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    With muted hues, natural materials and carefully curated furnishings, this spacious abode reflects a refined aesthetic, which matches that of the owners as well as its designer Ravi Vazirani

    JAN 9, 2023 | By Ravi Vazirani
    A detail of the master bedroom highlights the subtle materials that are combined to form a palette. Beside the linen drapes are a Minam Apang artwork from Chatterjee & Lal and brass lights from Paul Matter; Photography by Pankaj Anand
    Seen from the foyer, the master bedroom reveals walls clad in linen wallpaper, a private verandah finished in terrazzo, a custom made cast brass table, and a front break cabinet and Pierre Jeanneret Chandigarh chairs from Mahendra Doshi; Photography by Pankaj Anand
    The lime finished wall in the guest room is adorned with artworks that include Tanjore prints from the clients’ collection. Other accessories include customised brass switches, lamp by Paul Matter and door handle cast in bronze by Taannaz; Photography by Pankaj Anand

    My learning curve in the last decade since establishing my studio boils down to one simple belief: Good clients make good projects.

    I remember a few things distinctly from the first time I met the homeowners—their simplicity, warmth and willingness to explore a design approach that wasn’t dated. The expansive residence—at 3,800 sq ft across two storeys—designed about 12 years ago had different requirements now.

    Created entirely on site, the pantry’s shutters are clad with lacquered metal and fixed with a Kohler faucet. The lamp is from Flos; Photography by Pankaj Anand

    Since the daughters had moved out, I was briefed to redesign the upper level of the home. The greatest challenge was to tie the two levels into a single aesthetic, especially since I was only renovating the top floor, not the lower one housing the living area, kitchen, powder room and a guest bedroom.

    With muted hues, natural materials and carefully curated furnishings, this spacious abode reflects a refined aesthetic, which matches that of the owners as well as its designer Ravi Vazirani; Photography by Pankaj Anand

    So, I realigned the upper storey to the homeowners’ current needs. This space housed three bedrooms—one for the couple and one for each daughter—and a den. In its earlier avatar, the den contained a gym, media room and a home office. I have repurposed it into a multipurpose zone, where the couple can carry out diverse activities such as entertain close family and friends, practise yoga and lounge about, in general.

    On a rug from Uzbekistan, a Case Design table is paired with chairs from Mahendra Doshi in the study. Here, lime finished walls showcase a photograph by Chirodeep Chaudhuri from Project 88 as well as artworks (and a terracotta sculpture on the table) by the client; Photography by Pankaj Anand

    The master suite remains a sanctuary of tranquillity with just a bed and a cabinet holding photos and collectibles. Clad in linen wallpaper and adjoining the den, it opens into a private verandah that overlooks the verdant garden on the lower floor. One of the daughters’ boudoirs is converted into a study, while the other serves as a guest room.

    Illuminated by Tom Dixon lamps, the dining table-cum-desk is paired with a mix of chairs from Mahendra Doshi. Seen on the lime finished wall is a work by Munem Wasif from Project 88; Photography by Pankaj Anand

    Restraint and simplicity were the watchwords for the design of this home. The clients, being well travelled and dedicated to conscious living, were inclined towards understated elegance. This resulted in the muted material palette—lime finished walls, wood, terrazzo and concrete flooring, linen curtains and a conspicuous lack of patterns—as well as neutral colour tones. In line with the homeowners’ passion for art, works by Munem Wasif, Chirodeep Chaudhuri and the client herself, along with old Tanjore paintings are seen throughout. I recycled old materials and upcycled wherever possible, ensuring minimal waste.

    The master bedroom features a combination of metal and linen textured wallpaper, bed from Minotti, hardwood floor from Symphony in Mumbai and jute rug from Restoration Hardware; Photography by Pankaj Anand

    The furniture was carefully selected such that they’d serve as collectibles to be passed down to future generations. These include pieces such as a George Nakashima bench, Eames loungers, Carl Hansen CH25 chair and Pierre Jeanneret Chandigarh chairs, among others.

    Clad in Cat’s Eye marble, the guest bathroom houses an antique armoire and brass switches. Cubicles for the shower and WC allow the dry spaces to be layered with rugs, lending a warm and cosy appeal; Photography by Pankaj Anand

    It’s the bathrooms that I enjoyed working on the most. They use a natural material palette of marble and lime walls, while the master bathroom is enveloped in Italian marble.

    White Makrana and grey Italian marbles cover the surfaces in the master bath; Photography by Pankaj Anand

    The theme of luxury subtly comes through in the objects that the home dwellers interact with on a daily basis—the furniture, hardware cast in brass on doors and automated lighting, to name a few. This house truly reflects my aesthetic sensibilities, since I detest being over-stimulated. In a sense, this is an abode I would live in.

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