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Feminine & fanciful

By Nida raza
Tue, 04, 16

Decorated in a contemporary and period style, Uzma Shah’s home features an eclectic mix of bright, bold furniture and accessories...

interiors

Decorated in a contemporary and period style, Uzma Shah’s home features an eclectic

mix of bright, bold furniture and accessories...

Feminine & fanciful

I t’s often hard to balance the architectural charm of a house with a practical, modern living space. Tasteful and tantalizing, Uzma’s spacious family home with immaculately designed interiors, is bound to evoke your aesthetic senses. The house includes a number of design elements that add a subtle architectural twist to the space.

Uzma is a soft furnishing and styling specialist and spends a great amount of her time to helping her clients to put together their homes, so when it comes to decorating her own home, it’s little wonder that she took it in her stride.  The result is a harmony of cosy homeliness and interesting textures within a clean modern space.

While the home is decidedly feminine, a masculine feel comes through in Uzma’s choice of contemporary and period furniture, which she says was custom-made for the space by her company - ‘Dimensions Home’, “Most pieces you see in the house were made by my firm. Most pieces were curated.  Some pieces I have collected from abroad. But pulling together such a vast array of design pieces takes quite a bit of skill. I think detail and originality are the most important aspects of interior design. I am very lucky to own furniture business and I have support of my two sons. It gives me freedom to play with my home’s style and change its personality to suit mine,” explains Uzma.

Feminine & fanciful

The home, with sumptuous interiors, breathes openness and a sense of freedom. The house, decorated in a contemporary and period style, features an eclectic mix of bright, bold furniture and accessories that all have their own individual stories. “I love interior design and running my own interior business, means that I get to stay on top of the latest styles and trends. I like how we have mixed furniture from different eras making our interior full of surprise element,” says Uzma.

There is a state-of-the art drawing room, sprawling dining and entertainment area.  “I wanted my furnishings to look very elegant and classy without sacrificing comfort. You need to group items that complement each other. Create unity by choosing one or two colours. This way you can showcase art work, sculpture pieces or even a bold, statement rug together. I try to balance every bold piece with something neutral,” shares Uzma.

Feminine & fanciful

Modern and airy, the home’s colour palette is a combination of warm hues. The drawing room has a regal look. Some might find it a little ostentatious but then it’s done very tastefully. Architectural elements and lush finishes continue into the dining room too. Along with the sparkle of chandeliers, crystal lamps and metallic touches keep the living room and dining room light. The traditional-meets-modern-theme is particularly evident in the living room. It is where most of the entertaining takes place during the evenings. “I find this room so glamorous, and it’s a great place to greet guests,” enunciates Uzma.

Feminine & fanciful

The house has well-proportioned rooms with lovely period details but Uzma loves her patio where she spends her leisure time.  “I really enjoy our patio as it is full of life with colours, sunlight and positive energy.” And her favourite piece of furniture remains their hand painted bathroom vanity, which she has painted herself.

Uzma, who has been living in this beautiful home with her twin sons and daughters for the past 12 years, has an array of interesting artifacts. “I have collected artifacts from all over the world on various trips.” The walls are adorned with exquisite pieces of art. “I have been collecting art for as long as I can remember. I love to visit art galleries and exhibitions. Since I paint too, I have some of my own,” tells Uzma.

Uzma is an avid gardener too. “I love gardening. My sons and I spend a couple of afternoons every week gardening.” However, being a working woman she doesn’t get much time to spend in kitchen every day.  So she only cooks for special occasions. As far as the latest inclusion in her interiors is concerned Uzma informs that they are going to incorporate contemporary brass pieces to her decor. 

Feminine & fanciful

For Uzma, home styling is not about trends, which she says becomes outdated far too quickly. Instead, it’s about knowing what works for each individual - whether it’s for herself or her clients - and what will make them happy. “Buy what pleases your eye and when it no longer pleases your eye, get rid of it,” she advises.

“I have designed every corner of this house. It’s my personal work of art, my labour of love, so my family can live in a house they can proudly call home,” she concludes.

Photography by
Shahryar Hasan