Homes

A science museum reshapes into a Goan holiday home in Assagao by Weespaces’ Vinithra Amarnathan

MAR 5, 2024 | By Bindu Gopal Rao
The lounge area overlooks the outdoors and the pool with layered kilims, laidback plantation chairs, an oversized rattan pendant and a serpentine window seat bring the Goan charm; Photography by Kuber Shah
The ceiling is clad with wooden beams and arches lined with handmade tiles. The custom-made sofa by Chester's and custom-made chandelier by The Purple Turtles add to the charm of this space; Photography by Kuber Shah

A sumptuous holiday villa in Goa’s Assagao neighbourhood constructed almost 20 years ago and once employed as a science museum has been finally redone as a villa by Bengaluru-based Vinithra Amarnathan, Founder and Principal Designer of Weespaces

Sprawling 10,000 sq ft, the space has been reshaped to make this a tropical oasis layered with arts, crafts and breezes.

Weespaces’ Vinithra Amarnathan
The arched opening lined with handmade tiles peaks through the formal living into the bar area and the dining and the lounge; Photography by Kuber Shah

 

The lounge area overlooks the outdoors and the pool with layered kilims, laidback plantation chairs, an oversized rattan pendant and a serpentine window seat bring the Goan charm; Photography by Kuber Shah

 

Villa Amaris has been kept close to its original construction and has a beautifully aged character with the exteriors being painted a crisp eggshell and the original windows being polished and retained; Photography by Kuber Shah

Structural sonnets

The design team first made major structural changes that involved opening out the basement level into the outdoors and garden area. A swimming pool and outdoor seating patio were added while the bar area was converted into a lounge space with stairs leading up from the dining. “We also broke down walls in the areas connecting the living and dining to create large archways that brought the common spaces together. We also made multiple changes to the rest of the spaces to incorporate a bar nook, alcoves for armoires and furniture amongst other things,” says Vinithra.

The arched bar with a burst of mustard tone lightens up the space overlooking the lounge and the dining. The marble slab supports the arch opening; Photography by Kuber Shah

 

Weespaces’ Vinithra Amarnathan
The white circular staircase is adorned with wooden flooring and railing, making way for a beautiful nook perfect to host an intricate stone sculpture; Photography by Kuber Shah.

Room story

The stately doors of the villa open directly into a large living area and two large archways connect the living space into the dining and bar area. The living space intentionally carves out an entryway highlighted by a leaning mirror and a row of glass pendants that draw the eye into the home. “The entire space is dressed in tones of indigo, mustard and whites that are so representative of the colours of Goa. Black metal accents reference the use of wrought iron to bring forth a touch of Spanish revival to the space,” elaborates Vinithra.

The dining area anchored with a 10 feet long live edge dining table, two chandeliers and an arched picture window has a custom table by Josmo. Wooden beams running through the ceiling of the dining room and art by Richa Kashelkar accentuate the space; Photography by Kuber Shah

 

Weespaces’ Vinithra Amarnathan
The waiting room in the villa features deep ochre half walls all around paired with a crisp white daybed custom-made by Savana Living and a custom-made armchair by Bamboopecker; Photography by Kuber Shah

 

The beachy, tropical and vibrant outdoor space with the swimming pool and an outdoor bar area has a distinct Goan vibe; Photography by Kuber Shah

Lounge on

A flight of stairs leads up to the lounge area which overlooks the outdoors. A row of five windows adds to the visual length of the space and lets the beautiful greens offer a spot to curl up with a book, enjoy long drawn conversations or simply stare out into the outdoors. “Two large plantation chairs and layered rugs with bone-inlay coffee tables and an oversized rattan pendant create a visually striking moment,” says Amarnathan. The outdoor deck comprises a built-in bar and a lounge seating area. A large pool spans the length of the outdoor area and overlooks the stately villa.

Weespaces’ Vinithra Amarnathan
The Plantation Chair and Marble inlay table by Bari and a rug from Jaipur Rugs make the lounge area calm and cool; Photography by Kuber Shah

 

The deep blue poster bed and bedside table are custom-made by Savana Living; Photography by Kuber Shah

 

Weespaces’ Vinithra Amarnathan
The primary bedroom has a white and rattan custom bed by Savana Living; Photography by Kuber Shah

Cosy spaces

The ground level has a foyer room with deep mustard half walls and a daybed while the first floor has another guest bedroom dressed in a soft dove grey on the walls and a beachy vibe. A distressed white wood bed and a kilim bench are placed in the centre and a large earthen pot sits next to a painting. The first floor has four large bedrooms and a private lounge room that also doubles up as the media room. 

The Sage green bedroom has a bed and bedside table by a local Goan furniture store adorned with an intricate four-poster bed; Photography by Kuber Shah

 

Weespaces’ Vinithra Amarnathan
The bathroom here carries through that sunny vibe with deep ochre half walls all around and acts as an additional powder/guest bathroom; Photography by Kuber Shah

 

The powder bathroom is clad with tropical wallpaper all around with patterned black/white tiles; Photography by Kuber Shah

The master bedroom is the largest room with a four-poster bed and a separate seating area has tones of blue and white for an elevated beachy vibe. The adjoining bathroom is also covered in beautiful deep blue subway tiles all over with small Portuguese patterned tiles as accents. The entire project was treated with a Spanish Revival aesthetic to marry the existing character with modern elements. This home is a great example of imbibing local flavours and its curved walls, rows of beautifully detailed arched doors and windows and echoes the Goan Portuguese vibe perfectly.

 

Now read: From designer to dweller: Gayathri Padmam of Aanai Design Studio crafts her Kathakali-inspired Bengaluru home