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    • Homes

    Episodes of sea and psyche play a visual rhythm inside a Mumbai cove imagined by Atelier Varun Goyal

    OCT 16, 2023 | By Pratishtha Rana
    Japanese-inspired doors, Mlime lime-plastered walls, A Rocking Chair Company sofa, classic dining chairs by Big Piano, a wooden log center table by Atelier Varun Goyal, Jaipur Rugs, Pure Concept Home soft furnishings, Phillips Antiques sculptures, architect's coffee table books, and compelling art by Shivaji Tupe and Puspendu RoyKarmakar; Photography by Talib Chitalwala
    Wooden flooring blends with cast insitu terrazzo, adorned with Slow Water Wave marble inlays. MLIME Limeplaster walls enrich this meticulously designed study room with an ocean view. A unique wooden wardrobe adds a distinctive touch, fusing nature and artistry seamlessly; Photography by Talib Chitalwala
    A simple wooden dining table paired with versatile chairs from Big Piano, illuminated by architectural spotlights from Maroo Lights. Adorned with an acrylic masterpiece by Shah and an antique pot from Natesons Antiquarts, Mumbai, this space offers versatile seating and an adaptable dining table; Photography by Talib Chitalwala
    This simple wooden bed strategically faces the serene sea view. Sarita Handa's white kantha-stitched quilted sheets and Shah's soft pastels enhance the calm ambiance. Meticulously crafted wooden shutter doors with intricate geometric wood and brass details grace the wardrobes; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

    A gentle wrestle to establish a multifarious ground of minimalism, practicality and a palpable sense of zen was what first propelled Varun Goyal of Atelier Varun Goyal to craft and fine-tune the design vocabulary of a sea-facing home in Mumbai. Surprisingly defying and redefining the notion of ‘zen’ living, a quick but rested glance through the space reveals a rather restrained yet rousing character of the home.

    Envisioned for a young couple, Varun reveals the goal for the home was to be, “contemporary, clean and beautiful minimal canvas with ample storage spaces and the flexibility to accommodate future needs as the couple grows their family.” Playing with instincts and intelligent design manoeuvres, the creative thus focused on materialising the evident connection between the elements of nature, sea view, the indoors, and of course, the dwellers.

    An exquisite handwoven natural fiber rug by Jaipur Rugs, timeless client-owned furniture, a stylish Big Piano trolley, and a classic wicker chair by The Rocking Chair Company complete the space. Antique pots and sculptures from Phillips Antiques enhance the inviting ambiance; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

     

    Sofa Set by The Rocking Chair Company, Quirky Standing Lamp by Big Piano, Wooden Log Center Table by Atelier Varun Goyal, Handwoven Rug by Jaipur Rugs, Soft Furnishings from Pure Concept Home, Sculptures by Phillips Antiques, Architect’s Coffee Table Books, and Compelling Art by Shivaji Tupe and Puspendu RoyKarmakar; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

    Mapping minimalism in detail

    Enveloped like a piece of minimalistic puzzle inside an art deco building in the serene South Mumbai locale of Colaba, the home sprawls 2,500 sq ft with a few structural changes done such as remodelling the internal walls and partitions to bring in a distinct demarcation to the rooms. Through all this, however, the quintessential design cue is the storage nooks, hidden shelves and wardrobes, lending practicality to aesthetics.  

    A simple wooden dining table, classic dining chairs by Big Piano with upholstery from The Pure Concept Home. The space features a meticulously crafted main door with intricate wood and brass details, alongside a Japanese pattern slider door. An antique pot from Natesons Antiquarts, Mumbai, adds a final touch; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

     

    Atelier Varun Goyal’s dining table, classic Big Piano dining chairs, a 105-year-old blown glass hanging lamp from Taherally’s, and captivating art, like ‘Lord Krishna with Cow’ by Manjit Bawa, stand out. Adjacent to the master bedroom door, a sophisticated bar with wooden collapsible doors and brass cladding adds elegance to the living space; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

    A linear-patterned door with geometric, wood and brass details stands guard as the first point of navigation into the cove. On the right, the living area sits poised connected with a balcony screened with a clear-glass collapsible door. “The living room layout features a versatile seating arrangement and a flexible dining table that can be easily changed as needed to suit different usages and moods,” explains Varun.

    While on the left, a hidden pantry behind a patterned wooden slider door inspired by Japanese sliding screens stands linked to the kitchen-utility area. 

    Concealed pantry linked by a Japanese slider door, gleaming SMEG and BOSCH appliances, classic marble from Classic Marble Company (CMC) and Kalinga, Maroo Lights for illumination, antique brass kettle from Phillips Antiques, and OMA crockery infuse charm and elegance; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

     

    A sophisticated bar with wooden collapsible doors and brass cladding. It showcases a brass ice chiller bucket with a beautifully aged patina, alongside a wooden trolley from Big Piano. A glass vase from OMA holds thriving money planters, adding greenery and life; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

    A close and keen observation throughout the home also spells the comprehensive character of the many furniture and decor pieces used indoors; with its sleek, slender and angular shapes and forms, it stands out as a beautiful lesson in mindful assembling and layering of spaces. 

    Vicarious views and design experiments

    As you amble in further, the blues of the sky and the sea, and its brisky-breezy appearance caress one’s sight all throughout, including the primary bedroom that opens to these vistas right from the outset. But that’s not all that this room cradles in it — going beyond aesthetics, it is arranged with an elaborate dresser and a bathroom with separate cubicles for the WC and shower, laced with Indian marble.

    Adjacent to the entryway of the primary bedroom is a rapturing home bar, embellished subtly with wooden collapsible doors, brass cladding set against a pristine white background.

    This simple wooden bed strategically faces the serene sea view. Sarita Handa’s white kantha-stitched quilted sheets and Shah’s soft pastels enhance the calm ambiance. Meticulously crafted wooden shutter doors with intricate geometric wood and brass details grace the wardrobes; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

     

    Wicker chair from The Rocking Chair Company by Ravneet Gujral, study table by Atelier Varun Goyal, Maroo Light provides ambient lighting and a study table lamp. Coffee table books from the architect’s personal collection enrich the tranquil study space; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

    Continuing his exquisite experiments with the functionality and appearance of the bathroom spaces, Varun shares, “I found immense joy in designing the toilets and dressers, where I could explore simple yet experimental storage features. The challenge arose when incorporating the composition of Indian marble to accommodate a marble bathtub, ensuring both functionality and aesthetic finesse.” The marble bathtub indeed sits as a modern, minimal and carefully unlayered pièce de résistance, elevating the new possibilities of designing city abodes.

    The guest room also doubles up as a study area, trickled profusely with daylight and outdoor views, beset with an encompassing wooden wardrobe and just the elemental decor and curios needed to set it up perfectly. 

    Clothes valet from The Rocking Chair and a red upholstered armchair from Tranceforme; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

     

    Features a distinctive square acrylic face light by Atelier Varun Goyal, premium FCML and Gessi sanitary fittings for style and functionality, and a handwoven Assamese Bamboo Basket for towels and essentials; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

     

    A luxurious Indian marble bathtub in Nizarana marble, with MLIME Lime Plaster wash on the walls above the marble-clad toilet walls. Premium sanitary fittings from FCML and Gessi enhance the space, while OMA glass sculptures add a finishing touch; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

    As Varun divulges on his signature style of infusing spaces with design directions, “The flooring design in this home features cast-in-situ terrazzo inside a wooden frame and inlays of white marble strips resembling slow water waves, creating a serene and harmonious ambience.”

    “The home embraces sustainable living with creative features like maximising daylight, cross ventilation for cool sea breeze, and the use of natural materials — Indian marbles, terrazzo floors (made from marble waste), reclaimed teak wood, and lime-washed walls for a pleasant temperature,” he signs off.