'Traditional or modern?': Charming Chennai flat mixes old and new styles

As a migratory wife, Pramila Gupta has perfected the art of setting up home. So much so, she is working towards becoming a full-time product stylist. A PhD scholar in Organic Chemistry, she refers to herself as a rookie in the world of home decor. “I couldn’t resist following my passion,” she says.

The self-taught product stylist is known for her budget-friendly home makeovers and DIY experiments with sustainable/upcycled décor. The most recent example is a kiddie canopy tent, fashioned out of old sarees. “It garnered 1.6 million views – a first for me; it will always remain special,” adds Pramila.

“I’ve never taken a design professional’s help; it gives me an excellent opportunity to personalize my home according to my taste and family’s needs,” says the mother of two. She spends every second of her free time on weeknights and Sundays to create the colourful compositions that define Instagram grid. “But I feel gratified at the end of the day,” concludes the Chennai-based décor enthusiast.

(Pramila Gupta is a self-taught product stylist who lives in Chennai with her family of four. Find her on Instagram @colour.window)

The foyer sets the tone for the home’s contemporary-traditional style.

#MyHomeMyStyle Pramila Gupta

The living room draws on elements of the cottagecore aesthetic with floral prints, chunky knits and sustainable weaves.

#MyHomeMyStyle Pramila Gupta

Pramila’s love for yellow is evident across her home. “I keep experimenting with it in various décor settings,” she says.

#MyHomeMyStyle Pramila Gupta

Watch Pramila’s viral IG Reel, featuring the making of a kiddie canopy tent from an old saree.

A view of the dining area with a gallery wall in passageway.

#MyHomeMyStyle Pramila Gupta

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Episode 1: #MyHomeMyStyle: 'Our home revolves around our cats'

Episode 2: #MyHomeMyStyle: ‘Where our friends and family can feel at home’

Episode 3: 'Someday my own home will have a huge balcony where I can grow vegetables'

Episode 4: 'From a small village in Jharkhand to big city life in Mumbai'

Episode 5: ‘When home meets nature, it is anything but boring!’

Episode 6: 'My balcony garden is where we are spending most of our time.'

Episode 7: 'We weren't looking for a pretty apartment. We were looking for an empty canvas to paint.'

Episode 8: ‘The lockdown let us spend a lot of time at our small place, which is made with love and positive vibes’

Episode 9: 'My typical day during lockdown is quite engaging. I have started to revisit many of my old hobbies'

Episode 10: 'One thing you can’t miss is our love for the colour blue in right doses and our love for plants.'

Episode 11: 'Lived around the world; but there's no place like home!'

Episode 12: 'I enjoy mixing and matching & introducing a sudden pop of colour.'

Episode 13: 'We tend to change things up quite often so the layout is different every month'

Episode 14: 'I have created a minimalist country style with ethnic influences'

Episode 15: 'A home is never truly complete. There is so much that inspires me to create new spaces'

Episode 16: 'We renovated the home interiors ourselves. In lockdown, I have been making the best of leftover material'

Episode 17: 'I go with natural instinct; I prefer artistic, economical home decor'

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As we spend more time at home, and put more effort into cleaning, fixing, rearranging and organising your home space, we ask our readers to share pictures of their beautiful home with us, in a new series called #MyHomeMyStyle.