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    #CoverStory Priyanka and Piyush Mehra of PS Design craft a capacious retirement retreat in Aamby Valley that is as warm and cosy as it is sensible and serene

    MAR 3, 2021 | By Priyanka and Piyush Mehra
    This angle of the living room showcases a Jaipur Rugs piece, a Lema sofa and pouffe, Bonaldo console behind the sofa, pair of Amura chairs as well as artworks from Maison15, Etsy and The Flame Store; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Ashish Sahi
    The dining section is distinguished from the living room yet maintains the sanctity of the limestone base in herringbone pattern. The dining ensemble and console from Bonaldo are paired with tabletop accessories from Defurn, chandelier and wall lights from Arjun Rathi, sheers from Atmosphere and a Naga pot from Phillip Antique; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Ashish Sahi
    The family lounge on the floor above is imbued with the help of the Lema couch and centre table, a vibrant Iqrup + Ritz chair, Atmosphere sheers and a Manmade Rugs floor covering. The shelving unit displays artefacts from Mahendra Doshi and artworks from Defurn and Abhika. An Arjun Rathi chandelier used by the stairway is partially seen; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Ashish Sahi
    Local cobblestones make up the driveway to the treated limestone and wooden clad home from Aakash Marbles, providing traction during rains. The windows and terrace railing are from Yantra Aluminium, while the surrounding landscape is a result of fine plant selection from Essar Farms in Shillim; Photographs by Ashish Sahi

    As the dense fog of the Sahyadris clears, a cobblestoned boulevard with verdant landscaping as well as the silhouette of this limestone villa begins to reveal itself. This 4,500 sq ft retreat is for an elderly couple residing in Dubai, whose love for their homeland brings them back. Priyanka and Piyush Mehra of PS Design recount the making of this home, in their own words.

    Their brief was to have a place where they can retire in peace. Within the first few meetings, the idea of designing a ‘minimal entropy’ home came into place.

    We worked on a spare palette, clean lines and chose the nest natural elements. To imbue a sense of tranquillity, the clarity of space, emphasis on light and simplicity of proportion was paramount. So, we derived the material concept by harping on the most elementary system: Binary.

    Seen in the living room are a Lema sofa, Amura chair, centre table from Ivano Redaelli, a Jaipur Rugs piece, cushions from Sarita Handa and a Defurn artwork near the stairway; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Ashish Sahi

    The abode, therefore, uses two base elements—limestone and ashwood. While the former makes up the exterior areas and the flooring within, the latter comes in the form of veneer or solid wood. Together, they create a bright and serene ambience. The limestone cladding is from Aakash Marbles and the walls in Space One Veneer and Asian Paints.

    This view of the living room reveals a wall mirror from Abhika, framed botanical prints from The Flame Store and Defurn pots; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Ashish Sahi

    Doing so also helped reduce the villa’s entropy as well as strengthening the interaction of the inside and outside by the material’s continuity.

    The dining section uses Bonaldo furniture, Defurn accessories, lights from Arjun Rathi and sheers from Atmosphere; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Ashish Sahi

    This two-storeyed residence opens up to a breathing foyer with a minimalist bench under an artwork. An open-plan living and dining space reveal itself, from where the homeowners can step out onto a deck and the side lawns a few steps away.

    Defurn pots and artwork are seen beside the staircase; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Ashish Sahi

    Sections such as the kitchen, a bedroom and other utility areas are also planned on this level.

    The foyer showcases a bespoke bench, a Jaipur Rugs floor covering and a framed artwork belonging to the homeowners; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Ashish Sahi

    An open staircase fitted with a mammoth panoramic window with vertical fins (to ensure privacy) leads upstairs, where the family lounge opens out near the landing and leads to two other boudoirs.

    An Arjun Rathi chandelier illuminates the stairway, which looks out to greens; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Ashish Sahi

    On the ground floor, large wall-to-wall windows bring in the greens and blur the distinction between inside and outside, allowing the occupants to enjoy being outdoors throughout the day. The angles of sunlight vary as the hours’ pass and the season’s change.

    This Lema desk, Bonaldo chair, Defurn accessories and painting from Archer India Art Gallery are seen in the study area within the master boudoir; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Ashish Sahi

    Light freely moves within the home, generating dappled shadows that interact with different areas and offer surprising and playful experiences. Quiet art deco details run across the residence in ceiling mouldings and railings.

    Seen here is an Amura lounger with a footstool; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Ashish Sahi

    We’ve used a mixture of soft textiles and hard materials to create a textured, neutral palette with subtle accents of colour, reflecting the sky and surrounding greenery within the bedrooms. A simple example is the framed, monochromatic photograph that one sees right at the foyer.

    The master bed and side tables from Bonaldo are paired with a Jaipur Rugs floor covering, Atmosphere curtains and tabletop pieces from Defurn; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Ashish Sahi

    From that point by the entrance to the various sections of the home, warm light-toned ash veneer and limestone accents allow the artworks and accessories to be the hero of the space.

    In the guest room, a Bonaldo unit holds a pot from Mahendra Doshi; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Ashish Sahi

    The ensuing cosy ambience and tactile honesty creates an atmosphere of a serene retreat, just what the homeowners desired.

    A Laufen sink, Gessi tap and decor from Defurn and The Flame Store are used in the powder room; Styling by Samir Wadekar; Photographs by Ashish Sahi