Ritabhari Chakraborty has always been house-proud, and her den in Salt Lake is as positive a space as the actor. Bathed in sunshine during the day and full of twinkling lights at night, it’s a whole different world within the four walls. It gives you a peek into her personality and, at the same time, lulls you into cosiness. Ritabhari showed t2 around.
Congratulations on your stunning home! Is this the first house you bought?
This is the first house I have bought. I bought this last year. Not leaving Salt Lake was always a decision. In fact, I have been house-hunting for a while. I knew that when I found the right house, I would feel it. When I saw the pictures of this house, I couldn’t believe that someone had made a house and turned it into a cottage structure. I was like, this is the house. It was what I wanted… European and shabby-chic is my sensibility.
You literally went into hibernation while doing up the house…
Sumit (Arora; fiancé) came sometimes to help, and my mother (Satarupa Sanyal) also pitched in whatever way she could. She is my lifeline. It took three months to set it all up.
What’s your aesthetic that is reflected in the decor?
I liked the pale mushroom colour and didn’t want to change it. The colour palette is either pastel or vibrant. Then the use of lights. The house is full of different kinds of lights. I like laying out carpets and I love solid-coloured curtains. There are lots of flowers and plants, that element of green.
I am a maximalist, and I like my walls to be full of frames. I like looking at multiple things that are talking to me, or make me laugh or a film poster that inspires. There is a touch of the antique or vintage, too. And, of course, lots of miniatures.
What are the interesting elements?
What was most interesting was the fireplace structure, which was there. I have always desired a library, and now I have one. The moment I bought the house, I started shopping for it, too. A lot of it is bought online.
The garden area was completely barren, and even the garage needed a lot of work. A wood-panelled ceiling is something I have always wanted to do. I had a gallery on my phone that, if I ever have a house, I would do it up in a certain way. I took elements from there, and some of it came while I was setting up the house.
One of my favourite things was to have a miniature studio, which wasn’t there in my earlier house. My study was my studio and also my cinema room. I have a terrace garden, a lawn, a guest room and a projection room, which is the only room which is very American with film posters, colourful things, toys, action figures, Barbies with different pop culture references… American pop culture mostly, recliners, which is otherwise not my house aesthetic. It’s like a bachelor pad type of a set-up, which is, I can say, an extension of my earlier house, which was also very dear to me.
I always make sure I put fresh flowers in the dining area. I’ve always been Mrs. Maisel, and now I have a place to express it!
I love gardening, and this is something I didn’t even know. I was a plant mommy, but I didn’t have a garden to do gardening. I am thinking of turning my small terrace into a meditative space.
My house is always well-stocked, down to the hardware. I love shopping for home hardware. If the apocalypse hits, this is where you come! I’m ultra-organised. I am very Monica (from F.R.I.E.N.D.S).
Is it because you have stayed alone since you were 19?
I think so... when you stay alone, either you take care of yourself or you don’t, and your life responds in a certain way.
What is your favourite place?
The lawn is my favourite… it was the last corner I thought I would fall in love with, but walking on the grass gives me the feel of peace and connectedness to myself. The birds have been great companions.
The house is called Keya Pata’r Nouko…
My dida’s name was Keya, and I am a lot like her. I was not a very organised child. I have learnt a lot from my dida. Her dream was to have a house and a life like this, and unknowingly, I have fulfilled that desire of hers, and I am living it.
