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    • Aakriti Saraf Design makes a case for minimal family homes in a Bengaluru apartment

    SEP 19, 2024 | By Chiransha Prasad
    The living room’s expanse is accentuated by using wooden panelling on the walls, adding depth and richness, while a custom-made, three-dimensional mural furthers the character of the space, featuring art by Muskan Jain, lamps from Pottery Barn and corner tables by Escape by Creatomy; Photographs by Jubin Johnson

    Designing a family home can be tricky. Yet, when tasked with bringing a bare apartment shell in Bengaluru to life, Aakriti Saraf used the homeowners’ clear-cut vision as her lodestar. The family’s affinity for simplicity materialises in the form of a palette of blues and greys, akin to the garden city’s overcast skies. But despite its best intentions, the 5,000 sq ft home cannot resist a striking accent piece of two jutting out against its minimalist environs. “A conversation starter,” as Aakriti puts it. The space has been envisioned by the principal designer herself, helming her eponymous firm Aakriti Saraf Design.

    “We wanted to ensure the sprawling house is usable and functional without making it appear too stark or bare.” But amid swathes of tonal textures, eye-catching furniture and art, the home pulls off a clever balancing act that stays true to its residents and the art of experimentation.

    The living room’s expanse is accentuated by using wooden panelling on the walls, adding depth and richness, while a custom-made, three-dimensional mural furthers the character of the space, featuring art by Muskan Jain and lamps by Pottery Barn; Photographs by Jubin Johnson

     

    The corner tables are from Escape by Creatomy; Photographs by Jubin Johnson

    Making room for friends and family  

    Homes are personal spaces. Thus, a checklist of the residing family’s activities and preferences was a vital first step towards planning the abode. “The homeowners were certain about steeping the space in a serene, understated colour palette, one that would balance elegance with comfort,” reminisces Aakriti. As a result, the cool-toned palette amid the dining and living gradually transitions to balmy browns, beiges and mint-green in the family’s private spaces.

    Each bedroom has been chiselled and shaped to fit the occupant’s needs. For instance, the daughter’s bedroom is a serene cocoon with fitted wooden bars to aid her daily yoga sessions. To accommodate their love for hosting friends, equal emphasis was laid on furnishing a space for them to reside for a visit. When empty, the guest room acts as an extension of the foyer — or even a makeshift lounge.

    Ample seating is present in the form of furniture customised across India, including couches and roomy chairs; Photographs by Jubin Johnson

     

    The use of deep green marble-top tables and red-hued chairs adds a playful touch to the sit-out foyer area; Photographs by Jubin Johnson

    Texture, accents and character galore 

    A compelling dilemma awaits within the living room. To sit or to stare? A three-dimensional mural decorates the wood-panelled wall, with sculptural tables in black contrasting the muted couches. The sit-out foyer area paves the way for a subtle burst of red, paired with deep green marble tabletops. A glass partition separates the guest room from the foyer, clad in soft, soothing hues.

    The dining area comprises neat, closed-off wall cabinets with brass shutters for storage; Photographs by Jubin Johnson

     

    The table in the foyer is from This and That; Photographs by Jubin Johnson

    A white ceiling light made out of cement crowns the dining room. As storage is sacrosanct within a family home, wall cabinets with brass shutters line the wall — the perfect space to store cutlery and dinnerware at hand. Pull on the wooden shutters with antique handles nearby, and a tiny niche utilised as a prayer room comes into sight. The back of the niche acts as storage within the second guest bedroom, hitting two birds with one stone.

    The son’s bedroom exudes a unique character, aligning with the requirements of a sleek, young, almost bold ambience, yet retaining an overall minimalism; Photographs by Jubin Johnson

     

    A plaster-of-Paris artwork of a frangipani tree on the wall furthers a sense of tranquil; Photographs by Jubin Johnson

    Wood panelling lines the walls of the son’s bedroom, with chevron-patterned dark teakwood flooring. Contrary to this, the daughter’s bedroom marks a sharp pivot replete with beige, unadorned walls save for a plaster-of-Paris artwork inspired by a frangipani tree on the wall.

    The room is bathed in soft tones, allowing the space to breathe; Photographs by Jubin Johnson

     

    The room features ample seating space while the patterned flooring by Square Foot India; Photographs by Jubin Johnson

    As she works as a yoga practitioner, the room’s layout needed to cater to her needs. Coincidentally, as Aakriti explains, “I am a yoga practitioner too and I exactly knew what would not work for me in a bedroom while practising. Wooden bars are erected along an entire wall for her daily exercises and virtual classes,” she explains. It comes as no surprise that this room is the designer’s favourite.

    Materiality of a home 

    Subdued, yet impactful. The home utilises black marble, warm chocolate-hued wood, stone and brass against a neutral palette that seldom breaks character to reveal a colour or two. Functional considerations are the main driving force behind the home’s design. “I personally love practical, easy-to-maintain, clutter-free spaces that become homes for my clients and not a showcase of my work,” Aakriti affirms. As a result, each detail reveals an underlying thought, a purpose that intends on making the lives of those residing in the home easier.

    The surface of the wardrobe is finished with wallpaper as well as veneer to add texture in an otherwise subdued room; Photographs by Jubin Johnson

    It is indeed the details that make the whole richer. As a result, the home is a minimal yet functional paradise that does not skimp on the aesthetics — or the cosiness.

    Read more: By the coast: Bold geometries make a Mumbai apartment by Urban Studio Architects functional and fun