Making a palace of an apartment
Enter Shaiju's apartment in Kochi, you feel like standing in a king's court.
A small home with big style is the phrase that best explains Shaiju’s little apartment in Changampuzha Nagar, Kochi. There could be no better location for a little family to settle. The Pathadipalam Metro Station, KIMS Hospital and the main road are within walking distance from this tiny apartment complex, which houses 25 families.
Shaiju, a businessman hailing from Kaliyikkavila near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, learnt about the apartment from a friend at the gym. “It was a quiet spot, though in the middle of the city. I had no huge requirements other than having a cozy home. And the deal came cheaper compared to the other places we checked. We got it for '45 lakh,” he recalls, smiling.
The front door opened to an elegant living room, which has on display a huge LED TV with beautiful showpieces – vintage lamps and coloured vases, lots of them, neatly arranged on the sides. One can’t help but notice an overdose of white – on the walls, ceiling, furniture, panels, blinds and wall décor. Laughing at the mention, he says, “That was my wife Shaji’s choice. White is her favourite colour and the whole interiors are designed based on the theme by Sajumon V.G. of Elements Interiors.”
When they moved in two months ago, Shaji brought home her favourite collection of indoor plants and terrariums and placed in their balcony. She also set a vertical garden on the walls on the balcony. “I would have brought more, but it won’t fit here,” she rues. Nevertheless, plant pots can be spotted at various parts of their home, right from the doorstep to the dining table.
Spick and span would be an understatement for this home, especially when you know that two little girls live here. Matured than their age, Sweety, a fifth-grader, and four-year-old Shanna are very particular about maintaining their home’s beauty and cleanliness. Their room all decorated with Barbie dolls, teddy bears and toys have a laptop and an electronic piano set on a table. Everybody seems to be in love with their special spot. For Shaiju, it’s his custom-made mini bar, of course without the drinks stocked. “I always wanted this cabinet in my home. I myself chose each of these – the pantry cabinet, stemware rack, wine glasses, glassware and the countertop style and shelves,” he says with pride gleaming in his eyes.
The kitchen with its wooden cupboards, white-paneled shelves and gleaming look, is charming and stylish. There too, is a small balcony which offers a great view of the city merging into the greens.
The biggest surprise comes when Shaiju reveals that the whole home has an area of hardly 900 square feet. He says, “The whole credit goes to Saju. He designed it in such a way that none would feel that it’s a small home. He has given a lot of storage spaces so that nothing can be seen cluttered or stuffed in anywhere.” On closer look, you would realise what he said; there are plenty of shelves and any space possibly lying free was converted into a storage space – even the space under the cot. Nothing out of place, nothing as an eyesore, a little perfect home it is.