TOWERING LUXURY | Cut through the Mumbai clutter and buy your own piece of secluded heaven at the Ahuja Towers
Imagine relaxing in a quiet corner of your plush living room and soaking in the soothing ambience of the sea view unfolding right before you. And if you want it even bigger, then just walk up to your balcony to take in the breathtaking 270 degree view of the Arabian Sea as well as the Bandra-Worli Sea Link that majestically surrounds your viewing deck.
Breathtaking 270 degree view of the Arabian Sea as well as the Bandra-Worli Sea Link from the balcony
An absolute indulgence, Ahuja Towers in South Mumbai’s Prabhadevi area offer the promise of grandeur and space in an otherwise crammed real estate market of Mumbai.
The 53-storey skyscraper has designer apartments and limited-edition penthouses. Priced at Rs 33 crore and upwards, Ahuja Constructions has roped in leading names in construction from Singapore, New York and the UK.
A sprawling 5000 sq ft entrance lobby rises to 28 ft and shows off intricate designs and lighting. A ceiling to floor water feature lends a cooling effect to the overall ambience. If you want to book reservations for any of your meetings or vacations that are a part of your tight calendar, the in-house concierge desk at the lobby will address all your queries.
The living room captures clean views of the sea
A total of nine high-speed elevators, with four of them exclusively for residents ensure that you reach your private abode in about a minute. Privacy is a given as each floor in the towers is built with only one apartment in each wing. The living room which covers 750 sq ft gives you clean views of the sea. While the floor to ceiling height in apartments is 13 ft, it scales up to 26 ft in the limited-edition duplex apartments!
Master Bedroom
The master bedroom spread out on an area of over 590 sq ft leads to a stylish closet designed by New York based Wilson Associates.
Walk in Wardrobe designed by New York based Wilson Associates
Lending able support to the master bedroom is the well-appointed bathroom in marble and wood. You can look forward to a few quiet moments with a glass of wine in the king-size bath tub.
Master Bathroom with king-size bathtab
The dining space shows the ‘wet kitchen’ area as well as the ‘dry kitchen’ and the dining room. A range of international consultants can help you customize your kitchen. Both kitchens come with cabinets by leading German kitchen brand Poggenpohl as well as a wine cellars!
So, if you are thinking of an ideal place to invest in the country’s financial capital, you now know where you should be headed. And if a home overlooking the deep blue sea is what fascinates you the most then this place is just apt. Just take a steaming cuppa and head out to your private deck for the view you have always dreamt off. Reality is beautiful, isn’t it?
BLING TWICE | Rock the bling look in more ways than one and then wait for the compliments roll in…
The Bling Ring
If you thought you could flaunt your Swarovski only on your jewellery and watches, then you might well be living under a rock. Rock the bling look in more ways than one and then wait for the compliments roll in…
Rocker Jacket
On a freezing January night in Paris, French couturier Jean Paul Gaultier showed the world how to make Swarovski crystals multitask. His special creation, a ‘diamond rocker’ sleeveless denim jacket became the talk of the town as soon as it touched the ramp. Studded with Swarovski-crystal spikes and studs and Swarovski-crystal embroidery, the jacket can be worn over a satin dress or a skirt.
A ‘diamond rocker’ denim jacket by Jean Paul Gaultier.
Sexy Stilettos
Rather than acting as a just something you threw on, your Swarovski-studded stilettos, in all its dazzling glory, can take the centre stage. Walk tall in Christian Louboutin’s Fifi stilettos embellished with Swarovski crystals. This sinful footwear with its almond-shaped peep-toe and signature red leather sole will complete any ensemble you throw in its way.
Christian Louboutin’s Fifi stilettos embellished with Swarovski crystals. Photo by ChristianLouboutin.com
Clutch Queen
Recently in news for allegedly not paying an intern, British fashion house Alexander McQueen is known for his quirks. But, you don’t have to worry till you get to lay your hands on his famous skull-decorated super glamorous statement clutch. The real cherry on the cake are the Swarovski crystals used on the skull clasp closure. Embellished with pearls and golden beads, it might just work as skull and bone sign for your own safety.
Alexander McQueen’s skull-decorated statement clutch. Photo by AlexanderMcQueen.com
Eye Balls
Want an eye-grabbing alternative to the white kohl liners and smoky eye make-up? Well, luxury fashion brand Dior just did. During a fashion show, the make-up artists decorated models’ eyes using tiny Swarovski crystals (that were glued over a coloured base) aptly calling it ‘techno butterfly’. Maybe it’s time to be brave and add a new hue to your eyes and life.
Crystal Call
If you think iPhone’s 24k gold phone was tad cool, wait until you have seen Samsung’s limited edition Swarovski Fine Crystal Rocks studded cover for its latest Galaxy Note 3 models. Priced at about $299, you can get this cover in three colors: jet (black), silver, and a blend of crystal Bermuda blue and metallic light gold. Each case comes with a matching crystal encrusted bracelet.
Swarovski’s crystal rock studded cover for Galaxy Note 3 models. Photo by Sammobile
OLD WORLD | Explore your grandma's closet to find some rare collection of clothes and jewellery.
In a life less ordinary, a beautiful Maharani with a keen appetite for luxury and intrigue ordered gold tongue-scrapers from Van Cleef & Arpels. But that was just one fleeting detail in the extravagant life of Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda. Apart from a bold personal style and a scandalous second marriage,Maharani’s story involves the Baroda pearls (mysteriously missing several of its strands when it was auctioned at Christie’s for $39.1 million), a 34-carat pink diamond named after her son, and a whole lot family royal jewels discreetly reset in platinum. Long after her death, Sita Devi lives on in the popular imagination through the lore of her jewels.
The old splendor of the Maharajas may have lost some of its shine, but our fascination with heritage will always define our style, in fact now more than ever. So if you have caught yourself admiring a sepia photograph of your elegant grandmother (with a serrated edge and embossed gold lettering), demurely posing for a studio portrait—chances are, you are about to raid her treasure chest (or almirah).
Allow us to take you on a journey to reconnect with your family heritage while making a unique style statement. Soak in some of that serene glamour—something other than the accurate colors of the season, ombre georgettes, zari, pearl and crystal embroideries on net and silk. Something other than the carefully orchestrated and airbrushed designer looks.
Kanchipuram Silk saree depicting Raja Ravi Varma’s painting.
Most prominently, you will discover beautiful textile pieces in varying states: from the very well-preserved to the nearly decomposing. Depending on where your grandmother came from, you might find a collection of sarees: gorgeous Kanjeevarams from Tamil Nadu, delicate Jamdanis of Bengal, elegant geometric double ikats—Pochampally from Andhra Pradesh and Patola from Gujrat. Banarasi brocades with real gold and silver zari is a very special find, as would be anything with real gota patti work. If you have roots in North India, the treasure hunt may yield an exquisitely worked chikan on cotton or silk, or an intricately worked zardozi lehenga.
You can give a new lease of life to a ruined brocade or jacquard saree by getting the motifs appliqued on to a fabric to create a new style—try simple silhouettes like oversized shirts, shirt-jackets, wrap shirts or dresses.
The great thing about unstitched textiles is that they are versatile—undamaged sarees and dupattas can be used as it is (and they don’t need alteration!), while pieces which have damaged areas may be incorporated in new customised garments and accessories—in necklines and collars for Indian and Western Silhouettes, as borders for dupattas and sarees, or for small purses and handbags—since it is easy to reinforce them with a strong backing. You could also manage to cleverly manipulate the intact fabric to create a beautiful saree blouse. You can give a new lease of life to a ruined brocade by getting the motifs appliqued on to a fabric to create a new style—try simple silhouettes like oversized shirts, shirt-jackets, wrap shirts or dresses.
Kareena Kapoor in her grandmother-in-law’s lehenga. Photo by Avinash Gowariker
You might also come across some stunning bandhini and lehariya which may be updated as a dress detail or border, if damaged. Vibrant kutch embroidery with its geometric shapes and mirrors, can be incorporated as a detail or a centre-piece in a new garment or even patched on to a favourite denim jacket. The list goes on: detailed and tactile Kantha work, Kashmiri stitch, precious Parsi borders, flamboyant fulkaris and pipli, subtle kasuti—all of these can be used and added on for amazing effects. If you are lucky and the wardrobe has been regularly aired, you might find shawls. A plain pashmina shawl or a Naga shawl are easy enough to wear in any wardrobe, while the discovery of a Kani Jamawar should be treated as a special occasion. In the days of royal patronage, these were created exclusively for the aristocracy, the jacquard pattern so skillfully woven that it was impossible to tell the wrong side from the right.
Often, you may find home textile pieces. These, too may be brought back to use as home accents. However, a great way to incorporate them in your life is to get them mounted and framed. This will improve their longevity and visibility as well. The main beauty of all these finds is that the craftsmanship is so exquisite, the materials precious and handmade, and the color palettes so much more subtle and sophisticated, more inspired by nature than their present-day descendents.
Brooches can perk up many a drab and monochromatic outfit. More delicate silver pieces look fantastic with block-printed ethnic ensembles or separates.
Besides these more perishable pieces, you may also stumble upon other interesting items, such as hand-fans and book-jackets—which again will do well in home decor. Shoes are a rare find, as mostly they get worn out, but if you are lucky, you might find a ceremonial or decorative pair of jootis. While it is unlikely that any gold jewellery would be locked away waiting to be discovered, silver and gold-plated jewellery might surface. Brooches can perk up many a drab and monochromatic outfit. More delicate silver pieces look fantastic with block-printed ethnic ensembles or separates. However, chunky silver coins, amulets, armbands and cuffs can work with long and voluminous western silhouetted, creating an edgy, contemporary aesthetic.
Storage and care of these precious objects is not to be taken lightly. Just a few helpful hints:
Store away from moisture and light
Air regularly
Do not wrap in ordinary paper; use muslin or acid-free paper to avoid further damage
Use a professional cleaner that you trust; the wrong chemicals can destroy textiles instantly
Lastly, in case you have discovered a really beautiful piece which is damaged, and you are unable to use it or preserve it at home, please donate it to an interested public or private museum, so it is able to tell its tale to those who are waiting to hear it.
Oh, and about that photograph. Don’t put it up on your wall. Old photos are fragile, and must be stored away from light in archival photo sleeves. Frame a digital print and place it on your favourite wall, along with your framed pieces of heritage.
