Beachfront living in Mumbai

KEEP IT COASTAL COOL!

Ikshhana Design Studio dialed up the warmth and pared down the gloss, creating a space that feels like a sea breeze wrapped in a cashmere throw. Think sun-kissed wood, timeless brass and cane thoughtfully layered behind matte, non-reflective glass — a detail that keeps things cool, coastal and humidity-proof.

Wardrobes get a fresh spin with wallpaper finishes sheathed in soft-glow glass that dials down the glare while keeping the charm intact. The passageway floor pops with Indian motif tiles adding a dash of tradition to the modern mix, while the staircase stuns in a Baroda green marble lookalike. Hand-textured plaster coats the walls, lending depth and a lived-in elegance. But it’s the curves that truly anchor the space — fluid, sculptural transitions made possible by gypsum and POP. From ceiling sweeps to the mirror arc in the master suite, softness reigns supreme. In the guest bath, fluted Spanish tiles add quiet drama while frosted fluted glass doors keep things bright and breezy without compromising on privacy. Every choice is deliberate. The result is a home that flows along with the rhythm of the sea. 

WHERE SPACE EXPANDS AND COLOUR POPS

The apartment may be compact, but it feels as expansive as the ocean itself. Curved elements, reflective surfaces and an open-plan layout invite light to flow making the space feel airy and boundless, without a cluttered corner in sight.

Bespoke wooden and brass furniture along with tailored wallpapers and upholstery lend an air of elegance. Each piece feels custom-made adding depth and character with a lived-in charm. The master bathroom shakes things up. A playful departure from the apartment’s neutral tones, it bursts with terrazzo-printed tiles and walls in pink and mint green. 

WHEN WALLS DON’T BUDGE

Some homes come ready to be reimagined. This one came with only two modifiable walls standing between Ikshhana and the family’s dream. There were structural columns, sheer walls and external passageways that were as immovable as the Arabian Sea breeze outside. The layout was fixed. But instead of fighting the architecture, Devansshi decided to waltz with it. Out went hard edges, in came sweeping curves, subtle transitions and spatial illusions that made the apartment feel like it was gently unfolding, room by room.

Then came the smallest room, whose design was equivalent to a haiku — compact, poetic and deceptively layered. It began as a makeshift guest space with a sofa-bed, but the dream was one of comfort and charm. A full-sized bed was off the table but reconfiguring the attached washroom gave just enough wiggle room to work magic. A cosy window-side reading nook was carved along with integrated wardrobes and a compact dressing zone equipped with a stylish accent chair. 

MAKING MAGIC FROM MARGINS

Most homes begin with a possibility, and instead of seeing limitations, Ikshana Design Studio saw a challenge worth leaning into. So they listened — to the space, to the sea and to a family who dreamed not of grandeur, but of light, warmth and soul. And somewhere along the way between the curves and the coatings, between the constraints and the quiet triumphs, the apartment transformed. Not just into a house that looked better, but into a home that felt lighter. As if it, too, had finally learned how to breathe.

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