SUBSCRIBE NOW
    • Homes

    A rotating bookshelf to a handmade breakfast table — This Mumbai penthouse by Polka House is every bit stellar

    MAY 5, 2023 | By Krupakshi Mehta
    The spacious living room features a sofa from Tori- Minotti, Archibald Armchair from Poltrona Frau, centre table from Ovni Cocktail tables - Roche Bobois, painting from Vaikuntam, rug from Cocoon Fine Rugs, vases from Japan and custom made side tables by Chesterfield Designs. Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photography by Talib Chitawala.
    The den has a custom designed centre table by Chesterfield Designs, a sofa from the Groundpiece collection of Flexform, rug from cocoon fine rugs, maps from a flea market in London, recliners from Poltrona Frau and a custom made marble artwork by the design team. Photography by Talib Chitawala.

    As the sun slowly rises and its warm rays begin to filter through the windows, a new day dawns upon this resplendent abode. Overlooking the pacifying Mumbai skyline, this penthouse in Juhu is a renovation project helmed by Niharika Saraf, Founder of Polka House along with senior designer Dhruti Gala.

    The informal living room flaunts a Yago table from Cattelan Italia, rug from Cocoon Fine Rugs, Sorrento lounger and Panama Bold Ottoman from Baxter, a rotating Albero bookshelf from Poltrona Frau, and family owned artworks. The veneer on shutters are by Arte Di Lusso and fluted panel is by Calceterra Concrete Texture. The Italian furniture is sourced from Sources Unlimited. Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photography by Talib Chitawala

    The curious brief

    Designed for a family of four who loves entertaining guests, the 4,500 sq ft. den is as welcoming as it is luxurious, styled by Samir Wadekar. Bathed in pastels, the house is balanced with varied shades of grey. 

    The family embraces luxury, and the same emulates in the design. With each space telling its own tale, this abode is a reflection of their personality while still visualised as a uniform canvas.

    The passage has used Veneer on shutters by Arte Di Lusso, lounger by Sources unlimited and ottoman from Baxter, and Albero Bookshelf by Poltrona Frau. The Italian Furniture is sourced via Sources Unlimited. Photography by Talib Chitawala.

    Tour every turn of the home 

    The moment you step out of the elevator, the first to greet you is a  private lobby. Decked up with some standout pieces of furniture, this space is designed to traverse you into zen. As conspicuous and visually calming, the floor-to-ceiling French windows bring with it a touch of classic-modern to the indoors. 

    Navigating further, one finds a spacious living and dining room. Immersed in shades of crimson and yellow for most hours of the day,  the neutral walls and pastel furniture creates a ballad of beauty. 

    The informal living room has a centre table designed by Chesterfield Designs, the veneer top is machine made by Arte Di Lusso with the legs finished in gunmetal. The rug is by Cocoon Fine Rugs, lights custom designed by Shailesh Rajput Studio, curtains are from Bharat Furnishings, chairs by Minotti and accessories by Ikai Asai. The artwork is the homeowner’s own collection; Photography by Talib Chitawala

     

    A custom centre table by Chesterfield Designs, sofa from the groundpiece collection of Flexform, rug from Ccoon Fine Rugs, maps from a flea market in London, recliners from Poltrona Frau and a custom marble artwork by the design team adorns this den; Photography by Talib Chitawala

    Keeping the rest aside, the showstopping elements in the house are the conventional paintings that set the right tone for every corner. Not to mention Poltrona Frau’s rotating bookshelf, which easily stands as a perfect conversation starter and an exemplary work of artistry. 

    This area then leads to a sliding door that opens up to the den, a space designed for relaxation, sinking in, and enjoying the perfect home theatre experience. Is a house even a home if not a place to relax?

    The dining room flaunts an eight seater dining table custom designed by Chesterfield Designs while the dining chairs are from Baxter. Lights are again from Baxter, painting are by Basukhi Dasgupta, accessories from Ikai Asai, dining console from Baxter and curtains from Bharat Furnishings; Photography by Talib Chitawala

    Treading ahead, you’ll find the kitchen, power bath, and guest bedroom. On the right of the house, one find all the private bedrooms cocooned and separated by a glass partition. The first room on the left is the kids’ bedroom. Decorated in bright blue with a swing and quirky toy racks, this space makes one want to relive the joys of childhood. 

    This primary bedroom has beautiful side tables custom designed by Chesterfield Designs, finished in leather with back painted glass on top. The bedding is by Rearrange Home, rugs from Jaipur Rugs, bed from Roche Bobois. Cherry on the top is the artwork bought from Abaca; Photography by Talib Chitawala

    Next comes a spare multifunctional guest room, typically used by close family members. Opposite to this is a concealed storage cupboard that runs across the passage, with a textured veneer panelled wall that gives the impression of a seamless design. The passage ends with an informal living room, and two primary bedrooms, one on both sides.

    The bedroom on the right is connected to the walk-in wardrobe via a bathroom. With a muted butter rum tint to it, the walk-in wardrobe is where all creativity plunges in. From a seamless ceiling that evenly lights up the space to a rotating shoe closet, this space in the house has its own personality. Artsy, if we may call it so.

    The existing furniture was repurposed in the primary bedroom. The leather backing is by Bharat Furnishings, bedside light is by Shailesh Rajput Studio, rugs by Cocoon Fine Rugs, bedding from Rearrange Homes and veneer by Arte Di Lusso. The wall texture paint is by Colour Coats; Photography by Talib Chitawala

    With artworks by Indian artists like Vaikuntam and Basuki Dasgupta, artefacts sourced from places like Chor Bazaar and brands like Ikai Asai and some all the way from Japan along with the indoor plants, this home is visualised as no less than a gallery. 

    Ideas to bookmark 

    All furniture in the kid’s bedroom is custom made by the design team. The swing is from a local flea market, bedding by Rearrange Home, custom wallpapers by WallPaperScissor and headboard fabric and curtains by Bharat Furnishings; Photography by Talib Chitawala

    The project was made sustainable by using the leftover marble for creating artworks and repurposing the existing doors and overall shell of the space. “ Since it was a renovation, the most challenging part was working with few of the existing materials, pieces of furniture and repurposing them,” says Niharika. Not to mention the choice of colour as the designers had to work around with the previous darker veneer.  

    You may also like: Living inside an art gallery: This Mumbai home by SAV Architecture + Design is a true example of art seeping into city dens