Dvibhumi - A Jewelry label and a home tour (an artist's abode)

Here is the final post of our trifecta for the month -the story of a jewelry designer and a self –made entrepreneur. We also get a peek into her beautiful home and we could not be happier to bring you this feature! Meet Vyshanvi -Founder-Designer of Dvibhumi (dvi-bhoo-mee), a Singapore-based jewelry label with a contemporary design philosophy rooted in Asian heritage. Today’s post is yet again, the story of hard work and dedication to a passion aka creative entrepreneurship. It is a tribute to an artist  who chose a novel medium (jewelry) to explore her love for music, culture and architecture and without hesitation took a creative plunge to follow her dreams

Aalayam fashionistas take note – you are in for a treat! I am honored to introduce you to a jewelry label that is urban and sophisticated with hints of tradition and history. So, if you are looking for a brand that allows you to express yourself fiercely no matter what your personality is then your search ends here! And yes, I get to bring you a tour of her  vibrant artistic Singapore abode as well and you are going to love it. So, read on….

Here is the fascinating story of Dvibhumi, the label in Vyshnavi’s own words …

Tirta - tusk earrings. Make a statement with a Dvibhumi piece!

“I launched Dvibhumi in 2014, translating my preoccupation with creative concepts, Asian cultures and the arts into contemporary wearable design that tells a story. Dvibhumi represents a stream of ideas flowing from two worlds: India, where I grew up, and South East Asia, where I live, work and travel. My work is off-trend and less concerned with the material nature of jewellery. Dvibhumi is made of intangible stories, memories and experiences that are intensely personal to me and to the wearers who connect with the same stories in some way.

I am also deeply motivated by a need to transcend exotic labels such as “ethnic”, “boho”, “traditional”, “antique” and “tribal” that constrain Asian jewelry design. With Dvibhumi, my effort has been to bring into sharp focus the inherent and often ignored modernity of Asian aesthetic, fully embracing its forms, details, textures and craftsmanship. Today all the excitement is around gold and there are very few designers doing something exciting with silver. The Silver Enthusiast isn’t catered to well enough and often settles for tired, recycled and mass-produced designs. Dvibhumi wants to reach out to a discerning, independent thinking Silver Enthusiast looking for good design stories in a metal that she adores.

Hindolam - a dvibhumi offering!

I started Dvibhumi with three collections, or stories, as I would like to call them: Kutcheri, Vibhuti and Ayu. Kutcheri is a term applied across South India to Carnatic Music Concerts. Kutcheri is a modern day ode to the iconic ornamentation style of great Carnatic divas such as MS Subbulakshmi. The series is a lighter take on the classic seven stone diamond stud that was MS’s signature style. Vibhuti is the Sanskrit word for holy ash, which describes the austere appearance of this collection. I’ve used an Indian jewellery staple – the jhumka – to tell a story inspired by the domes and fretwork of Islamic and Renaissance architecture. The result is a clean jhumka that brings into sharp focus the form and detail with no unnecessary embellishment – very different from regular jhumkas where the individual design elements are less distinct.

Atri - jhumkas with a difference!

Ayu means beautiful in Bahasa Indonesia. This collection uses traditional Indonesian silver-smithing techniques to capture the form and detail of Balinese shadow puppet theatre and worship. The series re-conceptualizes typical silhouettes such as the headdress, the tree of life, and the wings of the mythical Garuda, and the overwhelming textures of Bali’s sculptures and woodwork.

How to purchase

Dvibhumi’s E-Shop is always open, and ships worldwide. Just hop over to www.dvibhumi.com, and pay securely through your credit card or PayPal. If you’re not comfortable with that, Dvibhumi also accepts payments via online bank transfers. Just write to hello@dvibhumi.com with the link to the design you are keen on, and Vyshnavi will write back to you with the bank details.

And now on to what seems to be a favorite with Aalayam readers – a home tour! We were invited to Vyshnavi and Karthik’s vibrant, playful and inviting home and I was blown away by how stylish this space was. I am going to let Vyshnavi explain how this beautiful home came to be but do me a favor and pay attention to all the details will you? Art that makes a statement, colors that pop, fabrics that add interest – I clapped my hands in glee when I saw this cozy little gem of a home (I know I am a hard core home décor enthusiast!).  This home is also her art studio and this beautiful and clutter free backdrop is truly an artist’s inspiration. In her own words, “the home has evolved slowly and organically, which makes everything a bit less predictable” and I love that! This home is not dictated by trends but rather by passion and that is the kind of home that Aalayam loves to feature.

Here is the excerpt from our tete-a tete...

1) What makes your home "your home"? 

It is young, carefully considered, practical and constantly evolving. It’s just a very personal space filled with colors; textures and sounds that make us feel good.

2) Does the decor in your home fit the bill for any one particular style - if so, what drove you to that style?

We haven’t aspired to any prescribed home décor style and it isn’t something that came alive overnight. In fact, decorating a home hasn’t been the starting point at all. We started with what we’re interested in, and finding a place for it at home. The home has evolved slowly and organically, which makes everything a bit less predictable. I love indigenous arts and crafts, and the house has something of a folksy vibe going on. I was once looking up Tlingit art online, and somehow meandered my way to Mexican alebrije.

 I loved the blinding color, patterns, and subjects, and that’s how a Oaxacan coyote alebrije landed up in our living room. I found painted wooden door stoppers at a discount sale one day and bought several of them to create a wall mural using Blu-Tack. The Japanese woodblock print is by the legendary Ukiyo-e master Kuniyoshi. It’s something I researched extensively before we purchased it on our visit to Kyoto. We picked up a Turkish calligraphy piece from a friend who is also an art dealer when we were travelling in Istanbul, and it just fell into place right next to the Tanjore paintings of Ganesha and Subramanya which we had received as wedding gifts.

3) Who calls the design shots in your home?   

 My husband and I are both involved in putting the house together – it is a shared space after all!

4) How does your personal decor style influence your work professionally or the other way around?  

The home is also where I work, so quite naturally, both evolve from a very personal and inward looking approach to design and aesthetics. Both are grounded in stories, images and sounds that we grew up with in India and have a fondness for things that we come in contact with all over Asia, through our travels and our surroundings. There is a fascination for Asia, the respect for craftsmanship, a penchant for detailing and textures.

5) What are your favorite places to shop for your home? Are you budget savvy or would you rather own pieces that truly strike a chord with you even if they are expensive?

We gravitate more towards a laidback casual style, so there’s nothing lavish in our house. Our favourite places to shop are Ubud in Bali and Kyoto. But I love the internet even more! Ebay and Etsy are great for collectibles, and a Google search will show you a whole host of tiny standalone shops selling eccentricities. That’s how I found the Oaxacan Coyote. I’ve found some exciting art from emerging artists on Saatchi Online and I’ve picked up some excellent quality prints from 1000 Museums. Fuji Arts auctions Ukiyo-e prints, and I got a Chikanbou triptych reproduction from there. I also find myself frequently on online marketplaces like Novica. Good Earth is an eternal favourite for household linen. I also find Playclan’s work very interesting – I have an embroidered cushion from there. And although I haven’t bought anything from them, I love browsing One King’s Lane and Phantom Hands.

6) Where do you draw your online inspirations from - any favorite resources that you can share?

I don’t read too many home décor blogs. But I like Apartment Therapy for ideas on how to use space and shopping resources, and An Indian Summer and Once Upon a Tea Time for places to shop as well. They talk to people who like to mash things up a bit and styling a home with collectibles, and not indulge inwater tight themes. Oh, and Airbnb has some very creative spaces!

7) Home decorating is an arduous process – one that takes patience and a keen eye. What advice would you like to impart to our readers that want to create a cohesive, magazine like look without professional help? 

Our house is less about creative decoration and utilization of spaces and more about finding space for things we love. With that disclaimer out of the way, I have a few things to share. One, starting with ourselves instead of a magazine has helped us create a home that weathers changing trends and repeated expenses. Two, knowing our purchase interests at an intimate level has helped us evaluate our buys better. We buy fewer things; these are things we know we will value in the years to come. Three, things have taken time. We’ve learned to resist the urge to buy cute junk on impulse to fill spaces in a hurry. And finally, I believe creating an ambience with a part of oneself is always more fulfilling than mindless buying. If you have such leanings, go ahead and create repurpose, recycle, act out your artistic inclinations in the form of a mural. Commemorate a large collection of books, a movie fetish, or a wedding saree. Once you find what you are interested in, use available resources – magazines, home décor blogs and Pinterest – to bring it alive in the best possible manner.

8) What’s next for your beautiful home (studio)?

There isn’t much space left for things, so perhaps some new music and scents will be nice. Oh and we definitely need to make more space for Dvibhumi which is now taking up a lot of space at home with its inventory, paperwork and drawings. I also want to do something with a large Japanese parasol but I’m not sure what or when!

9) What's next for Dvibhumi?

I’ve just started, and although the response so far has been extremely encouraging, not many people really know of Dvibhumi. I really want to reach out to more people who will appreciate the ethos of Dvibhumi, not just in India, but also everywhere in the world. I also want to evolve the three streams (Kutcheri, Vibhuti and Ayu) to include other accessories such as necklaces!

There you go- the tres chic home of Vyshnavi and Karthik! A simple yet eye-catching space that seems to hit all the right notes to create a warm and inviting palette. I love taking note of what inspires people and drives their aesthetic sensibilities. There is always a lesson to be learnt if we care to pay attention and keep an open mind. Now for Dvibhumi, I am impressed – with the brand, the style, the artist’s vision, her inspiration, her philosophy and her goals for the brand and I see a very bright and successful future for Dvibhumi and it was indeed a privilege to introduce this brand to Aalayam readers. Thank you Vyshnavi and karthik for allowing us to stroll through your gorgeous home!

A special mention also to my dear friend Pooja for introducing me to Vyshnavi and making yet another home tour possible!

Cheers!

~Deepa

P.S: All images belong to the homeowner (and Dvibhumi). Please do not use without permission

Home Tour - A Tropical Sanctuary!

Mishta's art work (that's right!) hangs proudly on her gallery wall.

Verdant courtyards, colorful Portuguese influences and the home owner’s discerning aesthetic strokes are just a few of the many highlights of Mishta and Anirudh’s cultured and curated home in the heart of a city that I fondly call home – Bengaluru, India. 

Tropical colors and spanish tiles greet visitors at the entrance!

Aalayam readers, it is with great pleasure that I bring you a home from home ! One that kindles the senses with its allure!

 It is a labor of love filled with Mishta and Anirudh’s globe trotting treasures and impeccable taste! One look at the luscious green spaces that blend seamlessly with the light 
and airy indoors and you will want to move in and call this your home! What can I say – this home is a  tropical sanctuary par excellence!  

Previously, the home has been featured on BBC Good Homes, Inside Outside, Deccan Chronicle, Good House Keeping, Ideal Home and Garden and Rang Décor Blog. Yes, it is that good! 

I love the play of light and shadows on this tiled porch - don't you?

Today, I am proud to tell Mishta and Anirudh’s home story - the Aalayam way! 

Thank you for sharing your jewel of a home with all of us. Thank you also to my dear friend Pooja for introducing me to Mishta and making this home tour possible!

House proud - Mishta and Anirudh!

Mishta was great fun to work with! I walked into her home (virtually via Facebook) and stood there with my mouth wide open! This is the kind of home that would totally engage even a stranger! I could not stop looking at the beautiful images of her home staring at me from my FB screen. And then, I sent her a mountain of questions! I had to! I wanted to know everything about how this beautiful home came to be! I am sure Mishta had no clue what she was signing up for when she agreed to do this for Aalayam but she obliged cheerfully. I connected with her warm and ebullient personality in an instant and I knew then that the home was an absolute extension of her diligence and energy. The time difference meant that we would catch each other at ungodly hours and anybody who can inject a little humor into a conversation even at 12.30 am when they are in the middle of a late night feed for their child is worth getting to know and I am glad I did! I deeply cherish the alliances that Aalayam allows me to make.

Layered with love!

Below is our conversation on home and décor with insights from Mishta's keen home making sense. Mishta and Anirudh share this space with darling daughter Mohini fondly called Mou and their furry feline! Mishta’s home has been featured in several print and online media before but Aalayam  holds the bragging rights for  being the first to share pictures of Li’L Mou’s room! Yay!!

Check out the French Calligraphy announcing Mou's Room - The devil is in the details!

 Sit back and let the images take you to a  kaleidoscopic tropical retreat. Diwali will be here soon and it is that time of the year when we all want to spruce up our homes and get into the festive spirit. Allow yourself to be inspired by this magical space!

One of the three courtyards in the house. Leaving the city behind.....

What makes your home "your home"?

M:  Our home is a home because we live in it :) !  We don’t believe in having a showpiece museum at the cost of living, but having said that, we’re naturally neat people and we take pride in our efforts to make the house look beautiful and lived in at the same time. Our daughter is being taught from a very young age to put away her toys after she finishes playing so no Lego underfoot here!

Global treasures find a place in their home and heart!

A lot of us stop at designing/decorating our interiors but you seem to have prioritized decorating your outdoor spaces too! Tell me about your love for the green spaces in your home.

M:  A few trips to Bali and Sri Lanka changed the way we viewed the outdoors in personal space forever, the blurring of the inside and the outside and to seamlessly blend the two. The sense of peace in the morning, sitting in the courtyard, looking at the plants and breathing in the fresh air is a luxury that we cannot do without anymore! The emphasis on the outdoors, and a laid-back approach to living is what defines our home.

Does the decor in your home fit the bill for any one particular style - if so, what drove you to that style?

M: ‘Tropical’ is what we are aspiring to…the cool shades of greenery and warm color schemes equate living in this space to living in a dream.  The design of the house really allows us to experience all of nature up close and feel at peace any time of the day and it reminds us of our beloved Bali and Goa at each corner.

Who calls the design shots in your home? 

M: We both do. Anirudh holds the rights to more practical solutions while I lean towards the more whimsical.

How does your personal decor style influence your work professionally or the other way around? 

Since we’re both visual/ergonomic designers, it has definitely affected the way we see spaces and colours. Tropical decor is vibrant with lively overtones and both our personalities resonated well with that. Mishta is a graphic designer from Central Saint Martins. Her company is called Drawater by Mishta Roy while Anirudh is an ergonomist from Georgia Tech; a technical design consultant for technology companies.  

What are your favorite places to shop for your home? Are you budget savvy or would you rather own pieces that truly strike a chord with you even if they are expensive? 

M: We decorate our home with pieces we have purchased all over the world on our travels. We once shipped large Balinese doorway guardian statues all the way from Bali and enormous birdcages from another trip! We don’t ever shop for anonymous pieces. They have to mean something to us and be associated with an experience/memory/geography/childhood. 

Where do you draw your online inspirations from - any favorite resources that you can share?

M: Inhabitot for now for Mou’s room, Rang Décor, Indian Summer, Kaleidoscope.

Mou's room - Magical and merry!

 * My absolute favorite response – this to me sums up how and why this is such a gorgeous home *

Are there influences from your home state (west Bengal/Calcutta) in your décor or have you stuck to southern influences of your adopted state/city (Karnataka/ Bangalore)? How are the two different in your opinion? 

M: The house inadvertently has mirrored my grandmother’s house in Alipore, Kolkata. Three bedrooms in three distinct color schemes…pink room, green room and blue room. As well as the grandfather clock that chimes melodically every 15 minutes… we got a Seiko that sounds the same as my grandmother’s clock! The library was inspired by Anirudh’s grandfather’s extensive collection and we designed the floor to ceiling bookshelves to mirror that. So I would say that our home is not so much inspired by our cultures, but rather by our childhood memories of happy spaces.

How is your adorable daughter influencing your home décor process now – tell me a little bit about creating kid friendly spaces.

M: She is influencing us through necessary childproofing…so a lot of furniture has moved around and safety gates installed. The green room has been turned into her playroom which is circus themed. I wanted to give her an environment that was colorful, propagated a love for animals and strong women who fly(!), so no pink princesses here!

Pick one room and tell us how it came about – what did you buy first, how did you keep adding till you said this is it. Did you envision the look before hand or was it done on the fly?

M: How did it come together so well? It evolved...but was determined right at the beginning by the color of the wall..ie pink room has fabrics which are soft florals always so it compliments the color. The furniture too is delicate. So it is a fairly feminine, peaceful room and so my glass perfume bottle collection has a home here. Blue room is the master bedroom and has strong indigo flavors, so the furnishings and furniture compliment that.

delicate wind swept block print fabrics add to the romance!

What’s next for your beautiful home? 

M: A swing! The perfect indoor/outdoor swing has been eluding me for awhile!

And because I love this wall, her art work, that chest and those bird cages so much..... 

One simple thing – a swing, she says!  This is yet another reminder of the fact that it takes patience and perseverance to create the home of your dreams.

 Anirudh and Mishta, decided to build over Anirudh’s family home’s existing ground-floor bungalow and Mishta says “ We wanted something different, something that reflected our love for travel and nature and blurred the lines between inside and outside. A house that was inward-facing and left the city out,while creating a peaceful oasis that we could enjoy privately”

They have accomplished that and more, don’t you think?

Thank you for joining us on this home tour. Please leave your comments and questions for Mishta. Tell us if you are inspired by this space. Our home owners, who graciously share their homes with all of us, would love to hear from you.

Next up, the post that you and I have both waited for – Aalayam's Diwali post! Yes, it is now an annual Aalayam tradition and I am all excited to bring you sparkling inspirations to ignite your festive fervor! Join me next week for Diwali décor inspirations!

Cheers!

~Deepa

P.S: All images belong to the home owners – Mishta and Anirudh and may not be used without permission.