‘I can imagine Sachin Tendulkar driving up here in his Ferrari’

Maithili Ahluwalia’s new decor store opens in the innards of Wankhede Stadium today.

Concrete walls equal skyscrapers and firing squads. Throw in a cricket stadium and a luxe store and you’re probably thinking it’s something straight out of ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

Maithili Ahluwalia’s latest outlet of Bungalow 8 is like a dignified version of the above. If the rabbit had burrowed into the Wankhede stadium, that is. Scooped straight out of the stadium’s bowels is the generous spread of this décor outlet. Its bare concrete walls and glass, mother-of-pearl and silk linen thrown aside here and there form the ideal juxtaposition of rustic meets lavish.

“That’s what I was going for,” explains Maithili. “I wanted something different without any baggage – this suited us absolutely fine. I can imagine Sachin Tendulkar driving up here in his Ferrari,” she laughs.

Designed by architect Bijoy Jain and interior consultant Isla Van Polak, the loft-like space under the stadium tiers has retained the original architecture. “We wanted to set it up like someone’s home actually might be,” explains Maithili. So, as you enter, a portico of throw cushions leads you to a drawing room where ikkat printed chattais paired with leather sofas. Adjoining it is the bath and spa space – replete with a cast iron tub, porcelain jug and basin and bath and body products. A boudoir houses linen and cotton lounge wear – kimonos and robes, the bedroom boasts two antique iron cupboards brimming over with silk duvets. “We wanted to create a lived-in feeling. The duvets are shelved just as you would store them at home,” she adds pointing to a casually thrown robe on a chair.

Each section leads on to colour co-ordinated aisles stocking more varieties of décor pieces that room might need. With antique pieces spilling over, the store is anything but a store – just the loft living that some of us dream of. “I don’t do interiors, and I don’t do stores, but this space was interesting,” explains Bijoy. “Indians are opening up to new spaces now, but we’re still picky about the surroundings. This space is magnificent but what adds to its appeal is the rough finish of the concrete.”

Keeping with the theme, they won’t blame you if you decide to shack up right there.

s_rituparna@dnaindia.net