The curious case of curios

Studio Morkas turns a Gujarat home into an art gallery for the owners

21 Nov 2025

“This home was designed for a couple of maximalists and minimalists. One is in real estate, and the other is a curator for a living,” explain Alina and Amaan Morkas, siblings and principal designers at Studio Morkas, who imagined a 2,200 sq ft home in Gujarat. The home seems to cosplay as an art museum with a neutral palette that allows spotlights on unique furniture pieces and a ceaseless flow of artworks.

“As we all know, there is no better space than a museum to tell stories,” they say, taking us through the residence, where each design decision caters to the personal anecdotes it holds within. From the shade of the walls to the textures of various finishes and the colour of art pieces, assembling it together became central to the interior’s landscape.

"We see people wanting that one-of-a-kind vase or chair to keep as a trophy in their living room. These trophies, when in abundance, give a space a museum-like feel. And we all know there is no better space than a museum to tell stories".

- Alina and Amaan Morkas, Studio Morkas

A white couch from Gulmohar Lane blends in while curios from Morkas Home adorn the room along with artwork from Peaony; Photography by Noaidwin Sttudio

Plain walls, big statements

Peppered with statement furniture collected over a multitude of years, some ageing back to over 120 years old, required the walls they sit within to hold back. “We decided to keep all the walls neutral – at first, as designers, it was difficult to do so, since the idea of bare walls always sounded like a job not well done,” share Alina and Amaan. However, the uninterrupted flow of white allows the artwork and furnishings to naturally draw your eye while opening up the entire home with this bright reflective colour.

Add in subtle arches that lead from one room to the next, and the whole space is evocative of navigating a gallery. A flooring of light-stained wood throughout, paired with white linen curtains, ensures the 80-year-old Burma teak swing in the living room receives all the attention it deserves. Each piece of furnishing is akin to a showpiece, be it the curve of an antique Naga chair, a large exposed bulb light that greets you as you enter or restored personal pieces resting within.

The study features a truly eye-catching piece of wall art by Tuyo Art Netherlands, a statement light piece by Beautiful Homes by Asian Paints and a shelf by Morkas Home; Photography by Noaidwin Sttudio

The master bedroom is home to artwork from Ikka Dukka, and a statement wall light from Whispering Homes, along with a refurbished chair that belongs to the client; Photography by Noaidwin Sttudio

Colouring outside the lines

A canvas of earthen colours, the home utilises its accessories and turns art into essentials. Vases with green in them, furniture in black, gold accents in a table lamp, and most prominently, various shelves full of select artworks. Working patiently over a period of time to gather pieces that were perfect for the spaces they inhabit, the works displayed allow pops of colour within the home. Ceramics were central to this idea and were selected for their uncommon hues, making for great conversation starters, and encapsulating perfectly the philosophy behind this home.

Memory and form go hand in hand in this project, with antique furniture and decor pieces taking on important roles. An almost heady collection of sui generis artefacts, this home might be designed bespoke for its art enthusiast dwellers, but is certain to turn every visitor into one as well.