When Anjuna met Amalfi: This Indo-Portuguese beach villa by Papersky Studio brims with warmth

The mere suggestion of a tropical getaway is enough to elicit a dreamy sigh, ensuing a montage filled with windswept hair, salty air coating one’s tongue and feet soaked in warm sand. Reminiscent of an escapist, luxuriant retreat, this Goan villa by Papersky Studio nestles near Anjuna Beach, parading as the stuff beach house dreams are made of.

Tall enough to compete with the palm trees looming nearby, it looms over three storeys, stretching languidly across 2,750 sq ft. Art is secondary — the view itself was so compelling that Suvidha Gandhi, the principal designer at the project’s helm, chose to frame it within imposing French windows looming over the inhabitants of this balmy, tropical paradise.

Cue the strumming guitar in the background that accompanies every summer movie shot at the beach— the lofty home holds an abundance of natural light captive within its expanse. The sight of its imposing, pearly exterior is capable of making any vacationer’s nerves unravel with the anticipation of a good time. 

When Amalfi met Goa

Peppered with beige, curving arches that draw the eye upwards, the expansive home flaunts a distinctively Indo-Portuguese appeal, with a hint of the laidback yet indulgent European countryside. Situated within a gated community, the homeowner insisted on utilising an abundance of wood and stone within the interiors. The emanating result is a welcoming abode that beckons one to venture within, clad in balmy hues further enhanced by wooden oak fixtures and cream-hued walls.

Walls were knocked down, windows were tugged wider and transformed into expansive doors that hang on the precipice of both welcoming and separating the home from its tropical surroundings. Suvidha delves into the sentiment behind the design choices taken, stating “It was all about creating spaces that felt open, airy, and filled with natural light, promoting a sense of calm and well-being. It’s a design philosophy that prioritises balance and cohesion, much like the way nature effortlessly blends diverse elements to create a harmonious environment.” 

A sandy retreat

A Balcao greets visitors at the onset of the home, a characteristic trait common among Goan Portuguese architecture. Much like rustling waves that spill over the shore, the living room extends right up to the main door, filled with minimal furniture with a decidedly rustic appeal. The carved wood, paired with furnishings accessorised by a plethora of bucolic prints, rattan backs, and sinuous lines add to the property’s laidback charm.

In the absence of a partition between the living room and the entryway, pillars crowned by arches were constructed to separate spaces within its continuous, expansive confines. Wooden beams and grey limestone floors further project the image of a tropical paradise, spotlighting the inherent warmth that lines the home at its very core, contrasting the decadent cream-hued walls. A light grey staircase leads visitors to the first floor, encapsulating more rooms brimming with old-world charm and a plethora of vintage details inspired by bygone eras.

Cohesion is key

The colour palette for the home is inlaid with an array of warm, nature-inspired hues and rustic elements that hark back to older times, replete with wooden carvings and linen furnishings. The resulting effect is reminiscent of a sandy coast, ensuring that the warmth of the home mirrors the lush beachscape that awaits outside its walls. Awash with ambient lighting, the home manages to maintain a consistent look while simultaneously introducing a range of novel visual elements within every room.

Expounding on her overarching vision for the space, Suvidha says “By maintaining a unified aesthetic foundation, I can then experiment with various design elements, decor ideas, and nuances that enhance and enrich the overall concept.” This strategy ensures that each aspect of the project contributes to a harmonious and well-integrated whole, while still allowing for creativity and adaptability within the established framework.”

A window to the world 

For Suvidha, the doors and windows of the home were the most pivotal, defining elements tying the space together. She gushes “Designing the windows and doors was an exhilarating process, allowing us to establish the design language from the ground up and shape how the space is perceived from both inside and out, a pivotal aspect of our design philosophy.”

The home posed a variety of challenges during the inception of its design process. Inconsistent ceiling heights proved to be a significant obstacle, overcome by innovative design solutions that prioritised maintaining a semblance of proportion and balance consistently across the home. Ergo, the space has been crafted keeping in mind the scenic location’s many strengths — the near-constant daylight pouring in, alongside bursts of green potted plants imbuing the space with a hint of the wilderness that awaits outdoors. 

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