This is ahome tour after a long time, and I am sure you will love it as much as you have loved all the previous Home Tours on 3D. Just like the 3D tagline, the owner of this home is also on a mission to “Transform a House Into A Home.“
Dear folks, welcome Chitra Seetharaman, who is joining us from Illinois, USA, where she lives with her husband and cute two-year-old daughter. Chitra is an Accredited Staging Professional and loves doing up homes. Believe me, she has wonderful taste and can effortlessly transform a house into a home. She was on my blog earlier too, when she shared her Pooja room wall for the “Wall Decorating Series“ on 3D. If, by any chance, you have missed that post, then you can read it byclicking here.
One more thing is that a lot of time my readers ask me where they can buy the products that they see on my blog, so I have embedded the links in the name of the products. Just click the link, explore, compare, and if it suits your taste, then buy it.
I wouldn’t keep you waiting now. Let’s take a tour of Chitra’s beautiful abode as she takes us through it and explains how everything came about.
“As an Accredited Staging Professional ASP® (I am a full-time IT professional, a Business and Quality Analyst to be precise, but as the first step in chasing my dreams, I got my accreditation in home staging at the beginning of this year), there is no surprise that home staging is my passion. I’ve “staged” and decorated my room/ home for as long as I can remember. Back then, I’d love to dress my room up and wow my friends and family. That has since evolved, and though I still play “ home dress up”, I do it on a professional level. My home is an outlet for all my pent-up energy. I decorate, organize and clean my home like therapy. I move furniture around and change my decor on an almost weekly basis. My family (my husband and my 21-month-old daughter) has been so accommodating to all this madness 😉 But I’m sure my bae thinks I’m a crazy person at times, but hey, I wouldn’t blame him.
As you walk through my home, you can see my love of colors and life (live plants). Each room has its own “vibe”, and this theme is ever-changing. I follow no rules when it comes to staging my own home. I go with the flow of my heart, and I love my home to a story.”
The entryway to the home sets the mood and gives a hint of what’s in store inside. Chitra knows this fact very well and has decorated her entryway in a way that everyone who visits wants to know what’s to come next.
An aptly placed
Ganesha murti exudes positivity and creates a welcoming environment. The
mirrorbehind the idol not only gives an illusion of God’s aura but also reflects the light and makes the place look even brighter and bigger. To break the monotony of a neutral color scheme, there stands a bright, bold and beautiful blue door to greet the guests.
“You will see Lord Ganesha greeting you as you enter our humble abode. The Ganesha was a housewarming present from my maternal grandmother, so he is very close to my heart.”
Chitra’s pooja room reminds me of my grandparents’ home. She has created such a divine place that just by looking at the picture, one can attain inner peace. The place emits a special sense of calm. Here is what Chitra says with great pleasure,
“I grew up in a religious family. Having a Pooja room and praying together as a family was part of our everyday norm. I have been lucky enough to continue that tradition in my own home. I come here to reflect and rejuvenate”.
We are now stepping into Chitra’s formal living room, where she enjoys her free time. In this room, she has added a good dose of color using colorful cushions and fresh flowers. Teal and fuchsia are used as accent colors, whereas brown is used to tie together the whole setup.
“The formal living room is the ‘calm’ space in my house. I love playing classical solo piano or Celtic music when I sit down to relax, and it’s mostly (probably) right here.”
“I sometimes turn on the fountain to create an ambience. This is a perfect spot to enjoy my cup of chai or read a book.”
Now, let’s take a look inside her family room, which is my favourite for many reasons, one being the
ikat print curtains. If you wish to buy similar ones in India, then
here is a link for you. I just couldn’t take my eyes off these gorgeous curtains and asked Chitra to send one more image that focuses more on curtains and being the sweetest friend. She clicked the images and sent them to me.
“The family room is where the action happens. We meet, greet and be merry right here. I have a little one at home, so this space isn’t always organised, but I love my perfectly imperfect home “
All the warm colors create a cheerful and warm ambience in the family room. Right next to the window and seating arrangement is this
wall of masksthat you must have seen in my “Wall Decorating Series”. Chitra calls it a wanderlust wall.
“This is my wanderlust wall. This wall is filled with our travel memories and artefacts. Each item here was handpicked to be displayed right here on this wall”
Bookshelves flanking the TV unit show her love for reading. The wooden word that spells “Home” hangs above the TV. reminds you that you are in the comfort of your nice and peaceful home now. Forget about the rest of the world and just sit back and relax.
Buddha figurines, the
tree of life and other elements are there to add to the peaceful vibe. Chitra makes sure that plants and fresh flowers are always given a place in every room to add life to the decor.
At the far end of this room is a gallery wall that comprises
family pictures and happy quotes. I always believe that family portraits are like time capsules; they not only bring back lots of happy memories but also fill you with joy and warm your heart.
Right opposite the window and seating arrangement is this whole setup that you see in the picture below that looks so contemporary yet goes well with the rest of the decor in the room. This corner of Chitra’s family room reminds me of my favourite interior designer, Rebecca Robeson. The use of
accent chair,
ladder shelves and a huge painting that is binding the accent pieces together is what I love here; it is so contemporary, stylish and eye-pleasing. Did you notice how Chitra loves to play with patterns and textures? The pattern on the accent chair is aesthetically balanced on the other side of the ladder shelves by hanging the
metal wall decorin a similar pattern.
Adjacent to the above wall is this area, which opens up into the breakfast nook and the kitchen. Chitra’s love for patterns and colors is evident, and she mixes them skillfully.
Now, stand here in the breakfast nook and have a look at her family room from a different angle. Tell me what you think! Doesn’t it look so cosy yet spacious, well decorated yet functional, modern yet warm and welcoming?
Chitra has a knack for balancing the decor. You saw her family room filled with colors and patterns, and now see her dining room. Plain white and some neutral shades are ruling the place, but nothing seems to be out of place or inappropriate. To add a dash of color here, fresh tiger lilies are doing their part. Now, let’s see what’s in the kitchen.
“The kitchen is the heart of our home. When it comes to the kitchen, I like to keep it simple and clutter-free.”
I also believe that no matter whether you decorate it or not, the kitchen should be functional, simple and most importantly, neat and sparkling clean. A basket full of fresh fruits is a perfect decor addition to the kitchen so that family members can snack on them, and this will develop healthy eating habits in them.
Below is Chitra’s gorgeous dining room. Espresso furniture, window treatment, and a
huge artwork that ties together the look. Chitra has given her special touch here too with the clever use of patterns. It’s your work now to find out how she has matched the patterns here. Though the dining room looks complete to me, here is what Chitra says,
“Dining room is the room that inspires me to do better. This is still work in progress.”
The nursery is a calm place with muted shades and a little pop of pink.
“I loved working on the nursery for my daughter and can’t wait to redecorate it when she outgrows it. A mixed feeling.”
Now, head to the guest room. Don’t you just love those baskets on the wall? So unusual yet so elegant. Fluffy pillows, clean and beautiful bedspread and a warm, cosy ambience what else guests need in their room. Chitra sure knows how to win hearts.
“I am a people person and love being the hostess. This room was the first room I decorated when we moved in 3 years ago. I add some pleasing touches to this room like fresh flowers or use a lovely linen spray (Tip – Jo Malone has some amazing room/linen sprays and they last forever) to make my guests feel special and welcomed.”
Peek into her bedroom, and we now already know what to expect. Furniture in a dark tone and
beautiful soft furnishings complement the accent pieces in peacock blue. It is a beautiful amalgamation that only a person with great taste can think of. The poster bed is, of course, a statement piece in this room and is a showstopper for sure.
Chitra proudly says, “This is my peacock-inspired room. This room is also a work in progress, but I’m enjoying the process.”
Aptly placed peacock feathers on either side of the bed is such an unusual touch, and I am eyeing that bird cage and carved mirror frame too.
I have told you that Chitra mixes patterns and colors masterfully, and here is one more example. As the room exhibits peacock-inspired decor, Chitra has chosen drapes that not only have the shine and color of a peacock but also have peacock feathers.
I am sure by now you must have noticed the play of geometrical patterns here. Tell me what they are 🙂
With this, we come to the end of this tour. Let’s sit back and relax in Chitra’s backyard for a while, and then we’ll go somewhere else to get inspired.
“The backyard is my own little oasis. I am an ardent gardener. My love for nurturing and growing plants has contaminated my husband, too. When we got the house, the yard needed a lot of love. This is still a work in progress, but we look forward to spending our time together right here every year. Plants are like babies; you give them some love, and they love you right back. Instant gratification.”
Thank you so much, Chitra, for letting us all soak in the beauty of your amazingly done-up home. What do you all think about Chitra’s home? Do let her know in the comments below. Thank you all for stopping by.
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