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    Kunaal Kyhaan Seolekar uses unusually patterned marbles and natural materials in this palatial sanctuary

    NOV 24, 2020 | By Mrudul Pathak Kundu and Kunaal Kyhaan Seolekar
    The living area features bespoke furnishings from KOY such as the modular seating system that can be configured in multiple ways. Seasoned teak, salvaged from a family bungalow's beam, is used for the stairway, while the custom terrazzo flooring is put together using semi-precious stones with the help of Bharat Floorings and Tiles; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
    (L-R) The tailor-made sculptural island kitchen features an acacia slab filled with red resin on a cantilevered steel counter with a dramatic marble backdrop; It is also repeated on the conical dining table from Seolekar’s brand KOY. Glass lights commissioned from Klove Studio are suspended above; A curved curtain of pine batons; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
    The outdoor dining patio has a custom “live edge” wood and marble dining table by KOY with vibrant Kartell chairs and a custom wood framed mirror; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
    (L-R) This vanity for Marushka Seolekar conceals a spacious custom wardrobe; Pictured are two corners of the powder room, a playful, cubist rendition with hand inlaid marble and bursts of modern colouring; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

    At the end of a quiet lane in a residential estate in Pune, there’s a pitstop at studioHAUS, the Scandinavian-styled, white shed that is my design and architecture studio beside a small craft workshop. Nearby, a flaming red Gulmohar canopy sets the tone for the dwelling aptly named park HAUS.

    This is the 7,000 sq ft abode of Rohan and Marushka Seolekar, nestled in a sprawling, dense garden, which feels more like an exotic forest.

    The freedom and familiarity of handling this project were both an advantage and a challenge. The better you know a client, the more responsibility you have to create something that tells their story in an authentic way.

    This graphic, 20ft-long marble bar is surrounded by Popcorn armchairs, “live edge” wood coffee tables and a flat weave rug from KOY; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

    The young couple love to entertain, so we had to create a space conducive for that. It’s built to match their taste while at the same time, it is customised with their personal touch, allowing it to grow and evolve with them.

    The basement accommodates a sofa, bar console, carved wooden stumps, paintings and various objets d’art from KOY; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

    The interiors are an exploratory journey through materials. A 35ft wall is clad entirely in Brazilian granite filled with rubies. As you run your hands along with the stone, specks of mica rub off onto the palms.

    The ceiling of the guest bedroom has a hand-polished concrete ceiling with exposed silver pipes. Under it are KOY’s stained pine bed, Bone sofa, solid coloured rug and off-cut side tables; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

    A terrazzo flooring with large quantities of sliced semi-precious stones—quartz, agates, aventurines and jaspers—are individually placed resulting in a bespoke floor created with the help of Bharat Floorings and Tiles.

    The master bath is fitted with a cylindrical shower cubicle with glass mosaics. On this side of it are twin vanities on a hand carved, multi-marbled stand; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

    The range of furniture designed for this house is the first from my own brand KOY. Several stunning “live edge” wood pieces are found around the villa, reflecting our speciality in recognising the true value of wood and using ethically sourced timber for one-off pieces. Their crevices are filled with hand-poured, high-quality transparent resin.

    The entrance adds with a thrilling experience of walking on a glass floor, below which is the basement; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

    My favourite section is probably the basement with natural light streaming in through a skylight. An LED edge-lit ceiling is suspended in the air to form a perfect visual grid. Graphic handmade dhurries and colourful armchairs from KOY congregate effortlessly with the ethereal set of three, off-cut Strawberry coffee tables as the epicentre.

    The master suite has a KOY bed, a side table by Seolekar and a draped Vermelha rope chair by the Campana brothers alongside a portrait of the family pug who’s passed on; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri

    I believe in using nature as a muse, the gesture of utilising materials to continue with the natural palette as a method of appreciation. The intention of evoking subtle emotions through design has been and will always be the root of all creation.