Culinary expert Lakshmi Nair, who has by now attained some sort of celebrity status by now following her cookery shows on television channels and YouTube, calls her elegantly decked abode at SRM Road in Kaloor, her second home. From the outside, it may look like an old structure; however, you are in for countless surprises when you enter the house.
It is the warmth and great hospitality displayed by the hostess herself which makes this apartment a perfect dwelling. The interior spaces are quaint yet elegantly furnished. There are lots of windows which open to the beautiful nature outside and bring a slice of it inside.
“I am a native of Thiruvananthapuram. I use this house as a second home. So, there are limited facilities and arrangements here. We bought an old flat and renovated it to suit our likes and needs. There are two bedrooms, living and dining areas, kitchen and attached bathroom in this house. The interiors are designed following the contemporary – minimal style. The walls adorn the classic combination of grey and white hues. The interiors aren’t overcrowded with furniture or other décor. It was architect Binoy who designed this flat,” says Lakshmi Nair.
This flat, earlier, had congested spaces with no sufficient supply of natural light or air. As part of the renovations, the unnecessary walls in the interiors were knocked off, making the spaces open and vaster. The living area, dining space and the kitchen are all part of the open hall. An entire wall in the dining area is lined with huge glass window which illuminates the entire house with amazing natural sun shine. It also ensures excellent cross ventilation making the interiors feel pleasant and comfortable. The old flooring is replaced with a chic and elegant one.
A wall in the quaint living area is highlighted with the charming shade of grey. A spectacular painting of Lord Buddha adorns this wall, elevating the serene mood of this space. The ‘C’ shaped couch is custom-made to suit the general theme of the house. A TV unit is arranged on the wall opposite the living space.
The guests who visit the family, at this flat, are always curious to see Lakshmi Nair’s kitchen where she cooks delectable delicacies.
“Cooking is my passion. So, kitchen is the most carefully designed space in the entire flat. For a home maker, everything should be within her hand’s reach in a kitchen. Earlier, it was a closed kitchen. However, we removed the partitions and made it an open kitchen. As it is a modular kitchen, there are no worries about smoke. The kitchen is arranged with minimal facilities as we do not use it often. Nano white is paved on the counter top which can also be used as a breakfast table. Two high chairs are placed on the other side of the counter top. A hanging light above the counter really highlights its sheen and elegance,” explains Lakshmi.
Concealed wardrobes in glossy laminate finish ensure lots of storage space in the kitchen. This open kitchen, with its unique yet simple features, easily becomes the focal point of the flat. “A few episodes of my cooking vlog in Youtube were shot in this kitchen. There is a dining table, just beside the kitchen, where four persons can sit and eat. The wall behind the dining table has been turned into a glass wall which brings in abundant sun shine and stunning views as well. This actually creates different moods inside the house, with the changing light,” notes the culinary expert.
The huge glass windows in the bedrooms invite the beautiful nature inside. At night, one could fall asleep watching the shiny stars in the sky, through this window. This gives almost the same amazing experience of sleeping at an open terrace. In the morning, the golden sun rays are what wake you up. “For me, a house is a place which gives me happiness. This place fills me with happiness and grace, every time I come here,” says Lakshmi with a smile.
Family
Lakshmi’s husband Ajay Krishnan Nair is a practising lawyer based in Thiruvananthapuram. Her elder daughter Parvathy is settled in the UK with her husband Aswin and son Ayush. Her son Vishnu and his wife Anuradha stays with Lakshmi in Thiruvananathapuram.
