A playfield of grey

This Vadodara home by Doro knows how to mingle, both materials and people

23 Jul 2025

Everyone grows up with a distinct system of beliefs. We can attest that most of us grew up being told that light- coloured walls let sunshine and warmth sweep through homes; grey walls are only dandy for supper at restaurants past dusk. But we’ve grown up and that belief system has evolved with us. This 3,500 sq ft home by Doro reconditions that very thought to give us a playfield of grey in Vadodara that is warm, inviting and perfect for hosting supper.

The homeowners established early on that their home has to be indulgent and Naomy Parikh, the founder of Doro and Niyati Shah, design lead deliver indulgence in abundance. A linear space was converted into one with ebbs and flows, with layers that are subtle but inter-mingling at every turn. “The materials carry the structure, not just the finish. The intention was to hold stillness. A space that doesn’t perform but stays present,” elaborate the designers.

"Kadappa, dark and grounded, holds the lounge and flows into the living when the partition slides away. Joints and inlays are designed to anchor and guide, rather than decorate," — Naomy and Niyati

Sleek and modern in its making, the lounge summons vibrant gatherings; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

A swing, the setting and a soiree

When one thinks of a swing in a living space, rarely do you envision gilded hardware, dark wood and soft green furnishings. This swing sits perfectly amidst grey lime walls, grey terrazzo flooring and a cosy L shaped couch following the same earthy green story. A textured dining table top with a clean finish, paired with dark wooden chairs completes the living-dining area.

Black is as ambiguous a colour, as it is versatile; The lounge exhibits all its tones beautifully. Black flooring, grey seating and a sleep black bar cabinet in the lounge area are bound to leave one with the mood for good conversation and a drink or two. The concealed partitions between spaces leave one with the option to stretch for a large gathering or shrink for a tête a tete, as the designer describes it.

The mandir is enclosed within walls with wavy grey tones and a stunning black Ganpati murti sits next to gorgeous brass elements and wooden panelling. Black cabinets are placed suitably but sparsely through the home.

Moving into the master, one is awed by the tapestry like wall art while the two bedrooms are suave and sharp in their layout, with minimal but carefully curated elements that are nothing if not fascinating.

The lime finish walls throughout the home is by Rlime. The dining table is designed by Doro and produced by Dafter; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

A rug by Jawaja Rugs complements the red terrazzo running along the side; Photography by Ishita Sitwala

Grey galore

“The material palette is restrained and intentional. A grey terrazzo runs through most of the house, while red and green terrazzo are used in moments — a bedroom floor, the wrap of a bathroom wall,” details Niyati and Naomy. Monotone hasn’t been done so articulately in a while, where each tone of grey defines a space and the pops of rusty red and green estrange the spaces just enough to be devoured slightly differently.

Nothing in the home is unintentional or excessive. A linear space was transformed into one which camouflages as required, embraces minimal tones and artful elements and creates the most gorgeous grey haven we’ve seen in a while!