Intrinsic Designs serves an Ahmedabad home as cosy as a cappuccino

Rarely have we ever wished so fervently for a space to be edible. Delectable chocolate-hued interiors, striking art and sprigs of green complete the moody mise-en-scene within a sample apartment in Ahmedabad. Brought to life by Shivraj Patel and Shruti Malani, Principal Architects at Intrinsic Designs, the sandy oasis sprawls across 3,000 sq ft. Elegant yet prone to the occasional dose of whimsy, the space proffers a novel take on luxury that does not skimp out on cosiness. 

Imposing scales of art, aesthetic niches and unconventional furniture are a few of the wonders that await within. “Each element, from the charcoal-coloured table lamp to the two-sided wooden swing, contributes to a dynamic yet cohesive aesthetic,” aver Shivraj and Shruti. 

A tinge of sepia 

Seeking a reprieve from oft-white-washed notions of luxury, the space has been brought to life by indigenous materials. It remains consistent with its motifs of dome-like structures, sculptural greens and curving furniture silhouettes. High in contrast yet earthy, the colour palette resembles a Renaissance-era portrait, each corner a vignette that alludes to a greater design story. 

Rather than opting for a jarring pop of colour, accent pieces in black and white succinctly draw attention against the space’s sepia-tinged confines. Baroque rugs, florals, stripes, dots and marbled surfaces exist in tandem with their surroundings — nothing is off the table, let alone feel out of place. 

A moody montage 

A green console fashioned out of spider marble greets one at the onset. Placed within an imposing, semi-dome niche, an ebony-hued ceramic vase placed atop makes a dramatic statement. But that’s not all. The dining room adjacent to the niche is equally impressive, featuring a chandelier that resembles cream-hued foliage suspended mid-air. In stark contrast against the grid-like, ebony-hued artwork jutting off the wall, these elements are further accompanied by chunky dining chairs that add a touch of whimsy. 

This playfulness permeates the living room, in the form of a swing-cum- sofa suspended from the ceiling occupying centre stage. An addition we can envision being a crowd favourite, it accompanies plush couches, setees and armchairs atop a spotted rug. Nestling at the back, a mammoth canvas featuring artwork by Rutva Joshi leans against the oak-hued veneer wall at one end. 

As one ventures inside, the bedrooms expand on the pre-existing leitmotifs across the home. From headboards crafted out of stone mosaic to upholstered additions that feature stripes, each one contains a riot of textures, furnished with sink-worthy patterned rugs that daringly clash with the subdued, lime-washed bare walls. 

Repping the culture

The star of the show is unanimously the spider green marble from Bidasar, Rajasthan, that makes a brief yet impactful appearance across the home’s confines. From the mines of Andhra, Tandur Grey limestone lines the floors, while smoked oak binds the grounded colour palette together. 

A sink-worthy rug crafted by artisans in Mirzapur add to this veritable smorgasbord of texture. Plush, upholstered sofas and sleek metal chairs exist in cohesive harmony, like perfectly fitting pieces of a puzzle. Ceramic vases, Terrazzo lamps and a decorative chandelier crafted out of cream-hued clay add further character to this diverse assemblange.

Whether the home adheres to a particular style or label is up for contention, but the space stays true to the spirit of experimentation — arguably the driving force behind all art and design.

Read more: Oak House by Studio Poche: A Japandi masterpiece tucked in the bylanes of Ahmedabad