Telling tales of ancient India, House of Ruya brings this Bengaluru apartment to life
APR 9, 2024
| By Aanya Jain
The master bedroom features a custom cabinet and side table made by Ayawi Designs. The bed too was made by them, and dressed with bedding from Pluchi; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
Rugs from HummingHaus and Jaipur Rugs layer to amplify the cosy index. In the distance is a planter from Beruru. The candle stands are from Beruru as well and the curtains were sourced from Home Stories; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
In the living room, a Kalamkari art piece from ArtGalleria forms the backdrop. Cushions from Nicobar, Good Earth and Studio Covers. The side tables are a The Purple Turtles find and the lighting is by DEFA Lighting; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The living room is a perfect balance between luxury and comfort, with architectural lighting from DEFA Lighting; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The regal dining room features a bespoke dining table by Ayawi Designs; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
Highly detailed is the bespoke bed made by Ayawi Designs. The bed is polished and sophisticated, with bedding from Fabindia; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
A rhythm of comfort first grips the senses as soon as one steps inside this home in Bengaluru. Then comes the visual symphony of rich colours, materials and textures that stays with you as you meander across the sprawling 5,000 sq ft area. Designed by House of Ruya, the home originally comprised six bedrooms, later modified to suit the needs of the joint family it harbours.
Led by principal designer Aishwarya Govind, the transformation of the space rested on the initial brief of the family, in how they sought for the apartment to marry the elegance of traditional Indian design with clean lines and contemporary sensibilities. With a deep appreciation for diverse traditions and art, “Another criteria we had to fulfil was of creating bespoke elements — something that is unique for the brief given while blending the concepts of traditional and modern,” explains Aishwarya.
A chandelier from LightSquare is the piece de resistance of the living room. Rugs from HummingHaus and Jaipur Rugs layer to amplify the cosy index. In the distance is a planter from Beruru. The candle stands are from Beruru as well and the curtains were sourced from Home Stories; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The vintage pillars from Dhakshini Antiques grace the entrance to the pooja room. The doors are from JB Glass and the white marble in the pooja room by HMG Stones builds a tranquil environment; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
An ode to tradition
The apartment features several elements borrowed from vintage designs stripped down to their core in order to maintain simplicity. A neutral colour scheme paired with pops of traditional colours creates a plush and relaxing atmosphere that evokes the feeling of luxury without feeling too over the top.
The entry is rich in colours and textures, with a custom bench, console and mirror from Ayawi Designs. The stone water fountain was sourced from Greenhouseblr; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
In the living room, a Kalamkari art piece from ArtGalleria forms the backdrop, amidst a composition of arches. Cushions from Nicobar, Good Earth and Studio Covers pair with a rug sourced from HummingHaus. The side tables are a The Purple Turtles find. The ceiling wallpaper is from Asian Paints, and the lighting is by DEFA Lighting; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The living room is a perfect balance between luxury and comfort, with architectural lighting from DEFA Lighting; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The elevator brings one into a private foyer, which presents elements of warmth through oxide walls, bricks, carved furniture and earthy prints. A cluster of traditional pillars inspired by South Indian temples are suspended from the ceiling while the traditional kolam (auspicious patterns drawn with rice flour on the floor of South Indian homes) takes an unconventional twist by being mounted on the ceiling in a larger than life format.
A multiplay of curves and figures, this partition rings true to its Chennapatnam roots. Each element was handcrafted by artisans and finished with a natural lacquer; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The dining table features an elephant leg support, built particularly for this space with a contemporary chandelier hanging above; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The regal dining room features a bespoke dining table by Ayawi Designs, crowned by a chandelier from Adithya Lamps; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
A 6-foot wide double door welcomes one into the home. A pooja room inspired by South Indian temples is the first thing that meets the eye. The jaalis by the pooja room are a play on Athangudi tile patterns (a traditional Chettinad tile which creates a seamless pattern), while the main shrine is a take on the famous temples of Madurai.
Straying toward the modern era, the kitchen features a pendant light from Ikea. The counters are quartzite from HMG Stones; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
This corner of the parent’s bedroom exemplifies South Indian luxury. Tones of wood and shades of red come together to bring a feeling of regal elegance. The curtains were sourced from Home Stories; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The living and dining areas are separated by a passageway with a ceiling featuring faux beams and inset with wallpaper. The passage terminates with a custom console above which the client’s mother’s wedding saree is framed; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
Adjacent to the pooja room is the dining area where the dining cabinet is inspired by the art of Thatera (the art of hammering metal to make utensils). While one shutter proudly showcases the art form, the other one takes a modern twist with tinted glass. The main passageway concludes with a personal touch — the homeowner’s mother’s wedding saree framed as a piece of art.
A bespoke green Indian marble console welcomes one into the master bedroom; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
Highly detailed is the bespoke bed made by Ayawi Designs. Wall panelling from Elevate Panels gives the room a rich feel. The bed is polished and sophisticated, with bedding from Fabindia; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The wall behind the bed of the parents’ bedroom is clad in veneer with tin tiles. Subtle motifs from traditional traditional furniture were brought into the space through the mirror, architrave and TV units; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The attention to detail and ode to craftsmanship continue in the living room. Custom made by craftsmen only an hour away from Bengaluru, the arched partition highlights the rich heritage of the area.
In the dressing room, light plays an important role. Functionality in this space is high, along with the aesthetic quality. The decor pieces were sourced from Beruru; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
In the master bedroom, custom shutters with wallpaper from House of Ikari add elegance and a sense of refinement; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The daughter’s bedroom is an antidote to the rest of the home. It features muted tones and contemporary elements. The bed is dressed by Cananor Guild; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The arched door give a sense of grandeur to the dressing room entry; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
An honourable home
Through this home, House of Ruya’s skills and strong work ethic come to life. They have celebrated the local heritage and craftsmanship through art and artefacts in a sophisticated way. Despite picking up several different elements from a broad region, the abode comes together in its tones, textures and materials. “The home has a cohesive grouping of materials and colour tones and elements without any boldness. Overall, the home has a sense of understated luxury and quiet sophistication that holds a timeless quality that will retain beauty over time and trends,” concludes Aishwarya.
