Malaika always had her eye on this flat in Bandra, the queen of suburban Bombay. “I fell in love with this place six years ago. This is almost like a dream come true!” she exclaims. Like her husband says, it was Malaika’s ‘Catholic connections’ that got them this flat — and they moved in only a year ago.

The living-room is itself a reflection of varied influences. The centre-table, an Italian piece, was one of the first items that was bought for the home. The blue light-stand and blue upholstery were based on the colour picked up from the table. Malaika believes that the colours used in the house reflect their personalities.

“My husband and I are very laid-back. We love the beach, and that’s why there are a lot of aqua colours around the home.” Shades of blues and greens can be seen in different parts of the house.

A part of the living-room is set apart to house the dining area. The dining-table and chairs were hunted out from a tiny outlet in Jogeshwari, Bombay. “It took me three painful days to find all the pieces of the dining set,” recalls Malaika.

The chairs were sourced from a line of shops which had only a single piece each, and she had to literally hunt them out and polish them — to ensure the exquisite look they possess today.

The pots that decorate the dining area were created by Malaika herself. Always keen to learn the art, she enrolled in pottery classes and her home has become her gallery, displaying the pieces that she has so painstakingly created.