Actress and fashion icon Sonam Kapoor exudes a candor that is astute and relentless. Her newly built house in Mumbai, designed by ADVERTISEMENT100 designer Kavita Singh is a reflection of this unabashed openness. The 7,500-square-foot space displays an ever-present appreciation of Indian craftsmanship and cultural heritage, adorned with Zardozi embroidery, Rajasthani jalisTanjore paintings, curated furniture and an archive of carefully collected possessions. Here, Sonam shares her five favourite things.
Jamawar Scarf
This rarity also includes a precious Jamawar shawl that adorns the living room sofa, which is covered with Mughal Zardozi cushions. The Jamawar, a gift from her mother, has sentimental value for Kapoor. “It is the ultimate luxury,” she says. The exquisite and enchanting pattern of the handwoven shawl camouflages itself amidst the Tanjore paintings and frescoed walls of Jaipur-based artist Vikas Soni. This Kashmiri marvel is made on special looms using natural dyes. “I use it as a throw and sometimes when I am cold, I take it and wrap it around me,” says Kapoor.
Badri Narayan paintings
A masterful jewel in this repertoire of precious objects, the Badri Narayan painting in Kapoor’s house is a collector’s dream. A gift from her father-in-law, it sits symmetrically against a patterned frescoed wall. The allegorical and mythical lore painted by the modernist Badri Narayan provides the perfect backdrop for the artful maximalism of Indian craftsmanship and culture. “It is very unusual to find such a large work by him and I am very lucky to own one of these,” Kapoor quotes modestly.
Silver Balti (Bucket)
Discover an unusual transformation of Chandi (Silver) in this maximalist oasis. A silver bucket that Kapoor received as a gift from her masi (mother’s sister), this unusual transformation of the precious metal finds a practical purpose in the home. It is tailored to this non-traditional collector’s item and gives the home a completely new use. “I use it as a vase in the house,” she says. Complemented by a selection of other silver objects and artifacts, balti is a discreet corner piece on the bar counter top.
Naga wood panels
