A designer’s own canvas

Tania Shah weaves context and culture through every part of her Mumbai home

15 Sep 2025

Self-portraits? The toughest nut to crack for an artist. And what is a designer’s own home, if not a self-portrait of the sweet form of art they indulge in. Principal Designer Tania Shah had no theme in mind when designing this 1,250 sq ft home for her husband and two kids in Mumbai’s coveted coastal address – Juhu Santacruz – permeated with palm tree tops and sea breeze. Her only brief? Personal.

Neutral but not married to it. Heritage but not just. And modern, but only as required. Tania of her eponymous firm states, “ The design draws from the family’s deep-rooted memories, generational heritage, and emotional narratives. It balances nostalgia with nuanced modernity allowing each space to unfold like a personal story.”

This home does not impose itself on the context – it listens to it. It balances nostalgia with nuanced modernity allowing each space to unfold like a personal story

Tania Shah

From sculpted candles in arched niches that spell Mediterranean to mounted ceramic plates that are memorial relics, every element is a thought in itself; Photography by Ar. Sagar Mandal of Studio Colourblind

A Baithak to Remember

Through a door of deep cerulean, one finds themselves in the entrance foyer. A product of a dark wooden cabinet running along the length and a wooden screen placed front and centre, it is all the introduction you could need to the home. The living room can be encapsulated by the word baithak (hindi for lounge). Through the screen, you’re acquainted with plush white sofa and tan and teak leather chairs that only speak artisanal. A hand drawn picturisation of a Kashmiri building’s facade on the wall and a rich Persian silk carpet on the ground below, a jugalbandi you can’t get enough of!

In our country, plates tell stories. Tania ensured that her home does as well. Ceramic plates mounted on the wall along the L shaped dining area is as she describes it, ‘a gallery of lived experiences’. Time stops for a bit in this area whilst relishing a meal.

The place where this meal is cooked? Savoury grey and sweet taupe form a fine two course meal of their own in the kitchen.

From the Persian silk carpet to modern light fittings, contrast truly looks good in this abode; Photography by Ar. Sagar Mandal of Studio Colourblind

=A wallpaper by William Morris forms the backdrop for the daughter’s room; Photography by Ar. Sagar Mandal of Studio Colourblind

Call us biased to stories, but the daughter’s bedroom with the open cabinet of books has to be a favourite. Hearing Tania describe her daughter’s bedroom is quite a delight in itself – “Every detail is tender and composed, an extension of her personality, curious, thoughtful and quite full of wonder.” Tones of cream and sage with elements of English living make up the space.

On the contrary, the son’s room teeters at the edge of modern and tech, but composes itself well in shades of grey, white and wood. Maple’s synonymous for strength and your connection to the land. Befitting that it adorns the walls of the master bedroom of this home crafted with so much love.

When a home has so much personality, it can’t stick to just one linear palette. From neutrals that awash the home in depth to subtle teals and mauves, breathe life into a space for people with lives well lived. The textures of nature – wood, jute, marble and lime wash dance across one’s fingers while also satiating the gaze.

As Tania says, “This home does not impose itself on the context – it listens to it.”