My Kind of Home. Not Perfect, Just Personal
Welcome to my ‘written podcast’ or perhaps, a Dear Diary entry.
Home. The word itself carries so much weight. It can mean a thousand different things to a thousand different people, each definition evoking its own emotions, memories, and meanings.
A creative outlet. An expression. A culmination of experiences and stories. A series of experiments. A safe place to simply be.
Having lived in different parts of the country, and in different corners of each city, moving houses and turning them into homes has not only always brought me immense joy but also a lot of back-ache and a whole lot of learning. Each space has given me a sense of achievement, comfort, and belonging. It’s where I can be anyone I wish to be — an artist in the kitchen, an actor accepting a film award (cliche I know and haven't we all done it), dance without worry, find a safe place to cry, to laugh, or just be.
Looking back at the last two decades and the spaces I’ve lived in, I can see how each one (and I have) evolved together while retaining our essence, but growing with more finesse, more care, and deeper thought. That said, I still feel I’ve only tapped into about ten percent of my potential. There’s so much more to learn, explore, and bring to life.
Not perfect. Just personal.
There are days when I want my home to look like it belongs in the pages of Inside Outside magazine or Architectural Digest - perfectly styled, everything in its place. And then there are days when I love it best when it’s simply lived in - cushions out of place, mugs left on the counter, and that comforting sense of real life everywhere…hmm actually not really. I like cushions back in their place when not in use, used mugs placed in the sink but you know what I mean when I say well ‘lived in’ - perhaps with *conditions applied. This is my bane!
Some days, I crave a space that feels deeply personal, filled with stories and quirks that are unmistakably us. Other days, I catch myself wondering what it would be like to live in one of those picture-perfect, cookie-cutter homes - beautiful, yes, but one that belongs to everyone and no one at once. I always wonder.
This often becomes the foundation that sets the tone for how one’s home might look in the near future.
How do I do it?
Over the years, I’ve realised that I naturally gravitate toward certain colours and textures, and it is something I noticed while looking at the linen and artifacts I’ve collected so far. I love a home that bursts with personality: one that is full of colour, rich textures, thoughtful curios collected over the years and beautiful solid furniture, that yell heritage and have their own stories to tell. A little bit like a story book - each corner must have an interesting story to tell.
Things That Have Worked for Me
1. Investing in Quality, Timeless Pieces. While I do have a few budget-friendly, easy-to-assemble pieces, I’ve also invested in solid, handcrafted furniture made by karigars from different parts of the country. These pieces bring regional culture into my home and have been with me from the very beginning. They’re classic, sturdy, and age beautifully—like fine wine. Like the beautiful elegant Rosewood China cabinet made by karigars of Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh) or the brightly painted and hand carved Choksi from Sikkim.
2. Discovering and Staying True to One’s Style. I can’t say I’ve pinned down one specific style yet, but I know what I’m drawn to - colour, design, regional influences, vintage charm, and anything that adds character. The challenge is bringing these elements together without the space feeling cluttered or chaotic. That’s where restraint plays a huge role. I also enjoy adapting my decor with the seasons. It does not have to be by overhauling everything, but through small, thoughtful changes: swapping a cotton throw for a woollen one, or switching out diya holders for candle stands.
3. Fresh Flowers and Plants. There’s truly nothing that fresh flowers and plants can’t fix. They breathe life into any room and uplift the atmosphere instantly. You’ll find countless lists out there - ‘Plants You Can’t Kill’, ‘Beginner-Friendly Plants’, and so on - but from my experience, I find that the geographical location plays a huge role in how well a plant will thrive. Factors like the direction and amount of sunlight, wind exposure, and humidity levels are just as important as the basics including where you buy your plant, the quality of soil, timely pruning and your watering routine. But the facelift a space can get by the addition of a plant or two or a bouquet of flowers is absolutely magical. Shola flowers from Bengal are a great inclusion if you're not sure of fresh flowers and plants.
4. Cushions, cushions and more cushions! I just cannot have enough cushions. I love a good cushion cover and love throwing cushions everywhere. They add colour, texture, motifs and hold the potential to spruce up any space. Mixing and matching is the way to go - whether it’s playing with different cushion sizes or experimenting with cover patterns and colours. For example throw cushions are a great way to incorporate floor seating or a backrest when placed on a diwan or a backless chaise.
My top four learnings so far
1. Following Trends Too Closely. I’ve learned that following trends isn’t my best suit creatively. While trends can be beautiful to look at and the homes that follow them often look stunning, they don’t always align with my personal style (which, to be honest, I’m still discovering). When I chase trends that don’t resonate with me, I lose focus, end up consuming content I don’t enjoy, and surround myself with things that don’t truly fit into my space or lifestyle. Leading to alot of wasteful expenditure and worse - heartbreak.
2. Choosing Aesthetic Over Functionality. A beautiful piece of furniture is wonderful but it’s not enough. I’ve realized that furniture should work together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle: the materials, textures, colors, height, and most importantly, functionality, all need to align. Beauty without purpose just doesn’t last in a lived-in home. Though a piece or two never hurt anyone, isn’t it?
3. Overlooking Lighting. Lighting can truly make or break a space. It’s one of those things that seems secondary until you realize how much warmth, mood, and balance it brings to a room. Personally, I gravitate towards warm whites and soft yellow lights; stark white lighting has never been my vibe. That said, both white and yellow lights have their place, especially in homes where elders live, as functionality and visibility are key. What I strongly avoid, though, is using both tones simultaneously. They are conflicting and create a strange looking light when used together. A thoughtful mix of floor lamps, table lamps, and hanging lights with adjustable mood lighting can completely transform the atmosphere of a space, allowing you to shift the energy of a corner or an entire room with ease.
4. Ignoring the Climate When Choosing Plants. I’ve made the mistake of bringing in plants without understanding the local climate or light conditions. It’s important to pick greenery that will thrive where you live, not just look good in a photo.
I’m sure there will be plenty more learnings and unlearning(s) along the way, but that’s the fun of it, isn’t it? The joy of being able to mix things up, to move pieces around and to restyle a room whenever inspiration strikes or you discover a better, more efficient way to make it shine. Well, not so much for those living with you because I am sure they often double up as forklifts and/or errand runners whether they like it or not!
Happy styling!
