An art deco past echoes in this Mumbai home by Studdio Birch
DEC 30, 2024
| By Disha Kalyankar
The living room evokes the charm of a childhood classic, with vintage pattern tiles underfoot and wooden doors in old Burma Teak wood. Wall moulding in wooden patti adds character, while the walls are bathed in paint from Asian Paints. The furniture mix includes a 3-seater sofa, Chandigarh armchairs, coffee table and side tables from Magnolia, complemented by a console and additional side tables from the homeowner’s collection. Decorative lighting includes a table lamp by Hesperus and a wall light from Terra Trading, with general lights by Shriji Lights. Accessories like a rug from Jaipur Rugs, throw, cushions and a wooden bead garland from Altrove, along with vases, a tray and plants from West Elm, Magnolia and Plants World respectively complete the warm, inviting atmosphere; Photography by Kuber Shah
The master bedroom features a bed back panelling in PU finish. Walls are painted with Asian Paints, with PU panelling from ICA and wallpaper by Kalakarihath. Custom-made bed and nightstands complement Terra Trading wall sconces and general lighting from Shrii Lights. Accessories include a bed cover, cushions and throw from Altrove, with side table accessories from Hesperus and Magnolia; Photography by Kuber Shah
Like a polaroid out of your comfort books like Ruskin Bond’s Mussoorie & Landour tales or even the charming spaces of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia, the House of Vignettes by Studdio Birch brings the charm of a lived-in timeless home to Mumbai. A trinket here, a planter there and vintage tiles spread over the 1,500 sq ft stretch, the home bathes in an amber glow that lingers in every corner. It carries with it a vintage hue, as though each room is a page from a storybook, evoking memories of days gone by.
The living room evokes the charm of a childhood classic, with vintage pattern tiles underfoot and wooden doors in old Burma Teak wood. Wall moulding in wooden patti adds character, while the walls are bathed in paint from Asian Paints. The furniture mix includes a 3-seater sofa, Chandigarh armchairs, coffee table and side tables from Magnolia, complemented by a console and additional side tables from the homeowner’s collection. Decorative lighting includes a table lamp by Hesperus and a wall light from Terra Trading, with general lights by Shriji Lights. Accessories like a rug from Jaipur Rugs, throw, cushions and a wooden bead garland from Altrove, along with vases, a tray and plants from West Elm, Magnolia and Plants World respectively complete the warm, inviting atmosphere; Photography by Kuber Shah
Photography by Kuber Shah
Designed by Devaunshi Bosamia and Dhwani Turakhia, principal designers and co-founders of Studdio Birch, the duo say, “The homeowners’ brief to us was that they wanted a home that would reflect the innate beauty of the architecture of the building and at the same time give them a functional space with a contemporary feel while maintaining the existing structural layout. Preserve and highlight some of their vintage pieces in a way that seamlessly blends in,” share Devaunshi and Dhwani. Nostalgia wraps around the space, like the embrace of an old friend, filling its vignette-hued rooms with a sense of comfort.
This living space opens up like a treasure trove with a tall white sculpture, a clock and wooden pieces from Magnolia. The walls, coated with paint from Asian Paints, complement the black console with wall sconces from Terra Trading and general lighting by Shriji Lights. Accessories such as an art print by Kuber Shah, a rug from Jaipur Rugs and vases from West Elm add character, while a bird sculpture, brass candle holders and brown ceramic planter from Magnolia and antique pieces from Hesperus enhance the décor; Photography by Kuber Shah
The living area is a space for cosy seaters, trinkets and charming planters. The room features Chandigarh armchairs, coffee table and side table from Magnolia, alongside a black console from the client’s existing collection. Wall sconces from Terra Trading and general lighting by Shriji Lights illuminate the space, while accessories like an art print by Kuber Shah, vases from West Elm and a bird sculpture from Magnolia add character. Ceramic bowl from Magnolia, a white planter from West Elm and plants from Plants World complete the inviting atmosphere of the space; Photography by Kuber Shah
A home where time slips away
Behold a home full of wooden accents, warmth and a grand wardrobe or a cabinet in every room. if you were to try a game of hide and seek here, you too, like the Pevensies from Narnia, lose track of time. At the entrance, the soaring ceilings will have you struck with awe, with vintage patterned flooring that reminds one of old-school spaces and Colaba cafes. French teak wood double doors greet you at the space’s inception, leading you to the living room laden with wooden mouldings, a large metal and glass showcase and a couple of timeless Chandigarh armchairs. A large coffee table sits comfortably amid a vignette of greenery and table lamps, a metal and glass door here tucks away the intimate spaces from the shared spaces. As you step ahead, the passage wraps you in its warmth with its herringbone flooring, the delicate radiance of a pendant lighting hanging overhead and the grandeur of a central chest of drawers. From here, the home unfolds into spaces with their own distinct personality, each carefully tied together with a vignette feel.
Mirror, mirror on the shelf, reflects the sleek passage area that flows into the living space. The space features the client’s existing living room tiles, double metal and glass doors and a sideboard in black and walnut veneer from Venzo with Kismat hardware handles. Walls are painted with Asian Paints and the furniture includes a sofa and side table from the client’s collection, alongside a coffee table from Magnolia. Pendant lights from Jalaram Lighting and a table lamp from West Elm provide soft illumination, while accessories like a mirror from Magnolia, a white vase and a long tray from West Elm, a clear vase from Hesperus and cushions from Altrove add to its charm; Photography by Kuber Shah
The guest bedroom is imbued with a vintage feel. The space features marble finish tiles from Belleza, with decorative hardware from Mantara. The walls are painted with shades from Asian Paints and the furniture includes a custom-made bed, chest of drawers and a chair from the client’s existing collection. Shrii Lights provide lighting, while accessories like curtains from Bharat Furnishings, vases from West Elm, a throw from Altrove and a plant from Plants World nursery complete the space; Photography by Kuber Shah
The master bedroom is suffused with soft tones, cradled with floral wallpaper and PU wall panelling that adds a layer of texture to the space. The wardrobes blend in and cut into the volume of the room, creating a sense of space and lightness. The sleek study here, sandwiched between the two windows, speaks to the space’s functionality. The guest bedroom in a contrasting suite makes bold statements with rattan-finished wardrobes, decorative lighting and a bed with cylindrical posts and vertical panelling.
The master bedroom features a bed back panelling in PU finish. Walls are painted with Asian Paints, with PU panelling from ICA and wallpaper by Kalakarihath. Custom-made bed and nightstands complement Terra Trading wall sconces and general lighting from Shrii Lights. Accessories include a bed cover, cushions and throw from Altrove, with side table accessories from Hesperus and Magnolia; Photography by Kuber Shah
In the soft-hued guest bedroom, the marble finish tiles from Belleza create a clean, elegant foundation. The bed back panelling and wall panelling behind the bed, both bearing a paint finish from Asian Paints are complemented by decorative hardware from DesignDept. The custom-made bed and nightstands anchor the space, while pendant lights from Jalaram Lighting and a table lamp from West Elm, general lighting by Shrii Lights illuminate the space. The bed cover, cushions and throw are from Altrove, with table accents from Pottery Barn and Hesperus; Photography by Kuber Shah
“Our favourite corner would definitely be the terrace,” share Devaunshi and Dhwani. As we step into the space, we wholeheartedly agree. With a Parsee aaram chair and lovely houseplants, anyone would have a soft spot for this cosy corner.
Something old, something new
Balancing the old with the new, Studdio Birch has meticulously created a space laden with vintage charm yet with contemporary elegance. In the living room, the original vintage tiles of the property were carefully preserved by the team while the modern rafters and French doors were polished, bringing a natural touch to bring out their authenticity. Modern elements such as herringbone tiles, wall mouldings and vertical panelling were introduced to create a sense of continuity, while loose furniture and decorative accents, like brass and black metal details, lace the space with a touch of modernity without taking away from its vintage spirit.
A terrace perfect for quiet evenings. Here vintage pattern tiles set the tone for a relaxed ambience, with walls painted in soothing shades from Asian Paints. A traditional Parsee aaram chair and a shelving unit from the client’s collection invite you to unwind. Artwork and vases from Magnolia and vases by Hesperus, a rug from Jaipur Rugs and plants from Plants World nursery bring life and warmth; Photography by Kuber Shah
The master bedroom features marble flooring from Belleza, a study shelving unit in veneer and metal by Venzo and brass hardware from Mantara. Walls are painted with Asian Paints and the bed paneling is in PU from ICA. Lighting is by Shrii Lights, with soft furnishings and curtains from Bharat Furnishings, a rug from Jaipur Rugs and accessories from West Elm and Magnolia. The turnkey contractor is Gravity Constructions; Photography by Kuber Shah
The home’s Art Deco architecture, marked by symmetry, verticality and geometric patterns was kept alive, adding to the old-world allure of the space. By accentuating the space’s inherent verticality with wall panelling and showcases, one’s attention is drawn to the expansive feel of the space. Walnut veneer, contemporary prints and black-and-brass finishes weave together like the threads of an old story, melding the past and present in quiet harmony. Every corner of this home whispers a tale gently fading into the folds of time, casting an amber glow that wraps the space in a warm, nostalgic embrace.
