PATTERN IN CHAOS: June 2016

Mumbai has its share of vintage cafes with lovely decor, nostalgic playlists and fun menu. I am always on the look out for quaint all-day cafes that have novel decor, experimental menu and a table by the window where I can spend a good number of hours with my laptop. This weekend is lucky, when at around 9 am, I step into Tiffany's, Oops sorry!, White Rose Cafe hoping for a cup of well brewed Earl Grey and some breakfast. I am pleasantly surprised by the charming, old-world, woody design influence, the friendly staff and a menu that has breakfast specialities for vegetarians too. Warm summer day, I am in a mood to explore, so I opt for the 'Couscous with Pinenut, Almond and Walnut (served with Honey Yogurt)', 'Red Velvet pancake (served with whipped cream)' and a 'Kiwi Mint cooler'.

This compact cafe with pitched roof, wooden trusses, colourful glass door and large glass windows, has an airy feel and a cosy decor. There are a variety of seating experiences like high-back bench, rotatable barstools, cane armchair and even a rocking chair near a book shelf. Pastel colours, abundance of wooden furniture, snug corners, cheerful glass-motif main door, open deli counter, landscaping with pink and white, papery, shrubby Bougainvilleas gives White Rose Cafe a homely, restful charm where one can spend hours of good time.

Hours of good time I do spend and soon I reach the last page of Flawed by Cecelia Ahern. By then my friend, with whom I had promised a weekend lunch, steps in. After the sumptuous breakfast, only starters are on my mind, while she opts for the main course. All the exotics on the menu are soon spread out in front of us. Quesidillas (with cheesy veg fillings), Peri Peri Spicy Paneer(served with mashed potato and garlic bread), Mini veg burgers, Red Velvet milk shake and Fresh fruit Almond yogurt milk.

Usually I never leave a restaurant without dessert. I must confess that after eating all of the spread there was no place for dessert. So today I decided to head back to the cafe, hoping to invade my seating by the window, to work on the images and writeup for this feature. This would but of course be over some dessert and tea. Double Chocolate Almond Cheese Cake, Japanese Cheese Cake and some Red Velvet Ice cream Cake gave me the sugar rush I needed to finish my writing at supersonic speed. I also did bump into the young architect duo, Dhruv and Namrata, who have designed this place. They sure deserve a mention in the spotlight for having designed a cosy eatery which is now added to my list of must visit again, as soon as I have added a new book to my kindle.

Note
White Rose Cafe, Lokhandwala, Andheri West, Mumbai
Designed by Studio Node.
Interior Photographs courtesy Kunal Bhatia

Lately concrete decor accessories have invaded into the space of my attachment with design fitments. Concrete has a stark, exposed, silky, rugged demeanor that is a thrilling mix for architects and interior designers to work with. I am fascinated by its elementary texture and its unique fashion that results in one-of-a kind art piece. Recently I discovered the work of 'GWOSS', a design studio in Mumbai that creates handcrafted objects from concrete, reinforced concrete, cement, mortar plaster, textile, coir, paper and more.

GWOSS is the brainchild of architect Sidhant Dave, who merited from Raheja School of Architecture, Mumbai.
Dome is first of a series of sculptural, pendant lamp that enhances the ambient mood. They are stand alone art objects. Lit with dim-able source, suspended at different heights, the basic form of this handcrafted dome has a singular presence and integrates well with its surroundings. The Domes can be designed in colours and customised light source, for indirect illumination, offering variant ambient moods.

Unlike the demure demeanor of the Domes, the Dome Distressed, have a stark, grungy impact and an arresting presence. It might give you a larger than life dynamic feeling of being in Gotham city, waiting for Batman to fly in!

Sculptured concrete Bowls make for amazing tableware. Cast from concrete these hand crafted bowls comes in varying shapes and forms. It is designed in neutral, concrete grey or can be coloured in applied art or pigment rendering to suit your decor. This tableware can double up for a stunning, centre-piece artifact in your decor or a wall hanging too.

Block clock, shaped out of a simple, module concrete block, is my favourite from the Gwoss series of art accessories. With its rudimentary texture the ticking Block clock works as a personal curio display shelf too.

Hand made concrete design is an inquisitive viewpoint of art form and it is for the explorer who is ready to step out of the convenient design attitude. It has many delights of amazement and is a magical outcome of art and chemistry.

If you are a design hunter like me who loves to head to stores but also saves up vital energy to discover custom-made, unexpected, niche then you would want to check out the variant moods of the ever growing range of concrete art which is heading to chide the standard outlook of art and decor.

Note:
If you want to explore the bespoke experience of this gentle yet strident art at Gwoss, you might need to take an appointment, calling them at 9833856665, to visit them at their studio at Churchgate, Mumbai. You could connect with them at gwossmumbai@gmail.com requesting an e-brochure. Design hunting does not come without a bit of sweat, does it!?

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