Articles

PLANTOLOGY

Home

History

Do It Yourself

Plantology Workshops with Schools

Plantology Workshops

Anand Foundation

Article
Space To Live & Dream In
(Faridabad Plus Times of India 16th July 2003)

"We just wanted to get away from Delhi and the construction in Gurgaon just put us off, "say the Anand couple in unison. Imposing, that's how their Eros Group's Royal Retreat looks from outside.

With its off-grey exteriors, its high gates, the beautifully manicured lawns and a fountain, the apartment complex the showpiece of Charmwood Village - looks exclusive. But once you are through the security, and into the brown-marbled lobby, the atmosphere becomes friendly. And, a trip to the Anand home on the fifth floor is worth the effort.

Sharat and Radhika Anand's home is a head-turner of grand proportions. Non-conformist is the one word that comes to mind. The character of the rooms, the decor and everything else reflects the personalities of the Anands, Sharat, once a top honcho in an international bank, decided to branch out on his own after more than 20 years in his job. As for wife Radhika she discovered a calling that has made her aware of her special powers of healing.

Their home is Indian to the core. Just as an Indian meal has a little of every taste to make it complete and satisfying, the Anand apartment is part traditional, part chic and even part 'green'. And the credit for the creation, as an unabashed Sharat Anand confides, goes to his wife, Radhika. Having previously lived in South Delhi where she would have liked to stretch out but could not because those places were not "our home", Radhika had a clear idea of what she wanted to achieve in her own Royal Retreat apartment. "Unlike some of the other people here, we have not tampered with the original walls, "she says. Instead, she decided to create room by leaving the flat largely empty with "islands" of objects and art.

Her unique concept has managed to provide a space that makes everyone, who sees it, free and happy.

The Anands opted for a very simple style: the walls have been kept in white and there is a lot of interplay between white and its many shades. The whole effect is clean and calm.

Over the years and the many places the family has visited and stayed, have added to their collection of mementos that can be called fashionable by any standard. Each is unique. Take for, example, the Husain, the Raja Ravi Varma and the Tanjore painting. All of them have been given the respect and rightful place they deserve. All this did not happen overnight. Unlike many other apartment owners, the Anand moved in first and started doing up the house a little at a time. "I wanted to do up a little at a time simply because I did not want to land up with nothing to do. So even now, almost a year after they moved in Radhika Anand is still setting up home. "Some days it is very peaceful and on other days it is really a madhouse with carpenters, upholsterers and others moving around the whole house, "she said.

With no professional interior designer to help her, Radhika worked out her "island" idea by dividing the main floor area into sections. So as you enter you come across the first island on the right: a piano with a whole lot of photos (there are a couple of photos of Radhika with prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee) on it. The highlight of the "island" is a table with silver artefacts. As you step into the living room proper, you breeze by the next island on the right comprising two bright yellow plump sofas. Above the happy yellow sofa, on the wall is one of Husain's paintings from the Mother Teresa series. In the centre and the sides are tables with Radhika's famed terrariums, which Radhika declares are her first love.

On the terrace, the dense plants, so neatly arranged at one end, transports you to a different place altogether.

Certainly, there is no denying the romance here.

502, Royale Retreat, Charmwood Village, Eros Gardens, Suraj Kund, Haryana, Tel: 91-11-41638091-95, Mobile: 9811073996
E-mail:plantology@rediffmail.com