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    Monochromatic Apartment by ns*a Architecture and Interiors lends a harmonious setting of minimal design

    JUN 28, 2021 | By Saloni Rege
    A subtle tone wraps the living room that features a sofa ensemble, centre table finished in smoked ash wood, antique wooden soldiers and glass jars by Mahendra Doshi, Hatsu wall light, carpet by The Pure Concept and a lithograph print art by Imran Mudassar; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant
    Seen here is a den (also a makeshift guest room) that showcases a brown art leather sofa and brown chenille as well as a tan art leather lounge chair, which rests on a Jaipur Rugs floor covering. A sleek ash wood console is placed by the window and client's own Picasso print wall art bedecks the space; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant
    Seen here in the main bedroom is a Kangaroo chair by Pierre Jeanneret from Mahendra Doshi, client's own wall art, ash wood side tables and a freestanding floor lamp; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant
    In the primary bedroom, ash wood side tables are paired with ribbed leather panelling headboard, Terra Trading wall lights and cushions by Ajay Anand; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant
    A curvilinear chest of drawers sit between wardrobe shutters with fluted surface, finished in polished ash wood a beige matte PU. The homeowner's monochrome artwork adds liveliness; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant
    Detail of the wardrobe shutters in the main bedroom; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    Tucked away in one of the by lanes of Mumbai’s Pedder Road, this two-bedroom apartment exuberates warmth and lends a minimal design approach. Designers Neesha Alwani and Shruti Jalan of ns*a Architecture and Interiors have revamped this residence with sober palettes, refined materials and a sense of calm amidst the buzzing city life.

    Realised as a modern space with clean lines, the Monochromatic Apartment covers an area of 1,200 sq ft and features varied elements and textures in a harmonious setting.

    “The quinquagenarian clients wished for a simple home that felt like a serene retreat of comfort. The homeowner couple wanted to keep aside a bedroom for themselves while transform the other room into a guest space plus den for entertainment, alongside a spacious living area and dining extended out onto the balcony,” shares Alwani, founder and architect, ns*a Architecture and Interiors.

    A deep blue chaise sits near a smoked ash wood ribbed wall that lends texture to the primary bedroom entry from the living room, which uses The Pure Concept rug and wall art by Imran Mudassar; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    A long linear ribbed wall greets at the entrance and continues into the living and dining area, partitioning the kitchen and utility spaces from the interactive ones. The smoked ash wood ribbing renders an interesting texture to the wall with its varying sizes and extends onto an openable panel that smartly conceals a bar within the wall thickness.

    A linear ribbed wall serves as a perfect backdrop for a freestanding curvilinear console in burnished copper matte PU, paired with a rug from The Pure Concept; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    Decking the subtle and airy living room is an ensemble of a three and two-seater sofas and a lounge chair that are dressed in beige tones and shades of ivory chenille. Paired with the set is a cosy chaise in deep blue hue, which offsets a dramatic backdrop that’s served by a burnished copper, curvilinear console.

    The living room showcases Ajay Anand cushions, The Pure Concept carpet, Hatsu wall light, antique glass jars and wooden soldier by Mahendra Doshi, lithograph print wall art by Imran Mudassar and client’s own wooden sculpture from Nagaland; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    The living area opens into an outdoor balcony through a series of expansive sliding-folding doors, which are detailed in slender woodwork and glass panels. Complementing the geometric curves of the earthy carpet is a centre table, made up of a cluster of circular tables of varied heights and diameters finished in smoked ash wood.

    A serene view of the living room features antique glass jars and wooden soldiers by Mahendra Doshi, cushions by Ajay Anand, a Hatsu wall light and a carpet by The Pure Concept; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    Dotting the bright kitchen is a beige marble floor and a beige quartz countertop, emanating elegance. The cabinetry portrays a combination of ash wood veneer and off-white laminate, being in sync with the neutral palette that envelops the entire house.

    In the kitchen, a yellow antique basket by Mahendra Doshi sits on a beige quartz countertop and is complemented by cabinetry that’s dressed in ash wood veneer and off-white laminate; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    A set of panelled shutters that conceal a storage unit serve as an ideal background for a dining area. A freestanding, curved console divides the dining from the living space. The panels and console both are finished in a burnished copper matte PU that lends a unique character.

    The dining ensemble uses a wooden table with curved legs, chairs furnished in organic white linen, a striking pendant, client’s own art and a carpet by The Pure Concept; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    A voluptuous curve-legged, wooden dining table features a beige glass top and is paired with wooden chairs that are draped in organic white linen. An abstract, statement chandelier radiates a soft glow and striking effect in the dining space.

    A dramatic light illuminates the dining area that’s set against a burnished copper matte PU panel; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    “The clients were very clear about the vision of the space they wanted to reside in. This certainly gave us a direction while conceptualising the design and the process became pretty straightforward. We instantly knew that the apartment had to be infused with monochromatic tones and clean, clutter-free surfaces,” reveals Jalan, founder and interior designer.

    A stone Nandi on a wooden base from Mahendra Doshi sits well on a curved console that’s finished in burnished copper matte PU; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    Varied architectural details, intricacies, textures and organic elements stand out against a neutral palette that binds the home in a cohesive essence of sophistication. The designers further add, “We stay away from trends and prefer to weave spaces that are customised for an individual client and suit their requirements, mirroring their personalities.”

    Detail of the wardrobe shutters in the primary bedroom are in a combination of a fluted surface in polished ash wood and a beige matte PU surface forming an interesting composition; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    The house boasts materials that are easy on the eye as well as elements that offer a carefree, efficient and low maintenance lifestyle. The designers have strived to include materials that exude a timeless appeal and sustainability. A right balance between aesthetics, functionality and economics goes a long way!

    The homeowner’s artwork bedecks the beige toned chest of drawers that appeals with its curvilinear form in the primary bedroom; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    Conceptualised as a makeshift guest room, the den is dotted with a Murphy bed placed between two sets of wardrobes. A brown art leather sofa, a brown chenille and a tan art leather lounge chair embellishes the space. A circular rug in shades of ochre and pale blue accentuates the room with a splash of vibrancy. An ash wood console placed against the window carries the client’s books and collectibles.

    Detail of the guest bathroom window; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    Rounded corners, arched frames and soft detailing adorn the principal bedroom. The chest of drawers between the wardrobes has a curvilinear form that makes for an interesting element. The wardrobe shutters display a fluted surface in polished ash wood and a beige matte PU finish, forming an alluring composition. A ribbed art leather panelling wraps the bed headboard, combined with ash wood side tables.

    Seen here is a cosy nook in the primary bedroom, which uses a Kangaroo chair by Pierre Jeanneret from Mahendra Doshi; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    A beige marble floor unifies the primary bathroom as well and ribbed wall tiles make a pleasant appearance, encircling the curved washbasin. The under counter shutters are done up in ribbed ash wood while the drawers are finished in ash wood veneer.

    A beige marble floor, a ribbed basin counter, ash wood veneer drawers and antique oil amphoras from Mahendra Doshi are seen in the ensuite bathroom; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    Contributing to the energy efficiency factor, the apartment is flooded with natural light and ventilation, wherein the occupants do not require to resort to artificial light and mechanical ventilation. The use of favourable natural materials like wood, stone, cotton and linen fabrics have been sourced locally.

    The guest bathroom features a black quartz and beige tiles with a semi-recessed basin, the mirror giving an illustration of a floating basin; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Suleiman Merchant

    Catering to the aspect of waste reduction, the designers have tried to reuse whatever material they could salvage while gutting the apartment, mainly timber. The rest of the materials have been collected and distributed for upcycling. Additionally, durable and low maintenance decor ensures longevity.

    “We aim to decipher a project’s requirements and implement our skills to fabricate an environment that meets the client brief, also taking into consideration the surrounding context for a perfect fit. This apartment proves to be on the same lines! Enriching spaces and relaxing vibe layer the Monochromatic Apartment,” conclude the designer duo.