A sanctuary amidst the urban chaos of Worli in Mumbai perches at 22 feet high engulfing spectacular views of the sea link and the skyline. Designed by Dhvani Shah Design Studio, this 1,500 sq ft apartment stands at the junction of function and style.
Titled The Urban Oasis, the space belongs to a joyous couple and their three-year-old daughter, who sought to create a comforting haven that would resonate with their lifestyles. With an aspiration to materialise a modern farmhouse-style retreat, the existing space was redefined into areas celebrating a more multipurpose-style composition decked with an in-house office, too.
Teeming with Tranquility
What also stands out is the 11 feet high ceiling height, a visual rarity in city homes. With entertainment, intimate gatherings and a work-focused life converging at the core of the family’s life, the layout spreads across an expansive living room, two bedrooms, an open kitchen and even a deck area. “Designing the Urban Oasis was an exciting challenge,” expresses Dhvani Shah, principal designer and founder of Dhvani Shah Design Studio. She adds “Crafting the deck space was particularly enjoyable—an opportunity to create an outdoor retreat amidst the bustling city. However, integrating the multipurpose room and home office posed new challenges, requiring creative solutions to maintain both functionality and aesthetics.”
The colour and material palettes are carefully curated to evoke a rested mood and hints of elegance. Neutral hues of white, grey and black form the backdrop, while natural elements like wood, marble and limestone infuse a textural warmth into the rooms and corners.
The kitchen embraces an open layout to merge with the living room and deck. Doors are elevated, ceilings heightened. All to enhance spatiality and lend a breezy flow throughout the residence.
Storytelling through Design
At the heart of the design philosophy behind the Urban Oasis lies a commitment to fulfil the homeowner’s needs gracefully. Each space is a chapter, carefully crafted to resonate with their personalities and preferences. From the serene master bedroom to the whimsical daughter’s room, every corner is a tale—a testament to personalised design at its finest.
The Urban Oasis also incorporates sustainability to its design core. Brick walls, locally sourced fabrics, cane and LED lights are a few of the sustainable features woven into the fabric of the space, ensuring a greener footprint.
From its inception to its completion, Dhvani’s design is carefully guided by a vision of tranquillity and elegance. As the sun sets over the Worli sea link, casting a golden glow over the deck, a dreamy vision comes to life in the serene spaces of Urban Oasis making apparent the design ethos of Dhvani Shah.
The jackfruit is a divisive fruit. And rightly so. Should it be made into a curry or enjoyed ripe? From replacing meat in vegetarian dishes to starring in famous Indian sweets, the fruit could be described as a “jack” of all trades. You must be wondering what this has to do with the striking New Delhi abode designed by WITHIN and DADA and Partners.
Well, the jackfruit tree plays quite the protagonist in this 7,200 sq ft home with the rooms overlooking the tropical brute and the floorplate flooding with daylight. The interiors enmesh with the outdoors, from the expansive views to rustic elements that echo within the space. According to the designers, it is almost akin to “living in nature.”
Charting a path
The trees on the site were kept sacrosanct, designing the built around the unbuilt. As you enter the dwelling (aptly named the Jacktree House), you are greeted by a ballad of textures and elements that play to all your senses.
“The corridors have been designed as a street with curiosities and surprises at every turn — an array of sensorial experiences that lead the way,” state Sonal and Bobbi Tuli, Design and Business Head of the EDIDA-winning studio, WITHIN.
The white-on-white floral relief work comes alive as light dapples on the walls. The living room is a stark departure from the monochrome, emboldened with a faerie of textures and materials. The tall floor-to-ceiling windows with swaying sheers frame the view outside.
Contrasting yet subdued, the green finds its antithesis in the peachy hues of the dining room. Crowned by a light sculpture reminiscent of Alexander Calder’s conceptual stabiles, this abode presents itself as a fantastical reinterpretation of a tree house.
As you go deeper into the home, visual cues such as wooden textures and a branch-inspired chandelier catch your eye. In a ballad of material plays, the bedrooms offer distinctive patterns underpinned by a rustic country allure.
Against the grain
Choosing to detour from the mundane, WITHIN along with DADA and Partners adopt an unconventional palette. Sonal and Bobbi elaborate, “Eclecticism with attention to detail and a subtle playfulness is evident in all our work. The narrative is always according to context though.”
Rooted in its Arcadian splendour, the home luxuriates in an organic charisma. With warm tones and shades of green, the home peppers in elements of nature throughout the space. Wicker and fabrics add to the tactile experience, lending notes of warmth and comfort.
Glimpses of life
While the driving spirit of the home is its oneness with nature, the architects are mindful of weaving the spaces with the elements that lend a visual spark. In the bedrooms, the raw stone textures and the bold choice of furnishings dominate the visual language. In the living rooms, on the other hand, the Klove light fixtures steal the spotlight.
The house plays host to myriad moods and hues of the family who occupy the home. Loud and flamboyant in parts and mellow and subdued in the others. Enraptured in birdsong and perched around the trees, the home situates the human inhabitants in the lap of nature.
This 20,000 sq ft house uses simple geometry and forms to create a clutter-free aesthetic. Referred to as The House of Multiple Levels by architect Hiren Patel from studioHPA, the project is built for a technocrat couple, the Shahs.
The homeowners’ wished for a multigenerational house where they could live with their parents and college-going son, have individual spaces for each of them and foster common spaces to congregate as a family as well as host guests and parties when needed.
The house is divided into three wings. The outhouse has a living room, a bedroom, and a kitchen. The main wing is two stories with a double height. The ground floor has common spaces like a gym, a formal living room, and informal living rooms. The first floor has bedrooms. It is divided into two sections: the son’s quarters and the master suite.
The son’s quarters include a study and a theatre room. The master suite has a verandah and an office. The parents’ room is single-story with two bedrooms and a living room, an independent functional unit.
Hiren Patel’s firm had carte blanche in his multifaceted role as an architect, interior designer and landscapist. The advantage of having all three functions within one firm is that they can derive value from each other. Both landscaping and interior design became integral parts of the design process. This integration also reduced the need for additional enhancements to make the house beautiful, which was the homeowner’s primary desire.
He uses large flat projections, wall-to-wall windows and double heights to bring the outside in. The open areas have myriad landscapes, from manicured sloping gardens to simple forest-like greens. They are made as vantage points through these large fenestrations that can blur the line of the enclosure, allowing the family to enjoy various views while sitting inside.
“These days, people come with Pinterest images to superimpose ideas on any design,” says Patel. He believes that luxury is not unidimensional; it is not just about the things we use but also about the spaces we inhabit in terms of volume.
The house is simple in design yet luxurious in terms of living. Patel cleverly leverages the vastness of the site to his advantage, creating larger-than-norm areas to provide spatial luxury. “The psychological effect of spaciousness contributes to a feeling of tranquillity and opulence together,” says Patel. The house’s multilevel design demonstrates how large volumes can be a powerful strategy for achieving a luxurious ambience without needing many things.
The house can be divided into three main sections: the outhouse, the parent’s wing and the main house. Each section is tailored to individual needs while maintaining privacy, with central spaces that can offer entertainment and family time.
As visitors arrive, wooden canopies and red glass granite walls create a welcoming ambience in the parking area. Inside the main house, natural light floods from the east and south, setting a natural tone for the interiors.
To add drama to the design, Patel employs the age-old concept of massing in architecture. He treats different parts of the building as distinct three-dimensional blocks, creating an interplay of forms emphasising depth and hierarchy. This technique makes the main wing stand out as a prominent feature while the parent and outhouse structures recede to enhance spatial depth. The verandahs, pergolas and terraces act as voids, breaking the monotony, adding functional outdoor space and increasing visual interest from afar. Additionally, the extended cantilevers contribute to the horizontal balance of the structure, enhancing its aesthetic symmetry.
For contemporary flair, Samir Wadekar, the interior stylist, sourced the artwork and light fixtures. The selection of artwork doesn’t revolve around a central idea but serves primarily to add life to the rooms. The double heights lend great spaces to play with light fixtures, such as leather-belted chandeliers. While most furniture is rectilinear, some free forms are introduced in every room to soften the overall aesthetics and add a playful touch.
In California, a picturesque town Pleasanton in the San Francisco Bay Area harbours a 2,150 sq ft home of an Indian family. Amidst the tree-fringed streets, a pleasant skyline and history dating back to the Gold Rush era, the location becomes the central character for Dekorati Interiorsin redesigning this cherished family home brimming with nuances of Indian traditions and a truly timeless appeal.
In Spring 2021, the homeowner along with her two young boys approached principal designer Rati Mishra with a vision to create a sanctuary that paid homage to the past, infused with distinct Indian design elements. “The transformative journey was entrusted to me to not only infuse her home with classic Indian touches but at the same time weaving in the essence of her late husband’s presence. I felt a profound responsibility to honour their legacy through my design,” expresses Rati.
All in the details…
At the first few glances, the home could easily be for a maximalist but with an evident sense of balance. The Indian-inspired Schumacher wallpaper at the entryway is an exemplary emphasis. Throughout the living and dining areas, meticulous craftsmanship echoes with marble fireplace mantels, detailed veneer work, Hyedua veneer buffet with silver Argento doors and carefully curated art present.
A circular dining table crafted from mahogany and chestnut burl veneer features a brass inlaid vine motif reminiscent of the carving details found in palaces of Jaipur and the southern regions of India. These elements, combined with carefully selected art and accessories celebrate classic Indian design.
Moving into the kitchen, which was majorly remodelled, is a thoughtfully assembled space where modern efficiency with traditional charm co-exist. Brass details in the mosaic tile backsplash complement state-of-the-art appliances, while the warmth of the island’s stain with white heated marble floor tiles, offers both functionality and aesthetics. “I really enjoyed redoing the kitchen and creating a well-planned space that gives ample storage along with being the centre of people’s gathering,” says Rati.
Upstairs, the master bedroom is characterised by dreamy details and a feminine touch. An organic wallpaper featuring the April Shower Haiku from PJ, sets a serene backdrop behind the seashell headboard, reflecting the homeowner’s love for beaches and nature. A custom desk space in a bold clay colour further evokes the warmth of Indian elements.
The master bath and downstairs bath serve as extensions of the homeowner’s passion for travel, incorporating global inspirations alongside classic traditional Indian elements. Upstairs, the bath and guest bedroom (also a reading room) cater to the preferences of the young boys, featuring clean lines and a monochromatic palette that adds to relaxation and comfort.
Drawing the silhouettes
With the palette around influenced by the illustrative Rajput wallpaper at the staircase, the rich hues and intricate contours dress the case goods and accessories alongside the luxurious fabrics of drapes and custom upholstery.
With the last strokes of paint drying in this abode, the tranquil neighbourhood seems to appreciate its cultural alacrity. And as Rati sums up, “The theme of the space is classic transitional eclectic design. The use of quality materials, classic silhouettes and enduring design principles infuse each space with a sense of fresh informality as well as functionality.”
Despite being located in a city, this home in Montana Estate in Kozhikode (also known as Calicut), Kerala is far from chaos. Veiled from the outside world by the dense vegetation that surrounds it, one thing is for sure: Hummock Residence, as it is called by the owners, might be hiding, but isn’t trying to blend in. Rather, it stands out, for all good reasons!
Designed by Brijesh Shaijal and Nimisha Hakkim of Design Ashram Consultants, the five bedroom home is a lesson in clean design. The design firm worked with varied situations. “The design philosophy that runs through all our works is to utilise the unique advantages of the site and enhance the quality of the space. The manner in which the context is portrayed, and the way the uniqueness of the site still stands through against a subtle maximalist interiorscape is proof of this,” says Nivin Rose Jose and Darsan Babu, architects at Design Ashram Consultants.
The residents were clear in their request — a home that doesn’t try too hard to stand out. The result? A design that integrates with the landscape while offering a feast for the senses.
Walking through the home, one is sure to experience an energising boost due to with sudden bursts of colours and textures. Upon entering, one might assume the home appreciates modern design, but in the blink of an eye, you encounter the carved pillar (framed in three directions) near the staircase, leaving you with mixed thoughts. We can all agree on one thing for sure — this home defies norms. From audacious abstract elements to indoor greenery that may not immediately catch the eye but will surely leave a lasting impression.
A graceful metal grid frame descends, carrying copper plates reminiscent of ancient relics that have adorned peaks for centuries, with some delicately embedded within the pillars.
The home embodies maximalist vernacularism with minimalist details against a backdrop of monochrome green contrast.
In simple words, the home takes traditional elements and views them through a modern perspective. It confidently incorporates vibrant colours and textures, combining natural materials with metallic accents.
The family living room, secluded at the opposite end of the courtyard, is perfect for family time.
Large balconies, omnipresent in every room, open wide to the panoramic vistas that the hills of Montana generously bestow. Who would not want to sit in their bed, sipping tea overlooking the scenic beauty of nature unfolding outside? Each bedroom sets up for a different mood and feel, leisure being common to all.
The kitchen is the source of our thoughts, they say. And thus, it becomes imperative to bring out the best within this space in terms of design. A simple layout embraces a bold palette of black hues, complemented by a contrasting lighter tone.
The airy, double-height spaces create a sense of openness. The most enjoyable part of the design process was the juxtaposition of the coral red bullock cart against the subtle background. “The site, as much as it was advantageous, was also challenging. To retain as much of the beautiful hillock, the residence was placed on and use it to the design’s favour was a challenge the team very much enjoyed solving,” say Nivin and Darsan.
This home is a balanced contrast of textures, colours and emotions. A design that is both ostentatious and laid back — perfect for the weary souls.
Neither land nor open water, the topographical notion of a coast evades definition. It is here that Dipen Gada and Associates craft a home inspired by the vast oceans. Constructing what can only be described as an architectural loophole, the architects abolish the stark divide and embrace cues from both. Instead of constructing this Porbandar home by the seaside, the architects take a more cerebral approach, tracing the austere serenity of the historic port town. Here, the azure skies are framed by fierce lines evocative of Modernist architecture.
When asked to describe the philosophy behind the home (aptly dubbed White House), principal architect Dipen Gadachooses the Sanskrit word Sahej, loosely translating to effortlessness. It is this stark simplicity that lends the 65,000 sq ft coastal cove its cinematic appeal.
Sailing through spaces
“The homeowner had a very simple requirement of 3 bedrooms, large openings with as much of a green connection as possible,” explains Dipen. With this framework in mind, he conjures an experience that lures you in.
The experience of this home commences before the main door. Led into the compound through a verdant driveway, you leave the outside world at the gates. A tall wooden entrance door leads you to the foyer, to the right of which is the high-ceiling living room, which Dipen describes as “holding nothingness except needful seating arrangement”. Through the deliberate negative space, every element stands out in a gallery-esque fashion. “Art is something that is governing the design but is also the soul of the space,” muses the architect.
The dining and family living room gives way to a covered low seating arrangement. Placed between the public and private spheres of the home, the swimming pool becomes a transition space as well as the piece de resistance of the home. The master bedroom abuts the water body and the garden. Across the passage, the two other bedrooms are located next to each other.
Light, white, and deep blue skies
In a composition of whites, the architects introduce an ethereal play of light with subtle textures adding depth and dimension to the monochromatic abode. This becomes a technique for highlighting prominent walls, punctuating the circulation, and ushering movement. The stark linear forms project sharp shadows on the walls while the pergolas cast dynamic patterns. Interspersed throughout the home are warm wooden accents with textured stone floors. The outside flows in the interiors of the space with the blue skies reflecting the water surrounded by fluted plaster walls.
Anchoring life
With the homeowner’s marine background, it is not surprising that throughout the home, there is an unbound openness. It is a case study on minimalism that is fit for habitation, where nothing can be added or subtracted — a perfect composition. However, as you occupy the home, it morphs and makes room for life, disappearing into the backdrop. A terrain of tranquillity.
A visually rich, tactile treat enveloped in a wide array of nature-inspired textures awaits within this sumptuously crafted home for three in Mumbai. Lyth Design‘s newest offering, helmed by founder and principal designer Apoorva Shroff, is an earthy mid-century marvel interspersed with vibrant accents that spark joy.
Spanning over 3,500 sq ft, the home poses as a unique amalgamation of the old and the new that is unafraid of shedding its neutral skin to expose colour. Boasting an uninhibited view of the sea on both sides, the all-encompassing design process behind the home faced several challenges— which one proved to be the toughest? “Persuading the man of the house to sacrifice a room to transform it into a closet proved to be the most challenging aspect,” Shroff claims. She unabashedly plays favourites, stating that she adores the walk-in bathroom the most.
Classic with a twist
The family’s unique wants and needs lay at the core of this innovatively designed space, tailor-made according to their individual desires. A room dedicated to art was one of the primary objectives outlined by the family, delivered through a unique corner solely dedicated to that very purpose. An L-shaped partition in the living room ensures that the vast space present is capable of being pulled apart and secluded or perceived and utilised as a unified entity.
Expanding upon her vision further, Shroff elaborates, “At the heart of this residence lies the design principle of the dynamic interplay of open and adaptable living spaces. These flexible design components allow homeowners to transform this grand expanse into smaller, more intimate spaces tailored to their desires.” The result? A classic-meets-contemporary love affair, punctuated with texture, colour and innovation.
Reinventing the conventional
The sprawling home boasts of a vast living space replete with partitions made of rattan, imbuing it with an old-world charm reminiscent of foregone eras of the past. A cosy wooden corridor leads the way, opening into a vast space comprising the living room, dining area, a space dubbed as the ‘Den’ and the kitchen, separated or included through a sliding glass door as needed. Visually striking earthen vases decorate most tables and countertops, with sprigs of flowers and greenery peeking out. The walls have been decorated with an array of artwork and paintings, some picked out by the matriarch of the family, who is an artist herself.
Long, linear lines are juxtaposed against curved edges, utilised in abundance through the furniture. Walking in further, the corridor is flanked by the guest room and the art corner on both sides, further leading inwards toward the master bedroom and a room dedicated to their daughter, who lives abroad. The home enjoys an abundance of natural light, making up for the sun’s absence through environment-friendly LED lighting after sunset. A textured linen wallpaper in neutral tones acts as the backdrop, ideal for experimentation with a variety of elements. Shroff opted for a 15-inch-tall marble skirting spanning across the entire home—the metaphorical bow tying everything together seamlessly.
Enlivened neutrals
Swathes of terracotta, earthy browns and greys give way to vibrant blues and greens, used sparingly yet effectively across the home. This careful curation spotlights the organic materials utilised, spanning from common choices like wood and stone to unconventional yet striking ones like rattan. Paying homage to the organic roots of mid-century modern style, Shroff sheds predictability by utilising accent pieces— like the turquoise chandelier crowning the dining space— to highlight individual space with a bold stroke of colour. Delving into her vision, Shroff states, “My underlying style is storytelling with quiet sophistication. Integrating the characteristics of the homeowners makes each interior story unique.”
The home successfully rings true to Shroff’s design philosophy, wherein she aims to tell a story marked with sophistication that makes itself known subtly. Cohesive yet individualistic, the space dispels boredom and unravels to reveal a thoughtfully curated home— Shroff’s efforts shining through every detail.
Bold. Balanced. Bequeathed but blended. At first glance, we couldn’t comprehend whether this abode the designers call the Plume of Paradise was a concept space or a home. Turns out, it is a bit of both. Through vivid hues and eccentric elemental choices, it breaks away from minimalism and embraces whimsical maximalism.
A concept guest house that serves the two-pronged purpose of housing this multigenerational family’s guests as well as facilitating carousing times, this 4,900 sq ft haven in Chennai designed by Archana and Rupesh Baid of AND Design Co., serves suave.
Grimms’ Guest House?
Rarely does one find homeowners that come with such a sanguine sense of what they want the space to be about. That was never a concern with this property. It manifests every guest’s whims through experiential spaces that more than deliver on the eclectic fairytale-esque aesthetic.
The quintessential principles of geometry take the front seat in this multi-storeyed ride through a melting pot of proportions and patterns.
Boasting a party floor and a terrace elevated with experiential spaces, contemporary elements and eclectic grandeur meld many times over through the works of artisans and designers — both local and international to make the homeowner’s aspiration of making a statement come true. The structural framework of the original space was such that it gave the designers incentive to elevate features such as the standout staircase while working around the constraints of the compact footprint.
Apple-shaped sculptures, a hidden pantry and more…
The triangular guest house opens with a parking and service space on the ground floor ensuring that every guest can unburden themselves upon entering. The bottom of the stairwell offers a piece de resistance with the apple sculpture that is a paragon for anomaly and sets the tone for the space, opening into the expanse of the dining and living room on the first floor. The antithetical nature of red and green makes for perfect contrasting compositions that forbid looking away.
Prioritising pomp without compromising on practicality, the hidden pantry and powder room are tucked in without distracting from the sprawling card and poker set-up (the fake library wallpaper might be our favourite element). The second floor replicates the structure of the first floor in the sense that it is not devoid of living and dining spaces, but with its two cosy en-suite bedrooms and common kitchen, prioritises comfort and convenience.
Coming to fruition with an al fresco space, the terrace with its plunge pool for kids is the last piece to this puzzle, enabling an entrancing atmosphere for the guests through and through. The expansive seating offers a conservational abode and a place to snuggle up through a night or even a day of relaxed rendezvous.
Shy away from colour? Never
“Standout pieces such as the dimorphic chequered lounge chair, red bar stools, and iridescent red apple added layers of depth and intrigue to the space, creating a dynamic visual experience for guests,” explains Archana Baid.
Across this dynamic landscape that enchants at every turn, art remains the thematic commonality catering to the homeowner’s desire for contemporary eclectic luxury.
Polarity finds a place within the space, through the primary colour palette of olive greens and crimson that stimulates the first floor, in contrast to the softer hues of brown and blue of the second-floor living area that exude a sense of relaxation. Our conventional understanding of luxury through subdued colours and softer palettes is taken for a toss with the dynamic blend of bold colour accents and lacquer finishes.
Complementing the eclectic ether of the space is a rain harvesting system that facilitates water conservation and ample ventilation and cross facilities, making it less reliant on external inputs. Two peas in a pod, leisure and tranquillity find a home with a family that loves to entertain, both guests and themselves.
Nestled in the bustling community of Lokhandwala, Mumbai, this apartment by Oris Architects is a serene escape. A celebration of tranquillity with natural textures and organic hues, the 720 sq ft open plan home for stylist and costume designer Eka Lakhani is perfect for one. All with a glimmering trove of couture and a space where her celebrity clients could feel comfortable.
“Early conversations with Eka were focused on ways to make the crumpled space with too many walls into an abode filled with natural light, where tactility added to the visual metamorphosis,” explains Ishita Lakhani, Co-Founder of Oris Architectsalong with Om Lakhani.
A symphony of styles
Originally a two-bedroom layout, the home was configured into a spacious one-bedroom apartment. Eka desired something that was in stark contrast to the world of vibrant colours that she lives in for work.
She wanted to come back home to a clean slate, where less was more. It was therefore necessary that the colour palette was chosen with fine attention to detail. The team at Oris Architects made the decision to blend whites with warm tones of the natural world. So, a sanctuary was created — a blank canvas where she could replenish her creative spirit and recalibrate her vision for every new project.
The home brings together Scandinavian, Mid-Century Modern and Neo-classical design elements, embodying a convergence of distinct yet complementing contemporary flair. Whether it’s the boucle sofa and sleek console in the living room or mouldings on the TV wall. Continuing the theme of classic elements, a solid wood lounge chair is paired with a Pichwai painting.
The synergy of clean lines, minimalism and aesthetics synonymous with Scandinavian design dovetails effortlessly with Mid-Century Modern features characterised by organic shapes and warm wood tones. The kitchen hosts a cascading breakfast counter accompanied by three wooden bar chairs. The waterfall counter and cabinets harmonise in a quartz, while the cabinets are framed in a sage green.
The Neo-Classical Contemporary style offers a fresh interpretation of classical architecture, blending traditional with contemporary sensibilities to create a space that is timeless yet relevant to modern living. In the master bedroom, faux wood beams divide the space. On the left, the bed a family heirloom, takes centre stage. Set against a tropical mural, the bed faces a fluted wall.
The fusion of design philosophies within this home not only pays homage to the past but also propels the home into a realm of new-age luxury.
A timeless tale
Oris Architects help this hope escape fleeting trends by prioritising a style, rather, a blend of styles that bring together modernity and classicism. The love for design that is possessed by the design team clearly shines through with the care and attention that is given to each space.
“Each project we undertake is curated to align with the client’s unique lifestyle and preferences. Our design philosophy embodies a harmonious synergy of fresh, contemporary designs complemented by timeless elements, exquisite craftsmanship, and sophisticated finishes,” signs off Ishita.
The Cabin Project is a charming A-frame structure amidst a lush plot in the Swiss Town community near Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru Madhurima Kordale, Principal Architect and Founder of The Local Studio, brilliantly stages a mystical scene in this 2,000 sq ft enchanting hideaway.
“As discussions unfolded with the client, it became evident that the space needed to reflect their love for gardening while providing a low-maintenance yet eclectic escape for family getaways,” Madhurima recalls.
At the entrance, a metal sliding gate adorned with recycled wood sets the tone for what lies ahead. A contemporary twist on the traditional katte (a semi-outdoor space akin to a verandah) welcomes guests to linger and soak in the tranquil surroundings. Brick pavers lead the way to the main lawn, where the cabin’s tapered roofs and brick walls exude timeless charm.
Alluring Swiss A-frames
Drawing inspiration from European concepts of a cosy holiday retreat, the overall theme imbues the cabin with a charming, quirky character that is both inviting and endearing, avoiding any sense of ostentation or rigidity. While the exterior brick façade and shingled roofs evoke the charm and comfort of the Swiss chalet style, stepping inside the cabin reveals an entirely unexpected and delightfully surprising look and feel.
Inside, the space unfolds with an effortless flow, blending the living room, kitchenette, and dining courtyard into a harmonious space. Cobalt blue micro-concrete floors and brick walls painted in white create a canvas for relaxation and creativity, while the skylight bathes the space in natural light.
The kitchenette, though compact, is fully equipped for culinary adventures with a farmhouse sink. Bi-fold doors seamlessly connect the indoor and outdoor spaces, inviting guests to savour the fresh air and scenic views.
Upstairs, the A-frame structure takes centre stage, offering a cosy retreat with custom skylights that double as covered balconies. The earthy tones and pops of colour in the bedrooms evoke a sense of warmth and comfort, while industrial-style windows provide a unique twist on traditional design.
Serene Sanctuary
Reflecting on the design journey, Madhurima reminisces, “The obstacles faced in this project turned out to be the best moments of the project when we overcame them. I vividly recall the ‘aha‘ moment upon witnessing the emergence of the structural steel members. It dawned on us the myriad opportunities to unleash our creativity.”
The project dawned on Madhurima the myriad opportunities to unleash their creativity, sparking the inception of their very own design and build brand, Local Objects. These opportunities manifested into a cantilevered steel staircase that appeared to be floating and an inventive inclined roof design.
Throughout the cabin, a thoughtful blend of materials and colours creates a cohesive aesthetic that celebrates both the natural surroundings and the client’s eclectic taste. From the natural brick façade to the metal accents, every element tells a story of craftsmanship and creativity.
Madhurima cleverly integrates sustainability into the design by incorporating breathable brick walls and double-glazed windows, ensuring the house remains environmentally conscious and climate-friendly. In essence, The Cabin Project is a sanctuary where nature meets innovation, where relaxation meets style.