Traditional Paintings made by the home owner herself, along with antique brass artefacts make this Chennai Home truly Personal and Charming!
They say that home is not a place, it’s a feeling. The reason for this is why a house is different from a home. A bunch of rooms separated by walls and covered by a roof is a house, but it’s all those little things you add here and there that make it a home – your home!
Today we are featuring one such home, which has been lovingly set up by the homeowner, adding her own personal elements to every nook and corner, bringing it alive with colors, textures and nostalgia. Welcome to Vijayalakshmi’s beautiful Chennai home tour!
A retired state government officer, Vijayalakshmi found herself bored and getting depressed after retirement. That’s when she decided to go back to her childhood hobbies of painting and crafting, along with decking up her home with her creations.
“My 3 bedroom flat was good, but I couldn’t visualize how I wanted it because it was full of furniture. I couldn’t bring out the beauty of the furniture either, and that was the problem”, says Vijayalakshmi. She decided that it was time to revamp the space and she’s done an excellent job of it!
Vijayalakshmi went back to her roots and learned Tanjore painting. Vijayalakshmi’s creativity knows no bounds – even her sarees are embroidered by her! All the wall hangings, paintings and murals displayed in her home are done by her.
She’s also an expert in making Arathi Tattu, which are decorative plates used in weddings and festive occasions. She often gives them away as gifts, and have used some to adorn different parts of her home.
One of the main areas Vijayalakshmi wanted to redo was her puja room. The way it was setup, she just wasn’t feeling it, and turned it around by adding some gorgeous brass lamps and greenery.
In fact, brass features quite a lot in this 3 bedroom Chennai home. Vijayalakshmi seems to have a distinct love for brass artefacts, as is visible by the many shiny candle sticks, urulis, pots and idols.
Vijayalakshmi’s collection of brass idols is enviable! They’re all beautifully maintained and intricately detailed. You could spend hours just admiring her collection!
Buddhas are other idols in this home, and they’re present in materials other than brass too. We’re in love with the cute little Buddha resting on his knees! Besides these, she also has brass Buddhas as well as a white one flanked by brass lamps.
Idols aren’t the only figurines here – there are a bunch of delightful dolls too! They’re seen in different shapes and sizes, and made of different materials, but our favorite is the set of little musicians sitting on a tray!
Another thing Vijayalakshmi seems to love is birds. They’re there everywhere, from bookends to wall hangings, from peacocks to ducks! It’s very interesting to see how she takes a common theme but uses it in completely different ways around her home.
Besides brass, wood also makes its presence felt, and not just in furniture. There are some rustic wooden wall hangings and wooden shelves that give this home a lovely old-world charm.
Vijayalakshmi also seems to have an affinity to the color blue, as visible in blue lanterns, blue candles, blue vases and a quirky blue fish-shaped dish. Blue also features a lot in her paintings.
The home isn’t just about brass and wood. Vijayalakshmi adds just the right amount of softness with lots of green patches and many flowers. They are seen everywhere, and adorn her beloved idols. She even uses some unique planters, from teapots to ducks to pickle jars.
Along with her many talents, making kolams is another area Vijayalakshmi excels in. She doesn’t do a lot of them nowadays, but when she does do them, they’re exquisite works of art.
We just love how Vijayalakshmi has managed to infuse every inch of her home with her own signature touch, but sticking to the antique theme at the same time.
She makes the place truly her own, displaying all her favorites in her own creative way. After all, a person’s home is a reflection of their personality, and Vijayalakshmi’s gorgeous and well maintained home is a testament to that fact!
amadhu says
Thank you mam