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    • Homes

    Monica and Hardesh Chawla of Essentia Environments create a peaceful and luxurious bungalow in a busy Gurugram neighbourhood

    MAY 19, 2021 | By Kavya Joshi
    A peek at the elegant ground floor living and dining spaces; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan
    The family lounge on the second level is furnished in cream and beige tones, offering views of the lawn outside; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan
    The luxurious basement lounge is dressed in opulent furniture and a rich palette; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan
    The basement dining cum bar is illuminated by a Moooi light atop; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan
    The guest lounge opts for aubergine hues and allows for ample natural light; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan
    The bedroom on the ground floor is subtle in beige hues; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan
    The main bedroom is finished in marble flooring and wooden panelling; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan
    A cosy lounge in the main bedroom is marble clad with comfortable seaters and a coffee table; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan
    The neutral guest bedroom is dressed in olive grey and wooden tones; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan

    Settled in a busy neighbourhood in Gurugram, this four level bungalow exhibits a bubble of peace and serenity for the family of four that inhabit it. The layout, planned around open-to-sky gardens, landscaped courtyards and ingressed green bodies is designed and built by Monica and Hardesh Chawla of Essentia Environments. 

    Spanning across a plot of 700 yards, the area of the house stretches over four floors, adding up to 12,000 sq ft. While there are five bedrooms across all the floors, each level features a family and guest lounge. A majestic atrium and broad stairwell connect all the levels. Dressed primarily in neutral shades such as beige, cream and grey, the expansive abode achieves a calming and relaxed environment.

    “We have experimented with the silhouettes of furniture, dynamic patterns of marble flooring and designed the house in a manner that interacts with nature easily,” reveal the designers.

    Lights from Flos adorn the basement lounge; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan

    The material palette comprises of natural stones, wooden panelling and marble cladding that compliment the surrounding hues. Vibrant colours come into the picture through upholstery, paintings, wallpapers or accent pieces while tonal variants are employed to create interest and blend the shades.  

    The entrance foyer features a perch bird light from Moooi; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan

    As you enter the house on the ground floor, the entrance foyer leads you to the living room. A wooden coffee table, surrounded by beige sofas and chairs prove to be a welcoming sight. Matching the theme of the living area, the dining room features an eight seater dining table in a similar soothing shade, which has a double-height ceiling and glazing that overlooks a manicured lawn.

    The basement comes with a 12-seater luxury dining table; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan

    Bay windows covered with white sheer curtains ensure that a plethora of natural light fills up the space. The ground floor also features a powder room as well as a bedroom with an attached bath. The ground floor kitchen is built in grey hues and has plenty of storage space. 

    A peek at the lower levels from the wide marble-clad staircase; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan

    Concentrated in the basement are the entertainment zones with a 12-seater dining table and a large bar. The basement is specifically designed for merrymaking, which is well reflected in the luxurious and sophisticated furniture. There are two seating areas and bedroom with a joint bathroom that is quite large, with two showers, two sinks and a freestanding tub.

    A customised gold and wood coffee table graces the guest lounge; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan

    The first floor features the guest bedroom which is decorated in neutral tones from the walls to the carpet. A wooden wall behind the bed is the highlight of the room. It also has an attached bathroom. The guest lounge is spacious, consisting of violet sofas and a wooden coffee table.  

    The ground floor marble clad powder room is accentuated by art; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan

    As you amble up the stairs, the second floor features a family lounge that opens into a balcony and the main room, which has its own bedroom lounge. There’s a sense of lavish elegance that envelopes the entire abode.

    A lavish bathroom in the basement comes with a freestanding tub and marble surfaces; Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan

    “A single theme seamlessly runs throughout the house, creating a tranquil ambience. All our projects follow sustainable architecture by leveraging technologies, products and techniques that reduce water and energy consumption. They are designed to have an abundance of natural light and ventilation throughout the day with an efficient system employed to allow zero wastage of resources. This way the homes double up as natural sanctuaries for our clients,” concludes the duo.