Telling tales of ancient India, House of Ruya brings this Bengaluru apartment to life

A rhythm of comfort first grips the senses as soon as one steps inside this home in Bengaluru. Then comes the visual symphony of rich colours, materials and textures that stays with you as you meander across the sprawling 5,000 sq ft area. Designed by House of Ruya, the home originally comprised six bedrooms, later […]

09 Apr 2024

Aanya Jain

A rhythm of comfort first grips the senses as soon as one steps inside this home in Bengaluru. Then comes the visual symphony of rich colours, materials and textures that stays with you as you meander across the sprawling 5,000 sq ft area. Designed by House of Ruya, the home originally comprised six bedrooms, later modified to suit the needs of the joint family it harbours.

Led by principal designer Aishwarya Govind, the transformation of the space rested on the initial brief of the family, in how they sought for the apartment to marry the elegance of traditional Indian design with clean lines and contemporary sensibilities. With a deep appreciation for diverse traditions and art, “Another criteria we had to fulfil was of creating bespoke elements — something that is unique for the brief given while blending the concepts of traditional and modern,” explains Aishwarya.

House of Ruya — The vintage pillars from Dhakshini Antiques grace the entrance to the pooja room. The doors are from JB Glass and the white marble in the pooja room by HMG Stones builds a tranquil environment; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

An ode to tradition

The apartment features several elements borrowed from vintage designs stripped down to their core in order to maintain simplicity. A neutral colour scheme paired with pops of traditional colours creates a plush and relaxing atmosphere that evokes the feeling of luxury without feeling too over the top.

The elevator brings one into a private foyer, which presents elements of warmth through oxide walls, bricks, carved furniture and earthy prints. A cluster of traditional pillars inspired by South Indian temples are suspended from the ceiling while the traditional kolam (auspicious patterns drawn with rice flour on the floor of South Indian homes) takes an unconventional twist by being mounted on the ceiling in a larger than life format.

A 6-foot wide double door welcomes one into the home. A pooja room inspired by South Indian temples is the first thing that meets the eye. The jaalis by the pooja room are a play on Athangudi tile patterns (a traditional Chettinad tile which creates a seamless pattern), while the main shrine is a take on the famous temples of Madurai.

Adjacent to the pooja room is the dining area where the dining cabinet is inspired by the art of Thatera (the art of hammering metal to make utensils). While one shutter proudly showcases the art form, the other one takes a modern twist with tinted glass. The main passageway concludes with a personal touch — the homeowner’s mother’s wedding saree framed as a piece of art.

The attention to detail and ode to craftsmanship continue in the living room. Custom made by craftsmen only an hour away from Bengaluru, the arched partition highlights the rich heritage of the area.

An honourable home

Through this home, House of Ruya’s skills and strong work ethic come to life. They have celebrated the local heritage and craftsmanship through art and artefacts in a sophisticated way. Despite picking up several different elements from a broad region, the abode comes together in its tones, textures and materials. “The home has a cohesive grouping of materials and colour tones and elements without any boldness. Overall, the home has a sense of understated luxury and quiet sophistication that holds a timeless quality that will retain beauty over time and trends,” concludes Aishwarya.

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