Prithika and Jay are a delightful couple who strongly believe in conservation and restoration. As I walk into their apartment, on the 4th floor of a building in the Tamil quarter of Pondicherry, I was surprised at the absolute absence of the coastal humidity I had become so used to. The 2500 sqft apartment is well ventilated with huge windows that let in the cool sea breeze.
Jay and Prithika’s home
The front door in itself is a work of art with its religious carvings. And right outside is an old wooden school bench that the couple had salvaged for people to sit and put on their footwear, which is customarily removed before entering any Indian home.
The front door
Prithika’s love for unique flea market findings is evident. Her colourful DIY project on an antique 2 seater caught my attention. She had cross stitched the rattan weave on the seater with multi-coloured wool, taking it to a completely different level. And the walls are adorned with watercolour paintings and quirky keychain hangers.
The seater that Prithika worked on (L). One of the paintings in the home (R).
As we move into the dining area, Prithika says that the dining table is her take on an Ikea design. The whole table is collapsible and has her own addition to it – a quirky ceramic door knob, which is yet another flea market find.
The dining area
They have a kitchen island that has been very well designed. It has a breakfast counter and storage for a microwave and an OTG. On one of the sides is a drawer that ensures ample storage. The basic colour palette of this home is white with plenty of chic wooden furniture. I would say, the interiors reverberate with simple elegance. And the curved passageway from the kitchen to the bedroom was yet another interesting design, allowing for a free flowing space.
The kitchen
As I enter the master bedroom, I am immediately greeted by the star – an antique colonial four poster bed, in a dark wood, with mirror and tile inlay on the headboard. The bedroom also has side tables, inbuilt cabinets, a wooden table at the foot of the bed, and a chest of drawers with a contemporary framed mirror. The room has an attached balcony with unusual doors – clear glass panes set into heavy wooden frames.
The master bedroom
I even checked out the bathroom which has walls painted in a lovely mustardy yellow. And the wash basin has been cleverly set along with a wooden shelving and side cabinets. Talk about thoughtful storage!
The bathroom
Jay and Prithika have a beautiful home. But they tell me that there still is much more work left for their quaint dwelling to become a home of their dreams and they do understand that as time goes by, their home too will change and grow with them.
A wooden heart with J & P engraved on it. Found in their bedroom.
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