A quest for beauty

Housing a collection of unknown artefacts from remote areas, Rushira Wettimuny’s store offers untapped creativity

Moods, the newly opened design store offers an astonishing melange of hand-carved artefacts, furniture and accessories for your home. Timeless beauty and creativity are reflected in these items, personally handpicked by Rushira Wettimuny.

Travelling through India's teeming cities and villages, the former bank executive’s quest for works of art took her to the remotest rural villages near the old city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan (western India), some of which did not even have proper access. It was there - amidst often dilapidated living environments that she found what she calls her treasures.

Untapped talent is what Rushira sees in the work of village artisans from India, Indonesia and the entire region that she has travelled extensively in. By showcasing their ware, the boutique store offers a glimpse of the age-old traditions that have been meticulously preserved over centuries.

Back home in Sri Lanka, she works with local craftsmen from the outstations, enabling them to market their products. Tableware made by orphanages, paintings for which she provides the artists with materials, and woodwork or pottery has found its way into her gallery.

Having been a senior professional in banking, Rushira quit her job amidst much opposition to conceptualise her dream. “My love for travel triggered the move, though some thought I was nuts,” she admits. She travels widely, often with her husband or mother in search of new items to add to the Moods collection.

Notably almost 450 products, which are both of ornamental and practical value, are systematically catalogued for a detailed view of the entire range and an easy selection process. “We have tried to stay away from the typical, but offer a one stop destination for all decorative products for the entire home – bedrooms, living rooms and kitchen pantries,” she says.

Comfort, simplicity and style are the hallmarks of the products displayed in the gallery set in Rushira’s mother’s ancestral home in Siridhamma Mawatha, Colombo 10 that is over a hundred years old. In their efforts to preserve the charming home they have not touched the vibrant tiles on the floor but artistically arranged the unique sculptures, pots, jars, masks, abstract paintings, furniture and mosaic stones to create a tasteful effect enhanced by aromatic scents.

Pieces like the dark Indonesian lava stone sculptures such as the ‘man with heavy head’ or the limestone ‘odd couple’ can add an air of mystery to any setting.

Other items that need mention are the wooden furniture with brass inlay work and embellishments, Vietnamese pots, carved wooden chests (Pettagama) and other teak furniture sporting a raw yet perfectly finished look.