There is this strange scenario in Kerala that’s been consistent over the years. Usually, Malayalis build a house only after their 30s. That’s when most of them even start thinking of having a house of their own. But this brother-sister duo from Chengannur would be an exception to this rule. Jensen and his sister Rincy have a different story to tell.
They always aspired to renovate their old house. But some things aren’t always meant to be. When Jensen was all set to fly to Dubai for his new job, he was met with an accident and was bedridden for months. So he dumped his Dubai dreams and started a paint shop in town. Thankfully, that went well. When his sister Rincy got a nursing job in the UK, they decided to give their old dream a thought.
They built this new house keeping an eye on the budget. They wanted a large courtyard surrounded by greenery. Not only did that manifest but they also planted a charming Bonsai tree right in the middle of the courtyard topped with a glass ceiling. In the future, they might open up this space.
The elevation is done in a contemporary block style. The L-shaped sitting area has brick and natural stone cladding on both sides. On the ground floor, there is a sit-out, formal living, family living, courtyard, dining, kitchen and work area. There is a bedroom and open terrace on the first floor. It all comes under 2200 sq ft.
You enter into the formal living area. Since they have opted for a semi-open style for the interiors, it looks very spacious. The design is such that natural light streams freely inside. That also means you don’t need artificial lights during the day. Note how much you can save on your electricity bill. From the dining room, you enter into a small patio that has a beautifully done pond and fountain.
The kitchen has been done in aluminium. The panel is made of aluminium by electroplating. That makes it water-resistant and budget-friendly. The counter is made of granite. Don’t miss their swanky multi-purpose sink, which is easily the star of the kitchen. Apparently, they got the idea from Instagram.
They have highlighted a concrete texture on the side wall of the stairs. As you open the window on the first landing of the staircase, it leads to a small balcony. The open terrace has been structured in such a way that it can be turned into two more rooms if needed in the future.
The cost including structure, furnishing, and landscaping is Rs 65 lakh.
