Come Home to a Sanctuary!

Dear Aalayam family!

As promised, we are back with the home tour and the much awaited rendezvous with Divya Thomas! There is much left to be said, and we will say it, in this post replete with tranquil corners from Divya's home.

Nestled in the midst of a bustling suburban town in North Carolina, USA, Divya and Sarit's home is a sublime escape. Greeted at the doorway with the heady incense of sandalwood, I could have been ensconced in any plantation house in the glorious spice coast of the Malabar or on the hallowed backwaters of Kerala. Divya’s home reinforces my belief that it’s not where you live, but what you make with your living space, that transforms a home into a sanctuary.

The house sits amidst lush, almost tropical greenery, punctuated with rustic stone steps that start in the front garden, leading to a backyard creek, which shimmers in the sunlight, making its gurgly presence felt through the many wide windows of the house. I hang out on the sandal scented porch, shaded by a vertical limbs of the trees and hanging potted plants, in the front yard, gaping at the variegated earthen masks, terracotta columns and cameos Divya has lovingly put up on the walls. This entrance to her home sets the tone for what to expect inside the home. I get ready to get wowed!

WITH THE OUTSIDE LIKE THIS, DO WE REALLY NEED TO GO INSIDE?

                                                THE OUTSIDE REFLECTS THE VIBE OF THE INSIDE!

                                  LUSH AND SERENE ESCAPE JUST OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR - WHAT A VIEW!!


Within minutes of arriving I feel entirely at home, falling into rhythm in this beautiful, intriguing and quirky home with its high ceilings, polished floors and cool, dark rooms rife with antiques and family heirlooms. What is pervasive is the fragrance of sandal incense, it seems to be part of the home, giving it soul, filling it with a stimulating, almost arousing energy.

I try hard to think of a design category in which to place this home in. I fail. But then again, that is the essence of all things Divya – no rules, no playbook, no conformist categories. Divya’s home is a playground for her creative soul-curry. It’s a collection of well-loved and much traveled pieces adoringly put together in ways that please the eye.

I pause and take in the architectural detail, the bold pieces of furniture and fixture that do not by any means, qualify as impersonal store bought “décor”, but define the warm and vital charm of the house as living and breathing boughs. 

                       

            THIS ROOM IS ONE OF DIVYA'S FAVORITE ROOMS IN THE HOUSE!

Each piece, in each room, has a story..a friendship… a trip…a memory associated with it. The net effect is a cozy, yet riotous medley of colors, textures and vibes, evident in all these photographs that made a lasting impression on me.

 DO YOU RECOGNIZE THE ALL FAMILIAR R.K. LAXMAN ON THE WALL?

Divya is a collector, you will see well loved art work displayed all over her home, new age art, hand crafted by her friends, signature paintings, evocative photographs clicked by discerning photographers, all get gallery fame in her various rooms, adding to the drama and visual interest that reigns supreme in her home

It is captivating to notice how Divya has infused her personality into her living space she shares with her husband, her daughter and their precious furry family member – Lola, her onyx colored Peekapoo. Divya insists that her native roots do not influence her design sensibilities, yet, we see strong and bold flavors from her heritage reflected throughout her home.

                                                 THE INTRICATE STAIRCASE IS A SENSORY SERENADE

                                                            A FALL BACK TO CLASSIC, INDIGENOUS ROOTS

                                   DID YOU KNOW THAT SARIT IS A DESCENDANT OF RAJA RAVI VARMA'S LINEAGE?

THE MAGNIFICENT "NETTIPATTAM" ELEPHANT ORNAMENT AVOWS HERITAGE!

Divya harbors a self confessed love for cozy, “cottagey” spaces. She says she would feel lost in a massive room. She believes that her living space reflects her mind space and if I could hazard an educated guess, I would say it reflects eclecticism and intrigue!

            THE BEAUTIFUL PAINTING ADORNING THE GUEST ROOM BY PROLIFIC ARTIST SMRUTHI GARGI ESWAR

                 
                                                                  NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL A ZEN RETREAT!

               THE MASKS AND THE "PATTACHITRA" MONTAGE SET THE CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING EN ROUTE TO                                                                                          THE BASEMENT WORKSHOP!

          PHOTOGRAPHS BY AWARD WINNING FILM MAKER RYAN LOBO PEPPER THE KARMASUTHRA WORKSHOP. 

                                                             THE WORKSHOP IS A SERENE, CREATIVE ESCAPE

                                                                      
                                         FRAMED WALL ART BY  ILLUSTRATOR PRASHANT MIRANDA (ABOVE)

                                                                 A PEEK INTO DIVYA'S  WORKSHOP (ABOVE)

So my lovelies, we arrive at my most favorite part of the two part series on Divya Thomas and Karmasuthra – a fun and flirty peek into who the real Divya Thomas is. So here goes!

“I feel the world is a playing field…a canvas waiting to be painted on!”

The beauty of the canvas Divya is painting on resonates, in its bold, yet achingly familiar individual expression. Divya says that Karmasuthra is an exquisitely rewarding part of the beautiful journey she is on called life. It is not the destination...as she is still searching…striving…but graciously accepting the joy Karmasuthra has brought to her.

Divya, you have touched our lives...a true inspiration! Thank you for being part of Aalayam's journey.

Love,

Supriya