Even before the house was planned, Mrudula Alla had compiled what she calls her wish file, a folder of designs and décor ideas, of what her future home should look like. It all went into creating the dream home she shares with her husband, mother-in-law, three sons and their dog. The 7000-sq.ft home was built around five years ago, and Mrudula worked closely with architect Sudhir Reddy to create a space that was roomy and stylish and at the same time warm and inviting.
A strong emphasis on nature is evident everywhere. Huge boulders originally on the plot were incorporated into the landscaping, and every room has balconies, sit-outs and great views of the greenery outside.
The ground floor, besides a bedroom, has sitting rooms, dining room and an open kitchen/bar, all flowing one into the other, the idea being to create a large space for entertaining. Ceiling-to-floor glass sliding doors wrap the garden side, from where lawns, flowering trees, and a massive koi pond can be seen. A stark wooden staircase leads to the first floor with its four bedrooms and den. There's also a gym right on top.
Local stone like Tandur and Kadappa are used throughout, while the koi pond is lined with slate. Old wood was used for cabinets, cupboards, windows and doors. The home is full of practical and yet elegant details, such as wooden louvered doors for cross-ventilation.
The interiors complement the home. A NIFT graduate, Mrudula has collected bhajan lamps and intricately carved wooden panels from Godavari, and old cast-iron gas lamps from Charminar. Animal hides and dowry boxes from South Africa share space with painted plates from Morocco and quirky furniture from Thailand and Bali.
A colourful Afghan jacket is framed against a bare grey wall, while a wooden sofa is upholstered in bright red leather. Moroccan lights are strung from one tree, while glass-bead parrots hang from another. The walls are adorned with Ramesh Gorjala and Laxma Goud.
Ask Mrudula what her favourite part of the house is, and she says it's the little sit-out overlooking the koi pond. She loves to sit there, sipping tea and watching the colourful fish.
Location: Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
Owner: Mrudula and Rajesh Alla
Architect: Sudhir Reddy, Kruthica Designs
