#HauteSpaces: The Corner Courtyard’s Warm Vibes Have Bowled Us Over
Who doesn’t love a pretty home/work space? I know the answer to that one. So now, every week, I will go in search for the most stunning indoor spaces in our country that will inspire the inner decorator in you. Unique, colourful, or quirky, these photo stories are sure to leave you spellbound, like mouth-hanging-open spellbound. If you know or use a space that fits the description, ping me and we can chat! It can be anything from a home to an office, a studio to a restaurant — if it is fun, I’m game!
The Corner Courtyard, a boutique hotel in the ‘City Of Joy’, Kolkata, is a passion project. The hotel is the brainchild of Megha Agarwal, a young entrepreneur who left her exhausting 9-to-5 job to follow her dream — of becoming a hotelier. Exactly 3 years ago, she bought out an antique-y, century-old bungalow from a zamindar, and turned it into one of the best accommodation options the city has seen. Though the hotel is a gem in itself, what caught my interest was the quaint patisserie-cum-restaurant — bucket list stuff, this.
The space is like a celebration of colours, splashed together to create something that is aesthetically pleasing. The restaurant is done up beautifully in blues and yellows. Once you enter the premises, you will be transported to a vintage era. The doors and panels are painted in pretty pastels that perfectly complement the décor amazingly. Chairs with floral prints combined with modern dining tables bring together the perfect balance of the old and the new. There is one wall dedicated to books, for those who like a good read with their hot cuppa. Some stunning photographs in pretty frames will always keep you company here. Mirrors of different sizes with intricate gold and silver detailing adorn the walls — the kinds you usually find in old palatial homes. Oh and not to forget, there is a wall candle stand that is strongly reminiscent of those we’ve seen in old horror movies! Don’t worry, though, this one will only make you happy!
Shelves here are lined with vintage showpieces like a telephone, binoculars, vases, and small chests of drawers. Apart from mirrors, there are wall clocks of various types that actually make for a great décor tip! Colourful, vibrant items break the monotony created by the white-washed walls and checkered floors. What else? You will find the menu chalked out, along with cute sayings and greetings, on small blackboards placed on the table, hanging on the walls, or kept resting against the wall.
Megha told Verve in an interview that she draws inspiration from her childhood favourites, including Enid Blyton and J.K Rowling. And true to this, one wall of the diner is decked up in little gold things like trinkets and keys that, I’m pretty sure, is inspired from the first Harry Potter book. The roof is left open and gives you an insight to the rooms that dwell on the second floor. In fact, the place is so gorgeous that even the open fire hose looks like it’s in sync with the surroundings!
While you take in the beautiful aura with this space, don’t forget to hog on the delicious pizzas and salads that they offer. I, for one, don’t think I’ll ever want to leave this pretty spot with patterned wallpaper and brick walls! And after going through the images below, you will fall in love too.
