For some, their home is akin to a private sanctuary while for some others, it could be a place to showcase their aesthetic taste. Our homes are an extension of our personality & as Priya Jain, Interior Designer (Inside Job) suggests, its’ best to prioritize your personal preferences instead of getting carried away by market trends. In this story we have covered some tips and suggestions regarding the various aspects of doing up one’s home in Goa.
It is important to design one’s home keeping in mind the climatic factors of the region which will ensure that the designs last through all seasons. In Goa, we primarily have two seasons – the monsoons when everything feels damp & the summers when humidity is at its’ peak. The friendly winters come with no strings attached to make lives happy.
Tips for A Monsoon Friendly Décor:
~Monsoons and heavy rugs / carpets don’t go well together; carpets become damp and often smelly. It’s best to roll these up a week or so before the monsoons or use ones which are made of light fabric and can be washed & dried easily. The same applies to curtains & drapes; it’s best to replace thick curtains with light, airy & quick – dry ones.
~Tiny changes in the interiors, like a bright colored vase or floral drapes or a bright colored wall will lift the mood up. Colorful & bright bed / bath linen adds a cheerful vibe to the home ambience.
~To get rid of the damp smell, light up scented candles or incense sticks.
Tips for A Summer Friendly Décor:
~In summers, opt for dark curtains which can block the harsh sunlight out; the mantra for summer interior décor should be minimalism paired with everything which is light yet bright in color. Use pastel colors for walls and avoid the dark colors as they absorb the heat easily.
~Go for light colored bed linen & upholstery to give your rooms a bright, summery vibe.
~Turn off lights & bulbs when not in use, as they generate heat adding to the already high temperature.
Light up your home
Lighting is a crucial aspect of designing, interior or exterior as it enhances the aesthetic appeal and creates the mood & ambience of a space. Selection of the right lighting fixtures can facilitate a balance between style, comfort & practicality in creating aesthetically beautiful yet functional interiors. Lighting can be implemented in a variety of ways: accent lighting is used for highlighting artifacts or paintings; much of the lighting in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens is task lighting which facilitates ease of carrying out various tasks; mood lighting is used to create a certain ambience whether relaxing or invigorating. Lighting fixtures can be bought from a range of places in Goa:
~There are multiple shops in Goa, which specialize in lights for regular and decorative purposes, branded and nonbranded. These include, Havells Galaxy in Fatorda, Daud Electricals in Panjim, Finishing Touch in Panjim, Kamaxi Electricals in Ponda, to name a few.
~Online shopping portals like Amazon, Flipkart, Urbanladder, etc., offer a range of lighting fixtures for all purposes and budgets.
~Antique stores spread throughout Goa, serve as a good spot to search for lamps & lights from a bygone era. Some places to visit for good deals on antique lights will include Sunshine Chandelier House in Margao, Wood Style in Parra, & Casa Goa in Baga.
~Gone are the days of boring lightings; its’ time to get quirky and experiment with all sorts of contemporary designs. Sotohaus in Candolim offers creative lamps made using natural materials; night & flea markets are good places to look for trendy lanterns and art lights. Unique lamp shades are also available at FabIndia stores across the state. Fusion Access is another go to option for chic lamps.
~The do it yourself trend is on the rise and you can create fun, decorative lights on your own using new and waste products like drink bottles. Check out the various DIY channels on YouTube and you will be ready to go.
Essential Paraphernalia required for doing home interiors in a Goan style
Doing up home interiors requires looking after multiple aspects. Priya Jain, Interior Designer (Inside Job) emphasizes on the importance of construction and interior planning going on simultaneously, as it will ensure that the end result is as per the interior layout and within stipulated budget / time frame. She also suggests sticking to the budget and stresses the importance of having one in the first place.
Goan Furniture
Intricately carved Goan furniture, which is usually made of teak wood, lends an exotic charm to the interior décor of a house. There is an abundance of shops ready to sell you a piece of furniture which reflects the Indo – Portuguese influence. The innumerable antique & furniture stores which are present right from Margao to Colva and on the highway till Mapusa, are perfect for the furniture lover looking for great deals. For interior décor which is distinctively appealing, Sotohaus in Candolim is a go – to place as they specialize in uniquely designed, custom – made furniture. Rust in Bardez also offers customized furniture and focuses on furniture which is contemporary but inspired by colonial & classical reproductions. The Treasure (Arossim) & Saudades (Bardez), are some other options in the north. For those in the south, the House of Treasure in Majorda offers authentic Goan furniture options. Around the first half of December, there is a furniture flea market spread around Margao (Fatorda) and is a must visit for furniture hunters looking for Goan furniture.
Tiles Used in Goan Homes
Tiles are a unique feature of Goan houses and you can use an assortment of tiles to add the local flavor to any or all areas of your home. There are a number of ways to use these tiles, for instance you can use them for decorative purposes, highlight one section of the seating area, put them up on the wall or even use them as name plates. Some places where you can find Goan tiles are: Azulejos de Goa and De Goa Ceramics in Panjim, Bharat Floorings and Tiles in Porvorim, Turi Azulejos & Hand Painted Ceramics in Bicholim, Interdesign (Margao) and Velha Goa (Panjim).
Furnishings & Home Décor
Goa has finally caught up with the big cities, in terms of the options available here to satisfy one’s home décor needs. The big stores like Oona (Panjim & Margao) & CMM Arena also allow online purchases. Then there are options like Adore (Porvorim), Boa Casa, Barefoot The Home Store, White Brick Wall & Tarini in Panjim, which will serve all home furnishing and décor needs right from bed & bath linen to lifestyle products to statement décor pieces. Visit places like Marcou Artifacts (Fountainhas), Heirlooms (Panjim), Paperboat (Sangolda), for a mix of rustic old world and chic contemporary interior décor products.
Jazz up your home exteriors
Choosing the right exterior design for your home is an important undertaking. Here are some suggestions to brighten up your home exteriors:
~Landscaping is vital in ensuring that you can go use the space outside your house in the best possible way. Use small or medium bushes over large trees, because these don’t overpower the walkway. Landscape lighting and well laid out gravel path for instance can make walking outdoors a pleasure even in dark.
~Exterior color is often determined by the area we live in. A good strategy is to opt for an overall neutral color and use bright accents for the front door or a particular window.
~Plants and shrubs should be primarily selected according to the weather conditions.
~Create a hip outdoor seating space in your garden, terrace or driveway, especially now that the Goan winter months which are pleasant throughout the day are setting in.
~You can experiment with a statement statue to highlight your garden or in the driveway. Landscaping also extends to making the right selection of plants, trees, flowers, etc. in accentuating your home interiors.
~Indoor & Outdoor swimming pools are much in demand and a lot of thought needs to go into its placement, depth, maintenance, color of tiles, and the like. A swimming pool heightens the luxury quotient of your home, and you can create a vibrant poolside seating by the pool to relax and entertain guests.
~Some landscaping firms to reach out to for expert help are Mr. Farmer (Margao & Panjim), who carry out landscaping for hotels & residential spaces. Daniel D’souza who introduced the art of Bonsai in Goa, has been designing commercial & residential spaces for more than 20 years and can be contacted via his website.
