Alpana stands before a cherished portrait of herself that was painted by her father

It’s home to one of India’s top artists and also to a stylish jewellery designer. So, it’s hardly surprising that it exudes impeccable taste and style in almost every inch.

You might walk into jewellery designer Alpana Gujral’s home in central Delhi with lots of preconceived ideas about what to expect — and you happily, aren’t disappointed.

Designed by her father Satish Gujral, the red, exposed brick building is well-concealed by shady trees and high boundary walls. As can be imagined, the spacious interiors are a veritable treasure trove of art, all aesthetically arranged. Paintings by Satish Gujral are a given, and the walls are almost art gallery-like as they parade canvases by other artists including Jayshree Burman, Chhotu Lal and Aditya Baskar. Also on display are plenty of Kalighat paintings and the gold-leaf emblazoned Tanjore glass paintings.

The lobby is alive with bronze sculptures by Satish Gujral

The house — that Alpana shares with her parents, Satish and Kiran Gujral — is built in split levels with short flights of steps leading to the rooms that are spread over its five levels. Alpana defines the basement (where her office is located) as the first level. There are four bedrooms, of which Alpana’s is on the second level along with the dining room and kitchen. While the main living area is on the third level, two more bedrooms are located on the fourth level while the last of the bedrooms is on the fifth level.

(From top) The extended living room with its Tanjore paintings, a canvas by Satish Gujral and a chair designed by Raseel Ansal; The main living room is brightened by miniature canvasses mounted on a large canvas by Satish Gujral; Designed by Alpana, the eight-seater glass table dominates the dining space

The house has a couple of entry points. To the right of the main gate, a short tiled path and a few steps down lead to Alpana’s office in the basement. But right opposite the gate, the main entrance brings you directly to the lobby on the second level. In her office, Alpana points to her work-table and chair and says: “This is where I usually design my jewellery.”

Alpana may have abandoned her full-fledged career as a furniture designer, but her home still has plenty of her creations. Her office has a mirror and a matching side-table which are unusual because she has inlaid brass Louis Vuitton logos into the wooden frame of the mirror and one of the drawers of the side-table.

A door from her office opens to her favourite space, the living room-cum-den. It’s roomy and art-filled. A niche in a wall has a portrait of her done by her father.

There’s more art in the room: just above the bar a Ganesha sculptural painting (a three- dimensional Ganesha that’s affixed on a canvas so that it can be displayed on the wall) by Satish Gujral looks striking in black, gold and red.

Step out of the room, take the three steps up and enter the lounge of the main house on the second level — and practically walk into an art show. An eyeful awaits visitors here as bronze sculptures by Gujral — which are yet to be showcased at an exhibition — occupy pride of place.

The lounge offers a glimpse of the main living room of the house which is at the third level. A wooden staircase takes you to this part of the house while the kitchen and the dining room are also on the second level.

The dining room also displays Alpana’s mastery at furniture designing. Upholstered in dull green satin, a striking eight-seater dining table designed by Alpana dominates the space.

Upstairs, the main living room overlooks a lush garden with swaying palms and thick creepers. The living room’s split into two seating areas. On the left you can’t miss two silver chairs with lion heads and two Bidri-work silver stools from Hyderabad. “The chairs are very old and were gifted to my father by the former maharana of Udaipur,” she says.

Dominating one of the walls are seven miniature canvases framed around a central painting by Satish Gujral. Sitting under this is a couch strewn with dark brown, bright red and silver cushions designed by Alpana’s sister, Raseel Ansal.

This living room is a virtual sea of artefacts and Satish Gujral paintings while splashes of colour come by way of exotic cushions from Casa Paradox, Raseel’s lifestyle store. A door in the living room opens into a cosy space which is an extension of the drawing room. A majestic chair designed by Raseel, a number of Tanjores and a painting by Satish Gujral make a pretty picture.

Given the number of paintings and artefacts around the house, is housekeeping a bit of a nightmare? “Being a Virgo I can’t help but keep everything ship-shape,” she says. And when you take a look around the house all her efforts seem to be worth it.