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The Scandinavian, Muji-inspired, Wabi sabi and minimalistic themes that are extremely popular among new BTO homeowners today, offer home designs that are timeless, cozy and warm. However, these designs can also seem to lack personality in addition to the already standardised floor plan and layout across HDB flats.
A Reddit thread from 2 years ago titled, “I find home designs in Singapore a bit bland”, garnered 78 replies with different opinions about home interior designs in Singapore. Some argued that Singaporeans are just boring and lacking in artistic tastes, while a majority argued that practicality and costs are the main factors as to why Singaporeans tend to choose more neutral and safe interior designs over artistic ones.
In the saturated modern interior design industry, there is still a market for vintage and antiques. Similar to fashion trends, vintage pieces could be valuable assets that elevate the home and showcase one’s individuality.
If you are interested in South Asian history and culture, you may wish to make a trip to Prakalyam Gallery located in Ruby Industrial Complex (Genting Block).
Prakalyam Gallery
Prakalyam Gallery was first opened by Veshali Visvanaath with a passion and love for Indian-colonial collectibles. The name “Prakalyam” has multiple meanings which include “all things beautiful” in Sanskrit and “ancient times” in Hindi. At the gallery, you would be able to find old ornaments, antiques and furniture sourced from different parts of India.
Veshali has a certain set of standards when it comes to sourcing for antiques. In an interview, she shared that travelling is the hardest part of antique sourcing as she goes to India directly to look for the pieces by herself. “There are places you can look for antiques, but you have to be careful. If you don’t know how to differentiate between a remake and an antique, it’s very easy to be misguided... The first thing to see in an antique is whether the piece calls out to you. I don’t buy antiques just because they are 100 or 200 years old,” Veshali shared.
With her years of experience in antique shopping, it is no surprise that every piece of antique in her gallery is rare and unique, specially handpicked and shipped back.
Furniture Collector and Interior Designer
Antiques and vintage pieces may be rare but can also be difficult to style. Veshali calls herself an “interior designer by accident”. Not an interior designer by formal training but through many years of experience in collecting and curating vintage pieces, Veshali developed an eye for home decoration and arrangements.
Today, Prakalyam is not just an antique store but also a renovation and interior design studio that helps clients to rearrange the antiques and integrate the collectibles into homes to achieve a cohesive look.
The design ideas at Prakalyam are inspired by stories. Every piece of furniture, wallpaper and details added to the space shares a culture or history.
For example, this exquisite wooden carving of Lord Krishna is set against a backdrop painted in a shade of yellow that is widely used in the Pondicherry culture. The green pillar at the side is not only a cultural element but also serves as a physical distinction from this sacred space to the living room. The idea came from the fact that the homeowner has her roots in the Pondicherry culture, making this space a thoughtfully crafted and customised one that tells the owner’s story.
Burst of Colours
The furniture and accessories at Prakalyam are definitely unlike the muted creamy aesthetics that you often see. In fact, Veshali takes pride in adding a burst of vibrancy into the homes of her clients.
Be it an art painting, an embroidered cushion, a wallpaper or floor rug, Veshali gives the space a pop of colours and texture to create a vibrant and lively atmosphere.
Iconic furniture pieces
When it comes to antiques at Prakalyam, you cannot miss some iconic pieces such as this big wooden chest, an old telephone, a brass sink and even a swing. The collection of artefacts are exclusive and authentic, often showcasing not just the history of the era, but also the fine craftsmanship that cannot be reproduced easily.
If you are worried that these antique furniture are only going to end up as display sets at home, you might be able to get some help from Prakalyam. Apart from selling antique art collectibles, Veshali’s magic is also in assisting clients to find pieces that would suit their lifestyle and needs so no antiques will be left sitting in a glass showcase cabinet. Who could imagine having an old wooden swing for a sofa in the living room?
Door Murals
Another signature of Prakalyam would be the murals that align with their concept of boldness and vibrancy. The murals come in different forms such as framed paintings, colourful illustrations on cupboards, walls and even door paintings.
The transformation of a kitchen door into a mural is by far the most impressive project. I have always thought that having too many elements, especially antiques and paintings, would make the home look complicated with all the colours and patterns going around, but I’m surprised that more is more when it comes to Prakalyam’s designs.
The mural door is very eye-catching yet it does not overwhelm the entire property. Other details such as the kitchen tiles, the traditional green pillars, patterned fabric dining chairs and lighting may seem too much but somehow they all tie together nicely to bring out the artistry of the space.
If you are interested in antiques but have always been worried that your home may turn out like a grandfather’s house, you may wish to visit Prakalyam Gallery and get inspired by how the traditional meets the modern.
Prakalyam Gallery is located at 35 Tannery Road, Ruby Industrial Complex, #06-10 Tannery Block, Singapore 347740. WhatsApp: 9008 3979. Open for visits by appointment only.