Snuggle into bed with Bob Dylan

Soda, a home decor and accessories label puts back the fizz into your home with some film and music royalty

Though Jim, John, Paul, and Che have probably been done to death on the cushions circuit, what will catch your eye as you enter Sai Sangeet Pahliwal's studio in Cox Town where she works on her label Soda, are some other well known faces and not so known ones.

There's Audrey Hepburn staring back at you from a colourful pink cushion, Jimi Hendrix giving her company from a rainbow background, Madhubala smiling coyly from a coaster while Marilyn Monroe makes an appearance on a silk and gota bag.



Another unidentified lady donned in full regalia strikes a pose on a bag. "She is the dancing girl of Lahore and I did a series on her as part of my Soda Incarnate collection", says Paliwal.

Her brand, Soda a home decor and accessories label can well be described as ethnic meets Hollywood, Bollywood chic and some royalty thrown in for good measure. Soda makes cushions covers in various sizes along with bolster covers, bed spreads, bags, belts, coasters, clocks and lamps among others.

Unbottling Soda
Describing her style as "Couture Decor", Pahliwal, who is originally from Delhi but now settled in Bangalore, first stumbled across her calling when she was looking for accessories for her own home back in 2003. "When I wanted to do up my house I had run from pillar to post in search of funky decor.
u00a0
There was no one place that would cater to my needs", says Paliwal, a fashion design alumnus of NIFT Bangalore. She then decided to create a one stop shop for home decor reflecting her film buff bent teamed with her formal training.

She launched Soda in March 2007, and slowly started making her label's presence felt by participating in flea nights and bazaars.u00a0 Paliwal's products are inspired by whatever catches her fancy, from a little coin or an interesting fabric or even a famous line from a film around which she plans an entire collection.

Pop goes the art

While working on her brand, Paliwal was very clear about making her label a space for anyone who would find something according to their taste and personality when they walked into her studio. She decided to create five categories that would take care of even the most finicky homemaker.

Soda Pop, is a fun, young collection with lots of colour, edgy details like scallops and tie ups and floral prints. Soda Incarnate takes inspiration from themes of royalty, Mughal miniatures and vintage elements like antique sari borders, sepia photographs and old coins.

Soda Bar is a lounge-themed home accessories with lots of bling, embellishments and shimmery fabrics. Soda Fizz is where retro Bollywood and Hollywood meets in the form of prints on cushions, lamps, clocks and bags. Soda ufffd licious caters to kitchen accessories, table linen, runners and coasters.

Customize your space

Apart from retailing her products online and through stores across India, Soda caters to customized needs by invite. If you need a makeover for your home, or have one funky cushion cover around which you want to do up your entire living room, Paliwal will help you personalise your space.
u00a0
She gives advice on how to do up your space along with style tips. And in case you want to cozy up to Bob Dylan at night or even have your baby's pictures printed on a colourful quilt, Soda will do the needful.

At Cinnamon, Lavelle Road
Call 2222 9794
Log on to www.quirkoshop.com
Call 98865 57852 for appointments by invite only