This Mumbai home by Quirk Studio mirrors an Indian modern storybook charm

This 2,500 sq ft Mumbai home carries the charm you’d find flipping through the pages of a PG Wodehouse novel. Created for a couple in their 60s, with a visiting daughter and frequent guests in mind, Disha Bhavsar and Shivani Ajmera of Quirk Studio have crafted a nook that feels both curated yet effortless, every detail here serves a purpose yet carries a quiet quirk. High arches, custom lights and Jaisalmer stone accents echo the kind of old-world charm that is quietly opulent.

Cradled in the warmth of walnut wood, with glints of brass accents and wrapped in wallpaper with moulding details – the spaces are layered in elegance, while the swing and multifunctional rooms add a sense of play and practicality. It’s a home that feels both refined and lived-in, much like the enduring charm of a cherished story. 

Of swings, books and cosy corners

As you step into the home, the gracefully designed entrance passage with stone-finish tiles accented by refined black-and-white border inlay, hinting that perhaps you could judge a book by its cover. Crowned with a softly curved ceiling the passage then leads you into the kitchen through a glass slider on the left and a study room on the right. The study, lined with rich walnut wood, features a sofa cum bed, a recliner and a floor-to-ceiling study unit —  creating a functional yet inviting space, perfect for the homeowners’ remote working days.

High ceilings amplify the sense of space of the home, curated artwork scattered mindfully throughout the spaces with custom elements like curtains and lighting add to the personal touch.

The passage then opens to the expansive living and dining areas, divided into formal and informal zones. The formal seating is sophisticated with an L-shaped sofa and armchairs with a backdrop of custom wallpaper with intricate moulding details. In contrast, the informal seating radiates an inviting warmth with a whimsical curved sofa, a snug swing perfect to watch the sweeping views of the sea and the cityscape and a built-in bookshelf – an unhurried corner away from the bustle of the city, perfect for casual evenings to sip a cup of tea.

The dining area has a wooden ceiling, its sliding folding window connects the space to the kitchen. The floor-to-ceiling sliding doors here offer flexibility, enclosing the dining area when privacy is desired. The daughter’s bedroom combines natural textures like rattan furniture, hues of green, an Indian touch is added by a Jaisalmer stone with gold leaf inlay. The master bedroom blends wooden finishes, textured paint and brass accents and features a walk-in wardrobe with shutters made of alternating tinted glass and linen fabric layers. 

Honeyed brass and plush greens

Reflecting the couple’s love for the colour green, shades of a deep green flow through the space coupled with blues that ripple across the space. Brass accents catch the light just enough to glint and glow, adding depth and warmth to the palette. Here and there, a flash of red catches the eye—a burst of whimsy in an otherwise serene space. Browns of the Walnut wood adds warmth throughout the space, particularly in the study, while Jaisalmer stone with gold leaf inlays in the daughter’s bedroom introduces subtle Indian elements.

The use of stone-finish tiles with black-and-white borders in the entrance and carpet tile inlays in the dining area create a refined, natural look. Wooden flooring in the bedrooms and textured paint with brass accents in the master bedroom offer understated luxury. Brass accents used sparingly catch the light just enough to glint and glow, adding depth and warmth to the palette. Colours and details mingle effortlessly, creating a space that feels alive yet soothing —think Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited’s penchant for color and detail, but softened for everyday living.

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