At times one has to look no further than history itself for ideas for a ravishing interior. Lyallpur a.k.a. Faisalabad has some of the most beautiful designs from the olden days when the British reigned supreme, You! takes a look
The city was founded by the British Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab, Sir Charles James Lyall for whom it was named Lyallpur, in 1880. In 1977, the name of the city of Lyallpur was changed to Faisalabad, after the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. With due respect to the King, who was a great friend of Pakistan, this was a gross misnomer. He had probably never heard of the place, let alone ever visit it. Why the astute Lyallpuris never protested the gratuitous amputation of their heritage, I fail to understand.
The ubiquitous 'ghanta ghar' (Clock Tower) was the city centre designed by Captain Poham Young, to imitate the Union Flag with eight roads radiating from the large clock tower in the centre to eight separate bazaars. This majestic 'Clock Tower' of Lyallpur was constructed out of the funds raised by the Sikh Zamindars who collected it at a rate of Rs. 18 per square of land. The fund thus raised was handed over to the Municipal Committee which undertook to complete the project. The beautiful black figure is a wonderful sight. Time can really fly as one stands admiring this instrument of momentum.
Faisalabad is famed for its textiles. Exporting grey cloth and value added materials, it has supplied to major home textile stores worldwide. Neighboring Chiniot is famed for its furniture; also known in major furniture markets around the world and home to some of the richest business people in Pakistan.
When Laila, the public relations manager of Faisalabad Serena Hotel, invited me to visit her, it was with great fondness that I undertook the trip, to pay my respects to the city of the erstwhile Sir James Lyall.
One can see an indigenous marble floor, Chinioti sofa with vibrant floral print tapestry made of course in Faislabad itself, yellow ceramic lamp with petal cutouts in one of the sitting areas. It gives the place a very majestic touch and an altogether eclectic feel. A huge stunning brass lamp hangs in the in lobby offsetting brick walls; floral tiles accentuate doorways around a matching floral print sofa. An elegant polished rosewood table is reflected in the ceramic tiles on the floor. The pulsating maroon, ochre and green print patterned floor is reminiscent of spacious old city homes of Faisalabad.
The courtyard is another treat for one's senses; the brick floored courtyard is decorated with fragrant, flowering terra cotta pots, and a central fountain fashioned after an old fashioned Persian wheel (rehat). The vibrant colours add to the overall warm and friendly ambiance of the place. The earthy lighting Terra cotta hanging lamps lend a starlit ambience to the setting; the brick and marble floor design is a local artisan's specialty. Anyone who stops by can see bursts of tradition throughout the place and the experience is surely magnificient. The place has an avid display of the cotton heritage. To begin with Faisalabad is known for its status as a textile city, staying true to the tradition one can see the cotton images suspended from the ceiling; glass decorations are imprinted with images of sandblasted cotton plants etc.
Xuelian, a Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine specialty restaurant, with an absolutely stunning interior with emerald green sofas, the pictures on the walls are paintings of mosques in China! Naqqash Hall literally speaks for its name. A conference room with an intricately hand painted ceiling and panels that do multani-naqshnigars proud.
The colours are bold, the settings are elegant and the culture only adds to the overall magic. This is one place everyone needs to stop by at least once in their lifetime.
The city was founded by the British Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab, Sir Charles James Lyall for whom it was named Lyallpur, in 1880. In 1977, the name of the city of Lyallpur was changed to Faisalabad, after the late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. With due respect to the King, who was a great friend of Pakistan, this was a gross misnomer. He had probably never heard of the place, let alone ever visit it. Why the astute Lyallpuris never protested the gratuitous amputation of their heritage, I fail to understand.
The ubiquitous 'ghanta ghar' (Clock Tower) was the city centre designed by Captain Poham Young, to imitate the Union Flag with eight roads radiating from the large clock tower in the centre to eight separate bazaars. This majestic 'Clock Tower' of Lyallpur was constructed out of the funds raised by the Sikh Zamindars who collected it at a rate of Rs. 18 per square of land. The fund thus raised was handed over to the Municipal Committee which undertook to complete the project. The beautiful black figure is a wonderful sight. Time can really fly as one stands admiring this instrument of momentum.
Faisalabad is famed for its textiles. Exporting grey cloth and value added materials, it has supplied to major home textile stores worldwide. Neighboring Chiniot is famed for its furniture; also known in major furniture markets around the world and home to some of the richest business people in Pakistan.
When Laila, the public relations manager of Faisalabad Serena Hotel, invited me to visit her, it was with great fondness that I undertook the trip, to pay my respects to the city of the erstwhile Sir James Lyall.
One can see an indigenous marble floor, Chinioti sofa with vibrant floral print tapestry made of course in Faislabad itself, yellow ceramic lamp with petal cutouts in one of the sitting areas. It gives the place a very majestic touch and an altogether eclectic feel. A huge stunning brass lamp hangs in the in lobby offsetting brick walls; floral tiles accentuate doorways around a matching floral print sofa. An elegant polished rosewood table is reflected in the ceramic tiles on the floor. The pulsating maroon, ochre and green print patterned floor is reminiscent of spacious old city homes of Faisalabad.
The courtyard is another treat for one's senses; the brick floored courtyard is decorated with fragrant, flowering terra cotta pots, and a central fountain fashioned after an old fashioned Persian wheel (rehat). The vibrant colours add to the overall warm and friendly ambiance of the place. The earthy lighting Terra cotta hanging lamps lend a starlit ambience to the setting; the brick and marble floor design is a local artisan's specialty. Anyone who stops by can see bursts of tradition throughout the place and the experience is surely magnificient. The place has an avid display of the cotton heritage. To begin with Faisalabad is known for its status as a textile city, staying true to the tradition one can see the cotton images suspended from the ceiling; glass decorations are imprinted with images of sandblasted cotton plants etc.
Xuelian, a Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisine specialty restaurant, with an absolutely stunning interior with emerald green sofas, the pictures on the walls are paintings of mosques in China! Naqqash Hall literally speaks for its name. A conference room with an intricately hand painted ceiling and panels that do multani-naqshnigars proud.
The colours are bold, the settings are elegant and the culture only adds to the overall magic. This is one place everyone needs to stop by at least once in their lifetime.
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