Photography by Nathan

Kerala’s own Garden of Aden

With a palette inspired by the textures of earth, Greige Studio crafts Aden Residence in Kerala

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Before there were towering walls, before there were shimmering arched windows or the gentle sweep of a staircase, there was simply an idea of what Aden Residence could be. A home not just built on land, but of it. It’s the kind of space where time stretches and where every material whispers of an earthy existence.

Designed by Zaqia Kainikkara, architect and founder of Greige Studio, the  3,700 sq ft home is rooted in the heart of Calicut, Kerala. It brims with echoes of belonging — to the land, to the light and to the people who would one day call it home. 

"A space should be felt before it is seen since the design philosophy revolves around organic fluidity and material storytelling." — Zaqia Kainikkara

Photography by Nathan

STRAIGHT OUT OF A PINTEREST BOARD

The moment you step through the front door, you feel it — the quiet hum of a space that’s more than just walls and furniture. It all starts in the formal living room, where a deep red boucle sofa practically winks at you from across the earthy-toned floor. It’s bold but not bossy, anchored by sculptural ash wood chairs and a pebble-like micro-topped center table that you want to reach out and touch. Above, the double-height ceiling lets light pour in, shifting and dancing across surfaces throughout the day, almost like the house is breathing alongside you.

You wander deeper and just when you think you’ve seen the heart of the home, a feature wall reveals a secret — a cosy, informal living area tucked away like a hidden cove. Here, the house softens, wraps around you and says, ‘stay a while.’

Photography by Nathan
Photography by Nathan

COOK, DINE, REPEAT

The dining area feels almost like stepping into a painting. Taupe floors and walls are so soft in texture, they seem to shift with the light. A sculptural wooden table anchors the room surrounded by corduroy chairs and rustic stools that make you want to linger long after the last course. Overhead, a rust-hued light fixture hangs like a low, golden sun, soaking every meal in a quiet glow. A ceiling-mounted mixer becomes the surprise star of the kitchen, proving even practical spaces deserve their moment. Zaqia says, “Designing the sculptural furniture, like the shapeless dining table and curved center table, was especially rewarding. These pieces act as functional art, making everyday interactions more engaging.” 

BEDROOMS LIKE A PERSONAL RETREAT

Each bedroom has its own quiet poetry. The parents’ room feels like an exhale — a soft poster bed with a beige upholstered headboard, floors underfoot that carry the coolness of micro-topping and a dreamy bay window perfect for sinking into with a book. Across the hallway, the grandparents’ bedroom wraps you in that same peaceful hush, like a gentle lullaby.

Designed by Doyd Interiors, featuring custom loose furniture from Destreza Art House, artwork by Espravo, and custom lighting by Lamtain; Photography by Nathan
Photography by Nathan

And upstairs is where things turn a bit indulgent. The master suite is less ‘bedroom’ and more ‘personal retreat’ complete with a sculpted masonry bathtub that looks too beautiful to use, but you definitely will. Meanwhile, the daughter’s bedroom brings softness into focus with a nude pink upholstered bed and curved paneling that’s somehow both playful and serene.

Zaqia’s design philosophy revolves around organic fluidity, material storytelling, and a balance of warmth and restraint. She says, “A space should be felt before it is seen.”

Tables curve and lean while chairs invite conversations. The home lives and breathes sustainability using natural light, local craftsmanship and conscious materials. At Aden Residence, beauty isn’t loud. It’s felt. It lingers in the textures under your fingertips, in the way the sunlight dapples across the room at noon, in the hush that settles over you without asking. It’s a home that reminds you that the best design doesn’t shout. It listens.

Read more: Temple Town reimagines heritage as a living story of inspiring, artistic clues

Photography by Nathan
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