THIS is a place where I can tell my wife when to come in and when not to. The rest of the house is Haseena's," says Mahesh Jethmalani, of his little corner of the world. Tucked away on the top floor of a two-story apartment in Walkeshwar, the simple environs of his den provide him place to relax, watch TV and work.

Done up in muted shades of beige and tan, with dusted silver drapes and a marble-and-wood flooring, it's the bric-a-brac lining the shelves of the den that give it a warm yet serious atmosphere.

On a wall lined with law reference books sits a home theatre system, flanked by photographs, artifacts and a collection of CDs and movies. On a shelf by the side is a massive sculpture of a ceramic cub. "My wife's gift to me. We're both Leos. Actually, she's done up this room," says Jethmalani.

The small office-at-home is also used for `intimate gatherings'. "For larger parties, there's always the outside the view is terrific, and it's the only thing missing in my den," he says. Jethmalani's passion for horses is also evident in a bust atop one shelf, and a sculpture of several horses.

Not to mention the Husain on an easel, greeting you as you step in.

Suddenly, a small dog, a bundle of brown fur, runs in, yapping. "Meet the only person who's allowed into this room without my permission," says Jethmalani.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.