When two creative minds get together to design their home, The result is sure to be different . And this definitely rings true for architect Pradeep and artist Anshu Pathak’s residence in the capital. “We synchronize quite well; though we do similar work I don’t interfere in his projects. I maintain my place as an artist and he as an architect. But our home is a just a reflection of ‘us’ together – in all the colours of life,” explains Anshu, who has painted her house in rainbow colours and decorated it with mirrors. “Bright colours and mirrors are second love of my life. Even in college my love for mirror work, especially on my outfits, was quite well-known. I just couldn’t move outside without wearing red, yellow and mirror work,” she reminisces.
Anshu and Pradeep’s Saubhagya is a typical Indian courtyard house, puritanically aesthetic and reminiscent of traditional Indian architecture.

But I have put mirror-work canvases on the door to give them traditional look to the doors,” says Anshu. The entrance as per Vastu, is in the north-east direction as it is believed to bring in wisdom with money. The small garden at the entrance has as ishaankon (an angle meant for Lord Shiva to reside, which is supposed to be kept empty). The whole house pulsates with art: huge painted panels, wall murals, terracotta urns and glass lamps.

The most striking thing about this house is the way it reflects the personalities of the occupants. For instance, Pradeep’s passion for research is evident in the books found all over the house, while Anshu’s fondness for dolls is reflected in a collection that includes beauties from Athens to Malaysia – and even Pradeep’s hometown Amethi. Pradeep specializes in creating split level houses, however, as Anshu loves open spaces, she wanted him to devise a plan that would merge the open courtyards with the living and dining areas. “The result was an open-house plan with fewer walls following the Malaysia. The bright and sparkling kitchen has a large window that faces the garden with its blooming pomegranates, making cooking a pleasant experience. The kitchen is in the south-east – the place for fire according to Vastu.
Further to their belief, the master bedroom is in south-west direction, while the children’s room in the north-west (the place of wind which is beneficial in a child’s growth).
Anshu’s creativity, whose numerous examples decorate this house, is inspired by the mud's huts of Kutch. “I love gurjari and Rajasthani works of art. I always wanted to create something traditional yet modern – hence I started painting in oil and decorating them with stones, mirrors, beads and colourful stones,” she explains, “My favourite theme is the peacock; and most of the paintings, murals and canvases in our house showcase this theme using mirror work.”
The master bedroom boasts of a wall painted in deep blue with the motif of a peacock dancing under the stars, and now I can do it while lying on my bed,” jokes Anshu. The kids’ bedroom has a colourful rainbow painted on the wall and also huge collages of cars made by son Akshar.
The couple’s love for foliage is evident in the two courtyards. The centre of the house is the brahmasthan with two open courtyards on either side. “I cannot stay in a closed house. These courtyards give me a feeling of freshness throughout the day. I have made two sitting arrangements on either side,” says Anshu. “Thus, we enjoy the rain and sunshine from here. During monsoons and winters, the four of us together enjoy our cup of evening tea watching the rain drops on the leaves,” Pradeep elaborates.
Truly, when aesthetics gets together with creativity, saubhagya is the result.