Article Category: Get Inspired

A home often functions as more than just a primary habitat or shelter. Instead, for most, it is considered as an extension of their personalities and characteristics—a place that they enjoy staying in and inviting others to as well.

The desire for a similar abode paved the way for Serhii Makhno and Oleksandr Makhno of Sergey Makhno Architects to bring to life a client’s dream home, a place that the homeowner would be proud of. This simple sentiment stemmed the brief for a cosy city apartment draped in a contemporary Ukranian style brought about by minimalism, art and organic materials.

Since its origin in 2003, the architectural studio has been reputed for fusing their native traditions with global trends, natural influences and the Japanese philosophy of wabi sabi. “Whatever be the product or outcome, our primary focus is on design that is high on human comfort. We try to reveal the character of a person through the interiors we build. One that reflects their roots and culture, and forms a bridge between their past and future,” shares Makhno, founder of the practice.

It was the quest for this distinct and signature design vocabulary that made the homeowner approach the Kyiv based practice. The 2,400 sq ft property is part of a premium residential complex, situated in the heart of the Ukrainian capital. It is set atop a hill, offering magnificent views of the city, and conceptualised as a protective fortress with a calm and serene core.

Keeping with the recent trend of decluttered and interconnected spaces, the creatives designed fluid interiors. From the entrance, one can view the living and dining areas as well as an open kitchen unit. Cappuccino-coloured walls encase these wood and ceramic cloaked spaces, bringing in a warm ambience. A large dining table makes room for memorable meals and conversations for the family.

The children’s room, inhabited by the homeowner’s two sons, follows next. It houses an ensuite bathroom and balcony. Except for a bold outburst seen in a playful blue corner, this space is characterised with clear straight lines and dominant shades of grey. An additional bathroom and home office-cum-study occupy the other side of the apartment.

Tucked away—at the absolute end to offer privacy—are the guest and master bedrooms that use Makhno’s award-winning Tetrapod tiles to frame an attractive accent wall. While the guest space has an attached balcony, the master suite is more spacious and features a capacious dressing area and bathroom.

The decor of this residence employs muted and natural hues, along with exquisite textures and backdrops. Most of the stylish furniture and accessories are custom crafted by local Ukrainian contractors, with the exception of a few pieces including a striking Giorgetti sofa set. We absolutely love the bespoke array of lamps—in unusual yet organic forms and sizes—crafted by Sergey Makhno Architects that illuminate the home.

Scroll below to see more images of this decadent residence by Sergey Makhno Architects…

Perched on the banks of Chapora River in northern Goa, this serene coastal property served as an erstwhile ‘home away from home’ for New Delhi based architect Martand Khosla of Romi Khosla Design Studio. The creative, who’d been on the lookout for an idyllic family getaway for nearly two years, knew that his search had ended when he first sighted this decade old spice orchard.

The 6,000 sq ft villa is situated on the outskirts of Revora village and built atop a large plot, stretching across almost 2.5 acres. The vast expanse of verdant land on all sides allows for ample privacy and gives shape to a seemingly-isolated paradise.

With only ruins remaining of the former construction, the creative and his team set about building this elevated structure from scratch. “A strong connection to the outdoors was an integral part of the architecture. Owing to the consistent use of materials and aesthetics, the boundaries between the exterior and interior are blurred. We raised the edifice such that it rested just below the 100-year-old tree canopies that anchored the spice orchard. And so, the resultant views, from every corner of the home, were mesmeric and refreshing to say the least,” shares Khosla.

The green, natural surroundings reflect within the structure as well—in the form of eco-construction traits and refurbished decor. Most of the wooden furniture was crafted using reclaimed teak while aged, recycled Burma teak salvaged from former Chettinad residences was used for the floors. Even a large percentage of the laterite needed was locally extracted from the site. The architectural practice chose to construct in a traditional fashion, using steel and concrete minimally, and opting for load bearing walls, sloping roofs and deep verandahs.

The structure employs vernacular references, materials and skills even. Laterite stone facades, with highlighted fenestrations in an unmistakably Goan style, Mangalore roof tiles and red oxide cement floors act as testaments. Hues of brick red, polished teak, red and black oxides as well as white outlines characterise the property. “We took aspects and materials of the local architecture and adapted it to create a house that acknowledged traditionality while being contemporary in its spatial organisation and volumes,” explains the creative.

One can enter the house from either of its two entrances—the one on the west is accessed at the end of a tour of the spice garden tour and outdoor swimming pool, while the other is located on the northern front. Both lead to the 100 ft-long and 10 ft-wide, black-and-white checkered verandah that encompasses the entire abode. This broad, continuous passage offers spectacular views laden with rampant plantations and the river beyond.

The interiors of the home are bifurcated into two blocks, one comprising the living, dining and kitchen areas while the other is solely demarcated for the bedrooms. An internal courtyard, enhanced with the presence of a frangipani tree, joins these two units. The double-heighted living and dining spaces are conceptualised as fluid, interconnected areas. These flow onto the verandah and feature exposed roof trusses. 

This block also houses a study and south-facing bedroom, that looks out to cashew crops, on a mezzanine level. The kitchen and dining room overlook the swimming pool which lies at the brink of the densest portion of the spice orchard—a quiet, cool retreat. Two, larger bedrooms, including the master suite and an open-to-sky bathroom occupy the second block.

“When this is all over” has got to be our most overused phrase in 2020. Spending almost half the year at home has taught us the art of taking it easy, self-reflection and the importance of being close to home. Among our favourite holiday hotspots now is this whimsical villa crafted by architect Rajesh Patel and styled by Janavi Javeri of Walls and Things.

Enveloped by nature and offering unparalleled views of the Sahayadris, this 5,000 sq ft Lonavala abode is complete with vast spaces, panoramic windows, a terrace and an outdoor pool. While no structural changes were made, Javeri styled the home with a fusion of minimal and alluring aesthetics, making it the perfect getaway.

Indeed, we’re captivated right from the foyer by the striking console, paired with abstract art and accessories, which lend a rustic charm to the space. 

On the left of the lobby is a large dining room that stuns with its backdrop of landscaped gardens. With a blend of glass and crystal elements, this area is perfect for creating happy memories, sharing hearty meals with family and friends.

Also on this level and opening out to the outdoor lawn and pool deck is the living room with two seating areas. One is semi-formal with soft furnishings and rustic decor in biscuit tones with pops of mustard and gold accents. While the other is cosier, grounded in wooden elements with beige, brown and black hues.

“My favourite space is the semi-formal area because it was fun to create a rustic look in a contemporary, minimalist setting. For the amalgamation of two styles in the living room, the play of textures, mix-and-match patterns, and creative ways of incorporating colour,” shares Javeri.

Fashioned with subtle interiors, the guest bedroom is decorated with travel-inspired art, accessories and coffee table books. An indoor staircase and lift lead to the upper floor, where the light and sunny master suite is styled with beige and gold elements. Abstract art and tall vases complement the hilly views, while the ensuite feature subtle decor.

The other bedchamber on this upper level reveals an industrial theme in greys and blues that offset vintage artefacts and steamer trunks. We’re also charmed by the daughter’s bedroom—a delicate pink and white hued space with a curated selection of ballet-inspired accessories that pay an ode to her love for the dance. “This is my favourite,” says Patel. “Living in a dream world filled with pinks, mauves and soft furnishings is a beautiful backdrop for a growing child.”

While the home’s basement is bold with artworks and contrasting hues, the terrace is a breath of fresh air for its panoramic views of the mountains. This alfresco space is divided with the help of a four-seater bar, and accommodates formal seating on one side and a casual one with a day bed swing on the other. 

Shedding light on the work that went on behind the scenes for this holiday home, Patel says, “We approach any space like a blank canvas and touch upon the most important elements of the home—from surfaces to doors to basic furniture and most importantly, art in the home.”

Javeri concludes, “Our design philosophy at Walls and Things is informed by a minimalistic approach that incorporates calm colours and a contemporary yet cosy sensibility to create aesthetic spaces.”

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Set against the rugged wild backdrop of Los Angeles, Collywood seems like a natural extension of the hillside. It overlooks the Sunset Strip and the City of Angels, surrounded by dramatic views stretching from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. The homeowner—a sportsman who enjoys outdoor adventure—wanted to maximise those views. So, this 15,600 sq ft home with its expansive decks does just that.

The modest entryway belies the thrilling spaces and views that await within. The main level contains the kitchen, dining and living areas, as well as one bedroom. Each of these sections spills onto balconies that offer breathtaking vistas. Window walls slide, pivot or completely retract to erase the border between indoors and outdoors.

The main terrace is an absolute delight, with a pool that overlooks a grove of olive trees and the city of Los Angeles. The upper floor includes the master suite, home gym and other private living quarters, with more decks and terraces. The lowest level is tucked into the hillside and houses the garage and additional space for the outdoorsy client’s hobbies, as well as extra bedrooms and another large patio.

“Collywood is all about extending the boundaries of the home environment to provide an expandable, flexible living space. The client enjoys hosting parties and wanted the home to be able to host large gatherings yet remain functional for himself and his family. So, we organised public and private spaces in concert with movable walls and connections to the outdoors to enable that,” says Tom Kundig, co-founder of Olson Kundig.

Collywood allows its inhabitants to engage with both the dense urban scene of Los Angeles and the stunning natural beauty of its environs. At the mere touch of a button, walls shift or even disappear, getting the most out of the south Californian climes. An operable shade system can be deployed to temper solar gain or, inversely, invite in an abundance of invigorating sunlight.

“This house navigates many different scales: the larger landscape of Los Angeles, while balancing entertainment and large group gatherings with the intimacy of daily living. I’m most excited about how the design intertwines these diverse scales and allows the client to expand or contract the space depending on changing needs,” says Jim Olson, co-founder of the design practice.

The material palette of the sprawling abode is predominantly glass, concrete, steel and wood. The neutral colour scheme, with the occasional bold pops of colour—like the red entry portal and artistic accents—holds its own against the home’s stunning backdrop. The house acts as a functional and comfortable space that graciously accommodates the needs and tendencies of its inhabitants.

The multistoreyed home also incorporates several sustainable features such as solar panels and a stormwater retention tank, as well as no-VOC or low-VOC materials and finishes that support a healthy interior environment. Supplementary touches such as radiant floor heating allow these spaces to remain in use during cooler weather too.

Throughout Collywood, the design encourages a plethora of experiences—open and intimate, indoor and outdoor, city and landscape, soirees and sanctuary. The decor, too, balances these experiences, providing a restful and human-scaled environment. One which can also transform to accommodate large gatherings and adventurous experiences. This hillside abode, with its immersive design, always has one toe tapped into the lively energy of the city and another ensconced in the wild refuge that is its home.

This 1,850 sq ft, four-bedroom apartment is “the dream home” of a nuclear family. The couple and their two children—a daughter and a son—all have their own dedicated room, while the fourth is fashioned as a guest bedroom. 

Keeping with our philosophy as a design practice, we, at Aum Architects, suggest concepts that impact and uplift not only the client’s homes but also their lifestyles. We were given an open-ended brief to work on both these aspects. So, we inculcated modern aesthetics with a sense of timelessness for this residence.

The experience begins right from the entrance foyer, where a vaulted ceiling with subtle geometry is seen. This continues from the door to the wall panel. Mirror is used extensively to further amplify the space. The dining room can be seen just beyond the curved glass partition. This bespoke surface has a wooden ledge nestled in-between the curve, which when seen from the entrance, appears to ‘float’. 

Planning the layout is a crucial part of the design process for us. It serves as a guiding path for creativity to flow. We’d initially thought of the dining area as a part of the living room. But, eventually, we decided to expand the living room and design it lavishly. So, the dining setup is seen by the kitchen, where the diving wall is replaced by the ‘floating’ glass partition. This relocation helped create an interactive and comprehensive kitchen with an island counter.

Additionally, interconnected yet individual spaces are designed with modern aesthetics and a vintage essence. The living room, for example, is a dazzling compilation of fluid forms reminiscent of the British vintage era with a touch of aristocracy. A wallpaper with beige pinstripes is contrasted by solid ochre panels fixed with stylish bracket lights at equal intervals. It is this choice of colours and fabric that help achieve the desired vibe.

To further amplify the drama in the living room, we created a large-scale profile of a moulding for the pelmet. The same cascading effect can be seen continuing onto the layered curtain. This area also has a cosy seating arrangement on one end of the lounge, while a cabinet and television set rest on the opposite side. 

We ensured that elements of spontaneity and creativity resonate through the forms, patterns and rich colour palette seen across this home. The vintage style, along with its underlying graceful features, is realised through soft curves that bring elegance and grandeur into spaces.

A sombre and warm palette is seen in the kitchen. Dark hues are spotted in the walnut veneer, rustic copper laminate and deep petra grey marble flooring. The white quartz marble countertop offers visual relief. Another addition is the use of an antique printed tile that runs along the length of the platform and is complemented beautifully by the rustic copper finish cabinetry.  

Each of the bedrooms is tastefully styled to suit the personalities of their users. The master suite—the largest of the lot—showcases its expansiveness through an array of bespoke furniture and accents. Among these is a curved wall panel with veneer finished base and a glossy, powder blue top. 

The pristine guest bedroom houses two wardrobes near the entrance while another is inbuilt deeper inside the room. Its art deco style is reflected in the use of white moulding and trimmings, tan leather panelling and headboard, the bottle green opulent velvet curtain as well as the custom printed glass on the passage wardrobe. 

On the other hand, the son’s bedroom features a functional theme with geometric forms and a vivacious colour palette. And the daughter’s bedroom is dressed in candy pink with a polka-dotted wallpaper that pairs well with Prussian blue and white accents. 

With the ever-growing concrete jungle surrounding us, Akshardham Villa by Ace Associates strives to encapsulate nature’s influences through a blend of lush accents and contemporary interior design.

This 8,500 sq ft abode is fashioned—by Ashish and Nikhil Patel along with Nilesh Dalsania and Vasudev Sheta of the Ahmedabad based practice—to connect all indoor and outdoor spaces. It also breaks away from traditional architecture, and is built on contemporary themes using Italian marble and wooden finishes, a modern tropic influence and soothing colours.

Additionally, Akshardham shares space with an adjoining villa, including a grand verandah and lawns with exotic landscape elements on either side. Ample vegetation ranging from lotuses to date palms accentuate the home’s tropical theme. 

The entrance of the home is connected to the double-heighted living room—the heart of the home—via a wood and marble finished passageway. It is this lounge that allows a visual connection between both, the upper and lower levels of the home. 

Composed of a wooden, lit-up ceiling and earthy stucco finished wall, the formal living room is illuminated by a panoramic window during the day. “Our favourite space has to be the formal living area, considering we got to play with materials and colours to our heart’s content,” says Nikhil Patel, one of the principals of the design practice.

The central hall houses the family living and dining areas as well as the prayer zone, while the north and south verandahs are often used by the homeowners for some downtime. A custom modular set with state-of-the-art amenities makes up the kitchen.

A stark difference is seen in the two bedrooms accommodated on the ground floor. While the guest bedroom is contemporary, the parent’s room is restrained. A linear staircase with open risers and a glass railing in the central hall leads to the first-floor lounge, where massive windows allow natural light to stream in.

The master suite is connected to an ensuite facility and a walk-in wardrobe. It is designed with opulent, modern elements and a stunning traditional Sabyasachi wallpaper, creating a cosy aesthetic. 

In contrast to the home’s luxe spaces, the son’s bedroom opts for a cooler, more industrial theme with concrete surfaces and other modern elements. We love how an indoor elevator takes us to the uppermost level of Akshardham, where an entertainment zone is created.

When asked about the studio’s design philosophy, Dalsania shares, “Ace Associates is a practice of young architects who provide innovative and environmentally sustainable architecture driven by function, clarity and beauty. As a firm, we are accustomed to working with a contemporary vocabulary.”

The burgeoning developments of luxury farmhouses on the outskirts of South Delhi are a rebellion against the concrete demands of a bustling urbania. And the term ‘farmhouse’ has come to represent an idiosyncratic canon of architecture that revels in its own particular definition of escape.

So, when I worked on ‘The Panther House’—named such for the panther silhouette used on a black mosaic wall in this home’s cigar lounge—it was a similarly aspirational endeavour to create an oasis away from the city. The 15,000 sq ft home is organised into independent wings with cascading roofs that emerge out of rich greenscapes. It is keenly aligned with Vaastu principles and awash with natural light throughout, and balances both modernity and tradition inherently.

To leverage the expansive square footage, I created a deconstructed Rubik’s Cube layout that ensures the outdoors is visible from every section of the home.

High doors with gold leafed handles lead inside the villa. On the left are the waiting area—with a real street lamp, a floral chaise and oversized black planters—and formal living room, both of which open to the outdoors. A second wing of the villa extends further to the left and envelopes the pool. Here lies an expansive dining room, kitchen and cigar room with glazed windows that offer a view of the pool and lawn. Nearby are a guest bedroom, powder room and the home theatre.

One of the key features of the cigar lounge is the silhouette of the panther, which gives this project its moniker. The bespoke interiors of the cigar lounge ensure that one’s eye is drawn to the emerald green crystal that shines through the cat’s eye. A metal and stone, book leaf designed bar echoes the inventive use of polished materials. In contrast and for balance, a coconut shell-panelled ceiling and mahogany floor impart warmth and elegance.

The interiors follow a neutral pastel scheme and feature luxurious white marble flooring, rich materials as well as decor details and elements that surprise. To also ensure clear demarcation of spaces, the private zones, including a family lounge and four bedrooms, are all planned on the floor above.

Each of the bedrooms is conceived in disparate moods that suit its inhabitants. The master bedroom exudes a subtle classic style, owing to delicate mouldings, a vintage wallpaper and chandeliers suspended over the bedside tables. Another bedroom features a vaulted ceiling with a paisley backdrop, while the other two take on a more contemporary look.

Bathrooms have been turned into artsy spaces too—the master facility is immersed in period charm with white marble surfaces and tub as well as a vintage chandelier. In the powder room on the ground floor, a mirror is substituted with a print of Rene Magritte’s The Son of Man. The surrealist self-portrait, a symbol of self reflection, urges visitors to stop and take a closer look. And the juxtaposition is thematic of the home’s sweepingly dramatic design ethos as well as its occasional playfulness.

Big on space but not on clutter, this Kyiv home is a breath of fresh air. “There is nothing, but all,” says Viktoria Yakusha, who along with the team at her namesake studio, designed this 2,500 sq ft apartment. With the help of her partner Vladislav Baranow, the designer focuses on functional decisions to create a space that is clean and free of maximalism. 

Highlighting the notion of ‘intellectual stuffing’—lighting automation, climate, security, media systems and more—the design practice fashioned a home that celebrates minimalism with a soothing palette.

Sprawled over two levels, this home is characterised by accent light, volumes and authenticity. The communal and private areas are united by an uninterrupted palette of monochrome tones, adding a sense of simplicity and comfort. 

The lower level is an open-plan space for lounging, cooking and dining. Tall, inbuilt shelves in the living room are decorated with ceramic sculptures. A black stone island is the highlight of the kitchen, making it a magnet for the family to spend time together while preparing food. 

Also seen here is a grey-hued dresser for serving. A lamp above the dining table and a huge lot of the decor are by Faina Design, while unique ceramic vases perfectly finish the minimalist mood of the space.

“Although monochromatic, the palette is complex,” explains Yakusha. “The living room, kitchen, dining as well as guest bedrooms and bathrooms feature graphics in black and white frames to illuminate the warm beige and balance the greys. However, the most difficult task was to achieve the effect of mono-colour in the master bedroom upstairs, which is decorated in a bluish-beige shade of Tortora.”

A concrete staircase, the designers’ favourite element in this abode, features black steps with graphic lines along the walls and ceiling, making it ‘very Zen’. The master suite on the first floor is the result of intricate detailing. A selection of wood, linen and painted steel influences make this space a haven for the homeowners.

When asked about her design philosophy, Yakusha shares, “It seems to me that the more confident and free you are internally, the less external attributes matter. After all, your home is for relaxing, not for getting tired of the details.”

Scroll to see more images from this minimalist home by Yakusha Design…

Perched on the famous Billionaires’ Row in Manhattan, this 4,500 sq ft apartment—designed by Jamie Drake and Caleb Anderson of New York based practice Drake/Anderson—is a haven of contemporary design and iconic vistas.

A long foyer opens out to the living room that frames delightful vistas of Central Park and upper Manhattan. Bold fluted plaster walls line the foyer and adjoining space, creating a strong backdrop for the curated furnishings, art and sculpture.

“The foyer and hall set the tone for the entire apartment and are emblematic of our style—bold, strong backgrounds with interesting furniture choices, and unique art,” says Drake.

A cloakroom made of gold lacquer and mother-of-pearl panels connects to a powder room on the right. This cosy space features a grand floor-to-ceiling window. We absolutely love that the openness of the living and dining areas on the northern side of the apartment is further extended with the windows that face the park.

The living room houses two separate but connected sections—a seating spot with a large sofa and several chairs, and a second zone for TV viewing. Here, a bespoke floating wall clad in bronze and chiselled silvered glass separates the living and dining areas.

Despite creating discrete spaces, the partition allows the entire layout to unfold smoothly. The dining area is furnished with a long white lacquered table flanked by 14 plush chairs, which are clad in satin and woven leather. A striking custom chandelier is suspended above. Nearby, the kitchen has a breakfast area with simplistic modern furnishings that make the most of the morning sun.

“We commissioned a wall sculpture by Rob Wynne to run the length of the bedroom hallway. Its glass elements are celestial and enhance the sense of movement. Each room has a unique palette, which flows from one to the other based on its relative lightness. This light quality is balanced by darker accents,” says Drake.

At the far end of the apartment lies the main bedroom, housing two baths and dressing rooms. “The bedroom suite was especially delightful to design with multiple functional rooms opening to the vast sleeping chamber. We were able to fully indulge the sense of luxury here and it is amplified by the cool lavender palette, recalling late day clouds outside the windows on a summer night’s dusk,” says Anderson.

The walls are upholstered in silk and velvet, and hand printed with metallic elements. A large vintage Orrefors glass chandelier hovers over the bed like an elegant flying saucer. Bedside tables and a long dresser that conceals the TV are custom designs in lacquer, bronze and gypsum stone.

A silk and metallic thread rug accentuates the sensual quality of the boudoir. Indeed, this theme continues in the dressing rooms, where the wardrobes are lacquered with rock crystal pulls.

Two guest bedrooms complete the layout of the spacious apartment. The first of which features a teal and turquoise scheme, balanced with ivory tones, bronze accents and playful art.

The other guest room is a symphony of citrine green tints in various textures—silk walls, velvet on the bed and satin accents. These are balanced by dark masculine tones of espresso on the casegoods, mirror and accents. An abstract landscape painting seems to have been the inspiration for the palette but was, in fact, the last piece to be added.

Sumptuous textures such as bronze, velvet, lacquer with mother-of-pearl, poured glass, ebonised wood, fluorite and leather pervade the home. Coupled with a light and dreamy palette, it emanates urbane sophistication and understated luxury like few other homes can claim to!

Scroll below for more images of the midtown Manhattan residence by Drake/Anderson…