My Story
It all started two decades ago.
When in the Middle East, managing a paint company, associating with a number of interesting projects opened my eyes to the marvel of architectural design. The way beautiful edifices were created from the ground up. How professionally and systematically iconic buildings were built, and maintained. It captivated me.
It was around this time that I thought of having a home of my own in Puthur, Palakkad. There were limitations – what was available for me was only 3 1/2 cents (less than 2 grounds) of land, of triangular shape with two tough curves on the longer side. It was a challenge, but I wanted my home to be here – next to the temple, the people, the culture that my family and I had grown up with. The limitations didn’t matter as much as those emotions did.
I had had a dream home in mind, built in the style of traditional valluvanadan architecture — a ‘naduthalam’ (centre courtyard), a ‘thara mme thara’ (raised living area), lots of wooden pillars – the works. And my wife was keen on an exclusive puja space.
Meanwhile, I had collected quite a bit of period furniture, mostly from my wife’s heritage tharavadu house in Thrissur, a few from an antique store, and these needed to be accommodated as well.
Many idlis were had over dinner as discussions raged on with my most understanding friend who is a civil Auto CAD draughtsman and he helped me technically fit what I wanted. There were, of course, sacrifices — the second bedroom in the ground floor had to be cut, for instance, but the plan was set.
My dream home was going to come alive.
I started my construction in earnest, while I was away in the Middle East and dropped in every four months for a few days to take it closer to my dream.
I have not loved doing anything as much as this. It was a beautiful journey. And now, each and everything in my house has my personal touch.
'Vetukal' Exterior
'Vetukal' Exterior
Exterior finished to traditional 'Valluvanadan' style with exposed laterite finish and windows / sitout to match
Traditional Window
Traditional Window
Window with crafted wooden awning and sloping rain guard
'Poocha Kaal' Sitting
'Poocha Kaal' Sitting Arrangement
Copied from a 100 year old Tharavd in Valancherry, this sitting arrangement is most authentic and cosy
Entrance door combination
Entrance door combination
A combination of traditional half doors with saksha and ornate door designed with three carved pieces of wood picked up from a flea market
'Thare Mme Thara' Formal Sitting
'Thare Mme Thara' Formal Sitting
Made to traditonal style, this raised platform offers an exclusive formal sitting area
Informal sitting
Informal sitting
Cosy informal area with coffee chairs, Thai sitting arrangement and an antique chest of draws
'Puja Mandap'
'Puja Mandap'
Placed in the mini naduthalam and nestled within the antique pillars, the unique wall stand and the round table gives this area a pious feel.
Kitchen cum Dining
Kitchen cum Dining
Stove placed within the central platform serves the dining fresh and hot
'Arayum Purayum'
'Arayum Purayum'
Style copied from the back waters of Aleppy fitted well with my bed room cupboards, wall linings and the computer corner. The four poster stays majestically within this area
Masai Couple as landing posts
Masai Couple as landing posts
They came along with me from East Africa to be the warrior guards of the stairs
Upstairs family living and bed
Upstairs family living and bed
Fitted for a family union; this hall has a typical arabic majlis sitting, TV on an unique stand and a queen bed
'Kili Vathil'
'Kili Vathil'
Straight from an agraharam in Nallepully this window overlooks the ground floor naduthalam
Since then it has been a trip of joy collecting and placing ramacham curtains, loose furniture, portraits et al to go with the theme of the home.
A house with a raw ‘vettu kal’ (laterite) finish and the unique nuances of period interior feel was something new to Palakkad town and I used to get a lot of curious visitors. They loved what they saw and I used to be invited to visit their ‘home-in-the-making’ and to guide them. Many of them would urge me to take up ‘home planning’ as a professional career, since they knew that a) I loved it b) they thought I was good at it.
So here I am, at your service; to help you realise your Dream, your Home…
Now, let me take you back to where it all started and show you what my love, my commitment and my expertise can do for you. Here is my dream, my home: come, experience it with me —