My Den

A three-ft long chandelier marks the entrance of designer Anna Singh8217;s den. A slight touch and the suspended glass and iron contraption, reverently breaks into a soft tinkle. And as your eye falls on a small mandir set in the extreme left corner of the small room, Anna says, quot;I believe in God. And pray twice a day.quot;

The whole room 8212; everything from the dressing table and the hand towels to the bedspread, pillow covers and the carpets 8212; is embellished in a suede and black satin set, bought from Paris. The retreat 8212; as Anna puts it 8212; is off-limits for everyone except family and close friends. Not surprising, for almost half the room is lined with huge five-feet long glass panels which open up to give a birds-eye-view of the long arc-like stretch of Carter Road and the sea beyond. And Anna wouldn8217;t possibly want to share a slice of her very own sky, sea and the earth, with strangers. So, she spends all her evenings on the small bed flanked by windows, drawing inspiration from the sea. And at night, bylooking up at the twinkling stars, reflected in the huge cloud-shaped dressing mirror set right across the window. A silent air-conditioner looks on, as fresh breeze blows through the open panels ruffling the glass-and-iron wind chime into a soft rhythm. A stack of books 8212; The Encyclopaedia of Fashion, Hollywood and History 8212; fills the cabinet that also holds a small 14quot; television. A huge candle stand beside a kit of neatly lined-up bottles for aromatherapy also find space in her den. quot;I read, watch TV, sketch, paint, listen to my wind chimes, chat with my daddy 8212; in this room,quot; says Anna.