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    A mystical staircase portals you to a world of sombre maximalism in this Mumbai home by Rajiv Khushalani

    JUN 12, 2023 | By Aanya Jain
    The entry way is defined by the helical staircase finished in veneer from Jalaram Timber. A cork stool from Studio Avni sits atop marble flooring from Stone Source Select. The glimmering green metal bench is from White Domus. The suspended lights from KOY Store in white onyx, stand out against the dark grey textured paint; Styled by Samir Wadekar; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
    A sofa along with centre tables from Blue Loft are conjoined with a pouffe from White Domus. The floor lamp and table vase are by Arjun Rathi. Curtains from Bharat Furnishings let in soft light; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

    The wide Arabian Sea glimmers, the taillights of the cars twinkle and the ever-growing skyline continues to evolve. Overlooking these, in the lofty skies of Mumbai, is a work of art by Rajiv Khushalani, Principal Architect of Khushalani Associates. 3,500 sq ft of understated luxury, the home occupies the 45th and 46th floors of a newly constructed building in Dadar. Uninterrupted views of both the east and west coast of the city form the canvas of this residence. 

    The Helical staircase in metal and wood was a structural addition to the penthouse, and became the main focal point of the space. The metallic green bench from White Domus adds to the textural character of the space. The cork stool from Studio Avni lends the perfect tan juxtaposition to the grey & white canvas, tying it together seamlessly. The hanging lights are “Pebble Sconce” from KOY Store; Styled by Samir Wadekar; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

    Painting this masterpiece with a muted palette, the spaces don white and grey floors offset by black details. Complementing the subdued base of the home are tan elements dotted around. Styled by Sam Wadekar, the residence has a sculptural quality, being simple yet dramatic. 

    The bespoke bar is made of veneer from Jalaram Timber. The bar stool is from Blue Loft; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

    Black, white, and everything in between

    Working with the homeowners, the team at Khushalani Associates drew up the perfect mood board for this penthouse. What conspired was a seamless, modern and de-cluttered space with minimal furniture and decor. Hosts to regular soirees, the family made it clear that the lower floor was to be used solely for entertainment. The upper level was reconfigured structurally to accommodate three bedrooms, each with an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe. The family, a couple with a son and daughter, wanted the expanse of the space, the impressive floor to ceiling height, and jaw dropping all round views to be the showstoppers of the home. Rajiv moulded the spaces into just that. 

    The sofa and centre tables from Blue Loft create a bespoke composition with the pouffe from White Domus. 3D wall art from White Domus is set against a grey wall. On the centre table is an electric blue vase designed by Arjun Rathi. The floor lamp is from Arjun Rathi and the curtains are from Bharat Furnishings. The space has marble flooring from Stone Source Select; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

    Uniting maximalism and minimalism

    Maximalist design emulates those elements that are a blend of eclectic patterns, textures and objects. Minimalist design is characterised by simplicity, clean lines, and a monochromatic palette. Typically, designers aren’t daring enough to conjoin the two styles. This duplex is a masterclass in balancing the two, without being confused and mismatched. 

    The dining table from Blue Loft is decked with cork decor from Studio Avni. Chairs sourced from Blue Loft pair perfectly with the rug from Cocoon; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

    The first example of this, in this contemporary museum of a residence, is the helical staircase. Simple in its structure with clean, curved lines, it is maximalist in material with a black and white piano flooring pattern paired with a metallic green bench. A tiny bit dramatic at the very first step, the home transitions into a more calming space as one walks into the airy and spacious living room. This space designed to entertain, with a bespoke bar setup, is minimal in its furniture and layout, and is straightforward and simple. Adding a small colour burst is the artwork behind the indulgent sofa, metallic and shiny. Complementing this wall piece is a pouffe with an electric blue base, offsetting itself from the textured grey walls. Bold in stone, the powder bathroom boasts a basin cast in-situ, with an arched mirror accentuating the space. The dining area wears minimalism to its finest, customised to have a black top with a fluted wooden base. It is accessorised by a funky yet monochrome piece of wall art, made using excess floor tiles. 

    A vase from Spacio Collections sits on the Black Onyx marble basic from Stone Source Select; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

     

    The staircase has been detailed with veneer from Jalaram Timber on the inner surface & contrasting, texture paint on the exterior. The grey & white piano pattern marble flooring from Stone Source Select along with the staircase tread & riser, lend a sculptural quality to the staircase. The Pebble Sconce from KOY store is the perfect addition to the space; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

    As one floats up the sculptural marvel of a staircase, the grandeur of the double height entrance slowly dawns. Taking hints from the palette of the lower level, the upper level is relatively muted. The primary bedroom is soft with a neutral palette, accessorised by black decor elements. The son’s room is host to possibly the most impressive views in the entire home. Designing the space in a way that it didn’t compete with the views was a tough ask, but the team at Khushalani Associates hit the nail on the head. The fluted leather padded walls are contrasted with grooved veneer. Going up a notch, the bathroom is clad in floor to ceiling marble with a black and white patterned floor. Pretty in pastels, the daughter’s room has moulded details on the ceiling and walls. “The daughter’s bedroom was quite an interesting process. It was a break from the rest of the palette in terms of the soft pink and white walls.” muses Rajiv. 

    Modelling the neutral palette is a four poster bed from Blue Loft dressed in linen from Arc One. The Pendant Paan Light by Arjun Rathi ties in with the marble flooring sourced from Stone Source Select. The wall art from Claymen works in harmony with the vase by Arjun Rathi. Simple curtains from Bharat Furnishings filter the sunlight; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

    Chiselled to perfection

    By making bold decisions in terms of material and pattern, and pairing them with subdued colours and soft textures, the team at Khushalani Associates ensured that this residence is unlike any other. Luxurious, dramatic and flamboyant, it is clutter-free and minimal. 

    “The home is largely muted with some show stopping elements that become the focal point of the space. We believe the architectural elements can have a sculptural quality, and in our case the staircase is that element,” signs off Rajiv. 

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