Homes

An ensemble of Japanese and Scandinavian interiors reveals at Mumbai’s Seaside home by Studio Urban Form + Objects

FEB 29, 2024 | By Subikshaa Stalin
At Seaside Abode, bespoke pieces and textured rugs sourced from IKEA and Rugberry add character to the living and dining spaces; Photography by Kunal Bhatia, Styling by Studio Urban Form + Objects
Furniture pieces of oakwood veneer infuse warmth into the monochromatic interiors. The living room is adorned with an armchair by Mahendra Doshi and a customised sofa and centre table by Studio UF+O; Photography by Kunal Bhatia
Subtle understated spaces designed to host brilliant views of the sea; Photography by Kunal Bhatia
Well-lit Interiors are made even more spacious with the use of light colours. The black Turbo Barstools from Made With Spin contrast with the light colours in the kitchen; Photography by Kunal Bhatia

In the bustling cityscape of Mumbai, nestled within an old building, lies a serene home that envelops muted spaces, flooded with light and accentuated with the breathtaking views of the sea. Setting a vivid stage for Japanese and Scandinavian interior styles, Studio Urban Form + Objects, also known as Studio UF+O, designs the space to exude tranquillity through its easy, austere palette.  

“The conception of Seaside Abode stems from a deliberate choice made by the client in getting a space closer to the western waterfront and the panoramic vistas it unfolds over the bay area. In response, we designed modest spaces emphasising the views,”   say Prachi Parekh Vora and Vineet J. Vora, Co-founders, Studio UF+O.

Furnished with Classic Veneer and styled with an IKEA conference chair to create a cosy workspace right by the window; Photography by Kunal Bhatia, Styling by Studio Urban Form + Objects

Glimmers of Japandi 

With a clear vision in mind, they set out to transform this 1,250 sq ft apartment into a beautiful dwelling that blends the aesthetics of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian simplicity — a design ethos colloquially dubbed Japandi Style.

The living room features a Calcuttan artwork, a custom-made sofa by Studio UF+O elegantly crafted with locally sourced teak along with cushions from Sarita Handa and lights from SR Lights; Photography by Kunal Bhatia

A central circulatory corridor welcomes visitors guiding them through the space, flanked by a home office on one side and a spacious kitchen on the other. The dematerialisation of walls along this corridor achieved through the careful replacement of minimal glass partitioning with sandwiched linen, pays homage to Japanese shoji screens, offering privacy when needed while allowing natural light to permeate effortlessly.

Furniture pieces of oakwood veneer infuse warmth into the monochromatic interiors. The living room is adorned with an armchair by Mahendra Doshi and a customised sofa and centre table by Studio UF+O; Photography by Kunal Bhatia

Functions of  tranquility

As one moves further, the heart of the home unfolds – a luminous living and dining space that serves as a sanctuary for relaxation, adorned with vistas of the sea link to the west. Prachi and Vineet recall, “As a central living space that overlooks the sea link, we enjoyed designing the space. However, our greatest challenge was how to eliminate the feeling of spatial restriction when entering the home.”

The ‘Mool Table’ from Murubi steals the show in this minimal dining area, paired with the Muṅgāru dining chair from Phantom Hand and lighting from Luce; Photography by Kunal Bhatia

 

Well-lit Interiors are made even more spacious with the use of light colours; Photography by Kunal Bhatia

Bedrooms flank the ends of the apartment, with the master bedroom offering a captivating panorama of the western waterfront, perpetuating the tranquil ambience. Keeping with the Japandi aesthetic, Seaside Abode seamlessly integrates functionality with aesthetics. Wardrobes and storage cabinets are discreetly tucked away within the walls conveniently allowing ample room for movement.

A custom-made teak bed by Studio UF+O and rugs sourced from IKEA reflect the overall elegant theme; Photography by Kunal Bhatia

 

In the bathroom, sanitary ware and finishing tiles, sourced from Belezza, share a minimal ashy palette; Photography by Kunal Bhatia

Studio UF+O’s ethos in design

Carefully curated bespoke furniture pieces crafted from locally sourced teak interplay with the minimal backdrop infusing warmth and character into the space. Additionally, stone sculptures and side tables throughout the residence are crafted from indigenous Indian marble, conceived in an effort to highlight their beauty and robustness in a sustainable manner.

Black-hued furniture pieces add interest to this workspace, along with a table lamp from The Black Steel. The fluted tiles are from Articlad; Photography by Kunal Bhatia

 

Subtle understated spaces designed to host brilliant views of the sea; Photography by Kunal Bhatia

Seaside Abode is a visual testament to Studio UF+O’s design philosophy that transcends mere aesthetics. It strikes a balance between contextual relevance and technological innovation, yielding design solutions that are both timeless and universal. Through its meticulous selection of materials and furniture pieces, the design embodies sustainable practices rooted in Prachi’s and Vineet’s passion for exploring traditional processes.

 

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