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    • Lifestyle

    Kitty Pride: Inside New Delhi’s boutique studio-in-bar Junglee Billee

    APR 14, 2016 | By Nida Mahmood
    Furbished with waterproof textured laminate, the grey wooden back door overlooks a vintage styled room. The wall plates from pre Independence time have prints of women and cats on them, sourced from collectors all over India. Nida chose a deep red tone for the entrance, symbolising an opening to a magical world. Seen here are Art Nouveau style powder blue and lemon yellow cafe chairs. Nida chose a deep red tone for the entrance, symbolising an opening to a magical world. Seen here are Art Nouveau style powder blue and lemon yellow cafe chairs. Rich satin twill fabric with Art Nouveau patterns were used to upholster the seaters. The print on the high back sofa in the centre is inspired by Nida’s cat Mr Toffee Tinkerbell.
    Junglee Billee is a beautiful haven away from the madness of New Delhi, while still being in the heart of the city. Here, the capital’s women and their free spirit have been poetically translated into architecture and design.
    The space is a mix of industrial and Art Nouveau styles. I used teak wood for furniture and Art Deco prints for the upholsteries and wallpapers; the crockery, tables, chairs and light fixtures were also specially designed for the restaurant. The colours range from soft blue, lemon and pale orange to green, pink, peach and nude – shades I haven’t used before.
    I wanted a green space, so growing plants in teacups, typewriters and other containers had to be done. Floor tiles were specially created for the restaurant – we worked with a supplier who was comfortable with our design intervention, because I didn’t want to work with available tiles. The pictures on the walls are original, sourced from various collectors all over the country; there are no other copies or reprints of these. My cat, Mr Toffee Tinkerbell is the mascot of this restaurant. His grace, demeanour and elegance was a constant source of inspiration.
    Website: www.facebook.com/JungleeBilleeDelhi
    Also read: 6 unusual must-visit places in New Delhi