Inspired by French decor styles, interior designer Shweta Desai’s New Jersey home redefines modern cool

Minimalistic yet bold, Shweta Desai’s house is a luxurious air away from the hustle of the city. The home gives a distinct outlook on art deco. The walls are a bright white and the flooring in the living room is patterned with black graphics. The flooring in the bedrooms and in the kitchen is dark grey with a wooden finish. While refurbishing her own house, dated from the 1980s, Shweta Desai, who is an interior designer herself, was newly inspired by the French and Parisian interiors.

She took it upon herself as a challenge and looked at this house as a blank canvas with scope for modernising. She toned down and balanced the bold colours and textures in the furniture and fabrics with neutral colours.

The flooring is patterned with dynamic strokes, although in neutral monotones which counter-checks the brighter furniture. The decor of the house is kept minimal in terms of fabric, with a mixed-use of velvet, faux fur, silk, leather and similar artisanal elements.

The stunningly elegant kitchen is inspired by the vintage white and gold La Cornue gas burner, with shaker cabinets covered in the sterility of white colour and slabs of 2.5 inches Calcutta Gold Quartz, enhancing the modern look. Decor pieces are a diverse assortment that is locally sourced, built in-house or custom made and delivered from California.

What according to us completely steals the show is this black-on-black wall in the powder room. The iconic Andy Warhol wallpaper of Marilyn Monroe is reminiscent of the Art Deco period and brings about a representation of the lost era.

The decor exudes subtle elegance, with materials such as velvet, faux fur, silk, leather, as well as metallic accents and quirky accessories that contrast the neutral white palette; Photographs by Raquel Langworthy

The eclectic wall installation offsets the white backdrop with a metallic planter adding a touch of greenery; Photographs by Raquel Langworthy

The flooring in the living room is patterned with dynamic strokes in dramatic monotones, with an eclectic mix of seaters spaced out; Photographs by Raquel Langworthy

The black-on-black wall in the powder room showcases the iconic Andy Warhol wallpaper of Marilyn Monroe, reminiscent of the Art Deco period; Photographs by Raquel Langworthy

The monochrome and gold palette continues in the bathroom, where patterned flooring, minimal art, a decorative wall mirror and small potted plants elevate the space; Photographs by Raquel Langworthy

The contemporary kitchen houses a vintage white and gold La Cornue gas burner and white shaker cabinets covered in slabs of 2.5 inches Calcutta Gold Quartz; Photographs by Raquel Langworthy