When you step into Sukanya Majumdar’s home in Salt Lake, Kolkata, you do not just enter a house—you enter a space thoughtfully shaped by years of travel, love for history, and personal choices. It is not about luxury or trends but about how meaningful pieces come together to form a warm, lived-in space. This story takes you through her journey of transforming a house into a peaceful and rooted home.
Sukanya and her husband knew Salt Lake would be their permanent base. The area has a peaceful charm, thanks to its low-rise bungalows and community-like feel. Unlike high-rise buildings, these homes offer a sense of calm and connection. They found a nearly complete bungalow in 2014 and moulded it entirely on their own, avoiding interior designers and instead working room by room to reflect their family’s personality.
Moving from an apartment to a bungalow brought freedom in design. Sukanya began by removing all internal walls on the ground floor, especially around the living and dining areas. This made the space look larger and more welcoming. Their kitchen remained a separate enclosed room. They also added a study downstairs, while the top floor housed three bedrooms, two with balconies. A small terrace with flowering plants added an extra touch of greenery and calmness.
The interiors speak volumes about Sukanya and her husband’s appreciation for timeless designs. They opted for wooden and cane colonial furniture, steering away from modern styles. The living room is central for unwinding and spending time with friends. Leather-winged chairs, wooden furniture, and a bar made with wood and stained glass give the space a homely, old-world charm. French windows keep the room bright and full of air.
Every item in the home has meaning. Collectibles from their travels—a plate from Greece, one from Turkey, a windmill from Amsterdam—are proudly displayed. These serve as reminders of places visited and experiences lived. Sukanya believes that each object carries a story and a connection to the world beyond, and that is what makes the house special.
Some furniture and decor items were easy to find, but others took effort. Many vintage and handmade items are no longer easily available. One key feature is the centrepiece on the ground floor, which took several attempts to perfect. After months of trial and error, they found the right combination that now draws attention as soon as someone enters. It took a year for the house to come together, but each step was taken with love and care.
For Sukanya, buying furniture was not about brands or online deals. She visited local markets where she could see and feel the quality before buying. She finds that locally sourced furniture has more character and is often more affordable. Whether a carved wooden piece or something simple and hand-finished, she believes these items bring life to a home.
Sukanya treats the dining area as an important part of the house. It is a place for family meals, conversations, and celebrations. Her set-up includes a solid table paired with floral cushioned chairs. An embroidered rug underneath makes the space warm and inviting. Since dining furniture is something people rarely change, she carefully selected each piece to match comfort and appearance.
The garden is Sukanya’s personal retreat. She sits on the swing every evening, listens to soft music, and enjoys the quiet. The garden is simple to maintain but filled with colourful plants and classic wrought iron chairs. When they host garden parties, lanterns light up the space, adding a festive feel without needing too many decorations.
Sukanya pays attention to small corners as well. She places keyring holders, statues, or a mix of tiny accents to create interest in every part of the house. This gives each space a bit of character. Whether it is a small corner table or a shelf in the hallway, each holds something meaningful and is chosen with care.
Sukanya believes anyone can shape their home with patience. She shares that mixing materials like terracotta, wood, and glass can bring warmth and style without a large budget. Visiting local markets helps find quality, handcrafted pieces. Bringing plants into the corners of the home adds a fresh feeling. Most importantly, every corner should reflect what matters to you and your family.
Good lighting can change the way a space feels. Sukanya placed French windows in her living area to allow natural light to enter throughout the day. This makes the space look larger, warmer, and more inviting. It also helps cut down on artificial lighting during the day, keeping the environment soft and soothing. In the evenings, warm yellow bulbs add a cosy feel without being too bright.
Sukanya avoided bold and trendy colours. Instead, she went for muted, earthy tones that bring calmness to the eyes. The walls and furniture follow a similar tone, helping the space feel connected. This makes each decor item stand out without creating a clash. It also makes rearranging or adding new items easier since the base colour palette works well with most styles.
Each room in the home has a clear purpose. The living area is for relaxing and hosting. The study downstairs is where they work or read. The dining space is separate and well-equipped for long conversations. By dividing the house by activity and not just structure, they have ensured that every corner is used and not wasted. This also brings a quiet sense of order to everyday life.
While Sukanya prefers vintage decor, adding small modern details keeps the house from looking dated. A metal lamp here, a plain rug there—these little elements make the home feel fresh without taking away from its classic look. This balance keeps the space from feeling too heavy or overly traditional. It also shows that styles can be blended with thought and intention.
Sukanya believes that a home is never fully complete. Over time, new pieces are added, old ones are removed, and corners are refreshed. She updates small sections of the house every year—sometimes by adding a new plant and sometimes by moving furniture around. This way, the home always feels new while keeping its heart the same. It is a gentle way of keeping things alive and personal.
Sukanya’s home is a clear example of what can be achieved with time, love, and careful planning. It is not a showpiece but a warm space that tells stories of people, places, and memories. For those looking to build a space that reflects who they are, the key is to begin small and keep it personal. In the end, a home is not about trends but about the comfort and meaning it brings