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Private space

When you step into the sprawling villa of Munira Macki, assistant general manager, human resources and training, Bank Sohar, it is easy to feel hopelessly lost. Such vast spaces can only be filled by the warmth of its hostess and that is exactly how you feel once she emerges, smiling, to greet you. Even as you wonder which would be her favourite corner, she guides you to the mezzanine floor, to a homely retreat just outside her bedroom. This is my favourite corner in the house, the place where I relax once back from work. Everything I need is here.

Clearly this is personal space family photographs occupy pride of place along with the rocking chair and toys of Malaak, her ten-month-old granddaughter. The only glitch to serenity seems to be the noise of construction activity by the side. I really don't mind it as that's the sound of two villas coming up for my sons, Hilal and Nasar. I know what I get in the end.

As a person who keeps an open house, Macki says this space lets her have a private retreat. "It's here that I usually play with Malaak or watch my TV shows, read, or talk to my kids, Narjis and Nasar, who are pursuing an engineering course in Canada."As Malaak slowly climbs on to her lap, the grandmother takes over and we bow out.

Cozy nest

Walk in past the high walls and tall gates to the house a stones throw from Shatti Plaza, it's as if you have left the city far behind. And once you enter the personal space past the ornate wooden door it's entirely private domain. Warm, cozy, cuddly you can go on. The villa of James Harbridge, partner, Trowers & Hamlins, is clearly a home. And, as he leads you to one particular part of that, it's easy to understand why this is Harbridge's favourite corner. Like a nest, built twig by twig, this is where the couple Ð Harbridge and Sonia has built their cover.

With knick-knacks from around the world collected during their numerous vacations, a large tapestry adorning the wall a wedding gift from British Airways paintings by Sonia, the manuscript of Harbridge soon to be published novel, magazines, candles, mirrors around the black soft leather couch, it is welcoming, to say the least. We usually have an early dinner, mostly in the kitchen. Then we come here and lounge around reading newspapers and magazines and chatting. Saturdays usually see Harbridge lounging around, blackberry in hand, desperate to find out the score of the football team in England whom he supports, Lincoln City, even as Sonia occupies herself with reading. It is also the place they plan their next vacation. We are almost always planning where to go next. I prefer taking several short vacations instead of a long one.

Another reason why this remains the favourite corner is the serenity and seclusion it provides. Even if you open the curtains, the outside world doesn't infringe on your privacy. All you see is the greenery. Upstairs, there's no escaping the reality. When you look out, and the hustle and bustle of the city hits you bang on the face. So it's here that the couple ends up spending most of the time and it is here that the idea of his whodunit, The Smash, which will be published in June next year in England, took shape and developed into a full-fledged novel.

We wanted our house to be a place that reflects who we are, what we enjoy and what we hold dear,says Harbridge. Sonia pitches in, It's true. This is a place with a lot of memories attached. You will see a lot of small things all around, these are stuff we love Ð football kitsch, Bollywood memorabilia and gifts of sentimental value. One understands, almost instinctively, looking at this couple who almost always completes each other's sentences.