Spaces Vol 1 Is 6

- all with attached bathrooms – connected
by the family lounge.
The bedroom on the east is a haven for
those seeking the warmth of early
sunshine, assured by two bay windows
facing east and northeast. The bathroom
is also quite different because of the odd
angles of the walls. The adjoining master
bedroom has a bay window facing west
and is well furnished. A wall cabinet and
a divan complement a large double bed
with attached bedside tables. On one of
the bedside tables stands a beautiful nude
arched backwards, holding a globular
lamp. The third bedroom has two bay
windows and a wooden cabinet
displaying miniature animal figures and
other showpieces. This is the son’s room
and lokta paper lampshades enlighten it.
The ceiling in this room is high and Kewal
is mulling over plans to build a sort of
loft in the space available. When seated
on the private lounge one is treated to
the interesting sight of wooden steps
leading up to the third floor and this is
further enhanced by the big brass
hurricane lamp dangling from the ceiling.
No chandeliers in Lumanti Chen, but
then who needs one when there are such
appealing lights available? A square
Facing Page: The hurricane lamp casts a
warm glow on the first floor landing and
the private lounge.
Above: The master bedroom is elegantly
simple in its style of furnishings.
wooden mandala hangs near the second
floor landing. According to Kewal, “Most
of the wooden items are from Lalitpur
while the clay ones are from Bhaktapur.”
Sunita seems to have an affinity towards
gardening and says, “We have a gardener
coming twice a week but rest of the time
I look after it.” She also says proudly,
“At the back of the house is a small
nursery which I maintain.” The back of
the house, at two ends, also has a guest
room as well as a mandir. The couple
takes great satisfaction from a job well
done. However Kewal admits, “I am
constantly moving things around. It’s
hard to be perfectly satisfied.” One of
the reasons for his dissatisfaction stems
INTERIORS
from the fact that he has always wanted
to hang two portraits of Malla Kings on
the living room walls, but says, “Sunita
and I have visited many galleries but have
yet to find what we are looking for.”
Another reason for discontent is the
malfunctioning of the fireplace. “Can
you suggest how we can fix it?”
Well one does need a few imperfections
in real life otherwise life would be too
sickeningly perfect. Still, we must wish
them luck in their search for an artist
who will paint for them the portraits they
desire and an engineer who will make
sure that the smoke from the fireplace
does not come into the room and tarnish
their creditable efforts. S
SPACES SEP-OCT 2005 85