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    Shining the spotlight on our effervescent north eastern heritage is this Bengaluru home by ThumbSpark Creative

    APR 29, 2022 | By Kashish Kaushal
    Designed in a way that sparks conversations, the dining room is vibrant and full art and vintage photographs; Photographs by Yash R Jain
    The bright red wall in the foyer exudes a sense of celebration and festivity, highlighting the installation “The Journey of Durga Pujo” in all its glory. Artist Sayandip Kangsabanik was commissioned to create the festival journey paintings—highlighting the contribution of people behind the mega spectacle. The big goddess Durga face is a fount art—it’s a rain-damaged puja organising committee poster from a local puja pandal, which laid waste on the ground after festivities were over, restored by Debabrata; Photographs by Yash R Jain
    Owner’s creative thinking spot, the study and library is big enough to house the owner's coffee table book collection and artefacts. The study table is from Urban Ladder; Photographs by Yash R Jain

    Home away from home is an expression used to describe a feeling of comfort that encapsulates us in not-so-familiar settings. When Debabrata Dey, a user experience, interior designer and founder of ThumbSpark Creative with his better-half Ofelia Dey Sarkar, began drafting their dream home in the bustling capital city of Bengaluru, adding prominent memorabilia reminiscent of their north eastern roots was a no-brainer!

    Fondly christened ‘Storyteller’, the three BHK apartment is spread across 2,100 sq ft and houses six people from three different generations. Talking about the theme around which he weaved the entire space, Debabrata shares, “The home tastefully blends art, storytelling and nostalgia to emulate our distinct roots—from Assam and Bengal. It’s a quintessential Bengali home, which has influences of Colonial-era plantation bungalows of Assam and bonedi baris (traditional bungalows) of Kolkata.”

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    In the corridor the wall colours are by Asian Paints, sideboard from Pepperfry, heritage collection switches from SSK Switches; Photographs by Yash R Jain

     

    The four fibreglass goddess Durga faces in the foyer area depict the stages of idol making and are also synonymous to the 5-day festival ending with Vijay Dashami, commissioned by an idol maker from Kumartuli, Kolkata; Photographs by Yash R Jain

    Sporting various tints and hues of the colours yellow and red, Storyteller takes you back to the old Bengali homes filled with art, sculptures, artefacts, curios and photographs. Crafting his own home gave Debabrata a chance to infuse his love for art with the endless design possibilities sustainable materials bring with them. Giving a new lease of life to old pillars, louvre doors, cast iron railings, he commissioned building demolishers from Bengaluru and Kolkata to source entities that exuded a vintage charm.

    Extensive copper foiling, custom made Victorian mirror and rattan weave storage unit completes the colonial look of the bathroom; Photographs by Yash R Jain

    North eastern influences can be seen right from the entrance with the Shital Pati panels on the main door sourced from Silchar, Assam. However, it is the foyer wall that bags the title of Storyteller’s showstopper—bright red wall exudes a sense of celebration and festivity, highlighting the installation ‘The Journey of Durga Pujo’ in all its glory. “We commissioned artist Sayandip Kangsabanik to create the festival journey paintings that pay homage to the contribution of people behind the mega spectacle”, reveals Debabrata. 

    The living room comes alive with a colourful and bespoke riot of entities like the rug, side table and lamp from IKEA. The Pierre Jeanneret Easy Chairs add a contemporary twist to otherwise classic interiors. Traditional Assamese cushion covers are from Buta Axom while the Art Deco chandelier and wall lamps are antique store finds; Photographs by Yash R Jain

    Letting in ample natural light is the huge balcony inside the living room that has influences similar to the living rooms of Assam tea plantation bungalows. The colonial era Burma-teak fireplace is a pleasant reminder of the life and cosy weather in Northeastern hills. Moving on, the dining area is designed in a way that acts as a conversation starter, with a Pierre Jeanneret inspired dining table setup adorned with artworks.

    Inspired by Thakur Dalan—a mainstay of traditional Kolkata homes, the puja pavilion is created using old wooden pillars and cast iron railings retrieved from an old colonial era Kolkata bungalow; Photographs by Yash R Jain

     

    The dining area is a milieu of Chandigarh modernism coupled with Bengali decor sensibilities. Chandelier from Jainson Emporio; Photographs by Yash R Jain

     

    “Human Rickshaw” bronze and wood sculpture by artist Rakesh Sadhak, custom made gold foiled mirror adds richness to the dining area setting. The fireplace wall has four commissioned paintings on display created by National Award winning Kalighat Patachitra artist Anwar Chitrakar, depicting the owner’s love story; Photographs by Yash R Jain

    Just like the entrance, the primary bedroom displays liberal use of Shital Pati, paintings and a red colour language. Metal bed inside the parents bedroom, a hand painted headboard wall showcasing artworks by Debabrata himself and artist Utpal Dutta brighten it up with nostalgia. The kid’s bedroom follows a subtle yet utilitarian design theme.

    Exuding Bengali charm, the parents bedroom is attached to a balcony with abundant natural light; Photographs by Yash R Jain

     

    A painting depicting a Singpoh tribal couple created by artist Debanada Ulup graces the main bedroom. Bedside lamp is from Fos Lighting and bedcover by Fabindia; Photographs by Yash R Jain

     

    The study unit inside the main bedroom is made of solid wood and Shital Pati is used as laminates. The bus and truck models on display are handmade and painted by Debabrata and Ofelia; Photographs by Yash R Jain

    Storytelling is an art that has the ability to teleport you from the harsh realities of the world to a space that calms and soothes your soul. In today’s modern age that enforces hustle culture on everyone, Storyteller is a home that will make you pause, reflect and remind you about the joys of slow living.

    If you like this home, make sure you check out Apartment 1602 by The Architecture Company!