Preethi: I am so very thrilled to bring this home tour to you, my audience. When I thought about this series, I thought about this person first. Reshma is an awe-inspiring decorator, upcycle specialist, and DIY pro, that everyone should know. And most importantly she is a strong, sensitive and inspiring woman. Her home is a symphony of Indian art, craft, textile,s and a lot of the cultural goodness our country has to offer. And it’s so lived in and warm and inviting. There are quite literally a hundred ideas you could take from her home. You can find her on Instagram HERE. Let’s read what she has to say.
Your name, location, and number of members living in the house.
Reshma: Hi, I am Reshma. As a Fauji wife, normally two years is the maximum time that we get to spend at any location before we pack and move again. However, this time around, our family of four got to stay put at a stretch, for three years in a rented home in Hyderabad. Things have changed in the last year though. Hubby has been posted out to a new location, my son has got a job and flown the nest, and as I am penning down these lines, my daughter is packing her bags to leave for college. Soon I’ll be the sole occupant of this home, only for a short while that is until I wind up here and join my husband in Assam. It is going to be a totally new experience for me.
How would you describe your home style?
Reshma: I would describe my home style to be an eclectic blend of a generous dose of Indian ethnic and a dash of English country home. My passion for Indian décor was ignited after marriage when I got the opportunity to explore the rich culture and heritage of our beautiful country. Love for the English countryside was awakened much earlier, during my growing up years, all thanks to my father. He would regale us with magical stories of his childhood home, a cozy cottage nestled among the tea gardens of Munnar, which was once the summer capital of the Britishers, in South India.
How and when did you start collecting?
Reshma: I believe the passion for collecting beautiful things was an inherited trait. Growing up, I was always enamored by my mother’s saree collection, my grandmother’s bag collection, my grandfather’s book collection, and the list goes on…. Although it was in my DNA, I dedicatedly started my collection once I married my Fauji husband, and got a chance to travel & explore this beautiful country of ours.
What are your criteria to select art and artifacts for your home?
Reshma: For me, there are no specific criteria or guidelines, only a sheer passion for handicrafts, when it comes to choosing art and artefacts for my home. When you look at my home, it is a mad mix and match of upcycled pieces, heirlooms inherited from my grandparents and unique handicrafts that I have picked along the way. Maybe, because it has been done up with so much of love, everything fits and blends seamlessly to lend a cohesive look to our home.
How do you budget for buying artifacts that are priced higher and need planning?
Reshma: I may not be the best person to give you advice on this aspect, since you will not find many expensive pieces in my home. Most of our furniture pieces are upcycled from raw materials sourced from junkyards. The creative thrill that we derive in converting scrap into designer artefacts is unparalleled. The unique handicrafts that our home boasts are sourced from local markets, thrift stores, the gallis and nukkads that we explore during our travels. Nothing beats the thrill of the hunt. The art pieces that adorn our walls are affordable, and mostly done by local street artisans we have had the good fortune of meeting during our various postings. The vintage pieces seen around our house are inherited. Our home is a true example of décor on a budget.
How do you maintain your home? What is your dusting and cleaning schedule?
Reshma: Ha ha ha… coming to the not-so-fun part of home décor. Whoever said that managing a home is not rocket science was surely not a maximalist. I have blueprints, flow charts, daily to-do lists, a planned cleaning schedule, all in place to maintain my maximalist décor, so that I do not lose my mind. I delegate, incorporate paid help and have invested in some really good cleaning devices. I have ensured that the soft furnishings in my home are easily cleanable and have included some smart storage solutions that are pretty and practical. Periodically I donate things and right now am planning my second “Pre-loved exhibition cum Sale’. Last but not the least, I find the whole process of planning, cleaning and tidying up therapeutic, though dusting gives me allergies.
What are some of your favorite Indian arts and crafts?
Reshma: I love all kinds of Indian arts and craft, traditional a bit more than modern. I fall in love with every state that I visit and their age-old traditional art forms and textiles fascinate me. As I always like to say, my thoughts are progressive, but my tastes remain old fashioned.
What is your advice for a newbie collector?
Reshma: Home is a true reflection of the people who reside in them. So, staying original and authentic while doing up one’s home is non-negotiable. You will find plenty of inspiration online, but the final envisioning of how your sanctuary should be, is entirely your call. Follow your heart, take your time, explore and enjoy the process. In my experience, hidden gems are not always found in high-end stores, but in the most unassuming places like small local handicraft shops, thrift stores and flea markets. While selecting pieces for your home, apart from the aesthetic factor, do take into account the durability, functionality and maintenance of the piece. Choose lighting carefully, it greatly impacts the ambience. Plants always add beauty to any décor, so growing a green thumb would be worthwhile. Do incorporate some sustainable practices too… after all our planet is our one true home.
2 Indian maximalist homes you love?
Reshma: To name a few, @preethiprabhudotcom, @mynestedabode, @anuraya_by_anuradhakapoor, @honeyaulakh9, @ahometomakeyousmile.
What do you do for a living?
Reshma: For the most part of my adult life, being a Fauji wife, a hands-on mom to my two kids (now adults), pursuing a creative path (when I got the time) is what I have been doing for a living. As far as work is concerned, what little I have achieved, has been from within the four walls of my home, since circumstances did not let me venture out for a 9 to 5 job. Having said so, once you have established some kind of footing, become visible in the creative arena, many lucrative offers do come your way. It was my conscious decision not to take them all on, because more than making money, I want my livelihood to be about touching lives, creating awareness and imparting ideas. My ultimate aim is to start an NGO which promotes upcycling and sustainability.
Anything else that you would like to say to the world or to me?
Reshma: Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. Always grateful for the love that I receive on a daily basis. I never take any part of this for granted, consider them nothing less than blessings.
Here are 5 things I love about Reshma’s home that you can incorporate into yours too.
- If you want to pack a lot of colors in your accessories, furnishing, and textiles, keep your main walls neutral. Use accent colors like Indian mustard, and vermillion (kumkum color) in nooks for an unexpected pop.
- Create thematic galleries on the wall. Could be art, upcycled wooden articles or masks. Don’t miss the “women” themed gallery in the images.
- Catch the DIY bug. One way of truly creating a unique home for yourself is by making things yourself or conceptualizing the ideas and finding the right people to give it shape. Pay attention to the lamps around her home. My favorite is the atta channi (flour sifter) as bedside lamps. It doesn’t get better than that.
- Shuffle or restyle seasonally or when you feel like it. Maximalism doesn’t mean you have to put on display, everything you have. Move things around and give it the flavor of the season (the Season could be anything, the seasons outside or the seasons inside tour head, you decide).
- Have fun with your space. Whenever I see pictures and videos of Reshma’s home, I always think, “This is so much fun!”. In my mind I see her enjoying the pleasure of restyling her space. That to me is the most important part of being a maximalist. And it shows. If you are too worried about keeping it clean or displaying it perfectly, the fun is lost. Create a doable cleaning schedule on paper, don’t keep the list in your head and be overwhelmed by it. And enjoy the process of creating and maintaining a maximalist home.
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