studiorachana369 celebrates culture and craft in this contemporary Surat home

The soothing secrets of traditional structures and practices inevitably carve nostalgic niches in modern homes, for example, the enchanting sound of brass bells on a classic wooden pillar welcoming one inside. 

Case in point—an Indian Modernism-inspired Surat home visualised by Rachana Chovatiya and Ashish Chovatiya, Co-Founders and Interior Designers at studiorachana369. 

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The curious brief 

Guided by a subliminal desire to be swathed in tradition and nature, the two-generational family wished for a cosy, grounded home. Consequently, natural stone emerged as the hero of a binding core material palette. 

While the palette remains constant, the proportions of stone, wood and rattan thoughtfully vary across the built span of 6,000 sq ft, catering to the evolving needs and diverse aesthetics of the inhabitants. Tapping into a vernacular aesthetic, the studio experiments with antique artefacts, typical motifs and fine traditional detailing on modern furniture pieces.

Tour every turn of the opulent home

Capturing the ethnic essence of the home toot sweet is the ceiling grid of the brass-bowl lights with a corresponding elaborate entrance door in solid wood and brass inlay. Inside, inducing a positive aura is a seven Chakras-themed hand-carved stone sculpture and an abstract swastika embedded in the foyer flooring.

Enveloped in a textured canvas of the Porphyry stone wall, the communal spaces unveil as cocooned assortments of conversation zones. The exploding symphony of colours and textures is further highlighted by the scintillating north light shining through an elevated wooden deck. 

At the heart of the home is the eight-seater elegant dining area with a black granite top table and coordinated contemporary brass pendant lights crafted in-house. Flanked by a tranquil puja room—with a dancing peacock-inspired pattern in Meenakari technique by local jewellers—and the quaint family area, the indulgent experience is designed as a secondary, intimate zone.

Exhibiting a striking Bandhani pattern but in metal craft, the terrace furniture upholds the Indian Modernism theme of the home. Dipped in a vernacular grace, the main bedroom houses a four-poster bed with an ornate brass bed back, flowing white drapery and wooden carpet-style flooring. A bewitching peacock painting forms the focal point of the room. 

Although united by a common balcony, the son’s and daughter’s bedroom endorse different philosophies. Highlighting wabi-sabi, the daughter’s bedroom is an asymmetric composition of earthy textures and soft fabrics, while the son’s bedroom puts forth a bold statement of burnt oak wood, grey furnishings and crimson tones.

The guest bedroom models hand-made floral embroidery panels of the wardrobe, weaved rattan bed-back and three brass-bowl lights that reinforce the artistic ambitions of the home. 

Ideas to bookmark – a core material palette and complementary colours 

A consistent material language composed of Indian Porphyry stone walls and Makrana white marble flooring with solid wood furniture govern the traditional home. While the furniture features rattan and cane woven panels, the furnishings include linen, cotton and genuine leather.

An ode to culture, the earthy hues with bold splashes of blue enhance the core material palette. Strategic additions of subtle surface textures, brass ornamentation and soft fabrics provides a delicate contrast to the heaviness of stone and solid wood.

What Rachana Chovatiya fell in love with…

Rachana believes, “The Indian indigenous interior design has its own regional and economic aesthetic and cannot be isolated from the sustainable culture it was developed in. The use of solid wood and less-treated stone for cladding in the living room and bedrooms contribute to a strong integration of sustainability into the design of this project.”

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