Aparna Karve's work at a young couple's home
Design has gradually, but definitely, crept into our everyday lives. And this is certainly a good time for young couples setting up home in different metros to find innovative and cost-effective ways of doing up their space.

A Clutter-Free Approach
Go for contemporary and minimalist designs. These are fuss-free, easier to maintain and definitely lighter on the budget than the more elaborate and ornate styles of yesteryears. A clean design line has a calming influence after a hard day at work. A 'less is more' approach, if used well, can result in an elegant, stylised interior. Try these 'use-what-you-have' designs for each of your rooms.

Living Room
• Paint any drab old chair or coffee table in the colour scheme you have going with either a repetitive motif or a collage of different material and use it to form an interesting piece in your living room. Practically no expense!
• A three-seater sofa in a neutral shade, comfortable and not too bulky, always works. We have a wide variety to choose from nowadays, ranging from the cheaper imported sofas, which are well finished, to those that be can be upholstered right from faux leather finish to hand-woven weaves. Upholstered sofas can cost anything from Rs 12,000 upwards. One can also use two different single seaters with a three seater and upholster them in a complimentary fabric.
• A coffee table with an interesting base made of an old wooden trunk or glass bricks costing about Rs 100 each and piled up on either side with a nice bevelled edge glass counter would cost approximately Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 depending on the size. Peg tables can be found in many styles and sizes. Many home decor stores have a fairly good variety of knick-knacks, accessories, curtain rods and bathroom accessories (metallic and ceramic) etc.
• Glass bricks can also be used to make a semi partition between the living and dining. It's a material which can be used very easily, is very strong and looks dramatic. A one-and-a-half metre high partition, four bricks wide, is perfect and fairly affordable. This would cost approximately Rs 4,500, including labour.
• A nice carpet, a dhurrie thrown in, a floor lamp against glass bricks, a tall cabinet and a few handmade paper lamps and lo and behold... we have our living room. And let's not forget the walls! The more enthusiastic can try doing a single wall in some sort of texture. You can pack some punch in your interior schemes with colours, textures or wallpaper, exciting paint finishes with sponging, rag rolling or stippling, all fairly easily achieved and extremely economical. The rooms in the sets of 'Dil Chahta Hai' is a prime example of how colours can alter a boring space into an exciting vibrant interior. Depending on the skill and style you choose, you pay anything from Rs 10 to Rs 65 per square foot.

Dining Room
An extension of your kitchen space, this is where you eat and meet. Don't bother getting elaborate with this space.
• Use a basic table with a glass top dining table.
• For chairs, pick out colours for the upholstery from food items, eg, lemon yellow, watermelon red or orange.
• Use the food theme to select pictures for this room.
• Use a low lamp, which throws a cone of light on the table to create a cosy venue for candlelight dinners. Candles and flowers can be placed on the table to add to the mood.

Bedroom
This should be a calmer and more restive domain.
• A camphor chest or even an old tin trunk collaged with favourite pictures at the foot of the bed can add a nice touch besides offering precious space to keep extra pillows, covers, etc.
• A little study table with a bunch of family photos framed in different frames, textures and colours can make a really cosy nook.
• Another interesting detail for a bedroom window could be the using of old sarees and making them into Roman blinds and matching the bed cushions in similar colours. The same could be used to make any interesting nook in the house.

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