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    Coastal lullaby — Flip through layers of light, monochromes and luxury in a Mumbai home crafted by Urban Studio

    JUL 5, 2022 | By Pratishtha Rana and Sneha Gandhi
    Tropical theme wallpaper from Kalakaari Haath enlivens the children’s bedroom with pastel hues alongside a vibrant rug by The Rug Republic; Photographs by Amisha Thanawala
    Bespoke cork tables by Studio Avni and chattai screen take centre stage in the living room; Photographs by Amisha Thanawala

    There’s a certain rhythm of nature that mingles with a design-focused play witnessed at this home nestled in the boundaries skirted by the Arabian Sea in Juhu, Mumbai. The home, much like a sanctuary of solace, is crafted by Amisha Thanawala and Pronit Nath of Urban Studio.

    The space came alive as an epiphany of sorts, echoing openness, freedom of mingling as well as enjoying privacy, during the impeded hours of the pandemic. That’s how the constantly changing light and the family’s activities became the coordinates around which the home took shape.

    Natural daylight filtered in by the bespoke chattai screen illuminates the living room along with House of Cloud ceiling light installation by Studio Avni; Photographs by Amisha Thanawala

     

    Cork tables from the Samsara Cosmic series collection and black and white floor lamp from the Fold series by Studio Avni double up as alluring ornamental pieces in the living expanse; Photographs by Amisha Thanawala

    The curious brief 

    Built as a 3BHK in a 30-year old complex, the residence’s walls were razed down to create co-mingling spaces for the whole family in collaboration with Jagdhamba Interiors. Amisha muses, “Flexibility, multifunctional spaces and an open plan emerged from discussions with the client for the design here.”

    Tour every turn of the home

    As one enters the contemporary home, a tailor-made light installation reminiscent of a cloudy coastal line instantly grabs attention. Fashioned out of Indian marble, brass and acrylic panels, the custom modulated installation emits a soft glow across the living room. 

    Marigold pouffe and floor lamp by Studio Avni add a rustic artistic appeal to the living room; Photographs by Amisha Thanawala

    Creating deliberate ventilation pockets housing clerestory glass screens, partition walls do not extend upto the ceiling. Lightly grained marble flooring, sand toned walls, scrubbed wood fluted dado, cork side tables, ikat upholstery and a woven jute rug fabricate the textural oasis of the earthy home. Arched windows with woven sliding and folding screens frame the sea beyond.

    An interactive playscape in the children’s room prompts fun and entertainment while also doubling up as ample storage. Enveloped in white and soft beige shades, the room offers privacy and comfort after an energetic evening. 

    The dining area glistens in the golden glow cast by the chattai screen in the living area manifesting a dreamy mood in the home; Photographs by Yadnyesh Joshi

     

    The interplay of cane, brass, wood, marble, stainless steel and raw silk create interesting surface interactions in the communal spaces; Photographs by Yadnyesh Joshi

    Ideas to bookmark – a coastal melody of colours

    For the Urban Studio, poetics, abstraction and wonder are an integral part of the design process. Drawing inspiration from the immediate coastal landscape, the studio abstracts the shifting waves and shoreline, carved sand dunes,  billowing clouds, rain splatter and the subsequent golden sunlight to curate a rhythmic visual narrative.

    Bespoke furniture and an interplay of curated materials like marble, wood, jute and cane exude an aura of restrained opulence. Neutral colours handpicked from the natural surroundings echo throughout the home.

    The tactile palette of the primary bedroom includes cane, wood, marble and brass along with velvet textures layered in neutral tones. White table lamp and cork accessories from Studio Avni decorate the side table; Photographs by Amisha Thanawala

     

    Faceted chandelier and Marigold pouffe by Studio Avni adorn the puja room; Photographs by Amisha Thanawala

    Details that Urban Studio fell in love with…

    Outshining the artificial illuminance of automated lighting is the custom-made chattai and cane-panelled screen in the living room. The arched screen can easily be slid and pivoted. The unique framework along with the cloud lights by Studio Avni encourages multiple mood settings. 

    Moving closer to sustainable designs, natural materials like wood, cork, jute, bamboo and chattai compose the majority of the home. The porosity of materials paired with an open plan layout facilitates ventilation while significantly reducing the need for air conditioning—a design requisite for Mumbai’s humid climate.

    The children’s bedroom is enveloped in a white canvas with small niches housing miniature figurines and themed cushions that add a pop of colour; Photographs by Amisha Thanawala

     

    The children’s bedroom is exemplary of play and functionality; Photographs by Amisha Thanawala

     

    The study unit shelves are fabricated from birch plywood with a clear melamine polish coat continuing monochromatic tones across the children’s bedroom; Photographs by Amisha Thanawala

    Love this Mumbai home by Urban Studio? Check out this wintry and cosy Mussoorie home in the hills by Aditi Sharma Design Studio