The American experience
V. N. Dalmia's home in the posh Westend area of South Delhi not only exhibits class ? in keeping with the neighbourhood ? but it also adheres to Dalmia's penchant for the Early American look.
Located in the posh Westend area of South Delhi, one would expect the interiors of the house to mirror its surroundings. And your expectations are met once you step inside V. N. Dalmia's home. The home not only exhibits class — in keeping with the neighbourhood — but it also adheres to Dalmia's penchant for the Early American look.
The lobby is sparsely furnished and has a green marble floor, a number of potted plants and a niche that displays an antique wooden artefact. On the left is a wooden door that opens into the spacious living-cum-dining room, which has been built on two levels. The room has two main seating areas. The first has two two-seaters in rust, two chairs in a blue print and a couch in a rust and beige print. Lithos dating back to the 1910's and 20's give the area that Early American look.
The second seating area is directly opposite the entrance and includes a beige couch, two chairs in peach and a centre table that displays coffee table books, flowers and various crystal artefacts. A cabinet full of books and cream coloured curtains complete the picture.
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| The Early American living room |
A flight of steps leads up to a raised level, which is home to the dining area. This conforms totally to the Early American style and includes an eight-seater wooden table, a cabinet full of glassware and a console with a mirror above. Says Dalmia, "When I had the home designed by Rajat Handa, my brief was very clear — I wanted a Colonial look, preferably Early American. While the carpets have been designed by Ambika Shukla, the accessories have been sourced by Archana Dalmia Gujral. Even though the room has mosaic flooring, it still manages to look chic and elegant, mainly due to the accessories used."
A passage from the dining area leads into the living quarters. With a green marble flooring and accessories like a tribal painting and a framed cloth wall hanging from Karachi, the space looks as elegant as the living room. A stained glass door at the end (executed by Malvika Tiwari) opens into a TV lounge. The lounge sports black leather furniture from Durian, a green marble centre table, a black leather bean bag, a TV cabinet, lamps and a large planter.
The lounge opens into the master bedroom that has an elegant bed covered in a green and maroon bedspread, two chairs in an orange check, a cabinet with a mirror above it, a working table and a chair and a black leather recliner. Says Dalmia, "The den as well as the bedroom have been done up in a more contemporary way with lots of leather and steel. By conforming to different interior styles, the home always looks fresh and inviting."