“This quaint wedding centre—Ambaari—is located in the far end of South Bengaluru. The masonry work was 80 percent completed when we were commissioned to design the interiors for the space,” says Gayathri. “The two women running the centre were pressed for time and had a very tight budget.” An open area housed beneath a traditional sloping roof with Mangalore tiles and white walls immediately set the tone for the design, giving direction to the creative expression.
Parth Swaminathan-PHX
At the entrance, a linear lobby area is divided into two discrete seating spaces. Indian motifs underpin the design. Arches have been carved out of the walls with a bright pop of colour filling the space within. Old frames sourced from Jaipur were refurbished, to display printed fabric that reflected the theme of the centre. Decor pieces sourced from multiple places are juxtaposed to reinforce the Indian context. “A grey-and-black patterned tile was chosen to balance the colours on the walls,” says Gayathri. Textured paints and velvet fabric have been woven into the design.
The bride’s room has an antique door with carved architraves and frames sourced from Jaipur. Wooden flooring provides comfort to bare feet for those who may want to slip off their footwear. “The room is divided into two zones with a partition running along the length of the room. The first zone is for the guests of the bride, who eagerly await her arrival on her big day,” says Smrithi. Further inside, a second space provides privacy to the bride. It is equipped with a small area for makeup, a closet to hang her elaborate raiment, a full-length mirror and a regal bedhead, signifying her importance on this day. “Tones of pink and green were selected for this room along with teak finishes for the furniture.”