Breaking away from tradition can provide an uncertain response, but here, in this Bengaluru home by Studio Bomb, it is a welcome change—a monochromatic endorsement of minimalist design! An admirer of minimalism would applaud the honesty of the materials and the functionality of its elements but this home does more than honour the famous words ‘form follows function’, it provides a surreal dispatch from the everyday to provide a cocoon of comfort and opulence.
At 1600 sq ft, principal architect Shankar Kallutla and his design team, Archana Anil and Rohan Oommen, have managed to be consistent with their neutral hues, the restrained natural oak, nuanced tones of grey and the immaculate soft lighting that seamlessly bind the spaces together to achieve a harmonious blend of simplicity and elegance.
Displaying a myriad of textures from the smooth marble, the organic wood, cold steel and soft fabric, the architect brings together a perfect composition of elements; Photography by Arjun Krishna, Post production by Studio Iksha
The curious brief
Designed for a young couple in an upscale neighbourhood, the home needed to be sincere and straightforward. With a minimal identity at its core, the approach was to create an ease of habitation by eliminating the superfluous and focusing on precision while crafting a warm and welcoming abode for modern living.
Draped in natural oak and steel, the entrance corridor sets the stage to showcase the remainder of the home; Photography by Arjun Krishna, Post production by Studio Iksha
Tour every turn of this home
Stepping into Flat Blanc leaves you with no qualms about what to expect from the home. The theatrical corridor draped in oak and steel guides you to the public spaces, designed to entertain.
The living room features an enclosure of dark tinted glass that conceals the television while hosting guests and makes a pretty convincing media room (snug) for those long weekends. A fog grey sofa, a pair of leather chairs and a centre table made of Napa hide consume the rest of the space with a grey textured rug tying it all together.
The stark monochromatic palette creates a surreal, yet soothing environment to come home to; Photography by Arjun Krishna, Post production by Studio Iksha
A prominence of oak and steel is felt to the left of the dining room while a substantial piece of art, a homage to the space by local artist Saranya Kallutla, hangs over a dark red console to the right. At the centre stands a custom dining table made from natural stone emphases the delicate balance between material and form.
The kitchen is concealed by a wooden sliding door at the far end of the dining room. Its cabinets are built in the similar shade of red from the console and the coffee table and the light grey floor tiles mimicking the relaxing colour palette in the living and dining room.
The red cabinet doors seamlessly connect the kitchen to the living room providing a sense of visual continuity throughout the space; Photography by Arjun Krishna, Post production by Studio Iksha
The bedrooms open at the end of the corridor through the social spaces maintaining a sense of privacy as outlined by the architect. Minimalism follows you into the bedroom with sparse furniture, natural wood, dark leather headboards, white textile and another grey rug.
The sparse bedroom is a splendid surprise making it simply a space for rest and relaxation; Photography by Arjun Krishna, Post production by Studio Iksha
Ideas to Bookmark
Maybe it’s time to declutter our lives? The open living plan with the voluminous floor to ceiling windows adds an expanse to the space, bringing the outside world into the home. The red accents interspersed with the greys and browns, add a pop of colour amidst the monotony of the greys and browns.
LADLAB, a Nashik-based architecture and interior design studio, was engaged to design a home of calibrated simplicity for a family of four in an upscale neighbourhood in Nagpur, India. This 1200 sq ft apartment was designed and executed entirely during the pandemic over countless video calls and WhatsApp messages.
Unphased by current design trends, architects Saniya Jejani and Sagar Lohar ensured timeless design and function remained at the core of this home. An interplay between light and materiality manifests to create a modern family home.
A sand-coloured custom-designed L-shaped sofa is paired with a round marble top coffee table with sandblasted teakwood legs. A pale cream rug from Rugberry invokes a sense of harmony; Photographs by Yadnyesh Joshi
A tight edit
“The apartment was a typical builder-flat; we had to work with tight spaces, large storage requirements, and still enough area to move around freely.” chuckles Sagar. LADLAB’s design intervention began with efficiently planning odd spaces and utilising every niche to accommodate concealed storage. Their keen awareness of light, composition and material came to the fore in designing this minimal abode.
LADLAB has designed two single beds with soft velvet textures and curved forms; Photographs by Yadnyesh Joshi
The central spotlight — Living room
LADLAB uses colour strategically to evoke emotions of a gentle whisper across the space. Architects Saniya and Sagar worked with subtle tonal shifts across white, cream, and grey with hints of unusual pastels to create a calm, responsive environment. The apartment is a collection of soothing spaces to rest and entertain. The living, dining, kitchen, passageway, and master bedroom have large format milky-white tiles with grey striations.
The passageway is a warm wooden portal finished in veneer that punctuates the monochrome palette; Photographs by Yadnyesh Joshi
The living room is the centrepiece of this home, around which the rest of the spaces convene. A cosy, contemplative place perfect for curling up on the couch and watching television together. Light grey textured walls complement a slender ribbed ceiling, cleverly concealing the general lighting in the apartment. The linearity continues onto the TV wall, emphasising the overall height of the space. “We paired a sand-coloured L-shaped sofa with a tan-coloured ottoman to break the monochrome palette”.
An organic-shaped dressing mirror adds interest to the straight-lined space. Globe lights stacked one above the other are compositionally arranged by the mirror; Photographs by Yadnyesh Joshi
Every piece of furniture is custom-designed to serve the scale and minimal aesthetic of the apartment. A perforated wooden portal softly punctuates the light-grey walls, doubling up as a partition and bookcase. “For the dining, we found an abstract work of art whose colours were in tune with the sensibility of the overall apartment,” remarks Saniya.
The bed was tucked cosily between two full-height ribbed storage units. The niche is painted in a delicate Young Berry shade from Asian Paints and accented with tiny globe wall lights; Photographs by Yadnyesh Joshi
The palette
LADLAB generates continuity in the home through clean lines and a repetitive colour palette. Ice-grey cabinetry and strong black accents frame the kitchen. The milky-white floor tiles wrap onto the backsplash, accentuating the volume of the kitchen. The kitchen is adjacent to a large balcony, flooded with natural light.
The master bedroom is layered in tones of grey. Sitting under a concave fluted panelled ceiling is a two-layered bed. Walls are lined with vertical ribs adding texture and creating interesting shadows as you move through the space. Custom nightstands, with a white Carara marble top and PU-finished storage unit, sit on powder-coated matt black MS legs. A dark grey throw from IKEA dresses the bed; Photographs by Yadnyesh Joshi
This airiness permeates into all three bedrooms. In the master bedroom, a curved dual grey-toned bed rests against a pale grey-panelled wall. Overhead, a crisp white concave ceiling adds texture to the space. Natural light bounces off the ceiling and wall, casting soft shadows. Neatly tucked into a niche is a study clad in warm veneer, which also wraps onto the wardrobes juxtaposing the cool palette with warmth.
The study fits neatly into a corner niche with concealed storage finished in veneer and backed in tan shaded faux leather. A stippled black and white canvas hangs above the study. A comfortable study chair is upholstered in a checkered grey-white fabric; Photographs by Yadnyesh Joshi
The teen’s bedroom was challenging because the storage requirements were disproportionate to the area. Two single beds with curved grey tufted headboards soften the space. “We adopted a playful scheme and used gender-neutral colours: Mangrove green, pearl grey, and crisp white. Floor-to-ceiling wardrobes and study niches wrap the bedroom on two sides, green for the daughter and grey for the son,” remarks Saniya.
The study fits neatly into a corner niche with concealed storage finished in veneer and backed in tan shaded faux leather. A stippled black and white canvas hangs above the study. A comfortable study chair is upholstered in a checkered grey-white fabric; Photographs by Yadnyesh Joshi
The tiniest room in the space had only one function: long-term storage. A bed is snug between two full-height wardrobes with ribbed surfaces finished in white PU, adding a soft textural quality to the room. The niche is painted in a shade called Young Berry, infusing colour into an otherwise all-white room.
A custom 5-seater dining set sits under a milky-white pendant light from the Kaleido store. The velvet upholstery glistens under the soft light it emits in the evening; Photographs by Yadnyesh Joshi
A continuing aesthetic of ribbed panels, clean lines, concealed storage, and a soft grey-and-white palette characterise this apartment and demonstrates how minimal spaces can be designed in a manner that combats the cold and sparse associations with it.
A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it,” said Irish writer George A. Moore once. What can a person possibly find in a dwelling made of concrete, bricks, wood and suchlike materials? When I think of it, the answer lies in the very foundation of the home—from the first moment a layout on paper transforms into layers of bricks on site to when a whole structure stands tall with a world of its own inside brimming with character, warmth and anticipation of making memories that only its dwellers will know of.
My team and I took a similar route of birthing an idea into a home when we met a young couple a little over two years ago, who completely floored us with their passion for architecture. We were certainly excited to know what this encounter of two architecture-inclined minds will take shape into. Thereupon started our journey to design and build SI’RENITi House, a 21,600 sq ft habitat in the prime neighbourhood of Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad where days feel warmer and nights cool and breezy.
Dress-Up! sofa by Rodolfo Dordoni for Cassina teams up with Sereno coffee tables by Fredrikson Stallard for Driade and Nara tables by Jean-Marie Massaud for Poliform. Custom carpet by Mishcat Co in the living room and artwork on concrete wall is by Meenakshi Katragadda; Styled by Sam Wadekar Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
Titled North, the floor Lamp by Arik Levy for Vibia is paired with Rodolfo Dordoni’s sofa called Dress-Up! designed for Cassina1159; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
The drawing board was not just ours to work on. Our clients often spent hours with us conceptualising that added to the gradual development of the layout, combining the best of architectural practises laced with a thoughtful, joyous spirit of the homeowners.
Hot-rolled steel staircase is left unfinished on one side and finished in oak on the other side generates a dynamic interaction with the concrete facade; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
The architecture of the house is inspired by post-war modernism with formed concrete structure meticulously cast on-site that turned into our canvas for wall crafted murals and art pieces, interacting with the ever-changing light patterns caused by deep pergolas above and evoking varied emotions throughout the day.
Opening the floor-to ceiling pocket doors bring the indoor space outwards and the outdoors into the home, creating a seamless relationship between both the environments; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
Clad in oak and a locally sourced granite, the kitchen houses Mad dining table by Marcel Wanders, for Poliform and Eutopia chairs in tridimensional solid wood multi-laid marquetry by Francisco Gomez Paz; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
A formed concrete volume sits perpendicularly above a stone block, extending out as a large cantilever which functions as an entrance canopy, softened by the dense vegetation amongst which the house resides. A stepping stone through the water body leads into the 12 ft high floor-to-ceiling pivoted entrance door. The water body has a glass bottom that allows refracted light to penetrate into the spaces below.
Spencer bed by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti, Dream side tables by Marcel Wanders for Poliform, Demetra wall lights by Naoto Fukasawa for Artemide, Tribeca sofa by Jean-Marie Massaud for Poliform, Kibacha vase by Ikai Asai, cushions by No-Mad and quilt by Studio Yamini assimilate in the main suite; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
The landscape architect, Kunal Maniar designed the landscapes to fit in with the house so seamlessly, it felt magical. It was exciting that he was on the same wavelength as us right from the beginning, and knew exactly what needed to be done to make that powerful dialogue between the indoor-outdoor spaces.
Main bath accommodates a Flotation tub with Zero Dimension by Toto and a Plopp stool by Oskar Zieta; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
At the entrance door, Maniar proposed a sculptural tree whose trunk could be slightly bent to go with the flow of the water body below and the cantilever above, and that effort added so much energy to the experience of walking in.
A predominantly concrete and basalt environment in the house is juxtaposed against slatted oak walls, which are evenly washed with daylight and strategically conceal doors into the services and storage rooms behind. Alongside physical and functional requirements of the spaces, we aligned our thoughts into how this home could play a role in the enhanced wellbeing of its occupants.
The pergola with its ever-changing light patterns create a playful ambience and evokes serenity; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
Leading to the basement, artwork by Bhuwal Prasad, Ridley cycle and Triumph Thruxton motorbike frame the vantage; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
The thought led us to introduce skylights with deep, angled pergolas to bring in controlled daylight in each of the spaces. Large overhangs connecting indoor and outdoor spaces have been so seamlessly intertwined that it’s hardly possible to really differentiate the two, also ensuring that the home is always a few degrees cooler and in a well-ventilated environment that minimises the need to depend on mechanical energies.
The house is named “Stripped Mobius” — a pun on the minimalistic approach to the design. We had to adhere to strict Vaastu guidelines that the clients were extremely particular about, and the resultant box-like structure was broken by juxtaposing large sweeping curves onto the composition.
The structure consists of a simple construct of two cuddapah-clad double-storied rectangular blocks placed parallel to each other along the north-south axis. One functions as the guest wing with the entrance, formal living room, guest room and kitchen, while the other includes the private quarters like the master bedroom, parents’ room and bedrooms for the children.
In the basement, the sharp light reflects on the polished floor surface and against transparent glass planes forming a profound juxtaposition; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
The void between the two blocks plays host to the family living and dining spaces, a temple and large shaded verandahs that open to gardens on the North and South. Simulating a Mobius strip, it enables the removal of strict boundaries between spaces, modulating them into contradictions that work beautifully together — both inside and outside, contained and yet spilled, lofty as well as intimate.
Sunlight streams in from the South to illuminate the dining space; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
The challenge for large homes is quite similar in our context – generations bound by family business and obliged by ingrained traditional values, choose to live together.
The Vaastu-compliant skylight enlivens the centre of the house; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
This often leads to the creation of autonomous suites within the house. It was important to simultaneously integrate the requirements of the opposing lifestyles of different generations and provide opportunities for family time, while safeguarding the privacy of individual members.
The rectangular blocks are parallel to each other and oriented along the North-South axis where a temple and large shaded verandahs open to gardens; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
Located on a secured plot and abutted by large villas on three sides, another challenge was to maintain privacy. There is an increasing paradox in homes as windows are getting larger but end up remaining closed with curtains at all times. A system of brise-soleil and deep shaded verandahs function as natural screens that hide the house from inadvertently prying eyes. They also double up as elements that cast beautiful, intriguing and ever-changing shadows on the outside at all times.
Scroll below for more images from this Brutalist-inspired home!
Both the cladding stone and the Kota stone of the flooring are Indian sandstones—economical, easy to maintain and in line with the grey tones of the palette. Wooden panelling is used extensively on the interior to bring in warmth; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
The door has not been given a frame to add to the spatial aesthetic; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
An unassuming contemporary house sits pretty, satiated with elements of diverse styles—there is country, an element of modernity, and a rustic blend of minimalism and jagged elegance. This cosy Goan holiday home, built for an industrious couple, is a fresh respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here, they unwind, host soirées and bask in the warmth of the quiet morning sunshine that trickles through almost every corner of this private dwelling.
A few short steps inside and the neutral palette gives way to rich, earthy elements. The high ceiling and outlandish chandeliers in the otherwise somber decor grab the attention.
Sofa and accessories are from Marina and terrazzo-tiled flooring form Bharat Floorings; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
“I think one requires certain pieces that are striking, everything can’t be dull and sober,” says Bindu Vadera of Ahilia Homes. The firm, helmed by Bollywood’s favourite couturier Tarun Tahiliani fashioned the glamorous yet earthy interiors of the home.
The brief was simple: “Classic, fine taste and a need for functional spaces that would fit a holiday home,” explains Tarun. To accentuate the rustic frames, rafters and chattai cladding line the extended roof in the living area. This opens up a splendid view of the infinity pool that reflects the bright sky, green lawns and backwaters—a mesmerising sight that soothes the mind and soul.
The dining room is elegant with a marble table and cane seaters; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
The bedroom adorned in muted shades upholstered in neutral colours like cream, taupe, beige, biscuit, sand and invokes languour—leeching away stress, radiating peace.
A view of the living room; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
As the sun sets over the horizon, a breathtaking scene unfolds. Coconut trees swaying in the breeze and the backwaters shimmering in the light of the dying sun. This is a home that is one with nature.
Scroll below for more images from this serene home…
A traditional four-poster bed with cream furnishing sits in the bedroom; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
The monochromatic bathroom displays etched patterned tiles; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
Distress frame mirror with fluted glass decorative wall scones from Marina; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
Details on the fan; Photographs by Jignesh Jhaveri
Clever layering and a mixture of opposing textures form the key aesthetic of this 1,800 sq ft Mumbai home designed by MuseLAB for a family of three, with warm minimal tones that bring a respite from the din of the city.
The dark oak rafters line the ceiling of the living and bedroom spaces neatly and cleverly . Knotty oak doors with wooden furniture and leather upholstery play a delicate balance with choice hints of colour, horizontal stone countertops, sliding glass shutters in matte black aluminium frames, and a dining space bookended with mirror panelling for added light and depth. A measured use of patterned tiles, whitewashed walls and concrete finishes mixed with a contemporary industrial feel and a classical traditional woodsy touch. All of this forms a cool combination of textures and layers.
With doors and ceiling rafters in knotty oak veneer finished in clear matte water based PU coat, a standout design element of the living room is the shutter for the distribution board for which MuseLAB sourced an antique panel door, got it coated in a custom distressed paint finish, and turned it into a shutter which acts as a unique art piece by itself; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
A romantic “rustic-modern” brief
Designed by décor firm MuseLAB, this project, code-named Tango Dreams, is a labour of love between co-founders Huzefa Rangwala and Jasem Pirani along with project lead Aishwarya Lakhani and designer Batul Paryani. Located in a quiet decade-old standalone building in a leafy and very residential eastern suburb of Mumbai, this apartment is home to a small family of three, Aditya Raju and Kumudini Sagi and their five-year-old daughter. “When this project came to us, Aditya (who went to boarding school with me) and Kumudini were living in the US and looking to move to Mumbai,” explains Pirani. This was bang in the middle of the first and second wave of the pandemic, and all the ideation happened over Zoom calls. “The brief given to us was modern rustic – modern for the clean, straight lines, and rustic for the textures and warm tones,” adds Pirani.
The coffee table and pouffes in the living room are custom-designed by Kalingastone – Classic Marble Company Pvt Ltd, the soft furnishings include D’Décor for curtains, FLAWDESIGN for throw pillows, a rug from Ruggable and The Pure Concept Home for the pouffe fabric; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
Sagi, a classically trained ayurvedic physician and a public health graduate from University of South Florida, wanted a simple, light, airy, earthy home that was also functional and modern with a muted colour palette and light tones. With some intervention from MuseLAB, Sagi’s shades were eventually supplemented by additional accents of warm wood, darker finishes and concrete textures mixed with metal and glass that add depth and dimension to the space.
The curtains in the dining room are from D’Décor. The sideboard is custom designed in black stained veneer and knotty oak veneer executed by Mass Interiors, ceiling lights from Hybec Lighting and a chandelier from Studio Prodotti LLP; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
Fluid spaces, functionality & visual connections
The entry to the home is through a foyer-like corridor that has been flanked with a kitchen on one side and the study across from it, which allows for better visual connection throughout the space. At the very heart of this house is the playroom-cum-study with its monochromatic wallpaper, located across the partially open kitchen that is anchored to one side of the dining and living space. While the two other bedrooms belong to the couple and their daughter, the fourth is a guest bedroom with a pull-out Murphy bed that also doubles up as a space for yoga, meditation and ballet lessons.
The breakfast bar possesses bar stools from Orange Tree, the dining table and the semi-open kitchen form a sinuous space here. Beige curtains from D’Décor, a chandelier from Studio Prodotti LLP and ceiling lights from Hybec Lighting can also be seen in this space; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The breakfast bar has dining chairs that are custom designed in stained wood executed by Mass Interiors and upholstered from The Pure Concept Home, and the white oakwood in clear matte polish dining table is from Solid Bench; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
Functionality and versatility lie at the core of this space. For one, an automation consultant helped with the automation of lights, curtains and air-conditioning. Additionally, optimal storage space that reduced clutter on the eye was a priority for everyone involved in this project, which is why the living room cabinetry was finished with a concrete textured paint to make it look like part of the wall. Most importantly, the homeowners wished for a fluid social space between the family room, kitchen and dining area that felt connected but also discreet. “It allows us to do different things within our home and stay connected at the same time,” smiles Sagi. “MuseLAB cleverly designed our space with sliding glass partitions that were functional and elegant.” MuseLAB’s goal in turn was to create a connection between the public spaces and expand visual and sensorial contact within the whole home.
As the homeowner loves to bake, cook and entertain, the kitchen, dining and living room was planned to be fluid and connected. Pendant lights from Ankur Lighting and custom sliding partitions in matte black from Shoji Synchro enliven the space with Thornbury patterned floor tiles from 121 Home Décor; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
As the mother-daughter duo love to bake together, the warm vanilla scents of beaten butter and sugar wafting from the kitchen across the home on most days. Not surprisingly, the kitchen and dining areas were at the forefront of most conversations between Sagi and MuseLAB and ultimately became the favourite spaces for both parties. “You will most often find me in my beautiful kitchen experimenting with new recipes with my five-year- old,” says Sagi. It is deliberately designed for shared experiences – where the kitchen counter extends into a breakfast bar and the spicy smells of everyday Indian cooking can be concealed with sliding glass shutters when needed.
Featuring a poster bed custom-designed in MS frame by Mass Interiors, the master bedroom accommodates table lamps from Sage Living, curtains from The Pure Concept Home and D’Décor, throw pillows from FLAWDESIGN, a chandelier from Studio Prodotti LLP, art from Calcuttan, oak sanded flint sourced from Magalogue Ventures, ceiling lights from Hybec Lighting, fan from Aerpoint Fans and the nightstands from West Elm; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
Reuse, refurbish, recycle
Sustainability was another key factor for the design team at MuseLAB and homeowners alike. “To start with, the design team did a great job in selecting affordable, yet high-end furniture, curtains, rugs, artwork and lighting to beautify our home,” says Sagi. Apart from that, the home came to the couple with marble flooring, complete bathrooms and built-in wardrobes, all in good condition. “There was no point in demolishing those, so we gave them a new lease of life by changing the finish on the shutters from a laminate to an MDF with a duco finish and updating some hardware for smooth functioning,” explains Rangwala. “We also retained the flooring in most places besides the kitchen and the study/playroom. Here we went in for patterned tiles to add some visual texture.” What’s more, while a large part of the apartment was furnished afresh, a few choice pieces of furniture – like the living room sofa, armchairs and bedroom armchairs – were shipped across from the owners’ home in the US along with their other belongings and put to good use right here.
The daughter’s room has a terrazzo lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs, ceiling lights by Hybec Lighting and a wall sconce by Studio Prodotti LLP light up the room with the perfect ambience. The study and dresser unit finished in PU matte coat and white oak veneer blend well with the white oak veneer wardrobe finished in clear matte PU; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
When pink won
With clients who were wary of using colours, MuseLAB kept the palette natural, painted the walls linen white and let the veneers be the hero. Since the built-in wardrobes within the bedrooms were visually heavy, the MuseLAB team used this opportunity to sneak in a dash of blues and greens to tone it down. The colour palette overall is earthy, highlighting the wooden veneer tones of the doors and the rafters in the living spaces, dining spaces and the master bedroom. There are shades of grey, black, blue and green used in most spaces. Tones of pink pastels feature within the daughter’s bedroom, for which MuseLAB collaborated with the five-year-old, so much so that she happily transitioned from co- sleeping in the family bed to sleeping on her own bed in her own new bedroom.
The daughter’s room features a custom designed bed executed by Mass Interiors with soft furnishings from D’Décor for the headboard and curtain fabric; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
Scroll down to see more glimpses of this home.
The study and mandir are in white oak veneer with a PU colour coat and the table top is finished in back painted glass. The study chair is from Pottery Barn and Thornbury pattern floor tiles from 121 Home Décor; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The master bedroom has knotty oak veneer finished ply in a clear water based PU coat. While the poster bed is custom- designed in MS frame by Mass Interiors, the pelmets and the wardrobes were retained and finished with a PU coat. The engineered wooden flooring from Lamiwood is placed alongside cool Spanish printed tile flooring from 121 Home Décor; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The lighting in the dining area comprises a floor lamp from Mianzi sourced from The House Of Things; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The playroom that doubles as a study is a cool and minimalist spot furnished with a chaise lounge custom designed by Mass Interiors, The room is finished with D’Décor for curtains and chaise lounge fabric and a carpet from Ruggable; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The modular kitchen, with its grey PU coat and clear PU on veneer, is from The Kitchen Artisan. The kitchen stone top is in composite marble from Kalingastone – Classic Marble Company Pvt Ltd with a backsplash of Spanish hex tiles from 121 Home Décor; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The dining chairs in the dining area are custom designed in stained wood executed by Mass Interiors and upholstered from The Pure Concept Home, and the white oakwood in clear matte polish dining table from Solid Bench furnish the dining area of this home; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
Like the other parts of this apartment, the dining room has ceiling rafters in ply and knotty oak veneer finished in clear matte water based PU coat and the doors are knotty oak veneer finished in clear matte water based PU coat. The study is seen through the shutters across from the dining table; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
An elegant grey wall finish in concrete texture paint highlights a funky artwork by the homeowner Kumudini Sagi and two Claymen heads. Custom sliding partitions from Shoji Synchro lead into the home, across the corridor are three pendant lamps by Voylite; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The guest bedroom is thoughtfully designed with a Murphy bed with hardware from Hafele with a ballet barre finished in white oak veneer, executed by Mass Interiors. A carpet from Ruggable and curtains from D’Décor are as subtly toned as the ICA wardrobe finish in PU colour coat; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
Indigo handmade wall tiles from Studio Prodotti LLP and matte finished floor tiles in statuario pattern from Nexion highlight the master bathroom. The vanity countertop is from Kalingastone – Classic Marble Company Pvt Ltd and the vanity shutters are ICA PU colour coated. A wall light by Studio Prodotti LLP, custom sliding matte black partitions by Shoji Synchro and a custom designed mirror executed by Mass Interiors are all offset by the delicate brushed bronze sanitary ware; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
For a perfect cappuccino, each ingredient needs to be of quality. Much like the same, the Cappuccino home by The Little Details follows the same ordeal. Neither too extravagant nor simplistic. Ornate but at the same time utilitarian. Luxurious and yet warm and cosy. Basically, the perfect cup.
Designed by Jjesal Lodha of The Little Details and styled by Priyanka Aggarwal, this 1540 sq ft home in the heart of South Mumbai is a fusion of classic western design sensibilities with a touch of Feng Shui and Vastu.
The master bedroom has monochromatic quaint hues; Styling by Priyanka Aggarwal, photography by Pulkit Sehgal
The curious brief
The premise provided by the homeowner was as straightforward as it gets. Residing out of India, the homeowner wanted a home that replicates the look, feel and aesthetic of their home situated Internationally. The home is doused in neutrals with a focal point present in every room to set it apart.
The parents bedroom has a pocket door with a full-height mirror sliding outwards with regard to Vastu; Styling by Priyanka Aggarwal, photography by Pulkit Sehgal
Tour every turn of the home
Keeping true to its name, entering into the Cappuccino home feels like the blissful first sip of coffee in the morning. A lit corridor made up of contemporary arches and striped beige and white floor tiles leads the way to the living room.
The powder bathroom has tiles from The VBCL Store, bathroom fittings from Aquant; Styling by Priyanka Aggarwal, photography by Pulkit Sehgal
Following the curve in the living room wall, the furniture compliments the blueprint of the space and moves along the same lines making the space feel flowy and undisrupted by harsh lines. The plants placed are symbolic in nature with Feng Shui being an integral part in developing the space and concealing power sockets and wifi routers. The TV wall doubles up as a storage unit for all miscellaneous items.
The bar table has a leg on one side moulded in arches of clear and white lacquered glass, the other leg is anodised ss with trays in the middle to store glasses, bottles etc, the bar unit is a combination of veneer and PU, mandir shutters are in PU finishes; Styling by Priyanka Aggarwal, photography by Pulkit Sehgal
Previous spaces lead to the open kitchen with a bar and mandir. The kitchen is a sight in white with composite stones. The bar makes for a great conversation space. A concealed mandir is present behind a foldable door with laser cut straight patterns all over.
With the flooring from Cambay Stones, the corridor seems bright and serene; Styling by Priyanka Aggarwal, photography by Pulkit Sehgal
Moving to the master bedroom, the room is tucked away in a corner. With a dazzling view to accompany one at any given moment, the furniture in the room provides a softness to the space.
With a startling view of the skyline, the balcony has furniture from IKEA; Styling by Priyanka Aggarwal, photography by Pulkit Sehgal
With a compact space, the parents room is organically divided into two parts, the first being the bed with bedside tables on both ends, and the second being a combination of a storage unit, a dresser, and a TV. Due to vastu restrictions, the mirror was unable to be placed in front of the bed and hence a pocket door with a full-height mirror sliding outwards was created.
The kids bath has terrazzo from Raw Steen, tiles from Cambay Stones and bathroom fittings from Aquant; Styling by Priyanka Aggarwal, photography by Pulkit Sehgal
Last but not the least, the kids room. Minimalist design and clean lines define the space. With a retracting bed, there is ample play room for the children.
The kids room has bedding from ALTROVE, fabrics from D’Decor, and artwork from Cloth & Canvas; Styling by Priyanka Aggarwal, photography by Pulkit Sehgal
In the kid’s room, the desk has a chair from IKEA and accessories from Cradle&Maa; Styling by Priyanka Aggarwal, photography by Pulkit Sehgal
Ideas to bookmark
The living room furniture blends in with the shape of the house seamlessly. There is something so appealing about the sofa taking the same form as the curve of the living room. The stylish and utilitarian character of the furniture present throughout the home shows clever use of compact spaces.
The master bathroom is freshly doused in white with golden accents; Styling by Priyanka Aggarwal, photography by Pulkit Sehgal
Nestled amidst 400 mango trees, the Mango orchard mansion in Gujarat’s Karamsad city spans an impressive 14,000 sq ft of built up space. The entryway to the residence is led by a 150 ft cobble stoned driveway that ends in a cul-de-sac and leads to a mild steel entrance canopy that connects to the main structure of the house.“The intention was to respond to the natural context to the best of our ability. You’re looking at a house in the middle of a lush, mature mango orchard. The goal was to create visual links between indoors and outdoors, blurring the line between them,” explains Saahil Parikh and Nupur Shah, Principal Architects at We Design Studio.
The outdoor area has armchairs from Triconville, concrete centre table from Gulmohar Lane and outdoor carpet from The Rug Republic; Photography by Kunal Bhatia
As you enter the residence through a steel canopy permeated by white bougainvillaea, the interplay between the permanent building and the ephemeral landscape becomes defined. The ground floor features the living, dining, kitchen and guest bedroom, while the upper floor houses the three primary bedrooms. A freestanding staircase made of mild steel connects the two floors. The living room, which features double-height ceilings and access to the verandah, serves as a visible and physical link between the ground and upper floors.
With minimal planters from Artemis Crete Shop, the house opens up to multiple courtyards to allow natural sunlight and ventilation; Photography by Kunal Bhatia
The clients approached the award-winning architects with the original request to renovate a home built by the owners’ parents approximately three decades ago. Upon closer investigation, however, it became apparent that the property did not match the splendour of its surroundings, which included hundreds of luscious mango trees. Therefore, “We decided to demolish the existing structure and build anew, sparing the surrounding trees,” explained Saahil. The new building’s footprint was limited to equal that of the old one, and the road was planned to wind its way through the existing forest to help accomplish this goal.
A bold free standing mild steel staircase with lights from Paul Matter; Photography by Kunal Bhatia
The home is perched precariously above its surroundings due to the careful sizing of its apertures, which optimises the mass to void ratio. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows maximise the visual connection between the interior rooms and the exterior landscape. Moreover, as a direct response to the region’s severe temperatures, the house was constructed exclusively from locally produced cavity brick walls. “The cavities work as an effective insulator and shield the covered spaces from the harsh Gujarat climate,” shares Saahil, an alumni of the prestigious AA School of Architecture in London. The five courtyards allow for cross-ventilation and natural light, and the double-height living room serves as the home’s centrepiece by providing a panoramic view of the trees all around.
With an open-to-sky courtyard in this bathroom, the bath fittings are from GESSI, sanitary ware from Valdama Italian Sign and carpet from Jaipur Rugs; Photography by Kunal Bhatia
What’s endearing is the sparse use of material finishes, which creates a neutral palette and sets the stage for the homeowner’s priceless art collection, which hangs on the walls with grace. “We wanted the mango trees to be the protagonist here. The brilliance of the green needed to be experienced,” articulates Nupur about the design moodboard. This inspired the material selection; limiting the colours to white, grey and black. “A light grey slate runs across the floor and bathrooms of the home. The walls are finished in a textured white paint. The doors are made in recycled Burma teak stained black. The windows are from Schueco and finished in a textured black powder coating,” says Nupur about the home lit up using state-of-the-art decorative pieces from all over Europe and is a significant value add to the spatial experience.
The art in the entrance lobby is from the homeowner’s private collection, bench from Phantom Hands, carpet from Jaipur Rugs and planters from Artemis Crete Shop; Photography by Kunal Bhatia
When asked to name a feature that represents elegance, workmanship, and sustainability, Saahil cites the “locally made mild steel free-standing staircase” as a highlight. This staircase serves to connect the two levels. The staircase serves as a focus point and can be seen from many rooms thanks to its sleek black finish. The stairs, in an interesting twist, were built in three distinct pieces: the upper and lower flights, and the intermediate landing. These were then painstakingly assembled on-site with the assistance of a compact crane and welded together. As Nupur summarises, “it needed substantial preparation and resources.”
The children’s room has a quirky edge to it along with an island bed placed to grab the view of the mango trees outside; Photography by Kunal Bhatia
Evidently, the Mango Orchard home, according to Saahil’s description, is an attempt at harmony between indoors and outdoor. Unusual seating configurations, interactive lighting fixtures, and last but not least, the iconic artworks ranging from commissioned works by Yashwant Deshmukh and Vrindavan Solanki to pieces from Japan and the client’s private collection are a visual feast for all! A variety of spatial gestures create visual passages between rooms and through interior spaces to the trees and the landscape beyond, despite the house’s initially monolithic façade.
The bathroom has shower fittings from GESSI and shower partition from GOODLUCK GLASS; Photography by Kunal Bhatia
The powder bathroom facing the open courtyard features art from Vrindavan Solanki, carpet from Jaipur Rugs and planters from Artemis Crete Shop; Photography by Kunal Bhatia
Basin counter in this bathroom being an exotic marble top from Classic Marble Company, wall lights from Buster + Punch, sanitary ware from Valdama Italian Sign and plumbing fittings from GESSI; Photography by Kunal Bhatia
With large fluted glass doors, this master bedroom has a couch from Red Blue & Yellow, armchair from Phantom Hands, wall lights from iGuzzini illuminazione and carpet from Jaipur Rugs; Photography by Kunal Bhatia
This outdoor breakfast area lies east of the living room with cast stone table from Artemis Crete Shop, dining chairs from Triconville, lighting from Foscarini; Photography by Kunal Bhatia
The Late Dr Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi 26 August 1927 – 24 January 2023
He was a man who personified a strong stand towards design. A man who resonated with the Indian identity rather than the design motifs that had intrigued the British back in his younger days as he shaped the architecture of modern India.
The Pritzker laureate ascended one more stepping stone on 15 June 2022 as he was awarded UK’s highest honour for architecture, the 2022 RIBA Royal Gold Medal, by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II. But, in the realm of modernism and development where high rise buildings or glass facades are markers of urban success, the architectural works of Dr. B.V Doshi have always been grounded in context, exhibiting a localised approach.
Realigning contemporary design to the needs of India, Doshi’s proactive stance towards the discourse of Indian architecture poses a question—where does this approach stand in between a world obsessed with touching skies?
Doshi overseeing the construction of Mill Owners’ Association Building in 1954; Photographs by Studio Sangath
Commencing his architectural journey with education at Sir J. J. School of Architecture in Mumbai, Doshi proceeded to London in 1950 and worked with Le Corbusier—the pioneer of modern architecture. It was the Post-independence era, when an aspiration for modern India marked a wave to acquire influential and international architecture. With a newfangled aesthetic of greys and whites and concrete houses, the Bauhaus movement stepped foot in the country.
B.V Doshi working with Le Corbusier at Shodhan house site; Photographs by Studio Sangath
Returning back to the country and working in Le Corbusier’ atelier for the city of Chandigarh, Doshi adopted his formal vocabulary and attempted to incorporate it into his early works. With a focus on India’s past, spatial experiences and their significance for the built environment, his projects resonated with the Indian identity rather than the design motifs that had intrigued the British.
Doshi with Jawaharlal Nehru for a project in Ahmedabad; Photographs by Studio Sangath
Today, with sustainability being the talk of town, every other architect or designer is set out with an aim to incorporate it into their projects. Trading the international for local, B.V Doshi commenced this notion long back. Developing an approach that oscillates between industrialism and primitivism, modern architecture and traditional form, his practice is based on ideas of sustainability with an endeavour to root in social, ethical and religious beliefs.
Though there’s no denying that the soaring steel-glass towers leaves us wide-eyed at the first glance, the structures reflecting culture and local materials unfailingly render a sense of warmth and devotion. This fondness to the rich material palette and the cultural galore is what made Doshi’ building stand out for me. Even though he valued modernist architecture, the adaptation to an Indian way of life marked his approach. Will his triumphs embark India towards a more definite concept of sustainability? This is an answer I leave on time, though I do hope it enhances the appetite of upcoming practitioners to follow their heart, take risks and set the trajectory for next generations.
“Follow your heart and do what you think is appropriate for the welfare of the society and profession.” Balkrishna Doshi
Scroll down to see a few more important glimpses of Dr. B.V Doshi’s life:
Doshi with his wife Kamala in Ahmedabad in 1955; Photographs by Studio Sangath
Doshi with Louis Kahn for National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad; Photographs by Studio Sangath
B.V Doshi and M.F. Hussain; Photographs by Studio Sangath
Doshi meets Buckminster Fuller at Ahmedabad’s Calico Mills Office; Photographs by Studio Sangath
The smell of soil after heavy rains is what this home in Ahmedabad feels like! Designed by Ankita Jain and Dhwanil Patel of Adhwa Architects, this newly designed residence is located in the residential area of South Bopal, Ahmedabad.
With 7000 sq ft built up, this three storey house is the epitome of expanse. With a modern Indian aesthetic, the architects have created a voluminous space with generous outdoor connections and open spaces.
Neutral tones and minimalist design is the essence of this living area; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The curious brief
Art has an undeniable presence in the home, with sculptural pieces to hand painted murals to awe inspiring paintings. A neutral monochromatic theme can be observed throughout the home with statement pieces that highlight the space they are placed in.
Solid colours against the wooden staircase with a mural in the backdrop create the perfect contrast; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
Tour every turn of the home
Entering the home, an aura of green surrounds oneself. With a raised garden, a shallow lilypond greets on arrival. The foyer seamlessly transitions into the informal seating area lit with ample daylight. A stunning statement chandelier can be seen highlighting the space.
Stylish and comfortable, this living room is an ideal spot for movie nights; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
A formal living area, dining area and an open kitchen are divided through meticulously detailed screens. The formal living area is doused in greys and beiges with wooden accents. With an openable floor-to-ceiling glazing, the room also houses an embroidered and hand painted fabric screen to mirror the foliage present outdoors. The dining area is a dramatic delight, with bold sculptural and playful elements.
Gorgeously lit by lights from AKFD Studio, the staircase is surrounded by murals on the wall; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
Adjoining this area are the parents and guest rooms designed with the inhabitants in mind—a serene atmosphere where one can sit and enjoy peacefully.
Moving up through the house’s focal point, a sleek mild-steel staircase seamlessly connects the family rooms. With dreamy cloud-like lights hanging from the ceiling, the walls around the staircase are covered with a mural with traditional cows and flora around it. The second floor has a total of three bedrooms, with two placed towards east and one in the west.
This grand home is automated by a home automation system from Future Solutions; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
Facing the west is the master bedroom. A movable metal screen envelopes the long balcony. The checks present on the grid of the screen cast shadows creates spellbounding patterns. The name ‘Komorebi’ for the house was inspired by this aspect. Several feet long, a breathtaking hand knotted back rest is present behind the bed. The master bathroom is clad in in precious red Travertine stone exhibiting glorious horizontal grains and striations.
Wooden screens with warm tones used to separate the home into particular spaces without disrupting its flow; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The east facing room is an amalgamation of marble and wood. With a raw and tactile feel, the long balcony is paved with stone. With grey and black being the majorly used, the wash area in this room has dark accents.
Finished in red travertine leather, the bathroom exhibits horizontal grain and striations; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
The other east facing room, the daughter’s bedroom, is tucked in and plush. Keeping the same design language throughout the home, clean wooden accents are present.
Further upward, the third level is entered through a hidden door that leads to a staircase. It leads to a comfortable lounging area. With multiple tufts, ottomans, loungers and rugs, the place is perfect to unwind in. An extended terrace is equipped with outdoor lounging furniture.
Ideas to bookmark
The outdoor facade stands tall partially being a ms screen in the colour Kandla brown; Photography by Ishita Sitwala
A fresh new perspective towards screens, the movable metal screen with a chequered pattern was an absolute delight to witness. The purposeful Komorebi effect caused by the grid feels enchanting.
