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On split levels
Built on a split-level, most of the rooms in the Khaitan home have a glass backdrop that overlook the greens.
As you walk along the driveway towards the Khaitan villa in Friends Colony (East), the well-landscaped garden to your left — replete with waterfalls and exquisite Roman sculptures — literally takes your breath away. A feeling that remains with you even as you enter the Rupak Kothari designed home of Lalit and Kiran Khaitan (of Radico Khaitan fame). Some parts of the house have been designed by noted interior designer, Rano Singh.
Built on a split-level, most of the rooms in the Khaitan home have a glass backdrop that overlooks the greens. A glass and wood door embedded with green stone opens into a lobby that has a life-size Ganesha carved out of green marble as its centre of attraction. Steps lead up to a corridor that opens into the living as well as the dining room.
Says Kiran, “The inspiration for the design of the house comes from the heart. I wanted a dream home, something that would last a lifetime — which did not make you want a change. Built on a split-level, everybody living here has their own private space with practically no interference.”
A flight of steps leads down into an informal seating area, which further opens into the dining room. Both the areas have a glass backdrop with a skylight above. Behind this backdrop is a waterfall that cascades around finely crafted white marble statues. “The statues are all old and have been bought by me from rundown havelis and houses. The home has been designed in such a way that it is easy to maintain and is comfortable,” says Kiran.
A similar story unfolds in the large living room as well. All the four seating areas overlook glass doors that open onto the greens at the back of the house. Like the front, here too the well-manicured lawn has been decorated with Gothic and Roman statues. Paintings, mirrors, artefacts and candles designed by the Khaitan’s granddaughter, Shreya, make for interior props in the living room.
The split-level style of architecture continues down into the basement, which houses the study. The glass backdrop reaches into the study from the dining room above. A statue and cascading water add a touch of the exotic.
The style finds mention on the first floor as well. An informal living room with glass panels gives the visitor a bird’s eye view of the landscaped marvels below. The living room includes a small dining area in peach and leads into another room that sports leather furniture. A bathroom with the proverbial waterfall and statues — a common feature in the entire Khaitan home — completes the whole picture.
