A piece of Italy

Moods of Tuscany light up inside a Chandigarh home by Aarti Dhariwal

09 Oct 2025

What is life without art? This is one question that the residents of Villa Collagio in Chandigarh don’t have to ponder upon. “He (the owner) is an avid collector of rare artworks. From our very first conversation, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be a typical home. It had to feel curated, not just designed,” shares Aarti Dhariwal, founder and head designer of Stories with AD.

The name Collagio is inspired from the Italian word collage, as to the owners the home felt a personal display of their artistic sensibilities. The neutral palette of the 15,000 sq ft home created a performative ground where art could take the centrestage.

“Whether it’s a light, an artisanal textile or a piece of furniture with history, everything in this home has been handpicked with intention — making it as much a gallery of living as it is a place to live.”

Aarti Dhariwal, Stories with AD

European style home by Stories with AD in Chandigarh — Styled by Aarti Dhariwal; Photography by Rohit Mendiratta

Under the Tuscan arch

Tuscan-style arches serve as a muse for the overall design with a muted palette as a base so that the rich textures, tactile finishes, artisanal textiles and furniture pieces with rich history behind them could be the main character of the place. “The overall design embodies a distinctly European sensibility — refined, layered and effortlessly elegant,” explains Aarti.

The arches create a visual play of light and shadow instilling a sense of calm and groundedness throughout the home, “they not only shape movement but add rhythm and softness to the space,” Aarti adds. A sculptural-style staircase carved with inlaid stone and accompanied by a custom made wood railing brings hints of European grandeur to the villa.

Medley of artwork

There are artistic influences visible in design as well. Bare brick walls cover the exteriors of the villa, an arched doorway with carvings leads you inside the home. The magnanimous formal living room is covered with monochromatic tropical themed wallpaper and arch-styled windows that bathe the room in daylight. A wooden planked ceiling extends a calm vibe to the dining area that resides not too far away, with artwork adorning walls and tables around the space.

One of the most striking design elements is the staircase which leads to bedrooms upstairs, “we treated it as a sculptural moment rather than just a connector between floors,” adds Aarti. “The steps are inlaid with stone, and the railing is custom-crafted in wood with graceful Tuscan-style arches. We layered this with relief work inspired by the surrounding natural landscape, adding quiet drama and depth.”

Striped curtains and oversized lamps complement the calm palette of the master bedroom well. The pastel green ceiling washes the other bedroom with a feeling of serenity. Bare concrete walls of the powder room drive the attention to the cylindrical green sink and an arched mirror placed over it.

“The ceiling mimics water ripples, the furniture recalls ocean waves, and the result is a space perfect for long, meandering conversations,” explains Aarti, when talking about the striking bar area that pays an ode to oceanic bodies becoming one of the most awe-inspiring features of the space.

A sea of continuity

There is a deliberate use of soft blues and subtle greens throughout the house to create a harmony between the interiors of the home and the nature that surrounds it. While colours play a major role, other materials and textures also help create this flow, such as the swirl like patterns of the ceiling and the use of natural stones across the house creates a fluidity.

“The house also blurs the boundary between indoors and outdoors, drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscape and integrating it through colour, material, and layout.” This approach by Aarti transports you to the scenic and serene islands of Southern Europe at once.