Echoes of Europe at a Mumbai pincode

Gaurav Kharkar & Associates merge sculptural design and European sophistication in a Mumbai home

05 Jun 2025

What if your living room felt like a time-travel portal to Europe, the kitchen whispered Parisian tales and bedrooms held the quiet gravity of a gallery? Somewhere in the bustling heart of Tardeo in Mumbai rests The Theo Home, a 2,700 sq ft residence by Gaurav Kharkar & Associates that embraces design influences of Europe weaved in with intention. Speaking through details of neoclassical columns, panelled walls and marble finishes, the four-bedroom space triumphs the meaning of timelessness.

“In early discussions, the client expressed love for art and storytelling through interiors and architecture that holds emotional weight. They wanted soul instead of trends. It was about what luxury meant to them not just in materials, but in atmosphere,” explain Gaurav and Vidhita Kharkar of their firm.

Materials and expressions

Interconnected with a play of tactility and emotional resonance, the beauty at this home indeed is in the details. Take for instance the veined stone that swathes the kitchen island and bar with an almost painterly but organic appearance. “This residence unfolds as a quiet interplay between heritage and modernity where Greek-inspired architectural language meets contemporary sensibilities,” express Gaurav and Vidhita. Lighting, too, becomes part of the narrative. A kinetic wire pendant floats like a celestial sketch in the dining room, ethereal, abstract and full of motion. It hovers above the heavier materials below balancing gravity with grace.

Further in, the master bedroom is like stepping into a soft, luxurious cloud of neutrals and perfectly tailored textures. The grandparents’ room is warm and grounded and makes you feel right at home. And the guest bedroom is minimal yet inviting, the kind of space that instantly calms you, the moment you enter.

A Greek-inspired portrait of Mother Mary in the child’s bedroom becomes more than art; it’s a symbolic lesson in strength and femininity. A cosy nook designed for solitude balances softness and structure. And in the lounge, a personal favourite of the design team, neoclassical moulding frames a single, powerful portrait creating a pause in the visual rhythm of the home.

This wall, marking the cleverly integrated storage space, draws inspiration from Greek artistry. Intricate detailing reflects time-honoured craftsmanship, while the artwork adorning it adds a layer of thoughtful expression. The carpets and rugs are from Loops by LJ and the fan is by Fanzart; Photography by Pulkit Sehgal

The space is anchored by a striking custom dining table. Its asymmetrical marble top rests on cylindrical pedestal legs in terracotta hues adding a bold, architectural twist. The flooring is by Aakash Marble, the dining table is customised, fans are by Fanzart, the lights are customised and the marble is from The Quarry; Photography by Pulkit Sehgal

Can colours whisper in French?

“Colours are approached with sensitivity,” the duo says. Layered neutrals form the foundation — soft ivories, warm stones, dusky taupes. And then come the surprises. A headboard in navy hue adds a noticeable but subtle drama. Terracotta columns warm up the dining area like sun-baked statements. Deep sage cabinetry breathes in a whisper of nature, while green-blue tones cool down the marble-heavy kitchen like a breeze off the Aegean Sea.

And then there’s texture, the real heart of it all. Boucle you’ll want to sink right into, throws with just the right amount of nubby charm and stitched cushions that simply say: stay a while. “We wanted it to feel almost like a pause — where the architecture, art and mood converge,” says Gaurav.