Amidst rolling hills and a tea estate, this home in Tamil Nadu is a quintessential getaway

Nestled in the verdure Nilgiris, overlooking the idyllic Wellington Valley, a home in the hills dubbed House 60 is a material metaphor for the well-being that nature promises. “Its visual language is understated, elegant and deeply rooted in the surroundings,” says Ayesha Jhunjhunwala, Director, Coonoor Estates, who envisioned the design sensibilities of this soothing multi-storied sanctum with the creative discernment of an artist. 

The sprawling 4,900 sq ft space appears grounded yet contemporary. The stairway on the right leads up to the top floor, which engulfs the master suite, a second bedroom, and a glass-walled sunroom that opens onto an enormous terrace with spectacular views of the valley. 

One with the terrain  

The architecture of the house, too, ensures that there was minimal cutting and shifting of earth, tells the designer, who worked alongside Atelier Adish Patni for it.  “We were clear from the get-go that we wanted the house to respond to the existing site rather than for it to be an imposition,” says Ayesha, who further divulges that this decision meant having to design ‘backwards’ from the existing topography and contours.Teaming up with Soumya Keshavan, Principal Designer of SOUK Design Studio, the design sentiment was to blur the boundary between the interior and the exterior, so that one isn’t cut off from the beautiful surroundings when indoors, and vice versa.

The very thoughtfulness in design spills across the space, with note-worthy inclusions like every area of the house being wheelchair-accessible, and all three levels being accessible by lift. The living spaces over three levels cascade across the natural slopes of the site. “This allows two of the three levels to open onto the garden that wraps around the house, while the topmost floor enjoys two generous balconies in addition to an enormous terrace with jaw-dropping views.” 

The breathtaking views of the estate and native tea bushes instantly transports one to a realm of peace and calm — a vision made accessible from all corners, owing to the installation of large glass windows and sliding doors. “When one looks out over parts of the garden, it blends seamlessly with the tea plantations that stretch into the horizon,” says Ayesha. 

Moments with nature

Soft and warm colours predominate the overall palette, with occasional pops of bright or dark colours to ensure that no space in the house feels flat or monotonous. 

With large windows ensuring that the artificial lights are kept at bay during the day, Ayesha tells us that her favourite space in the house is the sunroom. This intimate haven is where the world seems to slow down with just enough space for a sofa, a desk, and a chair. A retreat inside a retreat, if you will?

It goes without saying that a home in the hills is quite the quintessential millennial dream, but the ‘House 60’ takes the concept up a notch by sporting a clever integration of comfort, style and ageless design — embodying slow living in a setting that urges you to bask in the beauty of the present. 

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