A spin on sandy neutrals

AVVO brings the sand onto the walls of a home in Juhu

11 Sep 2026

Walking barefoot on a beach usually involves an unglamorous dance to escape the grainy sand, followed by the sweet relief of the damp sand closer to the tide. As it stubbornly clings to your feet with each step towards the water, despite all its inconvenience, sand still holds a magnetic charm. Reminiscent of this shoreside palette is a residence in Juhu, Mumbai, designed by AVVO. “Much like its name, Sands of Time, the project reflects a layering of textures, light and crafted details that come together gradually,” says principal architect Raj Kothari. The home was crafted with the location in mind; an upscale, breezy seaside neighbourhood where near-constant natural light pours inside, alongside bursts of greenery and glimpses of the beach through the windows, which bring the outside into the home.

The bed from Stax Living sits within a rounded wooden frame and woven headboard, dressed in bedding from Rearrange Home, beneath a window framed in a softly curved wooden detail; Styling by Studio 1mm; Photography by Mahendra Jangid

A sandy palette

Shifting tones of sand and curving arches draw the eye upwards in this 1,800 sq ft home, which favours a spread of warm taupe, greige and off-white where these hues shift subtly with the daylight. Wood runs through the home to create continuity without making the interiors feel rustic. Serving as a warm counterpoint to the restrained palette, the wood anchors pieces like the entry bench, living console and dining table base. Raj, who worked alongside Melissa Dmello on this residence, explains the reasoning behind the palette, “These colours are complemented by natural textures such as stone, fabric and wood, which add depth without making the space feel heavy.” That thinking also comes through in the use of bouclé, leather, linen and fluted wood, with the fluting introducing a grain-like quality that recalls raked sand.

The dining area’s custom stone table, set on a fluted wooden base, is surrounded by dining chairs from Kanso; Styling by Studio 1mm; Photography by Mahendra Jangid

The continuous wardrobe from Stax Living wraps along the wall in muted tones; Styling by Studio 1mm; Photography by Mahendra Jangid

Curves and keepsakes

An arched marble alcove marks the threshold of the home, housing a low wooden bench beneath a curved ceiling. The living room is flooded with natural light, with a large window overlooking the foliage. The furniture here is deliberately sparse. A structured linear sofa and a low console anchor the room, while a curved lounge chair and coffee table soften the layout. Along the perimeter, a wide window ledge provides a perch for seating, drawing the eye toward the greenery outside, where vibrant bursts of green balance the warmth of the sandy tones.

A custom stone table centres the space, its rounded top resting on a textured, fluted wooden base. Curved upholstered chairs keep the seating soft and rounded, while a low wooden console runs along the wall, displaying a personal collection of bells gathered by the homeowners from around the world. The bar pairs a stone counter with sculptural wooden totems and deep burgundy stools, creating a little nook that coaxes you to stay for just one more drink.

In the master bedroom, the bed by Chesterfield Designs sits against a moulded headboard wall, with a handmade Egyptian artwork above it. Styling by Studio 1mm; Photography by Mahendra Jangid

The living room's window seating by Stax Living is dressed with a textured throw; Styling by Studio 1mm; Photography by Mahendra Jangid

Past these social spaces, a corridor leads to the bedrooms, wherein the master suite, a moulded headboard wall and handmade Egyptian artwork frame the bed and layered linens bring out the warmth of the sandy tones. “The daughter’s bedroom was envisioned as a soft, nurturing space that balances functionality with a gentle aesthetic,” muses Raj. Here, the curves sculpt the millwork entirely, bending the continuous wardrobe, bed frame and window trimming into rounded contours. The son’s bedroom, on the other hand, skips the curves altogether, where a vertically fluted headboard and a textured TV backdrop anchor the space, while the walls remain pared back.

“The overall design focuses on simplicity, natural materials and soft architectural forms, creating spaces that feel calm, comfortable and refined,” sums up Raj.