CREATIVE INSTINCTS

Artist Surbhi Modi gives a tour of her winter-ready Delhi farmhouse, where art, craft and colour come together to inhabit endless nooks, corners, shelves and tables

Asunny road dressed with dust and dry shrubs with that odd cow or dog walking on it leads you to the Modi House. Located in the heart of south Delhi, it is home to artist Surbhi Modi. The large doors open to reveal a verdant vista, where concrete and glass, found in equal measure, give shape and form to the farmhouse. Step inside and you find art in every nook and corner, some by Modi, some by greats such as MF Hussain and Paresh Maity. With a keen eye for design, Modi’s home is always ready for the season. “There is a definite difference in the colour palette of furnishings in the summer and winter. I am constantly fighting routine and boredom and take pleasure in moving things around,” says Modi. She also entertains a lot. “I love hosting friends and family. In winter, food is richer and the palettes are darker. I like the idea of large sculptural pieces, often my own sculptures and objects, mixed with other pieces from our collection to form an installation on the table,” says Modi, adding, “In our personal space, darker tone, heavier fabrics such as velvets, silks and voiles for our bedspreads and cushions help celebrate this happy seasonal transition.”

The house was constructed in 2004 and renovated in 2014 with Modi overseeing the design. The idea was to have the public areas upfront and most of the private areas tucked away. So, the ground floor hosts the public areas which also happen to be where most of the natural light