Home is Where the Heart is!

Khursheed Hyder

Shahnaz and Nuruddin Abjani’s house reflects their personalities. Aesthetically decorated keeping in mind the combination of space, furniture and artifacts it has been transformed from a house into a home keeping comfort in the fore. Music plays a very important role in their lives as both like to sing and have allocated an open area for the purpose.

GLAM: Describe the need for renovating and moving into your new beautiful home. What were some highlights of the renovation process?

We started our married life from a two-bedroom apartment. We then moved into a duplex apartment later on. As our business flourished, we bought a 500-yard house as I wanted open space. Motivation is always linked with evolvement, you evolve financially, emotionally and then you want to progress. Plus, this property was ideal and I always wanted a west open corner house in a vicinity where I could feel the peace, as well.

GLAM: What factors made you choose this area?

The highlight was the location and the way this plot is structured, I knew what the outcome will be. Also, it was away from the previous house where we lived earlier facing flooding regularly, and I was always worried when it rained. So, when I saw this house and its elevation, I knew I would be able to enjoy the rain.

GLAM: What are some of the standout features in your house that reflect your personal style and preferences?

My furniture and decorations are a collection of 32 years of my life. I didn’t want my house to be a museum, designer wall or a catalogue inspired home. I wanted a home. I wanted it to be easy to live in but it had to be elegant. So, I designed the walls accordingly but the hardest part was the procurement of the Buddha fountain. It took me around four months to bring it here from abroad. All the formalities such as custom duties made my life very difficult.

If you are not enjoying your work, don’t pursue it. I know it’s easy to say and I understand that people work because of monetary struggles. But still if you are not happy, you won’t be able to make your family happy and wont progress either.

GLAM: Could you share some memorable moments you’ve experienced in your new home since moving in?

While I was making this house, I wanted it to be an open house for everybody, anyone could walk in. So, the memorable moments are when my friends would call and ask what I was up to and I would say ‘parday lagarahi hun’. They would just come in and help — I have a nuclear family so my friends are my family too.

GLAM: Can you share any specific inspirations or influences from your travels or cultural background that are reflected in your home?

My husband and I both are followers of Buddha and Rumi. You will see their decorations all over the house. We are inspired by the tranquility of Buddha’s life and inspiration of Rumi’s.

GLAM: You are a beautician, too, what inspired you to pursue this career?

It actually started out of nowhere. I was doing distribution for a known beauty product from India. While I was expanding that field, one of my friend’s mother called me and asked why I hadn’t started my own salon as she had a place available. So, I took courses for makeup and hair from London school of Media, but after a few years I had to close it down due to some reasons.

GLAM: How do you and your husband Nuruddin balance your professional and personal lives being so busy?

He is a very encouraging man as he was the main force that helped me pursue my passions. When I got married, I was 20 and graduated after my marriage. I have spent 32 years of my life with him and he has always been there for me, encouraging me on when I was in doubt. And though he has a demanding business and I work too; we always make time for ourselves and friends and enjoy life as it should be.

GLAM: What were some of the challenges you faced during your initial careers?

We faced many challenges as we are self-made people. Our biggest challenge was shortage of funds. We started with Nuruddin’s salary of 6000 rupees, then he started his tyre business and became successful after a lot of struggles. There were challenges but we were never greedy. We did not give ourselves restricted targets but dreamt big and worked hard. If we were able to reach the targets, great, if we didn’t, it was fine!

GLAM: Your YouTube show “VThink” has garnered quite a following. What inspired you to start the show, and what topics do you typically cover?

The show is all about talking with friends on various topics. My friend Amna and I decided that we discuss general topics of interests for everyone, and started with casual recording, with no editing or heavy makeup and it just clicked.

GLAM: What piece of advice would you like to give to the people starting their career?

I would say follow what your gut says. If you are not enjoying your work, don’t pursue it. I know it’s easy to say and I understand that people work because of monetary struggles. But still if you are not happy, you won’t be able to make your family happy and wont progress either. Therefore, don’t choose your career because you have no other option as it won’t benefit you nor the organization you are connected with. And nowadays there are multiple options to choose from.