Open House

What makes the gazebo at senior BJP leader and former MP Harmohan Dhawan’s house is the perfect play of water features,light and music. Here,a waterfall and fountains enhance the visual quality,the pipe music sets the right mood while the detailed lighting gives the place a dramatic touch. “Outlined by shrubs,the two gazebos fashioned in wrought iron are usually used for entertaining guests and is also where the better part of our mornings are spent,” says wife Satinder Dhawan,who goes on to add that the contrasting colour palette,the centre fire pit and the barbeque counter have all been customised and the cane furniture handpicked. Capable of hosting about 35 people,“It gives an understated sense of luxury and is one of the most used areas of the house,” she points out.

Royal,functional and appealing is how Sahiba Sandhu,a Class XI student of Carmel Convent High School,defines the sitting arena. “Gazebos fill up the mundane spaces and provide for a comfortable sitting,” she says,taking us around the 10-feet area at her house currently undergoing renovation and facing Leisure Valley. “We are now making a spa area at the far end and also getting a wooden deck,” Sandhu tells us,as she,along with her siblings Himmat,Vir and Pooh unwind here.

While some opt for a basic colour pallete to give the gazebo a universal appeal,others like the vivid modern touch. “A charming freestanding shelter,it can add interest and convenience to any garden. Styles can vary from rustic,Victorian to ornate and can be made from wood,fibreglass,aluminum and wrought iron. Use of embellishments like weather-resistant cushions can give it a new look everyday,” says Tanmeet Kaur,a housewife,who’s sniffing the markets to choose one for her house in Sector 36.

Architects point out that gazebos enhance the value of your home. “It can extend your living space for meals,reading,listening to music and conversation. It provides a focal point,depth and definition to any style of landscaping,” says interior designer Anu Bains,adding that gazebos provide an escape from the hassle of everyday life and offers solitude. “Once you build one,you will experience a sense of enjoyment from your garden which is unrivaled by any vacation. Here,you can enjoy the nature or have an al fresco meal,” she signs off.