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    Can a home embody a city? Spaces and Design carves out a South Kolkata abode at the intersection of architecture and the metropolis

    APR 2, 2024 | By Namrata Dewanjee
    The living room featuring furniture by CASA International looks into the dining room and passage featuring the woven artistry of Jaipur Rugs, hand-carved wood panels and Totems by Wicker Story; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant; Styling by Samir Wadekar
    The living room hosts furniture from CASA International adding to the palette of neutrals accentuated by the blues of Mehra Carpets; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant
    A myriad of neutrals housed in the master bedroom, Skipper Furnishings, furniture by CASA International, cushion by TPC Home, bedding by Shades of India and a side table by Bespoke on Site. The lights are by FCOSI & Light Krafts; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant
    An interplay of monochrome with gold accents features the son’s bathroom, the washbasin is by Kohler; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

    Growing up in South Kolkata, there were two things we were absolutely certain of: first, that nothing was superior to art and second, the pride we placed in our modern interpretation of Bangaliana. Viewing the city as both a muse and a canvas, Pooja Bihani, founder and principal architect of Spaces and Design bottles this exuberance of the southern side of the metropolis in a restored multigenerational abode.

    Located on Earle’s Street, named after its British counterpart, Earl’s Court, the remodelled 3,000 sq ft duplex is ensconced in a contemporary atmosphere that still harbours a quaint old-world charm. For Pooja, retrofitting the abode, however enriching, came with its own set of trials and tribulations. “One significant challenge in designing this project was dealing with low ceiling height along with the complex structure of the existing building, which was 20-30 years old,” explains Pooja. Meticulously studying the bones of the structure, she designed the house accordingly — maximising the floor area and converting it into an airy abode with sunkissed interiors. 

    The living room boasts a cohesive contrast of colors and textures, stucco on the ceiling by Color Coat Official, cushion by TYC Homefurniturere from CASA International and Carpets by Mehra Carpets, illuminated by Lights by Vibia; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant; Styling by Samir Wadekar

     

    The dining room is accentuated by Light by MOOOI recommended by Light Krafts, Skipper Furnishing and Furniture by CASA International; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

    Art, artefacts and architecture

    Conjuring a kaleidoscope of distinct yet cohesive spaces, the home captures individual identities while staying true to the philosophy of keeping the residence “modern yet timeless”. From the entrance, the space is awash in artistic discoveries. In the passage, the stucco ceiling provides a backdrop for a sublime dialogue of materiality — from the hand-carved patterns carved into wood across the home to the woven threads of the rug. Inside the living room that overlooks the dining space, Pooja presents a tactile panoply, contrasting textures of fabrics, leather, wicker, wood and glass. 

    The passage features lights by Kundalini recommended by Lights Kraft, a unique table by Musemart and Jaipur Rugs; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

     

    A bespoke main door leads your way to the passage studded with eclectic elements by Musemart and Color Coat; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

     

    The kitchen, with its marble finishes, features ceiling lights by FCOSI and Light Krafts, drawers and a barstool from Made with Spin; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

     

    The powder room, adorned in unique marble, is a testament to the creative intent of the homeowners and the design team; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

    Pops of culture

    Blending modernity with old-world charm, the space is interjected with bold and bright shades layered against a sober stucco backdrop. From the deep ochre hues of the hand-carved ash wood panels to the rustic terracotta tones, the abode punctuates your movement with arresting visuals. The dark veined marble in the kitchen finds its antithesis in the master bathroom, where the playful striped pattern contrasts against the natural finishes in the home.

    The neutral palette of the master bedroom is created by Skipper Furnishings, furniture by CASA International, cushions by TPC Home, bedding by Shades of India and a side table by Bespoke on Site. The lights are by FCOSI & Light Krafts; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

     

    The son’s bedroom features lights by Kundalini; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

     

    Chair by CASA International seated in the son’s bedroom; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

     

    A visual break is created by the wooden finish amongst the monochrome patterns of the son’s bathroom, the washbasin is by Kohler; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

    The parents’ room plays with neutral tones and perennially alluring veined marble, peppering in elements like modhas (traditional bamboo stools) and a contemporary lamp by Light Krafts that echo the traditional craftsmanship of Eastern India. In the son’s room, however, the sombre neutrals morph into child-like illustrations and pops of yellow. 

    Skipper furnishings, a side table, furniture by Made with Spin , a bed by CONTE’ Bed cloaked in the Bedding by Shades of India and the wallpaper by Vidushi Kandoi bring fun to functionality in the kid’s bedroom; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

     

    A pop of colour is added to the kid’s bedroom by the yellow accents and the woodwork adds a sense of warmth. The wallpaper by Vidushi Kandoi adds a touch of childhood nostalgia; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

     

    The kid’s restroom features lights by Blacksteel, tiles by Hansgrohe and the washbasin by Kohler; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

     

    City slivers

    The city of Kolkata has served as an inspiration to numerous poets and artists over generations. For Kolhapur-raised designer Pooja, it was no different. The abode is replete with artful intersperses, from the walls down to intricate details. In the dining room, the MOOOI light with fluid lines crowns the six-seater table. The organic profile of the solid marble staircase flows into an almost liquid form. 

    The lobby celebrates patterns and textures in its bespoke elements, such as the Totems by Wicker Story, wallpaper by Toile Indianne; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

     

    A rug the clients had sourced from Morocco has been converted to a totem with laborious efforts on site; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

     

    The staircase area features the artistic brilliance of Vinod Baroz accompanied by lights by Vibia; Photograph by Suleiman Merchant

    However, the pièce de résistance of the abode are the totems by The Wicker Story separating the dining space from the lobby. Evocative of the primordial silhouettes, the totems are reminiscent of the wood and straw frameworks of the idol’s kathamo that are a common sight across the metropolis when it blooms in festivities. With the iconic location of the Maddox Square Durga Pujo just a stone’s throw away (which, residents would agree, is a quintessential “SoCal” institution), it is not surprising that urban references, perhaps subconsciously, make their way inside — delightfully disrupting the home with slivers of cultural cues.

     

    Now read: Rich cultural hues and design curios shape this Mumbai home by Studio Design Inc