Finally home

A life of constant movement finds pause in a Bengaluru apartment by Studio Zoha

22 Aug 2025

Nidhi and Ranjit, whose army childhood was spent moving homes and relocating constantly, never expected to become the sort of people who would anchor themselves to a city. Yet here they are, utterly besotted with their Bengaluru apartment — the first place they’ve ever chosen not to leave. Warm whites, arched walls and wood accents in this house might make one wonder if they are in Santorini. But the hums of Bengaluru traffic remind us that sometimes the most radical thing you can do is simply exhale.

Sneha Jacob, founder and principal designer at Studio Zoha and designer Divya Sebastian grasped the core of the brief instantly. Having grown up in the Army environ herself, she understood the emotional grounding that a permanent home provides. This 2,850 sq ft apartment tells their journey.

The entrance that changes everything

Step through the front door and you understand immediately: this house plays by different rules. Charcoal-hued panelling wraps the foyer in expensive shadows, while a grand piano holds court beneath a picture light. Moroccan glass pendants enliven the space, and suddenly you’re in a Mediterranean villa’s courtyard, exactly like those that Nidhi and Ranjit fell in love with when they travelled to Europe.

The dining area showcases an interplay of wood accents, white and black, featuring custom furniture, ancestral artefacts and ironware. Smoked glass pendant lights by The White Teak Company, fluted wall lights by Mehta Lights; Photography by Gautham Krishna

While the transformation seems inevitable and effortless, it was calculated theatre. The original foyer had no natural light. A liability the designer turned into the home’s greatest asset. She explains, “We saw an opportunity to create contrast — a dramatic, moody entry that heightens the brightness beyond.” The house demands it. You cannot rush through this entrance.

Living proof

Through the archway, everything changes. The living room breathes in warm creams and umber tones. Custom-carved Naga wood panels, logwood accent table, and vintage brassware from Nidhi and Ranjit’s ancestral home all play into creating a thoughtfully curated space. Above, bamboo pendants cast shifting shadows across the floor, while artwork commissioned from Artist Param at Chitrakala Parishath becomes a focal point.

Morning glory

Beyond glass sliding doors, the media lounge unfolds into a completely different home, almost. Here, Sneha embraces darker, moodier tones that render it the vibe of a private club. An L-shaped sofa provides serious lounging territory, while the charcoal coffee table proves that media rooms can be beautiful and functional. The bar area deserves a special mention — a petite nook with charcoal veneer and arched fluted shutters that catch light from a perfectly positioned pendant. The whole space maintains visual connection to the main living areas while feeling distinctly separate, like discovering a hidden room in a house you thought you knew.

The marsala striped upholstery by Skipper Furnishings, countertop by Quartz and Primastone, Thonet chairs by Home Canvas; Photography by Gautham Krishna

The guest bedroom strides with colour, stepping away from the neutral tones of the home. Drop light by The Light Square, headboard upholstery by Skipper Furnishings, woven grass wall décor by Whispering Homes; Photography by Gautham Krishna

In the kitchen, Zelig subway tiles reflect light from tall French windows, while custom white cabinetry and quartz surfaces create a workspace worthy of serious baking. The central island provides both prep space and casual seating, turning cooking from a chore into rapture. Framed by tall windows, the banquette-lined nook becomes a retreat for slow mornings.

A room leads to another

As an ode to the Garden City, the master bedroom unfolds like a secret garden. One wall blooms with artist Param’s hand-painted mural, flowering branches evoking romance. A black-stained, intricately carved bed exudes old-world allure. Two burgundy-tinted chairs tucked into a corner make evening conversations inevitable, while a writing desk positioned by the window transforms morning light into creative energy. The room breathes around its occupants, spacious enough for solitude, intimate enough for connection.

Down the hall, their daughter’s bedroom breathes bohemian-chic. White brick walls provide texture for a carefully curated gallery of vintage travel posters and botanical prints. The real genius lies in the reading corner – refurbished heirloom rattan chairs, complemented with lush greenery and a woven jute pendant, create a space that feels both inherited and entirely her own. A custom study area, framed with vintage-style wallpaper, proves that teenage bedrooms can embrace the effervescent spirits of youth without sacrificing function.

The guest room commits boldly to colour. Bottle-green fluted panelling wraps the headboard wall, while woven grass hangings add organic texture. It stands in confidence without being overwhelming, memorable without being demanding.