Everything’s better in the countryside

Shrutika Raut sculpts a brutalist countryside home in Nashik’s rolling hills

17 Sep 2025

If you’d rather choose mountains over beaches, you’re far from alone. From a legion of Romantic poets who clambered for their pens at the sight of a slope, to Julie Andrews galloping through the Austrian Alps in The Sound of Music (1965), the mountains continue to hold their own charm — much to the dismay of sunburnt beachgoers.

While no bard has written a sonnet about Nashik’s chartreuse hills (yet), this didn’t stop Shrutika Raut of her eponymous studio from adopting them as her muse for a 1,400 sq ft home. More horizontal than vertical, the minimalist concrete structure splays across the valley. The emanating effect is that of a sleepy-eyed countryside ranch that follows the lay of the land. As Shrutika affirms, “It was never meant to stand out, but to belong; to become part of the architecture of the setting itself.”

“This home is a modern countryside ranch in spirit, mid-century in style and brutalist in its form. This is not a home that claims its beauty through spectacle. It rests”

Shrutika Raut

Ceramics by Altrove decorate the space; Styling by Shrutika Raut, Photography by Hemant Patil

Laying low

The home is situated within the boundaries of Grape County, an eco-retreat perched in Nashik. Envisioned as a second home for its founding family, its penchant for laying low makes it appear unobtrusive against the landscape, almost like an extension. “The concept was to create a minimalist, raw brutalist shell paired with a mid-century modern aesthetic. A structural dialogue that complements the setting,” explains Shrutika. In tandem, the home’s concrete shell extends to its walls indoors, save for the occasional lime-plastered wall painted canary yellow.

Undeterred by walls, the landscape continues to be the true highlight of the interiors. As Shrutika notes, “The house faces east, toward the lush valley, and horizontal timber-framed fenestrations open to draw in generous morning light.” Come sunrise, its walls turn into a canvas orchestrated purely by light and shadow: one of the home’s most significant pros.

Soft furnishing by Altrove, Junekeri Homes and Craft & Kar decorate the home. All custom designed furniture sits atop a rug from Obeetee; Styling by Shrutika Raut, Photography by Hemant Patil

The wall lamps and furniture is custom designed for the space. The bedding is from Junekeri Homes, while the lime plaster surface treatment is by Lepan Lime; Styling by Shrutika Raut, Photography by Hemant Patil

Simplicity itself

Occupying the most significant real estate, all spatial planning indoors revolves around the adjoined living, dining and kitchen. It is here where the home’s Mid-Century inspiration shines the brightest: an open layout, clean lines, and a plethora of organic textures shining against a singular bare concrete wall. This architectural element is an integral part of the home’s interiors. As Shrutika explains, “The home is anchored by this exposed concrete retaining wall, settling into the slope without resistance. Left exposed, the wall becomes a defining feature — honest, grounding, elemental.” Rattan-backed dining chairs, warm wood cabinets and plush sofas soften its industrial edge, making way for lounging and entertaining.

A sunlit passageway, more glass than concrete, branches off from this space. It leads towards two bedrooms with private en-suites, anchored by a mammoth indoor plant and a low-slung cabinet. Save for a bedside table and the occasional rug, the bedrooms are kept bare. “There are no complicated transitions or showy spatial tricks — just simplicity that respects function and rhythm,” enthuses Shrutika.

All decor and ceramics are by Altrove; Styling by Shrutika Raut, Photography by Hemant Patil

Styling by Shrutika Raut, Photography by Hemant Patil

Texture au contraire

With lime-plastered walls and black basalt and brass inlay flooring, the home is ripe with texture. Colours are few and far in between: green decor that echoes the surrounding valleys, furnishings that add a pop of rusty oranges and reds, and a burnt amber couch that mirrors the timber-lined ceilings and wood furniture.

Small doses of whimsy save the home’s penchant for minimalism from turning into a bore. The white, spherical pendant light held aloft above the dining substitutes for the sun indoors — certain to elicit many delighted oohs and aahs post sunset. Black-and-white patterned armchairs add character, offset by a bohemian hand-tufted rug. These timeless accents perform a dual role: grounding the interiors in simplicity, as well as echoing the surroundings in spirit. After all, as Shrutika affirms, “This is not a home that claims its beauty through spectacle. It rests.”