Page 88 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 2 | December 2023 - January 2024

It hints of possibilities beyond, which she
reveals is exactly why it called to her: “I did
a project during which we had to portray a
piece of art in a different way, and I chose
to do one of the Vietnamese painting, but
with a woman standing in front of this door.
I chose this subject as I can’t thank Allah
enough for His blessings - for some people,
life’s burdens represent a dead end, and
they are crumbling under its weight; but for
some others, an attitude of gratitude allows
us to see doors of hope instead.”

When I ask about other framed art pieces in
the space, particularly a few pen drawings
that show a unique and confident hand, she
answers demurely that they are her own
pieces, a fact, I realise, that explains the
artistic eye behind the design of her home.
“I’ve always liked drawing and design, and
my sons, who are my best friends, pushed
me to continue my studies. They always
told me that I had two fortes that I could
pursue as a career: teaching, and design. For Nothing gaudy, but modern with cultural for all the blessings in our lives, not the
15 years, I’ve taught the Qur’an to anyone elements. Every piece I have collected least of which are my three precious men;
who’s interested, and I still do this via Zoom, has its own story because before I visit any my husband and my sons. My eldest is
and anyone who’s interested is welcome country, I research what I should buy, and I a chartered accountant and is great with
to join. But I also attended the Philippine pick something that symbolises that country numbers, while my youngest is a talented
School of Interior Design, and did a to me.” communicator and is planning to be a
full degree programme there. I couldn’t lawyer, and is currently doing well in the
complete my last semester as the school And indeed, from the wall of carefully- marketing industry. Both of them, and my
temporarily shut because of the COVID-19 curated plates in the dining room, one husband, are the reason I am who I am
pandemic, but I’m hoping to transfer my from each of the countries they’ve visited; today.” And as I look around at their home, I
credits and join an interior design school to every story and item she’s collected over realise that the space is indeed infused with
in Thailand and complete my degree,” she the years; it’s true that you can trace their this aura of gratitude for all the memories
tells me. “I also use my drawing in my own progression from Lahore, to Karachi, to that they’ve been blessed with over the years
jewellery venture, called Bushis (Instagram: Manila, and finally to Bangkok, with every – and that makes all the difference in turning
@bushisofficial), which started with pearls meaningful stop along the way through the a house into a home.
in the Philippines and now in Bangkok, has years. Bushra emphasises to me, however,
expanded to precious stones,” she continues. that this collection was the result of decades
“In class, there were two Filipina ladies who of careful work. “We weren’t born with
noticed the way I draw is very different silver spoons in our mouths,” she says. “My
because it’s been culturally impacted by husband doesn’t work for a family business,
Pakistan – with curves, and arches. They he had to work his way up in his job. My
had asked me to draw for them in the advice to aspiring homeowners, therefore,
jewellery industry, and the rest is history.” would be to take time to curate your living
space. You can’t have it all in the beginning,
As Bushra walks me through her design it comes with time.”
choices through the rest of the house – red
shades in her eldest son’s room to symbolise Of course, she says with a laugh, nothing
the energy that he infuses into every room, would be as it is without the complete
with golf and body-building accoutrements support of her husband: “My husband
to show his passions; yellow shades in her has given me a free hand to decorate our
younger son’s room to symbolise his positive homes however I’d like. Even when I’m
and joyous spirit; and soothing shades of bringing large pieces from abroad, which
cream and classic furnishings in the master isn’t easy – my luggage is always overweight!”
bedroom, with a separate living area in she adds with a laugh. “Of course, now
which they can relax or pray – I ask her he enjoys it too! Now he asks me, ‘Begam,
how she’d describe her style. “Its impacted people are asking where this is from!’
by my culture, and I don’t go for rococo because he, too, takes pride in filling our
or baroque techniques,” she says. “I prefer home with memories. The one element I
carvings, with a touch of modernism. want to project in our home is gratitude

88 | MASALA MAGAZINE DEC 2023-JAN 2024