The quaint house named ‘Kadavil’, at Athirampuzha in Kottayam, Kerala had small rooms and congested spaces that kept away the golden sun rays and the cool breeze. However, now it has been transformed into a modern and chic ‘beauty’ that exudes charm. The stuffy rooms got replaced with vast and airy areas that instantly allures anyone who enters them. Jithin, the owner of the house, speaks about the splendid transformation of their beloved tharavad or ancestral home.
The old house was a regular structure that had a simple dining area, kitchen and four small bedrooms. The structure that was built in the olden style had lots of unused spaces like small corridors and corners. These complex structure in fact blocked air circulation and the rooms were darker too. Besides, the family members were bothered by pests and insects that happily made the old roof of the house, their home.
“The structure of our ancestral home was more than 125 years old. Around five decades ago, the kitchen was cement proofed as part of a renovation. We were worried whether such a massive makeover was possible for a grand old structure like this. However, interior designer Austin whom we approached for the makeover was confident. The structure has been renovated by retaining the foundation. Meanwhile, over 70% of the walls were dismantled. Earlier, the house faced the east; now it faces north. The old house had an area of 1950 sqft. A sit out, green area and balcony have been newly added. Now, the new house has an extended area of 2450 sqft,” Jithin explains.
The old dining area has been transformed into a spacious sit out. Meanwhile, a beautiful green area, that is the highlight of the house, replaced the old car porch. Instead of the regular wall, this area has a glass wall. Even though there were four bedrooms in the old house, one of them was useless. There wasn’t any privacy there as the room had four doors. Besides, the other areas in the old fashioned house were mainly accessed through this room. Moreover, the family members could no longer enjoy the congested spaces that didn’t have air circulation or natural light. All these bedrooms were completely dismantled. Two spacious bedrooms have been newly built in the place of the three old bedrooms. Now, the master bedroom alone is more than 400 sqft in area, making it one of the most spacious areas in the house.
A green area and a separate dressing space has been arranged in this bedroom. This bedroom is bath attached and has all the modern facilities too. The old sit out is now the elegantly furnished formal living area. Besides, additional bedrooms too have been newly added to the renovated structure. The old ceiling sheet got replaced with truss work that is paved with roofing tiles. Meanwhile, the gypsum false ceiling inside has the perfect concrete finish.
There are four bedrooms in the new house. Three are bath attached. A common wash room, kitchen with an adjacent work area, living area, sit out, green area and a prayer area too have been arranged in the new house. Every inch of space in this smartly renovated house has been wisely utilised. Now, the areas are vaster and have a pleasant ambience too.
400 sqft has been added to the existing structure to make it vaster and space efficient. One bedroom has a separate balcony and a small green area too. Meanwhile, the kitchen has been divided into main and working kitchens. The modular kitchen and the row of cupboards make it the perfect modern kitchen.
The interiors of the house have been designed giving prominence to the theme of antique metal. The French model steel windows, wooden slim tiles, cladding tiles and the warm toned lighting enhances the elegance of this theme. The wiring works in the entire house has been replaced to ensure safety and quality. Besides, around 30% of the furniture is reused. The old timber ceiling is retained in the dining area, making it a special reminder of the past. Meanwhile, the old wooden cupboard was cut into two pieces. Interestingly, slabs of these timber have been reused as table tops in the dining area and the living area.
The plot is filled with lots of trees, shrubs and flowering plants. Sitting spaces are arranged beneath the trees where the family can enjoy some quite moments. Tandoor stones have been paved on the front yard that has area of around 1500 sqft. Around Rs 40 lakh was spent to renovate the house and to redecorate the front yard.
