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Your home is an extension of your personality. Often, it can dictate your mental state—the colors you choose can calm or energize you, and the decorative pieces you have on display will either motivate you or make you nostalgic. A lot of thought and work goes behind a house that looks effortlessly chic. A well put-together house, where everything looks just right, isn’t an overnight achievement. It happens little by little, piece by piece.

That said, interior design is an evolving process. There is no end to it. You are never done. It changes (as it should) depending on the season and festival. Many of my friends who are professional interior designers or are passionate about interior design always tweak their décor depending on their mood, the weather, and time of the year. A cousin has different carpets and throws for summer and winter. It sets the mood, she says. Summer calls for lighter fabrics while thicker materials are ideal for winter.

Every year there are décor trends that dominate the market. Sometimes mixing and matching patterns are all the rage while other times florals tend to dominate the scene. Though fashion and interior design often don’t intersect, I notice a lot of design ideas are influenced by runway trends. This year is all about quiet luxury—understated elegance that calls for attention due to its simplicity.

We are talking about dark woods, luxurious soft textures, and traditionally shaped furniture that you can probably pass down to your children by giving them a new life with re-upholstery. The focus also seems to be on underestimated areas of the house like the hallway and pantry. Instagram-worthy rooms with their fancy couches and neon signs with bold declarations are no longer in. Here are five timeless décor trends that are all the rage in 2024.

Green living for a fresh appeal

Green living is more than just a trend. It’s an important lifestyle choice. Sustainability has never been more important than now. As the mercury rises, we must choose natural ways to keep our homes adequately ventilated and thus cool. Eco-conscious interior design takes center stage in 2024 with nature inspired elements. Potted plants, keeping the windows bare to let the light stream in, and bamboo panes and blinds are some options to give your indoor space a cool, outdoorsy vibe.

A permanent home office

Remote work isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s an alternative that boosts productivity by cutting down on unnecessary distractions and commute time. And it looks like it’s here to stay as more companies and offices are allowing people to work from home. Creating an office space is now the need of the hour. You can’t be expected to work from the dining table or the living room couch if you want to strike a work-life balance. Invest in some ergonomic furniture and stylish, minimalistic pieces to make your workspace functional and inspiring.

Chunky accents for the oomph effect

We often clutter our homes with little knick-knacks and while artfully placed ones can add a lot of character to our space, there’s the risk of it looking a bit too cluttered and chaotic. Dusting also becomes quite tedious if you have too many decorative items around the house. The solution to this is to opt for big, chunky statement pieces like a large vase, a sculpture, or a large coffee table that can double as a centerpiece. They add a dash of quirkiness to any space while elevating its style quotient. Choose a focal piece and have a few smaller items around or on it.

Take your world outdoors

Nature and natural elements have become huge design trends in 2024. From cane and bamboo to jute and linen, natural textures are finding their way into our spaces. They are sustainable and easy to maintain as well. But instead of limiting ourselves to the use of natural elements indoors, taking ourselves outside, from the confines of the walls, is also an evolving aspect of décor—meaning outdoor spaces are being given as much attention as indoor spaces. So, look for ways to revamp your patio, balcony, and garden area. Outdoor, garden furniture like swings and low seating areas can add understated charm to a neglected area.

Play with colors

The all-white trend is timeless. But it’s apparently losing its appeal in 2024 due to maintenance issues. It’s often seen as sterile and lacking personality too. Decorators are opting for bolder colors to infuse character into a space. Accent walls in a range of browns, yellows, and blues are also gaining popularity. Don’t be scared to experiment. Choose a color or a color combination you like and play around with it. You can also add colors to your space in the form of fabrics like curtains and cushion covers if you aren’t bold enough to paint your walls a vibrant hue. 

Akhanda Bhandari is a well-known name in Nepali media fraternity. Born in Bhojpur district of eastern Nepal, he gained recognition through his influential column ‘Voice of the Voiceless’ in Kantipur daily. Later, he joined Annapurna Post and was appointed as its Editor-In-Chief a few years later. He’s also known for his innovative storytelling particularly with graphic narratives. 

Bhandari made his debut in the world of literature with the novel ‘Malaya Express’ in 2013. The novel delved into the emotional and financial struggles associated with Nepal’s remittance economy. Now, after a decade, he has published his second novel, ‘Bora’, which explores the lives of elderly mothers in Nepal.

Bora, which translates to sack in Nepali, carries both metaphorical and literal meaning in the novel. It symbolizes the burdens shouldered by Yamuna, who labors tirelessly, carrying sacks of sand to finance her son Asal Sharma’s education. It also depicts a troubling scene where Asal and his wife, Nirjala Adhikari, discard Yamuna by packing her up in a sack.

The narrative weaves together the lives of its contrasting characters. Asal is raised by his single mother, Yamuna, after she is abandoned by her husband, Rudra Prasad Dahal. Although Asal grew up witnessing his mother’s hardships and holding her in high regard, he is influenced by his wife, Nirjala, and ultimately abandons her. Nirjala, raised in an affluent family in Kathmandu and a doctor by profession, ironically believes in superstitions. She labels her mother-in-law, Yamuna, as a ‘witch’ and conspires to abandon her. 

Bora is set in various locations—Dhankuta, Jhapa, Itahari, Biratnagar, and Kathmandu. It raises questions about familial bonds and societal values. It examines how Asal, despite being raised amid hardships by his mother and grandmother, succumbs to his wife’s pressure. It delves into the dynamics that lead Asal to forsake Yamuna and how his son, Nirjal, rescues his grandmother from an old age home on the premises of the Pashupatinath Temple.

Like Malaya Express, Bora also ends on a happy note. Both novels are set in the Koshi Province of eastern Nepal and emphasize themes of women’s empowerment. Both novels also talk about journalism. These recurring motifs reflect Bhandari’s passion for uplifting readers and his affinity for powerful female characters and the role journalism plays in our society.

Despite its strengths, Bora isn’t without flaws. There are noticeable inconsistencies, such as the character Rashmi Nepali being described as sipping tea in one instance and coffee in another. The use of English terms like ‘aunty’, ‘please’, and ‘okay’ in dialogues supposedly set in rural Nepal decades ago feels inappropriate.

Nevertheless, Bora is a captivating read. Bhandari has crafted a narrative deeply intertwined with the fabric of Nepali society.  The 471-page novel, priced at Rs 700, is an exploration of the silent sufferings of Nepal’s abandoned mothers and criticizes the tendency of elites to neglect elderly people. The novel also delves into the issues of fragmenting family traditions and the rise of elderly homes in Nepal.

On 25 Dec 2021, Baburam Kandel from Butwal joined HyperFund, an online networking business, on the recommendation of a friend from his village. Without much thought, he embraced the digital business, expecting significant profits. Initially, Kandel invested $1,000 (equivalent to Rs 135,161.80 at the current exchange rate), but within four months, he was drawn deeper into the scheme.

At first, Kandel received some returns, which encouraged him to invest more. Frequent Zoom meetings were held by the people involved in the scheme, promising higher returns for more investments. Kandel, now 40, ended up investing around $10,000 (equivalent to Rs 1,35m). Initially enticed by the potential gains, he ultimately lost his savings to the scam and deceived his downline members as well.

Kandel reports that similar scammers are now operating under different names such as ‘SBG Global,’ MMIT, V-TABS, V-LIFE, and more. Currently living in the Maldives, Kandel shared in a virtual conversation with RSS that many victims hesitate to come forward due to fear of police action for their involvement in the scam.

Ranjana Shrestha, a Nepali nurse living in the UK for over 18 years, faced severe economic, mental, and social setbacks after losing millions of rupees. Persuaded by a friend of her spouse on August 5, 2021, she invested in the fund, believing in its legitimacy. Unaware of the scam, she also convinced her family members in Nepal and several colleagues to invest, thanks to her reputable standing.

Although reassured by the website’s apparent stability, neither she nor her downline members could withdraw their investments. Ranjana expressed her hope that Nepal Police would help recover their funds. She emphasized that while the financial loss is quantifiable, the emotional, psychological, and social impacts are immeasurable. Ranjana and her spouse regularly meet with other victims, seeking justice and raising awareness to prevent others from falling into similar traps.

DB Thapa, who worked in the civil engineering department for an airport in Dubai for 20 years, recently filed a complaint with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) against HyperFund operators after losing Rs 1.95m, including his family members' investments. Thapa joined the scheme in August 2021 and realized it was a scam in April 2022 when he faced obstacles in withdrawing funds. He accused Nepali nationals Devi Pokhrel (aka Roshan Pokhrel) and Lalit Kumar Neupane of masterminding the scam. Thapa estimated that Nepalis globally have lost over Rs 700bn, leading to significant mental, social, and economic distress among the victims.

Victims of HyperFund regularly meet through Zoom to share their experiences and support each other, determined to raise public awareness about the scam. Kandel emphasized the need for cooperation from the Nepal Police and Nepali media to achieve justice and urged authorities to investigate potential illegal transactions.

Superintendent of Police Hobindra Bogati, spokesperson for the CIB of Nepal Police, reported that they have arrested Nanu Ghimire (aka Kajal) from Lalitpur, accused of orchestrating the fraud. The scammers lured victims through Zoom meetings, promising returns of over Rs 300,000 ($3,000) for a $1,000 investment, using blockchain technology to facilitate the fraud. The CIB has received complaints from 56 people, amounting to over $79.05m. Bogati urged victims to lodge complaints via the official CIB website, assuring that they will not be treated as defendants despite the illegal nature of the business.

The Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank regulator, has declared all virtual currencies, cryptocurrencies (including stablecoins), network marketing, and HyperFund illegal in Nepal. Any involvement in such activities, including transactions, investments, and mining, is subject to legal action.

RSS

Dear Readers,

Greetings from Kathmandu!

This week, Nepal’s media focused on the Indian Lok Sabha elections and their regional implications. Following Narendra Modi’s historic re-election as India’s Prime Minister for a third term, ApEx published two analytical pieces. The first covered the election outcomes and Nepal-India relations, while the second examined the challenges Modi might face with his neighborhood policy during his third term. The diplomatic and strategy communities in Kathmandu are still analyzing these developments, but India’s policy toward Nepal is expected to see both continuity and change. There are also rumors that Modi may soon visit Nepal.

Another major story this week involved the arrest of two Nepali nationals by Tibetan officials in Gorkha. Neither the Nepali nor Chinese governments have provided information on the matter. Some media outlets suggested the arrests were related to support for Tibetan refugees fleeing Nepal, but this has not been independently verified. We have called on the government to address this issue immediately.

President Ram Chandra Poudel is currently touring Switzerland and Germany. In Switzerland, he delivered a keynote address at the high-level event of the Forum of Global Coalition for Social Justice in Geneva.  Additionally, Bangladesh’s Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase approved a proposal to import 40 MW of electricity from Nepal, with India agreeing to facilitate the sale.

On the domestic front, Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane remains in the spotlight due to allegations of embezzling cooperative funds. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a case to dismiss Lamichhane, and all eyes are on the court as it demands evidence regarding his involvement. Lamichhane, who was outspoken just a few weeks ago, is now cautious in his public statements.

Temperatures across Nepal continue to rise, affecting daily life. Some schools have closed to protect students from heat waves. But with the arrival of monsoon three days ahead of schedule, meteorologists expect cooler conditions in the days to come.

Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surendra Pandey from the Nepali Congress secured a vote of confidence after lawmaker Phanindra Devkota defied his party’s orders and supported Pandey. The Supreme Court is also hearing cases related to government formation in Koshi Province. In the Sudurpaschim Province, intra-party disputes within the Maoist party are disrupting the government’s functioning. Overall, provincial governments are nearly defunct, with the Supreme Court holding significant power over their formation and dismissal. It is clear that provincial governments are even more unstable than the federal government.

The controversy over Giri Bandhu Tea Estate continues to make headlines. The Nepali Congress and other parties are criticizing CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli, whose government in 2021 amended the Land Act enabling the tea estate to exchange around 280 bighas of land, situated at prime location in Birtamod, Jhapa. Oli has defended the controversial amendment that has been overturned by the Supreme Court. This week, the UML chair also defended his 2020 decision to dissolve the parliament, stating that there was nothing unconstitutional or undemocratic about seeking a fresh mandate when the leaders from within the governing party were refusing to work in favor of the people.   

The Janata Samajbadi Party led by Upendra Yadav held its first-ever general convention but failed to elect office-bearers due to internal controversies. Recently, Yadav’s party split, with seven members forming a separate party. Yadav has sought the court’s intervention to deem the split illegitimate. Meanwhile, the main opposition CPN-UML is holding district conventions, having completed them in more than 64 districts. This week, Oli stated that his decision to dissolve the parliament in 2020 was to protect the UML.

If you want to publish your stories, articles and columns, or offer feedback and suggestions, mail me @[email protected] or [email protected]. I have started this informal and conversational-style column to provide your updates on national and international events. Happy weekend! 

Kamal Dev Bhattarai 

Editor, The Annapurna Express