71 274
FARRER ROAD
71
January15
Clockwise from opposite, top:
“Peaceful and restful, the guestroom
was designed for family and friends
to rest and recharge in after long-haul
flights. It’s very shabby chic, a style I
love playing with.
“I really do treasure my pieces
from Artful House. Owner Padmaja’s
style mirrors mine; she uses old
pieces and recycles them for
contemporary living. Two old windows
from havelis (mansions) were re-
purposed into mirrors, and a beautiful
door decoration was turned into a
console.”
“This fashion photograph of Lily
Cole posing on a spiral staircase in
a dreamy, flowing Stella McCartney
gown was taken by Tim Walker in
Gujarat, India, for the British edition
of Vogue.
“I stopped dead in my tracks when
I saw the blue wooden processional
horse from South India. The colours
and the shabby look were perfectly
matched to the photo – I just had to
get it.
“For the master bedroom, I tried to
imagine how Leonardo da Vinci’s
world would have looked had he been
born in Asia.
“These artworks use painting
techniques from the Old Masters and
imagery reminiscent of Medieval and
Renaissance times; the unicorns are
especially notable.
“I’ve been collecting the dolls
since my childhood.”
“Mixed with some very European
items is an Indonesian bed, a three-
headed statue of the Hindu god
Shiva, and a panel of the Eight Taoist
Immortals, revered for their magical
powers as they travel between heaven
and earth to help mankind.
“On the far wall, the painting by
Czech artist Victoria Francisco is
very close to my heart. This is the
very first piece of art Guillaume and
I bought together, when we were
students in Prague about 13 years
ago, although we only purchased a
postcard reproduction! It faded in the
heat and humidity, but we managed
to track down the artist, who still had
the original. We bought it as a wink to
our ten years together.”