Home is where the art is

Tuned to the rhythm of its expat homeowners, this Ahmedabad home by rurbn is calm and layered

03 Oct 2025

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then restraint and a clutter-free setting is the window to the sanctity of a home. With every nook strung together by an invisible thread of cohesiveness, this quaint residence in Ahmedabad by Saumil Patel of rurbn serves as an example of a space that mirrors the beauty of subtlety coupled with Scandinavian design.

Built for an expat couple who wanted to savour moments of quiet living in their hometown whenever time permits, refurbishing this address came with a brief that emphasised design hygiene and clean aesthetics. “The discussions were practical: natural light, well-proportioned rooms, furniture that does its job without excess. There was no pressure to over-design; instead, every decision was filtered through a lens of utility and balance,” shares Saumil, architect at rurbn.

"There was no pressure to over-design; instead, every decision was filtered through a lens of utility and balance”

— Saumil Patel, architect, rurbn

The dining table was custom-designed in solid oak wood, paired with a suspended pendant that creates a soft focal point, besides gently balancing the openness of the plan; Photography by Dhrupad Shukla, architecturevisualsdhrupad

Penchant for subtle rhythm

Dominated by soft wall finishes, warm wooden tones, and abstract artworks, the interior comes together with a clear focus — offering contrast, meaning and a subtle rhythm throughout.

“Interestingly, one key idea emerged early in the process: colour and visual richness would come through art,” outlines Saumil, adding that the furniture, walls, and finishes were intentionally kept neutral so the artworks could take centre stage. “This approach led us to curate the home as a soft, textured backdrop for visual moments.”

In the master bedroom, a swivel dressing mirror is tucked into a corner, doubling as a sculptural accent. It serves both function and form—providing utility without feeling bulky in a compact setting. The lehar quilt is from Patora; Photography by Dhrupad Shukla, architecturevisualsdhrupad

Commissioned artworks, themed around ever changing atmosphere, introduce a restrained yet emotive layer of colour to each room—balancing the muted palette and enhancing the home’s reflective tone. The bed is from Oak Wood, bed linen from Kavina Mamtora, and notebook from Patora ; Photography by Dhrupad Shukla, architecturevisualsdhrupad

Intentional design

“With the base palette being restrained, we wanted colour to come in more intentionally,” avers Saumil, who explains how this thought led to a collaboration with New Delhi-based artist Hetanshi, whose work explores the hues of the sky.

Rather than treating art as decoration, it was viewed as a spatial element. Beyond the carefully curated artwork, an extended television wall serves double duty as a divider and anchor between the living and dining spaces.

Scandinavian home by Rurbn in Ahmedabad — The entrance vestibule oozes warmth and a calm restraint. The entrance door is from Oak Wood and pottery is from Champa; Photography by Dhrupad Shukla/ architecturevisualsdhrupad

The living and dining spaces are subtly defined by an extended TV wall that conceals the kitchen from view when seated in the living room. The artwork is by Hetanshi Patel, and the rug is from Vaaree; Photography by Dhrupad Shukla, architecturevisualsdhrupad

In a home brimming with thoughtfully designed corners, choosing the one that evokes maximum visual allure can be tricky. However, Saumil is quick to add that the edge between the living and dining spaces happens to be his personal favourite. “It’s a transitional zone, yet it carries a quiet weight. We placed two artworks on adjacent walls at different heights, each responding to the eye level of its respective seating. One painting is visible from the L-shaped sofa, positioned exactly in front of the first seat on the longer leg, creating a moment of stillness and grounding. Instead of facing a void, you face a soft horizon, it’s meditative,” he says. The second painting reveals itself when seated at the dining table. As one settles in or rises from the chair, your gaze naturally falls on this artwork, offering a pause — a moment of depth amidst the day’s movement.

The challenge, as the architect puts it, was balancing the proportions and alignment between the two artworks, ensuring they didn’t vie for attention, but rather, complemented one another. The result? An interstitial space, marked by purpose, rhythm, and a sense of place within a home that embodies the ethos of happiness— calm, layered, and quietly evolving.