Nature’s touch: The Melange Studio brings countryside charm to Vrindavan

Country roads take you home to Bageecha Farmhouse, a sprawling property located in the spiritual city of Vrindavan. Helmed by The Melange Studio, the two-acre space stands as an architectural marvel with simplistic yet palatial interiors that evoke comfort and contemplation.

Pranvi Jain and Dhruv DV, co-founders at The Melange Studio, worked in tandem with the homeowner, a former army official, to bring his vision of an authentically luxurious space to life. 

The capacious property boasts a resort, horse riding arena, horse stables and a private farmhouse. A separate entry gate and a verdant lawn welcome one into the large residence. From here, a green passage leads to a majestic entry porch, complete with a humble bio pond.  

A grand entrance

The building’s predominantly grey facade cleverly masquerades the ornate inner recesses of the house. Akin to an Indianised wabi-sabi format, Pranvi and Dhruv retained the structural features of the landscape, creating a linear layout that serendipitously optimises the vistas surrounding the space. The aim to champion nature extended well beyond the interiors, with all trees and major landscape elements retained on site.

Traditional elements, including a central courtyard and Vastu Shastra principles, were incorporated to meet this requirement. 

Stairway to heaven

The farmhouse assumes a C-shaped outline, complete with a flight of floating stairs running between the floors, lending a contemporary touch to the site. The lobby remains flanked by the main guest areas on either side, including a double-height study/meeting room and a guest bedroom. Nature is in the spotlight here as the room is bestowed with unobstructed views of a narrow waterbody, with a pool inside the central courtyard and an overlooking front lawn.

Easily the pièce de résistance  of the house, the study in Bageecha — with an exposed waffle ceiling — doubles as a personal museum for the family. It houses a collection amassed over a lifetime, serving as a befitting ode to their military background.

Meanwhile, the interiors of the main living and dining areas playfully oscillate between the indoors and the outdoors, comprising expansive windows and a scalloped ceiling. Equal parts formal and informal, the bucolic household champions countryside lifestyle and is perfect for hosting. 

Mastering the master bedroom

The designers’ attention to detail is evident in the master bedroom on the ground floor, which enjoys access to the private garden, remaining blessed with a favourable flux of ample sunlight and ventilation. Accessorised thoughtfully with horse saddle bar stools — a nod to the client’s interests — the room serves as an earthy escape for its inhabitants. 

Cradled in small-town glory, Bageecha stands at the precipice of contemporary and countryside charm. With the incorporation of raw materials such as timber and exposed concrete, the designers have put sustainability at the forefront, creating a nurturing space that remains truly in harmony with nature.

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