Deena and Arun Balan’s eclectic and chic home in Bengaluru

Repurposed elements and heirloom pieces are at the heart of this home, which is a beautiful blend of striking patterns, textures and finishes

If there was an entryway that offered a glimpse of the homeowners’ lives, the one to Deena and Arun Balan’s expansive home in Bengaluru would be it. Leashes, water bowls and pint-sized shoes all propped on and around an antique unit, with artwork along the length of a yellow coloured wall, tells the story of a happy home and its many quirks.
 

Most mornings, Arun and Deena head out to work together. While Arun is one half of Balan and Nambisan Architects, Deena is an interior stylist who has recently launched her own design consultancy called Chairs and Company. Whether it’s whipping up a quick meal, spending time with Noah, catching up on work or entertaining their friends, the couple spends most of their time in this beautifully planned space that moves effortlessly from one function to another.

Tall ceilings, eclectic flooring and unique paint finishes tie all the spaces together. Each section of this living arrangement works beautifully on its own and as a part of the larger scheme. Upcycling is at the heart of their home. Whether it is Sri Lankan fire wood chips used as flooring in the living room, the dining table top salvaged from a fallen tree, bed backs fashioned from an old bed, heirloom pieces of furniture repurposed to fit into this more contemporary setup or an old table fashioned as a basin counter in the guest bathroom, the duo have consciously worked towards using less of the new and making most of what they had.

It’s a home that’s well lived and much loved, with room for everything they cherish, from her eclectic Goan heirlooms to his earthy Kerala style, it indeed is a home we would have loved to call our own.