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    This home in the neighbourhood of Mumbai is a picturesque tale in white and blue crafted by The Act of Quad

    DEC 31, 2021 | By Subikshaa Stalin
    Panelled with Russian birchwood the entrance door emphasises the arched entryway; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    Handcrafted with birchwood and muted upholstery, the custom designed couch steals attention; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    Making generous use of birchwood panels in the headboard and wardrobes is the master bedroom; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    In a seamless manner, the wardrobe across the room conceals the bathroom door; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
    An embodiment of minimal design choices, this space is put together in a dulcet colour palette of all white; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    Strikingly different from the typical residences one would find on a casual walk on the busy, residential lanes of Thane, this home by The Act of Quad appears as though it belongs to a science fiction film.  

    The homeowners, a family of a middle-aged couple with two daughters and their adorable feline, are also great storytellers. And this 1,090 sq ft apartment located in a high rise is a precise portrayal of aesthetics laced with serene storytelling.

    Brought to life by Priyanka Itadkar and Falguni Bhatia, the architect duo and co-founders of The Act of Quad, the residence reflects the family’s adventures with an intuitive and playful design approach illustrating modern minimalism. 

    Designed thoughtfully, the arched ceiling keeps the fire fighting piping in place and gives the entrance a distinct identity; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

     

    The recurring arch forms reveal a visual story in furniture and decor; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    An expansive breezy space is wittily staged in this minuscule but roomy apartment with the help of arched fillet ceilings and a mellow colour palette.

    Hand sculpted orbs and dual-toned chairs contribute to the eclectic design narrative; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    The residence makes an eclectic style statement right from the arched entrance that peeps over the elegant living room. The living space is nothing short of a serene painting composed in pallid shades of white with hints of cobalt blue revealing a sense of sophistication.

    In sharp contrast to the neutral tones, the custom designed bar unit is styled in cobalt blue and mirror finish; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

     

    Connecting the balcony to the living space is a minimalistic swing seater adorned with blue embellishments; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

     Custom-made furniture in pale wooden accents and ivory flooring dictate a fresh and spirited ambiance. Rectilinear furniture pieces are paired with handmade sculptures and fluid decor to create a balanced geometry in the design. Providing visual breaks, the cobalt blue decor promises a  

    Ergonomic chairs and a statement table with three legs all custom-made in birchwood upstage the dining space; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    The dining area features a bespoke dining table with three legs and ergonomically crafted chairs. With porthole lights that adorn the wall surface, the dining room is a space of ultimate tranquillity.

    All furniture in the residence share a striking design narrative of clean geometry and bold colours; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

     The bedroom spaces very graciously borrow the consonant minimalist aesthetic from the living spaces. The earthy master bedroom makes generous use of birch wood and natural light to create an inviting atmosphere. Flanking the wall opening to the bathroom, a sleek wardrobe with birch wood panels cleverly masks the bathroom door and enforces verticality. 

    The wooden wall panel and headboard gracefully trace the dominant curve in the home; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

     

    A small array of shelves designed in an angle to facilitate the free movement of curtains; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    The elder daughter’s bedroom writes a pristine design narrative in a tasteful combination of white and bubblegum pink. Adding visual interest, custom-designed ‘bubble gum’ spheres also function  as hangers for handbags and apparels.

    The corridor leading to the daughter’s bedroom displays organic recessions and inbuilt-storage that doubles up as a prayer space; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    The recurring theme of arches is adapted into a recessed space to create a study area with free-standing tables and shelves. 

    In the smallest of all the bedrooms belonging to the younger daughter, solid whites and crepe pink laminate take over the soft furnishing and upholstery.

    Titled ‘The Escape’, featured here in the bedroom space is a conspicuous sculpture of two feet in cobalt blue moulded by The Act of Quad; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    Besides the prevalent furniture of striking geometry that sets the house apart from the others, the cupboards in this bedroom snugly encapsulate a space for the family’s cat, feline. 

    With the clever arrangement of a built-in mirror and transmuted pipes, the viewer is led into believing the mirror hangs from the pipe; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    Interestingly, the owners were initially hesitant about the choice of cobalt blue in the design that gave the residence its eponymous name ‘Out of the Blue’. Itadkar and Bhatia recall “The clients were of the opinion that the colour choice was just not right for residences and was out of the blue. Today, they just can’t imagine having done better with any other accent colour in their home.” 

    The design embodies sustainability in every nook by decoratively using remnant fire pipes, locally sourced materials and custom-designed furniture. Presented with the structural limitations of an apartment, The Act of Quad has suffused the very definition of unique into this home, composing tasteful interiors with a relevant sense of luxury. 

    Scroll down for more glimpses of this home in Thane…

    Creating interest, the sculptural light projecting from the wall is tailor-made by The Act of Quad; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

     

    By making use of an already existing fire fighting pipe, a dynamic railing is designed to house ornaments and knick-knacks; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

     

    Art sculptures taking shape of dripping fluids break the linearity of the recessed study space; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

     

    Organic mirrors and rounded sinks add luxury to the bathroom space; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

     

    The powder bathroom is designed with locally sourced tiles in electric hue of blue; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala

    If this home made you scream design goals, then do check out this Mumbai home by Minnie Bhatt that exudes the beauty of wood with pops of colours