Financial Times

Geetha’s creativeness and artistry seen in many hotels
By Randima Attygalle
A colossal structure of a “Narilatha” welcomes a guest to the banquet hall of Colombo Hilton whilst an array of heraldic flags, indigenous fauna and flora, zodiac signs and mythical figures which mirrors the ancient glory of a rich and a powerful reign reinforce the ambience of the Sri Lankan restaurant at the Grand Oriental Hotel (GOH) Colombo serving exotic local cuisine.

Simple yet tastefully designed interiors of Belihuloya, Ambepussa, Tissa and Ella Rests of the Hotels Corporation make a guest feel at home and the vibrant hues of Blue Leopard Night Club ideally set up the mood for a glitzy night in the town.

The creative hand and mind which make an assortment of all these themes and moods possible is Geetha Seneviratne whose artistic lineage claims not only the cleverness of splashing “right colour in the right place”, but music, sculpture and culinary skills.

“Hailing from an artistic background where pots of paints, brushes and clay were a common sight, I eventually moulded myself into a self-taught artist and an interior decorator,” recalls Geetha whose inborn talent in the art were polished by her own sense of observation and inspiration from other experts in the field.

Today, a seasoned interior decorator and a teacher of art and sculptor with a wealth of experience, Geetha came into the limelight with her maiden interior décor exhibition in the early 70s where she had the opportunity of working closely with Swarna Obeysekera- a name synonymous with the trade of interior decorating in the country.

Textile designing, landscaping and pottery being other fortes of multi-faceted Geetha, her creative efforts in interior décor are strengthened by them. “Interior décor is a blend of placing correct furniture, curtaining, matching of colours and more, and my knack for other creative efforts complement it,” explains Geetha.

Space, background and shading are the corner stones of interior decorating, according to Geetha as choice of furniture and other accompaniments such as carpets and paintings in turn depend on these three elements. “For instance in apartments, where space is limited, one has to be mindful not to clutter the place with heavy wooden items, both for practical reasons and to restore the quality of presentation,” says Geetha adding that in such instances, wrought-iron or cane would be ideal substitutes. Opting for ‘fixtures’ such as wall cupboards and cement-divans with cushions are also ‘space-friendly’ options according to her.

Floor area is another key factor which can both enhance or distort a particular décor according to Geetha. “Spending on an expensive décor would be futile, if it does not harmonize with the atmosphere of a location. For instance, floor areas can come in different formats –multi-coloured and multi-designed tiles, terra cotta etc. If the floor is too crowded with squares and stripes, the background and walls should be very plain with minimum additions such as paintings.”

Shading or blending of colours which is a cardinal principle in interior decorating, gives not only character and status to a particular place but it boosts the ‘mood’ of those occupying it as well, according to Geetha. Whether it’s domestic, hotel sector or mercantile, this belief is practically manifested in all of Geetha’s efforts in interior décor. “When working on a décor, one should always bear in mind the objective of the place. If it is a hospital, a uniformed décor of simplicity should be adhered to as a patient’s mind cannot be ruffled with a complex abstract painting hanging on a wall of dark shades.

On the other hand, if it is a special hotel suite meant for honeymooners, a romantic theme should be explored,” explains Geetha with a smile. Blindly imitating or importing a particular colour-combination is a common error among many, says Geetha. “Shading or matching the colours depend on the interior of a structure. If a place is generally dark or gloomy, walls should be of softer shades and if there is ample sunlight, colours such as yellow should be avoided.”

Choosing a particular theme out of wood, wrought-iron, stainless steel, cane etc. is always a challenging endeavour, says Geetha who believes that if all units of a construction are of the same “eye-level”, it is wise to select one uniformed theme. “If the sitting room, dining area and the kitchen of a house are of the same elevation, it is wise to opt for one theme. However, if they are not even, one can have a fusion of these creating several atmospheres under the same roof,” elaborates Geetha.

According to Geetha, expertise of interior designers are more sought after today, than a few decades ago as people are more exposed to the contemporary styles which they yearn to have at their homes or offices. “Especially those in the mercantile sector are widely travelled today and they bring back lot of new ideas which they want to fuse into their homes, hotels or corporate companies.”

An advocate of eco-friendly resources, Geetha defines a ‘sound décor’ as one which restores artistic value, neatness and blending of right hues. “A good piece of décor does not necessarily have to be born out of expensive materials. With cost-free resources, one can do wonders,” says Geetha.

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