Pristine surroundings!

interior

This week You! peeks into the elegant interiors of Mrs Tanveer Shafqat Agha’s apartment…

We all have some sort of idea of how our dream home should look like. Some of us want a modern design, while others might want to give their abodes a rustic touch. When it comes to interior designing, the fact is that doing up a huge/ spacious home is quite easy as one can opt for different styles. However, decorating a small space like an apartment is surely a task.  Because you have limited space, you have to be careful while choosing the colour scheme, picking out furniture etc. This week You! takes a look at the interiors of Mrs Tanveer Shafqat Agha’s apartment, which is done on contemporary lines…

As soon as you step inside  Mrs Tanveer’s apartment, you cannot help but notice the pristine surroundings. The whole place is done in white to make it look spacious. “I was never into too much colour when it came to the colour of the walls and hence went for white for the entire apartment,” says Mrs Tanveer.

Most of us have a penchant for luxurious settings; and this is exactly what Mrs. Tanveer had in mind while decorating her flat. “I moved into this apartment along with my son after my husband passed away. I did not hire an interior designer as I had my own ideas of how to go about the place. And even though, this apartment is smaller than my previous home, I decided to go for a lavish decor, with flamboyant furniture in off white, beige, black, grey and gold hues. I believe these colours always stay in style,” she shares.

Even though, she loves opulent and grand interiors, she has kept the lack of space in mind while doing up her apartment and has considered every aspect - colour, style, luxury. The formal sitting area has a rich feel with distinctive upholstery and soft furnishings. The owner has used patterned wallpaper and a round gold mirror to keep the emphasis on the wall. The sofas have been placed accordingly that sits well with the whole theme. Most of the upholstery is velvet which gives you a vintage feel. “Because the furniture is quite elaborate, I made sure not to overdo the room by placing a lot of decoration pieces. Instead, I have emphasised on lamps to keep the drawing room well-lit,” she informs.

No matter what the current trends are, the interior of any space should look ultimately unique and reflect the personalities of the people residing there. “Along with contemporary furnishings I wanted to incorporate a wooden piece to give a traditional feel, so for the lobby I opted for a wooden console and a farmed mirror,” she adds.

Talking about mirrors, Mrs Tanveer is of the view that, “I have put up mirrors all the around the place as mirrors tend to help in visually expanding a small area. The trick is to hang mirrors in strategic spots so that they reflect maximum light and space,” states Mrs Tanveer.

The beauty of wood can brighten any kitchen and Mrs Tanveer’s open kitchen is the perfect example. Done on minimal lines, she has kept her kitchen practical and functional with wooden cabinets in shades of browns. About the dining room, Mrs. Tanveer says, “Because I like doing the table everyday formally, I have kept other elements of the dining area simple with hints of gold accessories on the dining table.”

When asked which room is her favourite Mrs Tanveer says, “My favourite spot would be my bedroom as it is where I unwind. Basically, I didn’t want too many furnishings in the bedroom; hence, I have kept the setting simple with basic dark brown wooden furniture. I believe your bedroom should look cosy and warm.”

Mrs. Tanveer’s apartment carries an amalgam of vintage and contemporary pieces of furniture which have been put together that work effortlessly and shows her aesthetics as well. “The way you decorate your abode not only affects you but also everyone who comes to visit you. They say, first impression is the last impression and I believe this is the main reason why one needs to put a lot of attention and effort in home decor whether it’s a small flat or luxury home,” concludes Mrs Tanveer.

Photography by Naqeeb ur Rehman