[Homes We Love] Turning Homes Into Galleries: Husain Akbar & Smita Singhal
When a globe-trotting cinematographer and a Le Cordon Bleu-trained baker who also runs a company that specialises in water recovery systems, set up home together, the results are bound to be out of this world. From framed street art from markets around the world to postcards that are over a 100 years old and artworks that are a class apart, the walls of Husain Akbar and Smita Singhal’s south Delhi home are a stunning gallery. Take a look to see how they’ve turned their home into a gallery!
Space 1
Lush, tropical forest scenes with colourful flowers, yellow-beaked toucans and other birds and moss green foliage make a statement against a muted wall. Painted by Smita’s mother, they’ve travelled with her every time she has moved and hold personal meaning for her.
Space 2
The cheery yellow sofa in the living room has a bright print hanging above it. Bought at a night market when Husain was in Rio de Janeiro, shooting for the hit show, Fear Factor, it depicts the city’s iconic favelas. Its striking colours and geometric abstraction make it a great conversation starter.
Space 3
The old Japanese-made clock used to belong to Smita’s mum when she lived in Chennai many years ago. Restored in the small lanes of Chandni Chowk, it finds a place next to a collection of masks that have been acquired over the years during travels from around the globe.
Space 4
The bedroom has a beautiful painting of flowers by Smita’s aunt right next to a framed photo of Husain and Smita’s wedding day. The passageway has been turned into a gallery with framed sketches and street art from around the world, one of them being over 100 years old, originally bought by Husain’s grandfather. Having his work hanging next to the art purchased by his grandfather makes Husain feels rather proud. When it comes to prints, street art and more, Husain feels they are an organic connection to the places that he has visited. Their son’s room has a framed map of the world and a sketch of London, while their daughter’s nursery has six framed postcards gifted to Smita by her grandfather when she was 13 years old.
Space 5
The cosy home also has Husain’s beautiful photographs hanging on its walls. From panorama photographs of a glacier in Patagonia and a view from the top of Rio to the Colosseum, his favourite travel memories find a place in his abode. A great photographer, Husain has been nudged time and again by family and friends to hold an exhibition of his works. The gallery he has created at home with his photographs is a small way of doing it.
How can you design your home?
Whether you have objects, street art or limited edition art prints, there are numerous ways in which you can turn your walls into a gallery in ways that are incredibly meaningful to you. What are the ways in which you have combined meaningful objects with art in your home? Share your tips with us.
