On the home front

Priya Jagat

The Perfectly Imperfect Home — So goes the title of one of the most popular books on interior decoration. It inspires one to create a style that is relaxed, comfortable and very stylish at the same time. 

From house to home 

Usually a house has nothing personal about it. Perfectly placed furniture, ideally dressed walls, impeccably displayed artifacts... you call it picture perfect, we call it run-of-the-mill décor. Home has to be an extension of owner’s personality and experiences. Of her likes, dislikes, travels, hobbies, habits, and even career choice. An odd picture tacked up the wall, mementos brought back from holidays, books, photographs, artifacts and furniture passed on in the family, all make for great décor pieces, provided these bear your signature. 

Not all that imperfect

It’s a misconception that any beautiful piece of décor complements the interiors of the house. On the contrary, it might look out of place. Key to aesthetic interiors is balancing visual appeal of the object with the space it occupies. Also, an object of art should soothe our senses and blend with rest of the décor. It shouldn’t restrict movement of family members or be placed with a forewarning for the kids to mind their feet. 

Clarity on clutter 

“Clutter is the poetry of our homes. It is an intimate view that is not always perfect — a few dishes in the sink, books piled next to the bed. A living room exudes comfort and warmth,” says author Mary Randolph Carter. Clutter certainly does not imply chaos. You should enjoy the freedom to do up the interiors randomly, in short — as you like it. You don’t have to follow the set rules, rather make and follow your own. For example, your upholstery need not match the furniture always; it can even look as good in a contrasting colour. 

Price matters

Should a painting go up a wall because of its monetary value or the reason that it struck a note at the first sight? Should you spend money on original art or any wall art that adds to the visual appeal of a room? Should you bargain expensive artifacts with flea-market discoveries? Always be open to all options. The best way to do up your house is to mix and match, but if you are a collector and admirer of all-things expensive then go for it. However, it shouldn’t be a compulsion. 

The dos & don’ts

Your home is the haven you come back to from work, so let it be your comfort zone. Contemporary or Classic — let it be your preference, not the decorator’s. We all need a little help to do up our house but not diktats. Our personality changes with time and age and so should the décor of the house. However, don’t discard stuff from the past without lending a thought to it. Experiment by revamping furniture. While you discard a lot, retain some as memorabilia. Each piece tells a story that gets passed on to generations.