Homes of Pride

India one of my favorite places is a fascinating and colorful country of contrasts. Take a moment to reflect on these two divergent dwellings.

The Ambani Family spent four years and nearly $2 billion to build the world’s largest and most expensive single family home. Called Antilla, it’s a 27-story skyscraper in downtown Mumbai with 400,000 square feet of interior space designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates, the designers behind the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. With amenities of a hotel, the home is occasionally used to entertain business guests. No two floors are alike, and it has a look and feel that is distinctly Indian.

In contrast, she spent days building this home and clearly has taken great pride in her cow dung creation. Notice the beautiful hand-embossed striped motif on the walls and the meticulously placed roof tiles that create a unique design overhead. This home is used for protection from the northern Indian rainy season and rest.

How do you feel about your own home now? Are you “house proud”?