Restful elegance

interior

Ayesha and Azeem’s comfortable home exudes warmth and happiness. You! takes a look...

When Ayesha and Azeem shifted from Lahore to Karachi three years back, it was a daunting task for them to find a decent place. Fortunately they found a nice house in Defence which they have lovingly decorated according to their specific needs and taste. The house is bright, comfortable, thoughtful and well suited to Ayesha’s family.

“This is a rented house. Since my husband Azeem has been posted to Karachi just for few years so we opted for a rented house. All the furnishing in the house has been done mostly by me,” informs Ayesha.

On talking to Ayesha it’s easy to understand the importance she has put into getting every detail just right. The attention to every detail, from the cohesive colour palette to the luxurious materials, has resulted in a home that exudes a quiet sophistication. “I have always liked simplicity and this has been achieved by the colours I have selected; the artwork I have chosen and how they have been mixed and matched together,” says Ayesha.    

Structured on modern lines, the house has a contemporary feel to it. “This is a modern house, so I didn’t feel the responsibility to fill it with antiques. Instead I allowed myself to be a bit more creative with colour and decorative techniques,” enunciates Ayesha.

The house is beautifully designed and the best part is that it is well-lit. None of the rooms are dark. The walls have been painted in delicious shades, evoking a warm and inviting feel. The drawing room has a smart feel, with a polished coffee table and modern artwork, with various throws and cushions to create a comfortable and cosy ambiance. “I enjoy mixing style and textures within a room to make it more exciting and unexpected,” tells Ayesha.

The house carries some exquisite pieces of furniture and artifacts. “I have bought the furniture and exclusive decoration pieces from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. I love all the styles of furniture. I mean anything that gives my house a beautiful and comfortable look,” states Ayesha.

“My favourite piece of furniture is my brown wooden cabinet which has most beautiful wooden Mughal baradaree design carved on it. I love it as I am always inspired by Mughal kings and their art work,” she adds.

However, she likes to maintain a clean and clutter free home. As she puts in, “I never felt like over cluttering my home with lots of soft furnishing and furniture, as it gives no space to breathe, and with my little daughter running around it’s not just practical.”

The couple has quite an impressive collection of paintings. “My husband and I are avid trallevers, hence we keep on buying paintings and interior pieces on our travels. Most of our paintings are related to vibrant colours and love stories in subcontinent. My favourite piece of art is a woman with peacock wings - showing various colours of life,” defines Ayesha.

Upon asking which room is her favourite she says, “There is not really one specific room that I prefer over another, but if I have to choose then it has to be my bedroom for its intimacy plus it allows me to relax and chill. I love my space and no matter how much we travel we miss our room the most.”

While talking about current trends in international market with regards to home furnishing and accessories; Ayesha says, “For me international furnishings depend upon the weather and location of the house. Every country offers its own style of furniture and home accessories and as I travel a lot I know what you find in London is different then what you find in USA.”

She admits that she is always on the lookout for accessories and artwork for her home. “My husband and I love shopping for design items and we are always on the lookout for new, exciting pieces, paintings and furniture. When I go shopping for home accessories, I don’t necessarily go to fancy outlets; I go to old markets where you can get unusual stuff. I believe that every little thing that you buy with love and feeling can add beauty to your home and life.”

She also shares an interesting interior tip with our readers, “Don’t be afraid to experiment but at the same time don’t go overboard. Look for pieces that are different and will make your home unique but don’t buy every single quirky object you come across or your home will end up looking messy.”

The couple loves to entertain. “As we are Lahories we love to host people and serve them with various delicacies of Punjab. We love our friends and family and our house is open for all the loved ones!”

Photography by Shaharyar Hasan Shaikh