A beautiful Art Deco bungalow on Carmichael Road exudes definitive warmth of a collector’s home. The two-level bungalow is home to fashion boutique owner, Maithaili Ahluwalia who lives with her jewellery designer mother, Jamini. Says Maithili, “This home is more a reflection of my mother’s personality as an inveterate traveller and collector and connoisseur of beautiful things than mine.”
As you climb the majestic teak wooden staircase you come face to face with Raja Ravi Verma’s stunning paintings and embroidered art works. Arriving at the second level you are greeted by a long ‘art’ corridor which is choc-full with artifacts. A wall covered with sepia-toned photographs stands witness to history hanging on it. Many artifacts, like a brass bird with an iron beak, copper containers from Gujarat, a Maharaja’s portrait, a striking piece of surti furniture displays an iron Natraj statue on it, a guardian statue from Karnataka stands like an imposing guard of honour, a four-runged wooden stand showcases many interesting bric-a-bracs on its shelves, among other exotic objects d’art.
The living room is equally overwhelming with artifacts. An attractive low gadda seating area in the form of a piano makes for a pretty picture and the bamboo chicks keep the room cool.
An absolutely eye-catching Hyderabad lamp in a Mughal design casts its warm glow over the room. In another corner of the large-ish living room is a niche low seating area upholstered in red and white stripes. A wooden elephant palkhi is used as the centre table and displays a collection of silver plated and silver objects. So what’s the type of flooring used? “The flooring for the entire house was done up by Bharat Floorings in the early 1900s and for the living room Cambay tiles were used,” says Maithili.
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