Perfect, Pretty and In Place (Home Tour of Kinnari Parikh)

Tell me…do you have a friend where you drop by for an event or pop in for an unannounced visit…any day...anytime…everything is perfect, pretty and in place? Why, you ask? With a current state of mind filled with anxiety and excitement taking you today on one such home tour of a very close-knit family friend who is not only known for an impeccably organized skills but also a warm hearted lady.

Nestled within a quiet and leafy lane off the bustling city Toronto, there is a home that has been under the scanner of my eyes since long to be featured in my décor radar - a home of Parikh family, lovingly known as “Parikh Parivar”. 

Kinnari Parikh, the lady of the home - whose perfection itself has become a benchmark …whose thoughts, feelings, and attitudes closely match mine, whose generosity is popular lore in our social circles and who clearly knows how to eke every inch of her home. Her home radiates warmth, laughter and love of the couple and their both charming girls that she dearly dotes on. 

Any well thought out home with just the right energy smells good, feels warm and looks inviting - you may instantly hit with these characters upon arrival of her entrance. Vibrant ingenuity welcomes you at the entry way, which is brought to life by a dotting different forms of Ganeshji falling perfectly in the rhythm with the core of her ethnically Indian home. 

An exquisite and visually loud effigy of Krishnaji, which the family bought from one of the local artifact store, compels you for your short stay in her foyer. Her home is a chock full of lovely architectural detailing and this niche is a part of it which sets the tone for the rest of her home. 

And here is the family’s darling living room which creates a warm space with contemporary details and a bit sprinkling of brass. The family has a separate dining room with an added convenience of walk in servery and a less formal family room completely devoted for their family time. Both the rooms are work in progress and Kinnari is still scratching her head tackling these rooms.

My collection has created waves amongst many of my readers, and she being my avid reader and follower, takes a leaf from our collection. My creativity has given her wings and driving inspirations from my vignettes she has pushed her creativity to another level. Shown here are the best of her collected pieces so far. The 'baby gannu' reading a book in a relaxed pose is my favorite and was bought on our Diwali visit from a local temple.

Soft pools of light via wall lamps and candles are making the living room feel much cozier and inviting.  Beige walls, dark toned hardwood floors and juxtaposition of vibrant patterns and colors amplify the décor quotient of the room.

Family treasures are not merely decorative objects, they remind us of the people who matter us the most. After all, these inheritances help us to plug into the past and keep us closer with nostalgia and history. Entrusting the same funda that I follow for my heirlooms, she has also learnt to put those antiques at the best use. The heirlooms in her home are dotted with a whole new perspective brimming with a new life full of emotion.

 The evening mood teases out a unifying colour of brass here. 

The multi-functional and visual anchor here is the kitchen island, which adds space and functionality in her most used room. Whether it’s a home work time for kids or they decide to pitch in to help for dinner, the extra land on island comes in handy for any additional use. The island is also a witness of our impromptu ‘chai’ (a Kinnari special) sessions and gossips ;).

Kinnari is genetically wired to have a spotless clean home and takes due care and attention to the quality of her surroundings. The ongoing delight of having a place for everything and everything on its place in her home, always makes me pick up tips on how to declutter on very visit. 

 

As we wrap up this home tour, wouldn't you agree that Kinnari has assessed the space with same gusto as per personality? Her home is a sign of their well-lived life, family heirlooms and favorite memories that lend a character to make her house a home.  Signing out, wishing all the very best to "Parikh Parivar".

And until we meet again, stay connected lovely readers, toodles!

(Images are taken by Pinkz. Please do not use the images without the prior written permission of the home owner and Pinkz Passion however, you may re-pin them from Pinkz Passion's Pinterest account) 

Modest Size Living (Home Tour of Gayatri Singh)

Mingling countries, cultural art and traditional artefacts live far larger than square footage of the home in our today’s home tour. The pretty pad of Gayatri Singh, nestled against the structural skylines of Singapore, is both inspiring and interesting in equal measure.  

Gayatri, a professionally trained chef and a culinary composer throws the doors of her home open for us today. She titles her personal décor style as very vintage and Asian with a touch of Indian element. Her graceful apartment in Singapore (where she just moved after living in Tokyo for 9 long years) is a proof of the broadening effects of her travel. If I need to, I can vouch on her abiding love of travel because when we started conversing about this home tour she was in Singapore. Our next chat we had in Tokyo and then in Bali and last recent one in India in a short span of weeks. 

It may just take a quick glance around Gayatri’s bright apartment to work out where her passions and interests lie. Her earliest interest was laid in cooking and following that she pursued her education towards that. She may have decided to dedicate herself to the food industry but the interior design enthusiast didn't take long to discover her growing appetite for interiors also.  

Being a seasoned traveller her source of inspiration differs to each of her travel destination. And as we can see, those inspirations are manifested uniquely in each corner of her home. Chinese king statues here are dotted with many other unpredictable mix of objects. An eye catching large smiling Buddha frame is positioned perfectly in the middle to bounce off his calmness all over the room. 

Most of the pieces of her decor allude to the trips Gayatri has taken. Just like this hanging tapestry from Japan called obi (a kimono belt made out of silk) depicts the scenes of a Japanese king and queen sitting under the tree. Keenly aware of the modest size living, she also has some inciting inventions and creative solutions thrown in her decor just like this piece of a ladder where she hung a brass diya. It surely exemplifies interesting yet effortless way to brighten the wall.                          

Carefree mix of style like contemporary art, modern settings, classic travel finds and traditional pieces are keeping the open concept dining and living rooms alive. Large dining space is essential enough for Gayatri who is an avid cook and loves hosting parties.

Gayatri owns quite a collection of some intriguing objects, while her petite brass pieces spark a dressy note in different corners of the home.

The comfort can be sensed in the air as soon as you walk in Gayatri’s living area. Solid fabric and simple patterns are chosen along with few accent pieces that make perfect sense for a young couple’s life. Adjoining balcony is enlarging the visual living space. Whether the occasion is a spontaneous movie night or a restful read of a good book, their living room facilitates lingering and happy times.

Arresting Asian charm, global sensibility and admiration for Indian details makes her home visually appealing. Her home is decorated in her signature and relaxed but refined style where very nook and wall is infused with a story and memory that richly reveal her vibrant creative flair. 

Few more well-edited vignettes around the home keeps the space engaging and alive.

When it comes to hosting, Gayatri is a natural. Evenings with lavish table and teaming it with the finest food is Gayatri's forte. Fond of cooking and hosting Gayatri prepares and serves delicious food without breaking a sweat at any party hosted at home. Images here from her previous gatherings remark how efficiently she composes soiree for every guest to remember.

Food savvy Gayatri also has a loyal following among the other cooking aficionados on her Instagram account. Do check out her visually arresting pictures and soulful recipes here.

As we seal today's home tour, I heartily thank Gayatri for letting us peek in her beautiful apartment. Wishing you and your family all the very best of the world Gayatri. 

And for you my lovely readers, until we meet again, stay connected, toodles!