28 August,2010 06:50 AM IST | | Amrita Bose
Soda, a home decor and accessories brand, promises to funk up your home with some sparkling film and music royalty
Entrepreneur Sai Sangeet Paliwal's studio in Bangalore is teeming with celebrity guests. Here, Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn stares back at you from a vibrant pink cushion, musician Bob Dylan is caught in his trademark style on another cushion, eternal Indian beauty Madhubala flashes her million dollar smile at you from a coaster, and glamdoll Marilyn Monroe instantly captures your attention on a silk and gota bag.
Rows of vibrant rakhis form a belt with multi-coloured strings and
pompoms for tie ups (Rs 700). Pics/Satish Badiger
The Bangalore-based designer's home decor and accessories brand, titled Soda, can well be described as a one-stop destination where Hollywood-meets-Bollywood, with some royalty thrown in for good measure.
The brand's speciality includes making cushion covers in varying sizes, alongwith bolster covers, bed spreads, bags, belts, coasters, clocks and lamps.
The making of Soda
Originally from Delhi, Sai describes her style as "Couture D ufffdcor". Sai first stumbled upon her calling while scouring for accessories for her own home in 2003. "While decorating my home, I had to go from pillar to post in search of funky d ufffdcor. There wasn't a single store that catered to my needs," she recalls. It was then that she decided to create a home d ufffdcor brand. Her academic background as fashion design alumnus from NIFT Bangalore, and her craze for films only made things easier.
Sai launched Soda in March 2007, and slowly developed her brand by participating in flea nights and bazaars. Her inspiration for collections vary from a coin, an interesting fabric or even a famous line from a film.
Pop goes the art
Sai decided to create five categories that would take care of even the most finicky homemaker. Soda Pop is a fun, young collection, celebrating colours with edgy details like scallops, tie-ups and floral prints. Soda Incarnate takes inspiration from themes of royalty, Mughal miniatures and vintage elements like antique sari borders, sepia photographs and old coins.
Soda Bar comprises lounge-themed home accessories with an ample dose of bling, embellishments and shimmery fabric. Soda Fizz is where retro Bollywood and Hollywood meet in the form of prints on cushions, lamps, clocks and bags while Soda ufffdlicious caters to kitchen accessories, table linen, runners and coasters.
Your whims are Soda's commands
Apart from retailing her products online and through stores across India, Sai also undertakes custom-made orders. So if you want a sultry Rekha from Umrao Jaan against a multicoloured background instead of the one on display, you can place an order at any of the retail stores or online. Sai can personalise any print or colour schemes as per your requirements.
Soda products are available at Attic, Santacruz (W), call 32169292; Bliss, Versova, call 26332111; and Tappu Ki Dukaan, Fort, call 22043716.
Log on to www.quirkoshop.com
