Choc-a-bloc of Treasured Keepsakes (Home Tour of Sunita Polumetla)

When people have a connection with heirlooms or hand me downs, keeping them in their décor is not only a design decision, it’s an emotional one, and that has to be respected.

Beloved-but-dated décor accessories you’ve inherited can't possibly fit into today's style of your home but as a décor stylist, I have learned, where there’s a will, there’s usually a way to incorporate them. 

Instead of going for a perfect finish style, our today's home owner Polumetla Sunita from all the way Hyderabad has won upon mixing and matching looks. Come on in....  

Living with urban necessities does not mean forfeiting the charm of old ones. Sunita has smartly outfitted her living room with heirloom items that have the charisma and character of a classic home. Sharing her deep bond with heirlooms, she has re-created the feel of elegance that is synonymous with homes of the past. Taking the center stage here is the bench from an antique furniture store blended well with heirloom swings flanking on both sides. (The back support of these swings can be shifted to other side and by adding the chains to translate it into a swing).  

No matter how quirky the family heirlooms are, they add warmth and history in any space. Being a dedicated brass lover, Sunita finds out-of-the-way spaces for inherited beauties around the home. Along with rich accents and jewel toned fabrics on the couches, wall is adorned with the grouping of Odhisha paintings done on palm leaves.  

Did your eyes catch the focal point? 'Thinking outside the box' Sunita has grounded an inherited brass urli with dramatic touch on the floor replacing the coffee table. After all, being creative is just a matter of finding the right inspiration. The Goddess Saraswati painting is a hand painted master piece from Bali.  

Sunita's home is a tribute to rich traditions and culture. Translating the cohesive and connected collection into her personal tastes and preferences, she is proving that one can never go wrong with basics. Her collection of brass spoons is not icing on a cake for any brass lover but it's the whole cake shop :). The very famous Balaji Tanjore painting is done by Sunita herself.

Special occasions like Diwali definitely does wonders around Sunita's home. New finds and family jewels mingle well in different corners of Sunita's home. I spy turtles and tortoises. How many can you spot? Being an ardent collector of tortoises and turtles Sunita searches high and low to add a piece for her collection. 

 The horse is a trade fair find while the lamp came home from Kerala.

Minimalistic approach is adopted in the family room while adding some funky and nostalgic vibe. Honoring the connection, a cradle is practically transformed as a coffee table. The table is splashed with juicy colors of Cheriyal masks from Telangana. Made out of paper-mâché these masks add character and interest in this room.  

Confidence is the secret to create a truly unique and personalized space and following the same mantra Sunita has successfully updated corners of her home by combining styles, cultures and eras. The Kerala boat here is a customized piece that is adorning a corner. The bird table is made out of a single wood. The green trunk is a loot from chor-bazar that has been upcycled by Sunita, who spray painted it to fit her need. The big vessel is a heirloom piece that Sunita has used as side table by placing display mish-mash things. 

Sunita's kitchen depicts an art full array of precisely positioned heirlooms and new finds for an interesting spin. Often so called little things give out the most insight into a person's identity and taste. A striking display of everyday objects in Sunita's kitchen does the same. Clever combinations of simple fittings, pretty colors and vintage accessories make the place both - practical and inspirational. 

Few more kitchen scenes from Sunita's home. Blending all the new and timeless pieces (that are easily accessible for ready to use) this place combines function and aesthetic appeal with care and flair. 

Experimentation is the key to all new trends- yes, this adage perfectly fits when it comes to trying out the mix and match philosophy and uncovering what speaks to you. After years for craving these 'pandiri mancham' beds that Sunita's grandparents owned, she also had a desire to have one since her childhood. Her wish got granted few years back when she converted her imagination into a reality with the help of her carpenter. She brilliantly converted two antique beds into these beds for her bedroom and guest room. 

The famous Bapu Bommalu paintings above the bed are replica gifted by Sunita's friend. For those of you who are unaware about this designer, he is an Indian film director who has made a name in Telugu Cinema. Being a creative soul, he introduced a unique painting style of freehand drawing and simple bright colors. 

Sunita's vibrant and layered home is a result of her trust towards her instincts.  She has allowed herself the freedom to bring together the items that she loves – such as these historical dolls. A collection of Kondapalli Dolls (traditional dolls of Andhra Pradesh) & Marapachi dolls (a pair of male and female dolls which forms the most important part of Navratri Golu arrangements) are dotted in various corners of the bedroom.  

With a hint of different prints, this vibrant colors infused bedroom sets a retro vibe.

Few neatly arranged corners in bedrooms. 

Ahhhh...the balcony. We Canadians are inexplicably drawn towards the sight like this....just because we are outdoor deprived souls...yes, April doesn't feel much like spring at my end, but it sure is a prime time to gather some inspo for the season. This little piece of soothing heaven Sunita has nurtured just outside of her bedroom...where the thread of continuity in collection continues outdoors as well. Love the use of Kerala boat along with terra-cotta pots and masks. How lucky you are Sunita to have luxury of these greens surrounded by...I am so 'J'. 

Not only potted plants, but armed with a long list of her own creations, Sunita has also dotted some penny pinching ingenuity in the balcony.  Seen here are just few of them. A ladder is upcycled with parrots, funnels are transformed as pots, a rift wood piece, with the help of stone pendants- embroidery threads and beads, is converted into a wind-chime that chimes away in her balcony. Effortless, convenient and trendy these three words totally resonate with her style, right? 

As we end our home tour today, here is a collage of more greens and rustic appeal of terra-cotta planters.  

With a choc-a-bloc collection of heirlooms, I felt Sunita's home is reminiscent of the past without feeling frozen in time. Heirlooms gives you such confidence to dabble with your creativity and adding an endearing personal style to your home. Don’t let your treasured keepsakes languish in the attics. Instead of stashing these cherished family items, give these sentimental items a second life.

Thank you for the generosity of your time Sunita and get ready to host me in your beautiful home, if I ever land in Hyderabad 🙂. My special gratitude extends to Paddy for bringing this home to my attention, as always, you are a sweetheart Paddy.  

So, that's it for today's home tour folks, until we meet again, see you around on Instagram and Facebook, toodles! 

My loots of India

‘India’ and ‘shopping’ phrase seem so obvious. I still love the ritual of India shopping and it’s the oldest con I still fall for ;). How many of us haven’t surrendered to the lure of Indian shopping. There is nothing quite like walking along the old streets where nostalgia strikes you again and again. Taking in the window display at your local favorite stores, pausing at your favorite ice cream 'adda' or gobbling a sandwich at that local street vendor whom you still remember, surprisingly bumping into friends along the way and ultimately finding the perfect piece you were looking for. I feel euphoric...there is something so pulsating and hearty about India that makes us miss it deeply when you live overseas...shopping for me tops the list that I look forward on every trip.

 

Since I have many readers asking the sources of my shopping and brass, I thought it would be apt to let you in and see all of those loots I lugged away on my recent visit.

Along with our vivid memories, our beautiful Indian attires and jewelry many new things followed us from India to our home this visit also. The very first stealing the show is the new handsome lantern from a central mall of Baroda (my home town). The place was brimming with many glamorous pieces that I would have love to add in my collection but controlling my frisson of excitement, I did not give into the impulse buy and excitedly bring home those big pieces that I liked. However, there was no wavering about bringing this perfectly stylish tiny lantern shaped candle holder with symmetrical design and glossy texture. The impeccable intricate work was just perfect to mingle with my traditional brass. 

The most classic ‘Lassi Glass’ was a very hard find. Being it on the top of the list, I wouldn’t have left any stone unturned to bring it home. Though, in a state of ‘CHHAS’ lovers, finding a Lassi glass seemed like a herculean task :). Finally rummaging through old stuff at ‘Bartanwala’ (utensil seller) I lucked into bumping this unique and timeless piece which he handed me over for Rupees 300 only. I definitely had a smirk on my face while homing these tulips in it.

Road side vendors on the streets of the city are the best bet for you if you are eyeing to add any reasonable brass collection in your home. There is always something I have picked up from them. Interestingly edged and etched brass plate and bowl ended up being mine for styling my vignettes. The decorative approach of floating flowers with candles is a breeze to pull off when you have such elegant décor accessories.

The shape and mini size of these brass pots sold me at the same vendor. From the minute I have got them, they have been my  muse and taking several turns on my Instagram feeds as well. After all, it is not necessary to inherit an antique or brass to love it and make it your own...there are many pieces that will just instantly connect with you and your personality...be surefooted and confident when you include them in your collection.

Treasure trove of priceless pieces in your ma’s or grandma’s attic is your best bet on your next visit to India. Dusting off that old hand me downs and instilling them in your living space adds a sense of charm, warmth and soul. Each piece in my mother's khazana tells a family story and opens up to an imaginary world to us. Bring a bout of that old fashioned sense by packing away those heirlooms. When was the last time you stumbled upon a spittoon? Here is mine…proudly a heirloom piece with a reasonable twist and shine pleasantly adding a splash of modernity in my living room despite of its age.  

 

For me, these heirlooms jog a memory of someone special and it provides a sense of both cohesion and intrigue in my décor style. Here is one more of those heirloom that I stole away from my mom- a German silver glass, thoughtfully integrated housing my flowers. There is not any standard recipe to fit these heirlooms smoothly in your surrounding décor, but with some simplest approach they win to add that historic charm in any décor style you follow.

 

And if you have missed these two beautiful pieces on my instagram feed that I happen to pick up on our travel to kerala...here they are!

A prabhavali is a disk or circle of light (a halo) shown above or surrounding the head of the divine to represent their holiness and feel the peace emitting from the creator. It was checked off in my shopping list after stumbling online. The piece was sadly biting the dust in one of the Kerala store and upon the request (pretty please always works) the shopkeeper gave it away for 100Rs. (For him it was a broken piece and of no use). After showing some love by framing and affection by cleaning, it seems ready to be added on my next gallery wall :). 

Nothing is quite like revisiting travel memories. And our recent trip to Kerala has made us own a treasure box of memories. Beside abundant scenic beauty, Kerala is a place to get spoilt for the choices with exuberant art pieces. And if you are wondering how much damage this caused our wallets, not much really.... due to our weight restrictions we could only carry back a few quaint items and not nearly as many as I really wanted to! Here is the last piece of my loot. The smallest but the prettiest wood panel I could lug away in my suitcase.

Finally, I could layer these treasures and share with you all.  Specially for those readers who were keenly looking out for my India loot. Signing off the post hoping my shopping rant will eventually wend its way to some possibly useful tips for your next trip to India. You all have a great week ahead and stay connected on my Instagram and Facebook pages until we meet again here at the blog world, toodles!