On dream homes…:-)

Thanks to all for your glowing reviews of our new Aashiana. No, that’s not the name of our home but here, in the USA, no one names their homes. My Uncle has named his lovely home in Thrissur ‘Devi-Gopal’. Devi is short for Sridevi, my maternal grandmother’s name and Gopal is my late maternal grandfather’s name. You come across such varied names in Kerala. Devi Nilayam, meaning abode of the goddess is one that I remember. Near my Dad’s home in Tharakkal, many Muslims live and their homes have a different flavour of names altogether. Shaina Manzil is a name I recall seeing near our home. And many more of those…

I didn’t exactly have a dream home in mind but there were some features I really wanted in our place. One of my college pals, Aditi, has this home that I deem as PERFECT in my eyes. Her house has always been the one I loved, all through these years. The truth is, it is the people who live there who make the house what it is. Her parents are extremely artistic and warm people and the home has a sunny feeling to it that aptly reflects the personalities of the parents and then the children. Their home is a terraced flat and that is something I adore. My Uncle’s home in Thrissur also has a terrace where my Aunt hangs clothes out to dry on a clothesline. The feeling of sun-kissed clothes – it is indescribable. The idea of watching the sun set from your terrace, have a cuppa in the early mornings, do Surya Namaskar facing the rising sun – what fantasies! Yes, over the years, I have learned that there is this very strong connection I have with the sun. The more sun I have in my day, the happier I am…:-)

In any case, we have a home now and it is lovely. Hopefully, Pinch and I will make it lovelier! My efforts are directed towards making it a place where the light pervades all space and there is freshness all around. To make it a haven where you feel relaxed and comfortable. Not intimidated by the style or decor but you take a look at it and then you know, “This is their home, I can tell!”