Villa Maya: A new fusion restaurant in Trivandrum

 Fifteen years ago, I had seen this building as a Maruti workshop. Not the swanky posh ones of today, but the dirty grimy dingy ones of yester years. It made me so sad to see a beautiful old building with blackened walls and its heart loaded with crude heavy machinery to lift the cars for servicing etc.  It had drums of oils and grease scattered all over the place as the mechanics used the premises at will.
A few months ago, traveling across Kerala for my forthcoming book, I was delighted beyond words and explanation to see that the same building, an Ammaveedu on the then outskirts of the city, resurrected to be easily one of the most charming restaurants of the country. It is as if the building has finally got what it deserved, having completed the karmic cycle! The three leveled, more than a 100 year old structure, has alfresco as well as multiple indoor dining options. Food served is fusion and the service is in perfect harmony with the elegance of the historical structure. It helps that Preeti Muthoot runs her SKYCHEF Kitchen from the adjacent building and was totally involved in the restoration design work done with the help of a local designer Vinod Thatchen.

An artist's rendition of  these two trees at the entrance is repeated on the front wall inside.

Patios surrounded by water bodies have been added to the structure.

Good enough to take you into another world

The double layered tables have one section that can be pulled up at the time of meals and
otherwise be used as a coffee table

Drool worthy 

Seating is relaxed and pretty much follows the way it was meant to be used as in a dwelling.

The outhouse became the Reception block, simple on the entrance and vibrant on the restaurant side

Add caption


All pictures are by Bharath Ramamrutham courtesy Villa Maya

A New Shade for Shades of India

This is the story of one passion and two people -- fabrics in the hands of David Housego and Mandeep Nagi, titled Shades of India. For the last twenty years, David, a former journalist and Mandeep  have been nurturing their love for textiles by experimenting with textures and techniques. 

Regulars at the Good Earth store would have noticed fabulous under-stated soft furnishings, bags, jewelry and a certain line of fashion that coordinated with the three. Well, this chapter of Good Earth arrived as an entity with its first flagship store in Mehar Chand Market - an up and coming neighborhood of Khan Market and Lodi Road, to tell its tale. 

Duvets, cushions,  bags and fashion line, line up against grey textured walls  on simple under-lit floating wooden shelves

Shades of India style has consistently been one that is subtle yet sharp, toned down yet one that makes a statement and which is contemporary yet sings an ode to tradition. Presenting the new collection in its brand new home, these attributes are carried over to the interiors of the store, much as a seamless amalgamation of materials, textures and tones.

This large window on the upper level is a treat 

Wall detail

Understated but never staid, there is always a pop of fun. 

 Loved for magic with stitchery and fabric permutations, their soft furnishings, bags and fabric jewelry complete the story of a woman’s world with the Shades of India fashion line. I hope they will some day add a little café to their lovely new store! See more at www.shadesofindia.com

INDI ACCENTS

I have just received a set of pictures that I have been WAITING for the longest....and I'm not wasting any more time. While Alex Davis' Cocoon lights have been a long time favourite,  some of the furniture sets from his studio - including a black lacquered dining room set which consisted of a round table with leather chairs and some very smart storage, will remain talking points for a while. Recently spotted was a dining room range in lacquered hardwood which stood on three-faced legs with a bar unit and it just took my breath away. Alex, who was beginning to be identified with SS furniture and accessories courtesy his Lazy Garden, SS Charpoy and the Moonlit Safari has much to be proud of in wood as well as leather and these can be seen at his INDI Store at Shahpur Jat. www.alexdavisstudio.com I will be visiting the store soon to click some more pictures, till then enjoy these......

 Famous Cocoon lights that cast a magnificent drama on plain walls

Pick a colour and a finish as well

Seeing a Red Moon...

Veneered bent ply in a rich tone

Thali mirrors

Upscaled furniture

Purists might loathe this but a lot of good can be done (and is being done) to old pieces with new gen experimentation. While not all experiments would spell COMFORT accurately but then some pieces that straddle more than one known world are licensed for deviations. Anita Dalmia's new works created for Art Bengaluru are a case in point. These wooden pieces rescued from an old church (me thinks some part of Goa) get an unusual stain treatment and are padded with fabrics designed by her.

Remnants of a an old pulpit are now the seats for a new Order

Graphic artist, Anita has experimented printing on wood. This industrial looking patio set couldn't have asked for a better treatment aspiring for a life outside the yard. The table-top wood, the seats and back-rest appear to absorb the pigment well, I am hoping it will weather as well; in which case she would do well to be prepared for orders streaming in. www.anitadalmiadesigns.com

Touch wood? take a seat!