A Feast for all your Senses

Meeting all the five Cs-colour, character, charisma, creativity and cheer, this fashion designer's home in Mangar, Haryana is a masterclass in fresh Diwali decor

- ANUPAMAA DAYAL

An escape from the congested, oxygendeprived metropolis is Kalidevi, my home in Mangar, a tiny, green jungle-village with ticking goat bells and peacocks everywhere, cocooned tight in a ring of Aravalli Mountains. It's called Kalidevi, to honour the divine feminine consciousness. We even have a cave temple for the Goddess. In fact, the forest around it is sacred; legend has it that a mystic, Gudariya Baba, entered a cave in the village and never came out. Following which villagers never allowed the trees to be touched.

Private Paradise

My home feels like a retreat. Eight years ago, I bought some land from the villagers and with absolutely no idea of architecture and set about building my house. I was inspired by insects and birds who choose prime spots to sun or escape sun, for our reading and sunning spots. My design philosophy is simple: to bring the outdoors indoors.

Hue Knew