It is a well-known fact that kitchens play a vital role in increasing the square footage and budget of homes in Kerala. When Ashraf and Amina decided to design a new house in Thalassery. The couple had different ideas about the size of the house. However, they insisted that the house should have all the necessary amenities. My wife wanted a big house even if it cost a lot of money. Here her husband stood like an ATM dispensing money without asking any questions.
Ashraf and Amina are the parents of three children who have graduated from high school. The couple had always wanted to build their own home in their hometown after returning to Kerala from their expatriate days. The family talked about their likes and interests and finally decided to build a spacious house with five bedrooms and at least three kitchens. They completed plans for his 4,000+ square foot home, including all amenities. The size of the house will surprise everyone. I was equally confused as to why we needed an additional guest room when we only needed four bedrooms.
Very spacious bedroom, huge bathroom and multiple balconies were unnecessary. However, Amina was drawn to the chic design and features, including the contemporary and stylish modular kitchen. The family wanted three kitchens in their home. The first unit is a unit kitchen that looks like the one on display in the showroom. They had no plans to cook in this kitchen. This kitchen alone was designed by him on a budget of Rs 70-80 lakh. It was just a show kitchen with a stove that never lit and a slab of granite paved over particle board with no concrete reinforcement. What's more, there were designer kitchen boards and fittings that would never be used. The second kitchen will be your actual working kitchen. Again, we saw particleboard laid over granite without a concrete base. Sadly, if you follow a cooking style that relies heavily on oil, water, and heat, these ingredients will quickly begin to wilt.
The third kitchen had a non-smoking stove. They wanted such a stove in their brand new house. But in reality, no one cooks on this stove other than boiling milk as part of a housewarming ceremony. Next comes the spacious work area. However, this area is also underused. But Amina wasn't ready to give up on the idea of a kitchen that covers an area of 750 to 800 square feet. In fact, the idea of building such a house was unreasonable.
Years later, Ashraf had changed a lot. He sounded sad and dejected when he said that his family lost everything after he built the house. They spent about 70% of the money they earned in the Gulf on their home. In addition, I had to sell the land around my house for my children's education and marriage. Now they are up to their necks in debt.
They are unable to paint or maintain their homes due to financial constraints. The only people living in the big house are Ashraf and Amina, who are both past middle age. Their children have settled elsewhere. All bedrooms upstairs are completely ignored. Due to Amina's poor health, she cannot even clean the first floor. Many people approach architects and home designers with similar requests.
Children leave home for education or settle far away for work or marriage. They eventually become mere guests who occasionally visit their elderly parents. In Kerala, there are countless houses measuring 4,000 to 5,000 square feet, waiting to entertain uninvited guests. These homes will eventually lose their appeal and many of the added features may no longer be needed.
