Homes

The Auburn Studio dreams vintage and European styles in a modern Chennai home

AUG 26, 2022 | By Pratishtha Rana and Maheshwari Vickyraj
To add contrast and depth to the living room, a contemporary yet chic boomerang chair in a soft shade of pink is placed in the corner which complements the Pierre Jeanrette easy armchair chair enveloped in the azure blue fabric; photograph by Yash R Jain
The dining room is a visually appealing story of this Parisian abode, Subtle shade of pink chairs is accentuated by the marble top table and brass columns. A large vase with delicate flowers inducted into the space makes it home; photograph by Yash R Jain
The pastel colour palette runs throughout the space but uniquely the pink room has a bold wallpaper for a backdrop and has wardrobes engulfed with linen textured wallpaper. Carpets from carpetkingdom sheathe the floor; photograph by Yash R Jain
Guest room is Bathed in cool colour, green painted walls are predominant against the white bedding with intricate bamboo work on the headboard of a customised four-poster bed by rattan furniture. Carpets from carpetkingdom sheathe the floor; photograph by Yash R Jain
The entertainment room has wooden flooring which makes the space inviting and cosy. Ornate mouldings are visualised from floor to ceiling against the dark Prussian blue walls letting the art and the furniture pieces take the center stage; Carpets from carpetkingdom sheathe the floor and artwork from galleryveda; photograph by Yash R Jain
The master bedroom is doused in Dusk blue, with this monotone it pronounces luxury and elegance; photograph by Yash R Jain

Traversing beyond the solid walls of the home, The Auburn Studio’s founder and Principal Architect, Sushmitha Ramesh imagined the new abode of her longtime friend in Chennai. 

The underlining thought was to make the Chennai home transpire as an everyday experience of modern design coalesced with the warmth of a classical style.

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To add contrast and depth to the living room, a contemporary yet chic boomerang chair in a soft shade of pink is placed in the corner which complements the Pierre Jeanrette easy armchair chair enveloped in azure blue fabric; photograph by Yash R Jain

The curious brief 

“While the house she grew up in had a Victorian style, she was keen on exploring contemporary designs for the new home,” tells Sushmitha. The 4500 sq ft residence is a beautiful exploration of opulent and antique elements dancing in tune with contemporary European ideas.

Touring the space 

A foyer with a French door guides us through the entrance of the house, with the two-toned panelled walls adorning pictures of the family. The narrow corridor further opens up into the entertainment room.

Floral motif wallpaper in green is used as a backdrop on the wall and a rustic table is used as an accessory to provide for the TV; photograph by Yash R Jain

 

The Pink room adheres to the pastel hues used throughout the house in addition to the bold wallpaper which with floral motifs the wardrobes are also wrapped in linen texture; photograph by Yash R Jain

The space is characterised by a bright red couch that stands in contrast to the blue azure walls, and an intricately designed chandelier that drops from the ceiling, providing luminescence to the space. A bar table with two tall chairs is placed in the corner for entertainment, Ambling to the left is the living room and the semi-open dining room.

Keeping up with the theme of the apartment, timeless and striking a balance between design and antique, the living room has a plush pink contemporary chair curving the corner with a Pierre Jeanrette easy armchair placed opposite to it.

The study room has abundant natural light that streams into the room from the bay window with customised bookshelves on the walls that holds the vast book collection of the family. Artwork from galleryveda; photograph by Yash R Jain

The dining space is straight out of a fairytale novella, characterised by a marble table and curved chairs with pink cushioning surrounding the table, To the right is the master bedroom, doused in a blue monotone that resembles and spells luxury. A narrow corridor from the living room provides an invitation to the study and two guest rooms.

The master bedroom is doused in Dusk blue, with this monotone it pronounces luxury and elegance; photograph by Yash R Jain

The unique feature of the study is the bay window seating that runs down the window, making it the perfect spot to curl up with a good book and a hot cup of coffee. Along one wall is a bookshelf, which accommodates souvenirs and books collected by the family. The guest room resembles a tropical paradise with green painted walls and a four-poster bed with an intricate bamboo headboard placed in the centre of the room, making it the hallmark of the space.

The pink room resembles cotton candy; the pastel pink wallpaper with a floral motif is used as a backdrop against the double bed, and the wardrobes are wrapped in linen-textured wallpaper.

The entertainment room has wooden flooring which makes the space inviting and cosy. Ornate mouldings are visualised from floor to ceiling against the dark Prussian blue walls letting the art and the furniture pieces take the center stage; Carpets from carpetkingdom sheathe the floor and artwork from galleryveda; photograph by Yash R Jain

Ideas to bookmark – colours and materials

A colour scheme of neutrals and pastels was chosen to reflect the synergy between vintage and contemporary.  By using European elements and ornate mouldings for the walls but keeping the accessories minimal it resembles a Parisian abode. Beige marble flooring and ivory walls with suede fabric upholstered furnitures complementing the spaces. To make each room idiosyncratic, soft hues, suede materials, and a medley of metal and wood finishes were used. 

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