Bengaluru Home Transformed into a Contemporary and Soothing Oasis

Bengaluru Home Transformed into a Contemporary and Soothing Oasis

A Contemporary Makeover Turns This Bengaluru Home Into a Calm Oasis

Think vanilla, cream, white, chalk, ivory, sand… or even alabaster, bone, eggshell, parchment…you get the drift. With colours spanning these delicate shades, this Bengaluru home has a minimalist palette which extends to the walls, flooring, ceilings and soft furnishings, almost Scandinavian in its vibe.

“The client, Deepti Chacko, was clear that she wanted muted tones,” says Neha Sapre of Studio Taan. “It worked in terms of the site too, since the architecture is quite simple.

Moreover, this was a first-floor apartment into which natural light didn’t penetrate as much as it would on a higher floor. Light colours and reflective surfaces helped to coax in daylight.”

The apartment is suffused with a soft glow, its connection with the outdoors enhanced by the pale palette. Originally designed for Chacko’s parents, the home had a long corridor flanked by rooms and designated areas for caregivers.

But it turned out that the school of Chacko’s children was five minutes away, so it was convenient for the young family to use the space. “We didn’t need rooms for nurses anymore, so the layout had to be tweaked to be relevant for a much younger family,” says Sapre.

“The plan was opened out to create a seamless experience between the public spaces in the house, running as a staggered spine from a long balcony at one end, to a large outdoor deck at the other end. This ‘public’ spine was sandwiched between the four bedrooms in the house and a kitchen.”

Consequently, many walls were pulled down and an earlier nursing station became the walk-in closet for the main bedroom, while a long deck—which Sapre has carved out by reducing the size of the dining room—acts as an interface between the living spaces and the outside. “Now there are several nodes for them to congregate – the living room to host guests, a smaller family TV viewing area which is part of the larger experience of the dining and an open kitchen.” An outer kitchen has also been added for heavy-duty cooking. The living area has contemporary furniture and natural finishes.

The textured paint on the walls adds depth and visual interest to the space. Plush, comfortable sofas in neutral tones invite you to relax and unwind, while a sleek coffee table and minimalist decor pieces add a touch of elegance. A soft pendant lighting casts a warm glow over the live-edge dining table. The open kitchen has neutral tones for the cabinetry and marble countertops, the colours blending in perfectly with the rest of the space. The deck has comfortable furniture and a functional counter with ample storage. A built-in planter along the periphery completes the space.

The centrepiece of the media room is a generously-sized sofa that doubles as a bed. “We came to decisions quickly. For Deepti, the render chosen from the options we had presented became a reference point for selecting colours and materials,” says Sapre. “The renders became my Bible. I couldn’t think outside the prescribed details, so purchases were frozen pretty quickly,” adds Chacko The main bedroom in this Bengaluru home features a four-poster, and sleek desk serving as a functional workspace. A comfortable daybed, upholstered in a plush, warm-textured fabric, provides a cozy spot for reading. The soft, flowing material of the curtains diffuses natural light. The parents’ bedroom has a ribbed panelling in light sage. An end-to-end study table, crafted with a rich wooden finish, provides a practical and functional workstation.

“The bedroom for the two boys was designed to inspire imagination and create a playful atmosphere. The focal point is the bunk bed, designed to maximize space while providing a sense of adventure. The steps of the bunk double as drawers for storage,” says Sapre. Most of the furniture is by Creatomy, a design firm in Bengaluru. Other pieces are from Aura Lighting, Carpet Kingdom, Elementary, Fabindia, Gulmohar Lane, Home Stories, Home+Living, Ikea, Luxox, Magari, Orange Tree, Palasa, Purple Turtles, White Teak Company and Windmills. As for maintaining the space immaculately despite the unforgivingly light palette, Sapre certifies that Chacko’s home is always in picture-perfect condition. “It helps that my kids make their beds,” laughs Chacko.

Carpet Kingdom has a new base in the city of art and culture

Carpet Kingdom has a new base in the city of art and culture

Carpet Kingdom Has A New Base In The City Of Art And Culture

Started by the humble pheriwalas from Kashmir in the early 1900s, the brand today showcases a huge collection of some of the most exquisite hand-knotted carpets in India.

Initially, the store was known as Kashmir Ware House and later Bangalore Carpet Palace, the establishment was handed over to the succeeding generations of the founding family and is now known as Carpet Kingdom, the century-old place that sells carpets and rugs of all kinds.

The new store located in Gopalapuram, Chennai is 3000 sq ft big and displays not just traditional hand-woven carpets but many contemporary collections of linen rugs, carpets made of recycled silk sarees, and rugs made of PET fibre and sisal, to name just a few.

Website – https://carpetkingdom.in/ Started by the humble pheriwalas from Kashmir in early 1900, the brand today showcases a huge collection of some of the most exquisite hand-knotted carpets in India.

Initially, the store was known as Kashmir Ware House and later Bangalore Carpet Palace, the establishment was handed over to the succeeding generations of the founding family and is now known as Carpet Kingdom, the century-old place that sells carpets and rugs of all kinds.

The new store located in Gopalapuram, Chennai is 3000 sq ft big and displays not just traditional hand-woven carpets but many contemporary collections of linen rugs, carpets made of recycled silk sarees, rugs made of PET fibre and sisal, to name just few.

How to keep your carpet looking good as ever, for years

How to keep your carpet looking good as ever, for years

How to Clean Carpets at Home and Keep Them Looking New

Carpet Cleaning Tips That You Shouldn’t Ignore

Regular Vacuuming: Because of their textured material construction, carpets tend to accumulate environmental distress. It’s important to constantly look at the upkeep and maintenance, to preserve their color and lustre. Vacuum your carpet at least once a week to remove dirt, dust, and debris. Use a vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush or beater bar for deeper cleaning.

Spot Cleaning: In any high-use application areas where the carpet is installed, it’s natural that there would be some accidental damage from time to time. It’s best to immediately attend to spills and stains to prevent them from setting. Blot the area with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb as much liquid spillage as possible, then use a carpet cleaner or a mixture of mild detergent and water to gently clean the spot evenly.

Dry Thoroughly: After cleaning, ensure the carpet dries completely to prevent mould and mildew growth. Open windows, and use fans, or a dehumidifier to speed up the drying process.

Deep Cleaning: Depending on foot traffic and usage, deep clean your carpet every 12–18 months. This enables the fibers to be cleaned and refreshed while also removing hidden dust and particles. You can rent or purchase a carpet cleaning machine or hire professionals for this task. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions or the guidelines provided by the machine.

Use Carpet Cleaning Solutions: There are many carpet cleaning solutions specifically formulated for different carpet types. Check which is the right solution for your particular carpet. Test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t cause damage or discoloration, and only then apply it to the larger and entire specific area.

Regular Maintenance: Most carpets seek regular maintenance to continue looking bright and attractive. While regular vacuuming and cleaning is a must, you should attend to any spills or stains promptly to prevent them from becoming permanent. Rotate furniture periodically to prevent uneven wear and tear on the carpet.

Professional Cleaning: Consider hiring professional carpet cleaners for a thorough and efficient deep clean, especially for heavily soiled carpets or if you’re unable to achieve satisfactory results on your own.

Don’t Miss Our Comprehensive Guide on – How to Choose a Good Quality Rug?

Carpet Buying Guide on How to Choose the Right Carpet for Your Home

Carpet Buying Guide on How to Choose the Right Carpet for Your Home

How to Choose the Right Carpet?

ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE PERFECT CARPETS & RUGS

Budget: Carpets come in a wide range of styles, sizes and materials, with of course different price tags.  Determining your budget beforehand will help you narrow down the options so that you can choose within the budgetary range you have.

Location: Consider the area or the space you want the carpet to adorn. Is it a primarily decorative addition to your interior, or will it be placed in a high traffic area? For example, if you’re installing the carpet in a family room where kids will end up playing on the floor, plush carpets would be a better choice. Alternatively, if you’re installing the carpet in a home office setting and need something that won’t show furniture prints easily or interfere with your office layout a low-pile option will probably work best. Durability and maintenance factors are important. Carpets made from nylon or wool tend to be more durable than those made from other materials. If you’re not sure what type of carpet will work best for your space, discuss your options with our flooring experts. They’ll be able to point out the pros and cons of each type of carpet considering your application requirements.

Material: Choose a material that suits your needs and location preferences. Wool carpets are typically more luxurious and durable but require looking after. Pure Silk, Bamboo Silk and Jute on the other hand require more maintenance and care.

Tip – A rug made completely of bamboo silk looks great and feels luxurious however they are difficult to maintain as bamboo silk is a little fragile and has a high absorption rate. Always remember to buy a rug which has a combination of wool and bamboo silk (70%-wool, 30%-bamboo silk).

Style and Design: Select a carpet style and design that complements the aesthetics of your space. Consider factors such as colour, pattern, and texture to ensure it fits well with your existing decor. If you’re looking for a way to accent your furnishings and hide dirt and debris between cleanings, textured carpets will make it possible. If you want to make small rooms look bigger, installing light colours with minimalist accents will open up the space.

Maintenance: Think about how much time and effort you’re willing to spend on carpet maintenance. Some carpet materials are easier to clean and maintain than others, so choose accordingly. All carpets require regular cleaning and maintenance, but some styles and textures require it more than others. For instance, a high-pile carpet will crush down more often and will need to be refreshed with vacuuming at least once a week. Low-pile carpets on the other hand won’t crush down easily and won’t require frequent maintenance to keep looking like new.

Size and Shape: Measure and visualize the space where the carpet will be placed, to ensure you purchase the right size and shape. Consider factors such as furniture placement and room layout when determining the appropriate dimensions and style.

Also check out these Home Carpet Cleaning Tips for effective ways to keep your carpets looking fresh and well-maintained.

How CarpetKingdom Redefined Showroom Experience for Customers

How CarpetKingdom Redefined Showroom Experience for Customers

Adapting to the New Normal: A Showroom-Like Experience for Customers

The story of Bengaluru-based Carpet Kingdom, which manufactures and sells carpets in India and abroad, dates back to the pre-partition era. SMBStory spoke to the fifth-generation entrepreneur, Ali Akmal Jan, about how the company shed its offline-only model and adapted to the new normal.

The unprecedented COVID-19 crisis and the ensuing lockdowns have had major ramifications, leading to the economic growth slowing down and bringing India’s financial health to its knees. The Indian retail industry, in particular, took a big hit.  While on one hand, iconic retail companies like J.Crew, Neiman Marcus, etc began declaring bankruptcy, others found solutions and changed their business model to adapt to the new normal. Bengaluru-based Carpet Kingdom, which manufactures and sells carpets across India as well as abroad, was one of them.  Ali Akmal Jan, Partner at the company, spoke to SMB Story about how the company — which operates largely through the offline model changed its course during the COVID-19 pandemic to serve customers better.

Adapting to the new normal  Like all businesses, Carpet Kingdom too faced the heat when the coronavirus pandemic reached India’s shores last year. The business, which operates mainly on the retail model, took a 60 – 65 percent hit in terms of sales.    Ali says the most difficult part was interacting with the employees or artisans. The company has one flagship store in Bengaluru. However, switching to video calls and relying on video-conferencing platforms helped them in a very big way.  “We shifted online completely. We taught them (workers) how to share their screens, guided them on designing, etc,” he shares.

 

Another very important aspect of buying carpets is consumers touching the carpets before buying to ascertain their quality. Since there was a complete lockdown, the team leant on video calls to interact with customers and came up with innovative ways to bring the offline experience online.  The team started doing video calls every day with their customers and took pictures of carpets from different angles to ensure that the customers have a good idea about the product before they continue with the purchase. Ali says, “I told my team that customers want personalisation. No one will buy from a catalogue that contains 1,200 pictures.”

The customers would reach out to the company through its website, after which they would get slots for video calls. Post the calls with customers, he would send the front and rear pictures of carpets in different lights, such as natural sunlight or in the dim lights.   These calls were conducted with customers who were outside Bengaluru or India, or even with the ones in the city but were unsure about visiting the stores. “During the pandemic, everyone wanted to focus on their health and well-being and wanted to avoid stepping out.

Hence, serving them online helped us big time,” Ali adds.  Innovating to adapt to the new normal Adapting to the new normal helped the company even during the second wave. “The lockdown was expected but we were better prepared this time,” he says. Ali maintains that going forward, they will continue to serve customers through the online model instead of getting themselves listed on ecommerce websites. “We are working on a platform that will provide the experience of a store as closely as possible.” He says that the company is coming up with a specific range of carpets that will be exclusively sold online. Other products such as clothes and furniture made of carpets will also be a part of this range.

 

When the restrictions ease, the company wants to establish stores in Chennai, Hyderabad, Canada, and the US Tracing the roots The story of how the company came into existence dates back to the British era, particularly, the 1900s.  Ali Akmal Jan’s great-great-grandfather, Ali Mohammed, used to visit Bengaluru from Kashmir two to three times a year to meet a few relatives. That is when he realised that there was a demand for Kashmiri products, especially carpets, in the city.  Ali says that Muhammad would initially buy carpets from Kashmir and sell them in Bengaluru to the British whenever he visited the city. Eventually, he shifted his base to the city to make a permanent living.  Ali’s great grandfather, Mohammed Jan further took the business ahead by setting up a shop selling carpets. Over generations, the unorganised business eventually branched out.

 

He bought the business from his elder brother in 1950 and started running it with his son and Ali’s grandfather, Aslam Jan. Aslam opened a store in 1959, followed by another in 1973.  “In 1987, my father registered our current parent company under the name of ‘Malsa Global,’ and in 1998, decided to set up an exclusive rugs store in Bangalore under the brand name ‘Carpet Kingdom,’” Ali narrates. Today, the company’s manufacturing units are located in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan.  Ali says that most of the hand-tufted and hand-woven carpets are made on handlooms. The machine-made carpets are imported from countries such as Turkey and Belgium.

Carpet Kingdom exports to about five countries, including the US, Canada, and some parts of Europe. More than 20 percent of the sales come from the international market, says Ali, adding that “international consumption is huge as compared to the domestic market” but the scenario is now changing.    “India exporting 90 percent of carpets abroad might have been true 10 years ago, but not anymore,” Ali says.  Over the years, the company has also incorporated sustainability into its manufacturing processes. Ali shares that Carpet Kingdom makes carpets out of PET bottles, discarded jeans, pants, and even silk sarees.

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