While it is very rare when I would share this type of communication as I am not interested in the boost to my ego, I decided to share this with you today because Gabriella is able to articulate so beautifully her personal journey of discovery, self-realization and more importantly, the discovery of confidence and pride of accomplishment in creating a home which serves her, her marriage, her children and how they all feel each day when they come home.
She told me today how designing her home and altaring her space has created less fighting at home, more time together both intimate time with her husband, more time with her children doing projects, more time as a family eating together and meeting her neighbors more and interacting with them more as her house attracts people to just want to be near it because of how it soothes their heart and the list goes on.
I want you to see through the eyes of someone just like you how recreating, re contextualizing and taking a different view of your living space can so strongly impact your life for the better. She tells a great tale even if the kindness towards me makes me blush a little bit.
Enjoy and be inspired to Altar your Space!
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To Whom It May Concern:
We bought our first home together just six months after the birth of our first child. The house is located in the historic district of Long Beach, a neighborhood which is in a state of transition between generations. It came furnished with the remnants of whatever the previous estate couldn't sell-off in yard sales; antiques; wood paneling; glass chandeliers; and mirrors. The yard was as random; thirty-two Camellia trees planted in odd places; renegade bromeliads anywhere and everywhere; thick hedges and bushes lined every path; and the overgrown avocado tree in the backyard had been so badly neglected that its branches sprawled out across the roof.
But the house was strong and full of promise. First we killed the grass and ripped out all the landscaping. The older neighbors in the neighborhood were terrified; change can make others uneasy. We then gave away all the furniture to anyone who would take it. Having had moved from a one bedroom apartment, we had very little of our own belongings to fill in the space. There were whole rooms left vacant. One day my sister and I strapped on Rollerblade and turned the living room into a skating ring. We often hula hooped for fun and fitness; sometimes three or four people could hoop at a time inside our dining room. We would later turn hooping into a business concept. Strangely,this is how I met Jagatjoti.
While walking one day in Santa Monica, shopping for costumes to be used in the filming of our first “Hoopnotic Hoopdance” DVD, I passed Tara Home. I was drawn into the store by the warmth and aroma that seemed to pour from the doors. I didn’t have time to look inside, but I remembered the store later when designing the space for Hoopnotica’s office in Marina Del Rey.
My husband and I went to Tara Home one afternoon with the intention of designing a lounge/conference area for the office. Jagatjoti, with little or no introduction, met us in the front of the store. He invited Jheri and I to sit down and have some tea. “Kick your feet up; don’t be afraid to be comfortable”, he said. I liked that.
We spoke for a while about our intentions. I fell in love with almost every piece on the floor. I loved the decadence of it all; the textures, colors, carvings and paintings. In the end, I lacked the confidence to make decisions for our space.
Jagatjoti, whose name I never thought I would be able to pronounce let alone remember, offered to come to our office. He went over the pronunciation of his name slowly for me. “Juh-gat-joe-tee”. He told me that once I got it down I wouldn’t be able to get it out of my mind.
I gave him a budget and he came back with everything we needed- and more. There are four very strong women who work in this space together every day, and I considered finding something to suit them all to be a difficult task. At that point, I didn’t really appreciate fully whom I was working with.
From sumptuous red and gold silk textiles to a seated Quan Yin statue, Jagatjoti arranged pieces which transformed our workspace into a personal and inspiring place to be. He told me that he had envisioned all of us working there; seated on the couch talking, and how the colors in the textiles would look against each of our skin tones. It was comfortable, functional, beautiful, and surprisingly affordable. The new additions to our office came in under budget, and allowed for extras. The unexpected addition of hand crafted candles changed the scent in the office from “new carpet and air conditioning” to warm, sweet, floral. The candles sit on top of the table in the conference area, and their scent helps visitors and employees to feel welcome and relaxed. I couldn’t have been happier with Jagatjoti’s selections and placement. We placed a hoop in the Quan Yin’s hand, and she greets us every morning on our way into the office.
For my home, I felt a little hopeless. I wanted to create a beautiful environment for my family, and didn’t think I could do it without hiring a designer. In hindsight, I had never really been presented with the “opportunity” to design a space from scratch. My young bohemian style had always known no bounds as hand-me-down furniture met yard sale coffee tables, enhanced with vintage silk scarves and throws. Creativity was all I ever had. As a result, my interior design skills were compromised by what was available at the time. My idea of decorating was to staple old record covers and clippings from magazines to the wall. As a result, things were always changing and I never really lived in a space that felt like “me”. I grew to feel intimidated of design, and the inevitable problem in our house: If we ever wanted to have guests, we were eventually going to need a place to sit.
I called Tara Home, but Jagat was in India, and would not be back for a few weeks. I began to interview designers in the area. I desperately searched for someone to give me the answers: what, how much, what color, what fabric. I thought surely someone could just do it FOR me; make my home beautiful in a style that reflects me. Each designer I met with had a different take on my home and style. And each left me feeling restless and disheartened. I missed Jagatjoti.
He describes himself as a “Simple Shopkeeper”, and he is far from it. Who knows, really; maybe he believes it. Jagatjoti has sort of an undefined personality. I once asked him how he was able to choose a statue so perfect for me, without me being there... without having had seen my home ahead of time. “You would be able to do it too if you got up every morning before dawn and meditated for two hours”, he replied.
He is a humble and confidant man. Jagat has such a dry sense of humor that it is possible to miss completely if you're not careful. I find him to be very humorous, and conversation with him is always thought provoking and engaging.
There are many things that distinguish Jagat from other “Simple Shopkeepers”; refined intuition; the sincere implementation of personal spirituality; use of old ideas in a modern world; attention to the senses in design; and a superb sense of aesthetic (In the end, I decided to wait for him to return from India).
Refined Intuition:
Two days before Christmas we packed up the family and visited with Jagatjoti in Los Angeles. In one day we completely furnished our livingroom and dining room. Some of what we selected was entirely our decision, some was predestined.
Our dining room table for example, was a piece Jagat had envisioned for us. He knew that it was perfect for us before we did. He had never seen my home, and was working off of my desire to seat 10-12 people. The chairs came from his house. It is not uncommon for Jagat to pull pieces from his personal collection to assist his clients. If you ask, he will tell you that his wife will often come home to an empty house. He does not attach himself to objects, but surrounds himself with an array of carefully chosen, incredibly beautiful things.
Use of Old Ideas In A Modern World:
Jagat suggested an altar for our entrance, and that all outgoing bills pass over it. We have now set this small practice into our daily routine, and it gives more meaning to the chore of bill payment. In this area, good karma (if that’s what it is) is always welcome. Sometimes my daughter and I arrange flowers to place on the alter, or set aside an offering of fruit.
We selected an old Chinese piece for our “entertainment center”. Jagat recommended that we store all of our television components within the chest, and knew of a universal remote that would go through the doors.
Sensory Design:
The pieces we chose are low to the ground, allowing easy access for our children to interact with us. The colors and fabrics are rich and bold. The scent of the wood and the hand poured candles give the final touch to the aesthetic of the room. Much like the candles in our office, the concept of “aromatherapy” adds another dimension to Jagat’s design process. Our house smells amazing; unidentifiable, subtle, and very romantic. And everything you touch feels soft, smooth, and pleasing.
Personal Spirituality:
Although our family is non-denominational in practice, I find a sense of peace and solidarity within the image of the buddha. We selected two standing buddhas to grace our entry. They were not made to “go together” as a matching set, but work well as a pair. Jheri and I interpret this as representation of our own relationship and marriage. A seated buddha on the side of the house has become a conversation piece for the neighborhood. We consider him to be our “offering” to the outside world, and have framed him in within our garden using carefully trimmed hedges and lighting.
I fell in love with the small Luan statues. So much in fact that I bought the entire set of 18, and now the disciples of buddha are scattered throughout my home. Although they are all made in the same image, they are hand-carved and therefore each of their faces differ slightly. They are about the same size as my two year old daughter, and she plays with them. I like it when the Luans talk on the cell phone, or are all set up to have tea. Sometimes she whispers things in their ears...
Jagat travels to the far reaches to hand select pieces. He is very particular. He and Siri may spend an entire afternoon reviewing hundreds of buddhas. Each buddha to be brought home must have a particular aesthetic; the pose relaxed (but not too relaxed), the face kind (but not silly). As a result, they may spend the whole day shopping and find just a few statues.
Jagat does repeat business with furniture builders and knows the history of many custom pieces. Like our dining room table; an old carved chinese door topped with glass was made into a table. It is a stunning one of a kind piece.
Superb Aesthetic:
In the end we are left with a collection of functional art; every piece comes together harmoniously. Although the whole lot was purchased at once, you would never be the wiser. Nothing matches, but everything goes together perfectly. As though we had travelled to the far reaches of the world ourselves and sent home all our treasures; a collection which should have taken me years and years to create.
The transformation of our home has been a personal journey. I feel more confidant in my ability to design. Even with Jagat’s help, I really feel as though I did it all myself. I like the way Jagat would casually guide my experience without taking credit for an idea:
ie. “Might I suggest [an altar]...” “Perhaps you will consider [a small buddha]...” etc.
His humble guidance is empowering, while I have found that the “suggestions” of others usually sound more demanding:
”You know what you should do? I would place the table there, the couch there... create a conversation pit blah blah blah...”
We were able to easily integrate our love of art into our new home; our collection of abstract paintings somehow fits seamlessly into the overall aesthetic. Even our Catholic and Greek icons look great; as if they were somehow “meant to be”. Our home is far from ordinary, and a perfect representation of “us”. I feel blessed to wake up every morning surrounded by such beauty, and it effects my whole outlook on life. My home is living proof of how blessed I am to have “stumbled” into Tara Home. I feel grateful, and honored to have been asked to share my experience. Please feel free to slice and dice this up to fit your needs in any way!
Gabriella Redding; wife, mother of two, CEO... homemaker extraordinaire.
Gabriella Redding
CEO Hoopnotica, Inc
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