Deep buttoned velvet is the wrong note in Anjuna, on grounds of taste and of climate both. Owners here want bedrooms that look easy and natural, and laterite dust in the dry season lodges round every button. What works is simpler: a wooden headboard, or a low panelled one covered in a coarse linen-look synthetic, in undyed or earthy shades. Synthetic matters because wind carries salt far inland from the shore and natural cloth holds the damp that comes with it. Seal the backing board on both sides and mount it a finger's width off the wall. In the old houses taken on long lets, a headboard fixed to the bed leaves the landlord's wall alone.
- New villas: a wide wooden or linen-look panelled headboard with reading lights, agreed with the electrician before the wall is finished.
- Old village houses on long lets: a bed-fixed headboard that moves out with the tenant and needs no drilling into the wall.
- Boutique stays and rooms above cafes: plain wipeable panels in a textured synthetic, quick to re-cover when a guest marks one.
Anjuna is a spread-out village on a rocky stretch of coast, known since the 1960s for its travellers, its Wednesday flea market and its music. Behind the cliffs and small beaches are lanes of old houses, guest houses, cafes and a growing number of villas.
Anjuna property is varied and individual: old village houses let long-term, boutique stays, cafes with rooms above, and new villas. Owners favour an informal, natural look over anything formal.
The coast here is open and rocky, and wind carries salt well inland. Laterite dust is heavy in the dry season.
We want a relaxed, natural look in Anjuna. What do you suggest?
Linen-look curtains, bamboo blinds for verandas and textured cotton-look upholstery, in synthetic blends that stand up to salt and dust.
Do you fit out cafes and guest houses?
Yes. Outdoor blinds, awnings, cushions and room curtains can all be measured in one visit.