Bathroom Special
Those who say lavish bathrooms languish behind gilded doors clearly haven’t stopped by the Ansals Delhi farmhouse. Verdant vistas, luxe living spaces and an intelligent design make this home a class apart.
LUXE LIVING
From bespoke bathrooms to ingenious inlay work—a tour of Raseel Gujral Ansal and Naveen Ansal's lavish farmhouse in Delhi
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As experiences go, soaking in a beautifully crafted tub with lukewarm water that like the memory foam in your mattress takes the form on your body as you watch the dew collect on the leaves of plants outside, effortlessly tops the list of all-time favourite dream baths. Stepping into interior designer and founder of Casa Paradox, Raseel Gujral Ansal’s master bathroom is a lot like finding the luminous diamond that emerges from the pleated folds of the earth. It’s definitely worth the wait (you have to wade through treacherous city traffic to reach here) and is easily the jewel in the crown of her Chaand Bagh farmhouse in Delhi. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows, a large vanity, a shower cubicle decorated with inlay, bright green chairs, jaali work and a pink chest of drawers, it has all the ingredients a woman needs to primp, preen and unwind in style (and perhaps never leave it). But it’s not the only master bath. There’s another one for her husband Naveen Ansal, which is more masculine, fuss-and-tub-free, with large mirrors and windows. “While my bath is serene and calm, Naveen’s reflects his style—classic with a contemporary twist,” explains Raseel. Much like the master baths, her home is a reflection of the couple’s love for design, attention to detail and is the right
mix of utility and luxury.
MIXED BAG OF INSPIRATIONS
The layout of the home is linear, which means that it is more flat than square; and is divided into the right and left wings,” says Raseel. Spread over two floors it accommodates bedrooms, a common family room and living room, dining, morning room, home office, TV room, and formal drawing room. The guest rooms are at the back separated from the main section by a lawn and a pool. “Our home had to be reflective of the influences that move both of us. I had three monkeys on my shoulder—Mughal, colonial and contemporary. Which is why Chaand Bagh has a beautiful and unique architectural vocabulary,” says Raseel. So, there are five domes (inspired by the domes in Lodi Garden in Delhi) spread across the home. Three in the front and two at the back, in which lie areas such as the entrance foyer, morning room and dining area. The colonial columns can be found in the rear verandahs; and arches can be found across the length and breadth of the home starting from the foyer. The floating roofs give the home a contemporary vibe,
The entrance sets the tone for the home. It is situated under a dome, framed by arches and decorated with inlay work (right); the formal living room (below)
while the jaalis borrowed from Mughal architecture can be found in the facade and the areas where home opens outwards. Adding to the old world charm are the 15 feet high ceilings, while the large unique fans give it a modern appeal.
LABOUR OF LOVE
Almost as interesting as the interiors is the name of the farmhouse. Called Chaand Bagh because when Raseel was designing the space everything was white like the moon and moonlight has a beautiful, soft and romantic feel to it, which aptly describes the home. Adding to the romance and design are inlays that be found everywhere. “We have karigars from Agra who have been sitting in our workshop for years. The idea is to get the same level of finesse to make it heirloom worthy,” she says. Raseel specialises in inlay and has been using it from the beginning of her career, even when it was not a very popular medium. “My father (artist Satish Gujral) once said, a bird shapes its nest from its body. Similarly, a building a should be shaped around the people in it,” says Raseel, who has followed this advice to the tee here.