Our own little slice of heaven

Sticking close to the bones

While the family home is far from the father-daughter duo’s first-ever project, it is a first for the House of Eisa. But there’s more than their distinctive design sensibilities at play here — the original structure of the home wields influence, too. As Mustafa and Zara explain, “From the very beginning, we were certain that the architecture, the very bones of the home, would remain untouched. Our designs and finishes were simply there to complement and elevate what already existed.” Off came the paint from the buttresses, the wood in the study’s slanting ceiling now exposed for all to see. The interiors follow suit, with curves and texture aplenty. Envisioned in earthy tones and natural finishes, each room complements the pre-existing structure — imperfect, organic. Full of character, and yet timeless.

But the process came with its own challenges, with seemingly endless leakages further exacerbated by Mumbai’s temperamental monsoons. “Taking on a task like this during the monsoon probably wasn’t the smartest idea in hindsight!” Zara jokes. “With an old structure like this, figuring out where the leaks were coming from felt like an endless puzzle. But despite the chaos, it was a challenge we dove into headfirst!”

A mini vacation in Mumbai

Mustafa and Zara are both avid art collectors. Their extensive collection of canvases and curios greets you as soon as you walk into the home, decorating the walls of the entrance room and every other one that follows. “Painting was something we used to do together every Sunday when I was younger, and those moments are some of my fondest memories. Some of the most special pieces in our home are the ones painted by either my father or me,” reminisces Zara. A chandelier in the ceiling cove illuminates this space.

Walk further within, and you’ll stumble on a stunning two-foot-thick archway that divides the living and dining zones. The den splits off from this space, envisioned in a darker colour palette and with views of the home’s leafy surroundings aplenty. But unlike many homes, the most spacious room in the house is not the adjoining living and dining zone — it is the master bedroom, complete with a double-height ceiling and a pitched roof. Mustafa’s study and home office lie to the side, occupied by him and Zara on countless Zoom calls day in and day out.

Retreat back to the entrance hall, and you’ll spot Zara’s bedroom to the right — her favourite spot in the home, “considering the absurd amount of time I spend in it!!”, she quips. Brimming with soft beiges, rattan and curves aplenty, the room, in her words, “just feels like a warm hug.”

Walk up the marble stairs in the corner, and you’ll come across Mustafa’s favourite spot in the entire house: the terrace lounge. It boasts an indoor bar and lounge area, an outdoor dining section and an expansive open-air terrace with sprawling views of Mumbai’s stormy sea. As Mustafa avers, “I’ve designed it to feel like a getaway, so that every time I walk up that one floor, it feels like I’m stepping into a little holiday of my own.”

For those familiar with Mustafa’s work, luxury interiors are, undoubtedly, his primary forte. But while his work brims with palatial scales and swoon-worthy arches, Zara’s niche of interest lies in creating minimal spaces that feel grounded. Their design languages are distinct — when you walk into a room, you can feel whose influence weighs heavier within the home. But they’re two sides of the same coin. Combine the two, and you get a residence equal parts lived-in and opulent. A space that eschews everything else, prioritising its two (and four!) legged residents above it all.

Read more: Mustafa Eisa & Associates trace this Goa villa with a contemporary lens of whites and a minimalistic palette