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    Soaking up in sunlit soft glamour is this Chennai home imagined by Farah Agarwal of Chestnut Storeys

    APR 8, 2022 | By Pratishtha Rana
    A balanced bustle of character, the living room crafts a creative juxtaposition in its tones and textural palette, abstract printed single seaters from Magari; Photographs by Yash R Jain, styled by Samir Wadekar
    A metallic angled console from House of Things serves as the focal point of the facade in the pooja corridor. Phases of moon wallpaper by Nicobar; Photographs by Yash R Jain
    An artful medley of material, the dining room is tied together with a black and white rug from Jaipur Rugs, leather bar unit by Studio Ochre; Photographs by Yash R Jain
    Exhibiting stately and simple design, the velvet green headboard and printed ottoman from Magari bring in a splash of colour into the master suite. Artwork by Pulkit Prajapati; Photographs by Yash R Jain

    An unhurried cadence casts a spell at this home, making one take a double take in the ways it presents its design demeanour to the eyes.

    Composed by Farah Agarwal, Founder and Principal Designer of her interior design studio Chestnut Storeys, the 3,500 sq ft residence concocts its own vocabulary of simple but evocative aesthetics, a balance seldom quite difficult to bring forth.

    Centrally located in Chennai, this three-bedroom apartment is a home dweller’s dream come true with a seamless design dotting the space at every turn. “The client’s brief was for a smart, simple and classy home that flows uninterrupted from room to room with pops of colours spread across and still not looking loud or overwhelming.”

    The living room frames a picturesque amalgam of accent pieces in every cranny, leather credenza by Magari, artworks from Ikka Dukka; Photographs by Yash R Jain, styled by Samir Wadekar

     

    Colossal windows wash the dining area with ample light, contrasting black and white rug by Jaipur Rugs

    While minimalistic design intentions of the designer make a palpable appearance in this Chennai home, a uniform rhythm of sober glamour, plentiful daylight and classic furniture serenades corner to corner, turn to turn.

    Entering the foyer, an arresting gallery wall treats the sight. A premier assortment of furniture and decor reveals credenza from Magari, antique Kalasam from HB the studio, tribal neckpiece from VA gallery, with intriguing prints from Ikka Dukka and the snug spread of rugs by Jaipur Rugs.

    Baroque table accessories by Address Home adorn the dining table with an aura of opulence; Photographs by Yash R Jain

    Exemplary of good balance in design through coordinated (and beautifully uncoordinated) elements, the living room on the right of the foyer celebrates diversity of soft hues and materials such as wood, metallics, suede and leather.

    Fitting in into its eclectic environs seamlessly is the wooden centre table, grey printed rug by Jaipur Rugs; Photographs by Yash R Jain

    The living zone then nimbly flows into the dining setup where pastel pink suede chairs border a lean table standing elegantly on a black and white rug from Jaipur Rugs iterating a perfect pop of colour. Placed on one unmissable corner here is the leather bar unit by Studio Ochre with gold makaras from HB Studio and artwork by Amit Lodh from Gallery Veda.

    Remarking that although it wasn’t a glaring challenge as such, but “The living area had to be given much thought in its layout to cater it as a formal space, comfort for some tv watching while keeping mind the display of all the awards of our client,” reveals Farah.

    Bedecking the walls with an exquisite effect are the home owner’s walls amidst the finery; Photographs by Yash R Jain

     

    The enticing nook in the dining room flaunts ornate decor details by HeritageBlend – The Studio and artwork by Amit Lodh from Gallery Veda; Photographs by Yash R Jain

    The leather bar unit is from Studio Ochre withMakaras atop from HB the studio and artwork by Amit Lodh from Gallery Veda. Twinning long mirrors installed right opposite the bar add a sense of roominess and amplified light while doubling up as a stylish interlude to this area. 

    Beyond an astutely planned pooja space is a pathway navigating to the private quarters of the residence with a charming study cooped up on the right and a walk-in closet on the opposite side. 

    Black and white art plates by The Plated Project, yellow and grey rug from Jaipur Rugs and colourful cushions from Address Home narrate a contrasting graphic visual story in the regal guest bedroom; Photographs by Yash R Jain

    Sauntering in, a master bedroom and guest room complete the home draped with an inviting design mood. Sketching visuals of understated nobility, the master hosts a centrally placed plush bed, rug by Jaipur Rugs, a svelte ottoman by Magari along with a dual-toned artwork by Pulkit Prajapati from Gallery Veda swathing the wall as a statement piece above the headboard. 

    Featurning aesthetics fit for a luxe lifestyle, the walk in closet and vanity room is as classic as it is chic, motley rug by Jaipur Rugs; Photographs by Yash R Jain

     

    The walk-in closet makes for a contemporary and compact space, displaying a classic and uncluttered design, rug by Jaipur Rugs; Photographs by Yash R Jain

    A poetic play of contrast resumes in guest room with a blue wall giving company to a pink bed headboard and a yellow-grey rug by Jaipur Rugs adding hints of art to the floor. 

    This den is a fitting celebration and recall of Farah’s personal design philosophy, which is to bring the best of duality through hints of avant-garde, eclecticism and intuition. She rightly sums up, “While minimalistic design has a dominant presence in this home, extraordinary art pieces and statement furniture give life to the space in bright little pockets.”

    You may also like this Mumbai home of wood, cane and colours by Minnie Bhatt