will see you all in April. 

Thanks !!!

40 Ways to Maximize a Small Garden

Indian Balcony Garden Decor

Indian Balcony Garden Decor 

A lot of you wanted me to post a video on 'Balcony Decor', 

so here I'm with some pocket-friendly ideas to give your balcony a quick makeover. 

In this video, I'll show you how a balcony can become a cynosure of all eyes with some small changes and easy steps. 

We'll take one step at a time and will decorate just one corner of the balcony today and in some other post, I'll show you how you can give a makeover to the entire balcony. Since I'm talking about Indian Balconies, all the elements I'm discussing here are quite traditional and ethnic Indian. 

The first step is to clear the clutter and just remove everything so that you can plan and picturise what exactly you want. 

Next comes the step of adding a splash of colours. And that you can do without spending much. All you need to do is paint the pots in colour of your choice or if you already have painted pots then consider painting them in a different colour this time and you'll be amazed to see the result.

Now if you have a plain wall in your balcony then perk it up. You can put up wall planters, artwork, shelves, masks or just paint some art like Warli, Madhubani or anything you like. I chose to put up wall masks and I found king & queen mask at dirt cheap price. You can see the makeover of these broken terracotta masks in my video. 

Now let's move on to next step of arranging the pots. Pots placed next to each other or arranged in a row looks like they are standing in a queue and waiting for something to happen. I always find it boring to arrange the pots in a linear fashion. My tip here is- create levels. How? Well, just choose the pots and planters in different sizes and then club them together. Or you can place an empty pot upside down and make it a pot stand.

Also, make the arrangement of pots standout by choosing the plants that have leaves of different shades and shapes. See the image below for reference. 

In the last, let's accessorise the balcony garden. There are so many garden accessories available these days and you can easily pick the ones of your choice that go well with the theme of your balcony garden. I placed pebbles in the pot, one with Warli painting to add a pop of colour.  Terracotta figurines can never go wrong when it comes to accessorising a balcony garden. 

Below are the two looks I created with some small little changes in arrangement and accessories. In look one below, I used a terracotta camel as an accessory to give this corner an ethnic punch. Plants of all types like creeper, climber, herb and succulents are creating a balanced look. 

In look two below, I created a zen corner by placing Buddha head in the centre and lush green plants all around him. Did you notice how effortlessly I transformed the ethnic Indian look of this corner into a zen corner. Now let me show you how it looks at night. 

Have a look!!!!

Don't you love this. It looks so dreamy and oh so beautiful. 

By  the way, I used my favourite LED string light. It works fine outdoor as well as long as its USB cable is protected from water.  

I am happy with this makeover and will be spending my summer evenings here soaking in the beauty of this lovely zen corner in my balcony. Hope Y'all liked it too. To read more blogs on 'Gardening' click here. 

I'll be on leave for a month. See you all in April.