This hillside home in the Nilgiris is a cottage-core holiday dream come true crafted by Hohm Design Studio

As dawn breaks over Lovedale in the Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu, the day unfolds like a scene from a fairytale. Painting the landscape in tinges of lavender and fresh orange. In the heart of this picturesque setting stands a charming holiday house dubbed Under the Stars.

A whimsical scene right out of a movie, the home is designed by Sonal Chordia, Principal Interior Designer of Hohm Design Studio. In a nutshell, it reminisces those cottage-core summer holiday dreams in a rather tangible shape.

A look around ‘Under the stars’

Spanning 2,500 sq ft, the enchanting space belongs to a couple from Bengaluru whose longing for a tranquil escape led them to this idyllic spot. From the breezy verandah to the inviting foyer leading to the expansive living-dining-kitchen area, every corner exudes warmth and character.    

The living and dining space is a huge hall with high ceilings adding to its grandeur. The hall is decked with an eclectic range of furniture and rugs that reflect rustic elegance. Natural stone and wood are meticulously crafted into beautiful lighting fixtures and wall cladding retelling stories of the mystical nature surrounding the residence.

Creative Sanctums 

An exceptional addition to the home, the library-bar in the living room stands out as a cosy spot for creative rejuvenation. “The library-bar is my favourite space in this house. It also features a bespoke chandelier repurposed from a piece of wood that I picked up at a workshop in Pondicherry.” recalls Sonal Chordia, Principal Interior Designer at Hohm Design Studio.

With a veranda that wraps around the house, every space in the house opens to breathtaking views of the valley. A pristine glass conservatory functions as a greenhouse on one side of the veranda and also doubles up as an enchanting work space.

Charming English Elegance

This home stays true to the timeless English tradition of covered balconies that helps comfortably embrace the chilly winters of hillside living. Spaces borrow from the overarching theme of a warm country-style home and are accentuated with bold decor pieces evoking distinctive Indian culture.  

Sonal Chordia’s witty experiments with natural materials are staged through the house in forms of rustic decor pieces or bespoke furniture pieces. “With this project, I kept to my design philosophy of sourcing locally and using as many natural resources as possible. We have consciously added vintage touches to the home to preserve its rustic simplicity,” she recalls the sustainable features of the home.

Every inch of the home is designed to bring out the best of the natural surroundings reflecting holiday spirit. The design fosters a deeper connection with nature and underpins the ultimate purpose of a holiday home rightly capturing the client’s vision.

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