Cheat's guide to a luxurious home

You may not be a king, but that shouldn't stop you from giving your home a regal touch. Anjana Vaswani spots 10 ways to transform your home into a palace, for less than half a fortune

You may not be a king, but that shouldn't stop you from giving your home a regal touch. Anjana Vaswani spots 10 ways to transform your home into a palace, for less than half a fortune

Velvet upholostry
Voila, old wine in a new bottle! Velvet upholstery can be used effectively to dress up classic furniture.
How much: The fabric on this arm-chair is priced at Rs 2,850 per metre and for a chair like this, you would need about 1.5 metres (Rs 4,275).
Where: Pride, 7 Dharam Palace, Hughes Road.
Call: 9967372550 / 23683991

Velvet cushions
Velvet is associated closely with the Victorian era, so rest assured the use of the fabric will only add richness to your abode. Incorporate cushions or throws in velvet to give an instant face-lift to your home.
How much: Rs 350 per piece in varied colours.
Where: Anokhi, Rasik Niwas, Dr A R Rangekar Marg.
Call: 23685761;
Govindham, Waterfield Road, Bandra (W).
Call: 26408261

Plush wall-to-wall carpeting lends a luxurious vibe akin to marble, and is both, cheaper and easier to manage.
How much: Rs 210 and Rs 275 per square foot.
Where: Pride.

Antiques
Genuine and replica antiques can fit into any budget if you know the right place to shop.
How much: This wooden candle-stand, crafted out of an antique bedpost is priced at Rs 1,500.
Where: Arbee International, 93/93 A Khara Tank Road, Chor Bazaar.
Call: 9322236525

Chandeliers
Chandeliers don't have to cost the earth and you can create the illusion of wealth by using smaller versions that are also more practical for lower ceilings.
How much: This brass and crystal chandelier is priced at Rs 1,850.
Where: Cool Light, 12, Lohar Chawl, Lalsingh Mansingh Building.
Call: 22063383 / 39567185

Brocade cushions
Brocade cushions infuse an air of opulence into the room's decor, when teamed with a monotonous couch or armchair.
How much: Rs 399 for a pair of small-sized cushions and Rs 599 for a pair of medium-sized cushions.
Where: Dreams Home Furnishing Studio, 303, Lamington Road.
Call: 23855252

Antique-finish statues
These will lend your home a touch of luxury.
How much: Cast in powdered-marble, the price range starts at Rs 2,500 for medium pieces. Larger forms like the statue of the lady cost Rs 4,000.
Where: 78-A Mutton Street, Chor Bazaar.
Call: 23469167

Ethnic pots
Introduce an ethnic flavour by placing large pots in one of the nooks of your living room. You can paint it gold or embellish it with mirror-work if you prefer bling.
How much: Rs 2,865 and Rs 3,865, depending on size.
Where: Mora Taraa, 6, Mani Mansion, Pedder Road.
Call: 65754822 / 9820139284

Tassel tie-ups
These are available in a variety of styles, colours and fabrics, and the experimental lot can even drape these around the necks of earthen pots for understated elegance.
How much: Pearl-and-bead tie-ups are priced from Rs 250 to Rs 350, depending on length.
Where: Pride.

Marble tiles
Nothing spells luxury like Italian marble. But Italian marble-finish tiles are as good as the real thing. "They're in fact better, since they're easy to replace and maintenance," the store-owner assured us.
How much: 18" by 12" tilesu00a0 like these will set you back just Rs 48 per square foot.
Where: Ceramic Centre, 284/296 Jodiya Arcade, Shop No. 3, Below Sopariwala hall, M. A. Road.
Call: 23800484 / 23880483

Use colours like white, turn a grinding stone into a TV stand

Minal Parekh, Product Development Manager at Yamini offers tips on how to live likeu00a0 royalty, without spending like one
>>Your living room can be made to look luxurious by using two layers of curtains. Create a refined look by using sheers in shades of white, gold or silver or fabrics with hand-block printed designs, backed by thick cotton or polyester curtains.
>>Be generous with colours like white,
off-white and beige in your selection of soft furnishings, as these colours lend elegance.
>>Use fabrics like chenille, velvet, linen or silks on cushions.
>>Mirrors in hallway passages or in nooks and corners will make your rooms look bigger.
>>Stock fragrant candles and hand-made skin products in your bathroom.
>>Vases in ceramic, glass or wood can be decorated with dry flowers so you don't have to keep spending on fresh flowers regularly.
>>Polishing old furniture in dark tones like Venge would imbue them with the charm of antiques.
>>Accessories like wine holders, candle stands, coordinated napkin rings, coasters and platters also spell affluence.

Suggestion of Interior Designer

Clyde Rocky Crasto, Interior Designer
>>Place a carpet or durree under a chest of drawers or a centre table for a splash of elegance.
>>Position a large earthen pot near a barren wall with long bamboos or artificial flowers inside.
>>Turn an an old grinding stone into a television stand.
>>Throw a bed-sheet or shawl over a sofa for a touch of sophistication.