Home Tour: Amal Rosa Augustine

Today I'll take you all to Bangalore, a beautiful city where I spent just one year but fell in love with it for a lifetime. We'll take a tour of a home that envelopes British colonial elements and is a minimalist's paradise. Come on in!!!

Amal Rosa Augustine who lives in Bangalore with her husband and a toddler has opened the door of her two bedroom apartment for 3D readers to take a peek inside and her home reminds me of English empire style. Let's start with the console table in below picture that sums up the British colonial style of decorating perfectly. Hammered metal platters in dark tone are paired with a carved wooden frame in ivory that matches the accessories on the console to create a cohesive look. Touches of gold and wooden furniture with clean edges infuse some modern elements. Tradition or modern, plants never go out of trend and Rosa knows that well.

This minimalist home is a reflection of a clean, pure and serene environment but what makes it British colonial style home is woven furniture in dark wood, light and airy colours, soft & subtle furnishings, eclectic accessories and tropical foliages. Below is the picture of Rosa's living room where dark wood furniture creates a contrast against white walls. The overall feel of this place is traditional with a splash of exotic.

I love how Rosa has given an extra visual punch with colours. Here is what she shares with us "My tiny apartment in Bangalore was purchased in October 2016 and it's just a 1400 sqft flat with two bedrooms and a study. When I started to do my homework for the interior styling of my house I had some dreams about it and I think I was able to turn it into reality (at least three-fourths of it if I say precisely). I didn't follow any particular style in general and it is a mix of traditional, rustic, farmhouse style. some of it is inspired by Pinterest, interior magazines and home decor websites."

Right opposite to this seating arrangement in the living room is the entertainment unit that you see in below picture. TV unit in dark wood, woven baskets on the wall and on TV unit, some picture frames and colonial hurricane lamp wall sconce reaffirm my statement that this home is a true colonial style home. Every room is dotted with the exotic plants that make the place tropical paradise.

Further Rosa says "I have to mention here my dear friend Seethu who helped me throughout designing my dream home and also for my husband for signing all the cheques without looking at the amount and above all my parents who made this a reality".

Have a look at this hand wash basin area next to the dining room. It is not only wonderfully organized but also a testimony to the fact that modern and British colonial style mesh together well.

Rosa shares some sweet memories, "my family is a very spiritually oriented family and hence all around the house, you can find bible quotes and lot of images of Jesus. The most integral part of my house is this small prayer area. I love everything about this. The holy family statue was a gift from my parents when we moved into our first home after our marriage. I carried it in all the homes we rented till date and finally to our own home."

The dining room is simple and minimal with woven chairs in dark wood that bind the entire space together. Balcony space has been converted into an open seating area. Huge windows allow the influx of glare-free ample natural light. This adds the visual depth to the confined sitting area. Bamboo blinds bring texture and organic feel of outdoor to the indoor and create a beautiful dappled light effect that makes the atmosphere soothing and relaxing.

Potted plants add the incredible drama to the place no matter if they are placed on the floor or on the wall shelf.

The sideboard and crockery unit here offer both style and storage. The displayed crockery here is white that adds a streamlined, contemporary twist to the British colonial style.

Rosa has to say something about her balcony. Here is what she said "this is an area which was actually a closed common balcony area as per our builder's plan but I turned it into an open area which is an extension of our dining and living rooms. It has really made a good impact and changed the look of entire apartments feel."

"Even if it’s not open I never restrained from growing plants. I have put some of my plants and this area is my husband's and mine most favourite nook in our home."

Rosa is in a mood to share more about her favourite places in her home.
"Next favourite place in the home is this sitting area. It’s called the “chai corner”, I love sipping my morning and evening tea in this place and it’s so peaceful and comfortable."

Now let's move on to the kid's room and study. Here is what Rosa shares,
"This is our study (the so-called half bedroom). We hardly kept any furniture in this room because this room belongs to the two crazy people in my family. The half of the room is for my daughter and the other half is my husband's office space. My daughter loves this room and it means the world to her. She spends most of her time in this half bedroom. Most of the things here are made by my 14-year-old niece and I gave them their rightful place because of her ardent love for my daughter."

Now before we go further let's have some coffee that is being brewed in Rosa's small and stylish coffee station.

"This is a small corner in my kitchen which I have turned into a coffee bar. Saw this on Pinterest and it had to be in my home as I love playing with chalks and that's why you will see lots of chalkboard paint done here and there in my home."

"My kitchen is a tiny place but I love to look at the brighter side of it. I feel it’s very easy to maintain and keep a small kitchen spick and span."

The master bedroom is crisp white, comfortable, relaxed and elegant that rightly define the British colonial design. All these elements bring an air of romance and sophistication to the overall design.

"Our master bedroom is kept very simple. My husband is very particular about making it clutter free and also, I was concerned about my 3-year-old daughter so I kept it minimal. Other than the bed I only have a cot and a chest of drawers in my bedroom for a storage. Picture frames with family pictures on the wall above the headboard remind us of our loved ones and we all just love looking at them."

Her guest bedroom is a place where I would love to retire for the night. It is such a soothing place with walls in white, furnishing in cheery lemon and dark toned furniture that pops against the pristine walls. I am so in love with this unusual wall decor where embroidery hoops are acting as a frame and beautiful fabric is given a place of artwork.

White, brown and lemon employing a crisp and minimal aesthetics. Traditional style infused with a contemporary style of decorating in right amount results in British colonial style and truly love how Rosa has effortlessly achieved this look.

Since I don't like to restrict myself to a particular design or decorating style so 3D is a place where you will find homes decorated in various styles from traditional to modern, ethnic Indian to British colonial, collected to simple and minimal and studio apartment to a sprawling bungalow. Hope you liked what you saw today, a completely new theme of decorating!!!

Thanks a ton Rosa for this wonderful treat to our eyes. Wish you and your family love, luck & sunshine.

Dear readers, I had committed to publish this post but now I'll take a break and will see you all in April.

Till then connect with me here.