What does the home of a single, independent woman look like?

And then there’s the question—how does the idea of a home for a working mother change when the kids leave the nest? For starters, the second bedroom becomes a guest bedroom, for visiting friends and children. An old, well-loved desk takes the pride of place in the living room to make work from home comfortable. The dining table becomes the centre of all gatherings with new friends that the new city has granted her. “My friends are really the other people that this home is built around. The one thing that I've really overdone on, are plates and glasses—there are glasses for beer and glasses for whiskey and glasses for highballs, and noodle bowls. I think you should use everything you have all the time and not wait for some occasion,” Manju says.

Art for the Sake of the Soul

More than just the objects in the space, the way we live is about each person that inhabits the home and leaves their mark on it. While Manju may have an eye for art, the green thumb is borrowed from her Akka. The housekeeper is a full-time part of her new life, someone with whom the banter is like an old friend. Akka’s skills ensure Manju’s balcony is green and her kindness keeps her heart full.   

“I think of this house like a home of hope because I'd hoped that I would be able to rebuild my life on my own. I was alone when I started out, but the way it came together is because of support from friends and people I met along the way. One thing I now understand is that coming home to a place where I am happy within and feel peaceful is the most important,” says Manju.

All Images by suryan//dang