Light & Shadows 2
It is not always easy to explain styling. Clothes yes, but interiors much tougher.
The scope for an Interior Designer or an Interior architect would largely involve structural changes, giving specific detailing; hence technical knowledge is crucial. A decorator would focus largely on soft furnishings, colour and how to use the space, and a stylist's job is to beautify,edit,add,curate without any structural changes.
One thing they all have in common is an eye for naturally making it look good.
While some may be more qualified with degrees or diplomas of their profession,for me styling and designing is honing your intuition.
My Mantra - Beautifully curated spaces require intuitive quality.
Staging & styling is the key to any vacation rental home. It's a known fact impeccable styling and great pictures with correct lighting increase the returns on a rental property. An engaging image draws the audience and is the first step to making it experiential.
While designing,I like to imagine a space if it were to be photographed.
Every nook and corner must be a visual treat.
For me styling and staging is the cherry on the cake!
Each of these pictures have a story to tell.....hope you enjoy.
STYLING FOOD
"Cooking is love made edible"
True confession - I didn't bake this cake!
Oh damn Namrata....we thought you could do so much more!
Hold on I did give the recipe!!
While the chef got the cake ready,I set the mood to style it. Yes it is a banana cake and not just a plain sponge cake. The hot custard on top...YUM
It's a universal truth,food is a big turn on!
Food styling and pictures are crucial. They get your stomach growling for more.
It's all about your gut darling, it really is!
This beautiful shot by our photographer Avnish Arora meant him climbing onto a ladder behind me, balancing himself with the camera to get this perfect picture....just my hands, not my head, not my unruly hair and not topple over while I gingerly sliced the bread.
Accessorising this table was important to bring out that feeling of rustic chic mountain home.
“There are times when wisdom cannot be found in the chambers of parliament or the halls of academia but at the unpretentious setting of the kitchen table.” ― E.A. Bucchianeri
Over a 100 years old this Naga single wood piece,traditionally used for grounding spices was converted into a dining table. Celebrating the wabi sabi design philosophy, we included the rustic nature of accessories and broken artefacts.
We celebrated imperfections!
"For me nothing is more luxurious than living in style."
Style is not expensive. In fact true style is understated. Style is a deep understanding of bringing in good synergy with love. Style is about caring - making that wee bit extra effort. Style is in finer details of linen napkins,candles and most importantly creating a mood where robust conversations and the sound of throaty laughters stay in your head space for a long time.
Locally sourced at the Kasauli market, these stunning black pure linen napkins were perfect for this dinner table. The kitchen towels were converted into table mats. Potted ivy's from the garden look far more organic than cut flowers.
Bedroom Styling
Bedrooms are about our dreams. Staging and curating it right in hospitality is the first step in ensuring the customer the many possibilities of their experience. With most travellers hooked to their laptop,phones and some who look forward to their book reading,one picture can tell many stories.
Delving deep into a travellers mind,staging and styling - this room is a portrait of freeing your soul and a gentle reminder to be in sync with the rhythm of nature.
While the days may be filled with conversations,exploring & adventure, its the setting sun that plays with the romance of candle light. Lets face it when we travel,we book nights.....but seldom see pictures of how a place changes its character in the night light. Do we really need the ugly heavy printed quilts to be part of the room? Where moving a leg or playing footsie is like lifting the entire mountain!
Ok we get the point Namrata!....we are in the mountains, we don't have to lift one to prove it!!
Throws, electric blankets,hot water bottles,quilts,white sheets,covers were carefully chosen to continue the theme for this rustic chic vibe with touch of luxury.
Lets accept one universal truth - for most holiday makers its a repeat of coffee, tea,eating, sleeping,dining and wining. Discarded irons used as a container for tea bags, were placed in every room, adding to the charm.
Bathrooms
I had fallen so much in love with these baskets, they had to make their way in the bathroom too! The dance of light & shadow through the woven texture, is a reminder to the name of this property - SECLUDE LIGHT & SHADOW
Rustic interiors with modern amenities, the bathroom decor continues with the theme. Keeping it simple and dramatic.
“Designers are scientists and stylists are magicians.”
Vanessa Coyler Tay
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To view more pictures of this stunning property click on the link below.
All pictures courtesy seclude.
Photographs by Avnish Arora
Namrata Datt
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