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    Designer Saba Kapoor of Nivasa amalgamates communal living and neoclassicism in her Sultanpur farmhouse

    JAN 15, 2024 | By Virender Singh
    The coffee table makes a strong statement of style and creativity with its unique design. The sustainable artwork on the wall made out of scrap metal from shipyards in Gujarat has been created by artist Abhishek; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal
    Beautifully layered walls and ceiling details impart depth and warmth to the bar area. Captivating artworks dotting the walls add a distinctive character to the spaces; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal
    The dining area bears testimony to a unique collaboration between Saba and her father-in-law, a handicrafts exporter. The base of the dining table and the chandeliers were designed by Saba and cast in brass at her father-in-law’s facility. The opulence of brass is juxtaposed against earthy tones of wood and other muted shades; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal
    The double-door entrance leads to the expansive living area that stuns with a gorgeous play of white and gold. It overlooks the bamboo groove through the large window keeping the interface between the indoors and outdoors alive. The furniture, the chandelier and the accessories imbue the contemporary space with an old-world charm; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal
    This home is a reflection of the family’s love for travel. The bar, titled Serengeti, is inspired from Saba’s travel to the world-renowned national park. It is an exceptional piece of art that depicts the flora and fauna found at Serengiti through the intricate metal work on its front; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal
    The study adjacent to the living room complements the contemporary aesthetics of the space. Modern furniture in beige and gray is accented with dusty gold to add a note of sophistication; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal
    Age-old brass finds a unique modern application in this master bedroom, redefining timeless allure. Its minimalistic palette is matched by the refined design of the furniture pieces and the contemporary details in brass; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal
    Age-old brass finds a unique modern application in this master bedroom, redefining timeless allure. Its minimalistic palette is matched by the refined design of the furniture pieces and the contemporary details in brass; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal
    A magnificent mango tree arches over the luxuriously curated patio space. The surrounding greenery is evocative of a Zen garden. Apart from the lounge area, there is an elaborately done up dining space with opulent chandeliers crowning the entire space; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal

    The glowing resilience of Indian metallurgy, travel stories from bushlands in Tanzania and a nod to 18th century European Neoclassicism — such is the cross-cultural opulence crafted by interior designer Saba Kapoor for her family in Sultanpur. While our world at large is careening ostensibly towards a Western idyll of nuclear settlements, this Edenic anchorage holds space for her husband, in-laws and grandmother to co-exist harmoniously together all under one roof.

    Rambling upon a magnanimous 2.5 acre plot, right off the busy thoroughfare connecting New Delhi to Gurugram, the 30-year-old farmhouse epitomises our cherished tradition of communal living and innate connection with nature. Rather than demolishing and starting anew, Kapoor colluded with her furniture studio Nivasa to reawaken contemporary refinement within this vintage estate, dappled with the shade of murmuring mango trees.

    Beautifully layered walls and ceiling details impart depth and warmth to the bar area. Captivating artworks dotting the walls add a distinctive character to the spaces; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal

     

    The dining area bears testimony to a unique collaboration between Saba and her father-in-law, a handicrafts exporter. The base of the dining table and the chandeliers were designed by Saba and cast in brass at her father-in-law’s facility. The opulence of brass is juxtaposed against earthy tones of wood and other muted shades; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal

    We run headlong into the nostalgic embrace of a green marble verandah, Greco-Roman pillars overrun by curlicue vines and a chaise lounge lying recumbent amidst sculptural planters.

    An octopus-like chandelier looms overhead, an inimical statement piece hand cast in ethereal brass, curated by Kapoor’s father-in-law who specialises in traditional handicrafts. Kapoor elucidates, “The theme is a marriage of classical and contemporary design styles,” as we are ushered in through a majestically carved lintel adorned with polished teak modillion blocks.

    The indigenous Indian green marble floored verandah leads to the neoclassical foyer area mixing inspirations from far and wide. The black and white chairs are rustic French and the chandelier is an antique piece; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal

    Intercontinental memorabilia

    The foyer is a playground for baroque influences, with its ornate wall moulding and French country chairs, giving way to an expansive living room through imperious double doors. Subtly appointed in a light, creamy colour palette and punctuated by accents of dusty gold, the sofa-set and space-saving tables are imbued with an old-world Rococo elegance.

    A Serengeti-inspired bar, etched with loping giraffes and yawning lions in bas-relief, serves as a mantel for de-stressed indigenous figurines. The ubiquitousness of Persian carpets, earthen vases and other collected artefacts round off the sensorial experience in ornate decadence. Large picture windows frame a cluster of bamboo reeds, maintaining a seamless continuity between the indoors and outdoors, visible from the formal dining area as well.

    The farmhouse is done up using recycled artefacts, planters and pots that introduce the quintessential earthy vibe into the luxurious interiors; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal

     

    The study adjacent to the living room complements the contemporary aesthetics of the space. Modern furniture in beige and grey is accented with dusty gold to add a note of sophistication; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal

    A green oasis

    The living space also has a wraparound green patio, meandering off to a Japanese Zen garden accessible by water walkways where one can relish a moment in solitude. This island unto itself offers a smattering of haughty armchairs, an L-shaped sectional couch and nested centre tables laid out on a stone Kota platform.

    The garden also boasts a wooden gazebo, al-fresco dining under chandelier laden boughs and a cerulean pool that dissects the house itself between the living room and master bedroom, dreaming up a much-needed escape from everyday chaos.

    The outdoors celebrates greenery in its most natural form. From a wide range of plants and trees to the creepers that entwine the columns of the verandah, everything exudes an organic appeal. And the large mango tree acts as the heart of the garden; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal

    Craftsmanship and collaboration

    Moving upstairs reveals the bedrooms of in-laws, a TV room and a family lounge, while downstairs accommodates Kapoor’s and her husband’s bedroom, another lounge and a study room. If we saunter around to the back, a meditation space bedecked in chequered flooring and an antique Kerala boat overrun by plants transition to the mandir where social interactions thrive.

    “In fact, I was watching this documentary about how in Singapore they create communal houses where everyone has apartments,” reveals Kapoor. The untapped potential of such shared spaces for people to hang out together, until they run out of social battery, informs how separate chambers unravel within the built environment.

    Saba Kapoor in her austere white-themed bedroom that is adorned with brass and wood accents; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal

     

    Age-old brass finds a unique modern application in this master bedroom, redefining timeless allure. Its minimalistic palette is matched by the refined design of the furniture pieces and the contemporary details in brass; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal

    Sustainable artwork made out of scrap metal from shipyards in Gujarat, painstakingly layered ceilings and an American walnut staircase connecting the multiple levels showcase a congruous blend of creative minds. Nowhere is the spirit of collaborative euphoria more palpable than in the dining table — a wooden top with unique brass bases synergized by the designer and her father-in-law, drawing upon South Indian kuthu vilakku oil lamps as a cultural reference.

    The home celebrates outdoor living with extensive gardens and charming sitting areas. A luxurious L-shaped couch, stylish armchairs and a wooden centre table form an enchanting place surrounded by water walkways under an imposing mango tree; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal

    Where artistry meets functionality

    With a history dating back to 1993, Saba Kapoor’s brand Nivasa has evolved a distinctive visual grammar from their hardwood consoles to a diverse collection of furnishing fabrics, shaping spaces that are both extravagant and deeply personal.

    Powered almost entirely by solar panels, the Sultanpur farmhouse is not merely a residence but an embodiment of familial love, an interplay of multi-ethnic décor and a commitment to environmental consciousness. 

    The poolside patio brings modern minimalistic living to the outdoors. Sumptuous loungers, a set of two centre tables, armchair and sculptural planters, all in white, add a serene calmness to the space and offer a much-needed escape from everyday chaos; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal

     

    The master bedroom and the living room surround a serene pool, overlooking the poolside patio soaking in the greenery and sunlight. The patio is furnished with elaborate modern furniture; Photography by Deepak Aggarwal

    You may also like: With a view of the verdant Aravalli hills, the sprawling Delhi home of Saba, Riti and Rohit Kapoor of Nivasa fame is an artsy and artisanal abode