The corner: Sayeeda Leghari

Sayeeda Leghari lets us into her home for some insight on her personal definition of home and lifestyle

Sayeeda Leghari, chairman at Pepsi Cola Sukkur Beverages Limited and administrator at Shirin Jinnah Colony’s Government School, lets us into her home for some insight on how she designed her outdoor space and the inspiration behind her personal definition of home and lifestyle

Sayeeda Leghari built her gorgeous, Spanish-style home in 2005. The first thing that strikes us is the vast and elevated stone entrance close to the water fountain in the driveway. The entrance overlooks the garden, which also has large grey stones, a bench to sit on, and various evergreen plants and trees. We enter our host’s favourite corner, through a semi-private space close to the pool area, and are quick to spot a cosy stone patio right outside the fully furnished study within the house.

This light and airy porch made out of grey stone, matches the theme in the garden. A smooth, low, stone table decorated with a few flowers in glass vases provides both depth and beauty. It contrasts perfectly with the fully furnished dark-wood and leather study inside, which is separated by a thin glass window. Leghari explains why she chose to focus on this particular spot in her entire home. “Because of my husband’s lifestyle, with his many security guards, we wanted a semi-private space outside, where we could sit and also enjoy the garden,” says Leghari.



There is a pergola on top of the porch. The pergola goes with the Spanish feel of the house, which was built with a terracotta-like red clay roof and ornamental ironwork. When asked about how she uses this patio space Leghari replies, “I love sitting outside. I have occasional iftars here or tea in the evening, but normally I am at work till late. This corner also gives me a way to catch up on some alone time with fresh air.” We spot a beautifully constructed balcony right behind the pool. When asked about the inspiration behind the aesthetics of the balcony, she says she wanted something with a lot of light and air. “In fact, I wanted all my rooms to have fresh air,” she adds.

Not only does Leghari enjoy natural aesthetics in terms of furniture, she also pays a great deal of attention to her plants and gardening. She loves viewing the plumerias and palms from her porch and the pool that is close by. “I love water bodies in my home. In terms of gardening, I like growing evergreen plants as well as seasonal ones, and all varieties of palms. Since my outdoor spaces are generally evergreen, it is a very low-maintenance house,” Leghari says.



The theme of stone in her garden and outdoor space is definitely in line with her dislike for anything synthetic. She explains: “There is something very cooling about stone. I don’t like synthetic, and stone gives you a real feel.” She goes on to tell us that even the furniture inside her house is made out of wood, jute, or marble, and the fabrics used in the furniture are mostly cotton, velvet, and silk. “The furniture in my house is very contemporary — it’s neither classic nor modern. I like things that are easy to maintain and give a homely feel,” says Leghari.

A colossal space, which maintains a comforting warmth, is very difficult to come by, yet Leghari achieves this in her corner. She tells us: “I haven’t changed a single thing in the last 10 years regarding the decoration or design of my house,” and we think to ourselves, even a decade later, it stands tall and magnanimous, much like the woman in front of us.