Those of you who got the hint here, and those of you who put Shanthi and Norway together from the title of this post, you are right! We are peeking into “Shanthi Kutir”, Shanthi Nagothu’s home in Norway today. Yes, the same Shanthi of home Shanthi home fame! 🙂
You know I love a good story and Shanthi’s story is as precious as these corners of her home you are about to see. You see, Shanthi landed in Norway 20 years ago with just 20 kilos of baggage, and as you see her lovely collections you can’t help but marvel at how she has built this home from those early days. And the story? It’s got a touch of romanticism. Let’s hear it in the lady’s own words.
“I was studying medicine and quit in the 3rd year – YES you heard it right – quit in my 3rd year 🙂 . Followed my husband to Norway just for a 11 month course. Then it went onto another year and another year and now it is just about 20 years 🙂 .
He was in IFS, but was never a bureaucrat at heart – he liked research and he followed his dream. It was a critical decision to quit that job in India – but we liked the freedom, the calmness, the childhood that kids could get here and so it was easy to decide. With a short course here and a course there I started to look for jobs. For my first job in IT I told the employer – if he paid my train fare and money to cover the kindergarten expenses of my son I can join the job…. and the rest is History 🙂 . I am thankful to him for giving me that break.
I was one of the first ones in Norway who started talking about outsourcing to India. I now manage IT projects locally as well as those outsourced. I’m the first Indian in the board of Norway India chamber of commerce and a board member in the International women’s group in my county.”
Isn’t that laudable? And it’s not all business for this talented lady. She loves her Sunday walks, she can eat tons and tons of chocolate, and travels at least twice a year to India, and other places around the world….and of course she loves beauty in all forms, as is evident in her blog posts. Here we go!
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| Entrance area where a plate from Guatemala with everyone’s names hangs. |
Says Shanthi, “The above pic is of a porch kind of area that we enter through to the house. We climb 3 steps and land in this open balcony and enter the house”
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| This is a hand made rug from Kashmir that she found in a flea market in 2000 during a trip to Goa. |
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| This painting on the wall is by a painter in Mumbai, and it depicts a Portuguese-influenced Goan house. The oil on the left was bought in a flea market. Shanthi frequents a farm house during her walks, and the door on the floor was sourced from there. |
Says Shanthi, “Now that is my next big project to get that window onto a wall, but I think it looks cool there too 🙂 .” I agree!
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| A modern fireplace stands on the left. |
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| This is one of my favorites from this house tour. That vase was a flea market find. |
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| Who wouldn’t want to relax in this bathroom after a long, hard day? |
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| Shanthi’s beautiful kitchen. Click here to see more kitchen pics of this home. |
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| A beautiful spring arrangement with flowers and plasma candles. |
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| A stairway to heaven? I love the little brass pots en route and the collectibles on the ledge! |
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| A close-up of the ledge. |
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| A close up of an Indian trunk, cot and bullock cart |
Now weren’t those such a treat? Here are some last words from Shanthi – “It is not easy when you start your journey and move to a land with just 20 kilos in your hand. In about 20 years I am glad I made it a home that I love. I tag along lots of luggage on every tour 🙂 . Can’t help it though – the world has so many beautiful things to offer 🙂
Now this is what I was waiting for—you have such a beautiful home shanthi!Love that ledge over the staircase!
very pretty home!! Lovely collection!!
Beautiful home and kudos to you for managing your home and professional life so efficiently 🙂
love ur home shanti!!!!!beautiful post girls!
Gorgeous home Shanthi! Love those
collection 🙂
Beautiful home Shanthi!!and an incredible journey …
Shathi…loved knowing more about u ….beautiful home 🙂
@all – Thank you so much. It is an extension of one's self and it feels good. I need a miniature auto – can someone tell me where I can find one 🙂
@Sharon – Thank you Sharon. My haven looks more nicer on your blog :-). For those of you who do not know – Sharon is the one who named homeshanthihome 🙂
What a lovely ad warm home Shanthi!!
Sharon.. what a gorgeous home..
Shanthi.. You totally rock.. Your home is surely an extension of yourself.. a showcase of true character..
Sigh! A beautiful HOME!Love the old steel trunk!
Thanks for showing us Shanthi's dwelling!
Gorgeous home, loved every pic. My fav are your the flea market finds.
Oh dear! it seems like all the previous comments got wiped away when blogger was down for maintenance…!
Your home is so inspiring.
Sharon… my comment disappeared… so I'm posting again!!
This is a fabulous home… thanks for sharing..
Shanthi… you are definitely a bundle of talent.. actually more of a role model to most of you.. Your home is beautiful, and inspiring… I love each and every little corner.. I like the fusion of international and indian decor… And when you find that rickshaw.. can you get one for me.. please!!
Thanks Pats. I am reposting comments here below:
Sharon
GB said on May 12: Now this is what I was waiting for—you have such a beautiful home shanthi!Love that ledge over the staircase!
Sanghamitra said on May 12: Gorgeous home Shanthi! Love those
collection 🙂
Sarmistha said on May 12: Beautiful home Shanthi!!and an incredible journey …
Anu said on May 12: What a lovely ad warm home Shanthi!!
Patricia said on May 12: Sharon.. what a gorgeous home..
Shanthi.. You totally rock.. Your home is surely an extension of yourself.. a showcase of true character..
Reshma at masalamangomantra.blogspot.com said on May 12:Sigh! A beautiful HOME!Love the old steel trunk!
Thanks for showing us Shanthi's dwelling!
Sudha said on May 12: Shathi…loved knowing more about u ….beautiful home 🙂
Veda said on May 12: love ur home shanti!!!!!beautiful post girls!
Shilpa Kamath said on May 12: Beautiful home and kudos to you for managing your home and professional life so efficiently 🙂
Purnima said on May 12: very pretty home!! Lovely collection!!
Shanthi said on May 12: @all – Thank you so much. It is an extension of one's self and it feels good. I need a miniature auto – can someone tell me where I can find one 🙂
@Sharon – Thank you Sharon. My haven looks more nicer on your blog :-). For those of you who do not know – Sharon is the one who named homeshanthihome 🙂
@Sharon – that was soooooo sweet of you to have taken the pains to post all the comments back again. I was missing them actually :-). Thank you for the post and this little gesture.
@Shanthi
Least I could do..
@ Shanthi and Pats: Check this site out – http://www.shinsei.in/products.php?catid=4&catname=Cars
they have miniature not just autos but also ambassadors…prob is they need a min order of 10 pieces! 🙂 let me know what you think..
Oh I have been waiting for this tour forever! Shanthi, your Nroway home is as gorgeous as your Indian home! And the story of your beginning is so touching and lovely.