Interior ideas for the readers at heart!

IN THE SPIRIT OF SUSEGAD BY VIANAAR

Susegad and slow, that’s one way to describe this space. Think of a plush white lounger adorned with bits of blue — some around you and some beneath — looking through grand windows at lush greens. If we were taking a tropical vacation after a stressful period at work, we wouldn’t hesitate to call dibs on the spot. Designed by Pashmin Shah and Satyajeet Patwardhan of Amoeba Design alongside Varun Nagpal of Vianaar, the mish-mash of Indo-Portuguese reads like a prologue to a book you know you’ve been anticipating reading!

THE AMERICAN DREAM BY HINES COLLECTIVE

“Carrie Bradshaw would love this apartment.” These were the words uttered by my colleague at ELLE DECOR when she first saw the home on her computer screen. Almost a year later, there’s no better way to describe it.  If  The Great Gatsby was written in 2025, Fitzgerald would be finishing his draft sitting by the window. Gilded gold bordered by black — amidst soft whites, this reading nook in a New York Penthouse by Devin Hines of Hines Collective would be the first thing we tick off our TBR (to be read) list!

AN ASSEMBLAGE OF SOOTHING GREYS BY LADLAB

As silly as it sounds, sometimes doing less is harder than doing more. A seemingly monolith grey seating paired with even simpler white and grey furnishings ensures that at no moment does your focus stray from the pages. A plant (that is also somehow minimal) and a tiny black accent table tie the space together. Architects Saniya Jejani Lohar and Sagar Lohar of LADLAB have created the space to be a minimal oasis of maximal repose.

A MOCHA MOUSSE MOODBOARD BY INTRINSIC DESIGNS

Remember those playrooms in hotels as kids? The ones with marvel-worthy geometric elements and plush rounded seating? This space is reminiscent of that, but elevated with chocolate aesthetics to make one feel the vehement urge to grab a book and spend the day (or night) reading. Crafted by Shivraj Patel and Shruti Malani of Intrinsic Designs, this reading nook in an apartment in Ahmedabad is a smorgasbord of geometrical marvels. The informal lounge is entrenched in neutral. Shades of taupe, black, and ivory come together on the canvas, which is this abstract rug.

HIT A PALATIAL RECLINE WITH NIVASA

“The palace bells chime and speak of lands far, far away”. A stunning bronze chandelier is the piece de resistance of this bewitching corner in an open courtyard. Surrounded by stunning objets d’art, the blue lounger in the middle adds a fresh pop to the otherwise opulent nook. Crafted by Saba Kapoor of Nivasa, the space will satiate your palatial palate fully. Regardless of the genre you choose to read here, you’ll definitely feel like the main character of a Regency novel!

A PINK OASIS BY RED ARCHITECTS

reD architects break away from the classic warm or the minimal-neutral reader’s haven to build one for the reader whose taste in design is as eccentric as it is in the genre. Envision being surrounded by salmon pink. On all sides. Like walking into a candy store, but you can only visualise the books on the non-existent shelves. The art is playful, and the chair is fun. Rajiv and Ekta Parekh of reD Architects have designed this nook in a Mumbai home to ensure that your characters are not the only ones having all the fun!

QUINTESSENTIALLY INDIAN BY SKETCH DESIGN PRACTICE

Summer vacations in Indian households have often been about sitting outside on chaarpais, whilst listening to your grandparents recount folk tales that they grew up listening to. This reading nook evokes the same emotion. Brown walls, wooden chowkis, pops of pink and white and a woven basket form a solid focal point. An interesting touch is the contemporary light fixtures that spruce the nook up with modernity. Shipra Singhania of Sketch Design Practice weaves an old-school Indian tale reminiscent of our childhood!

A SLICE OF PARADISE BY STUDIO MOMO

Amidst this sea of sky blue, even the thickest paperback will feel only 100 pages long. A cosy armchair paired with an ottoman that is both entrenched in the softest blue. Now picture that, against stunning blue and white flooring and a window that opens into the tropics. Bits of gold adorn this reading nook that brings most tropical hotels to shame. What we wouldn’t do to exercise our deepest bibliophile tendencies in this charming corner designed by Meetu of Studio Momo!

A MINIMAL NOOK BY THE AUBURN STUDIO

Readers just wanna have fun (read undisturbed) and this is the perfect nook for that. Behold plush ivory furnishings against dark wooden flooring, accented with intricate details of a tiny but ergonomic table for your mug (or a glass of bourbon) and a lamp that catches the eye. Sushmitha Ramesh of The Auburn Studio has envisioned a space that sits at the juncture of form and function.

VIANAAR

Sweet. That’s the most adequate description of this reading nook in a Goa home straight out of your countryside dreams. You can start your day, spend it and end it here. The most stunning plaid and striped fabrics embellish this alcove. An earthy yet fresh palette of taupes, beige, black and white covers the space filled with natural light. The window takes you to the countryside walks of Elizabeth and Darcy, as Varun and Naina Nagpal of Vianaar have endowed the space with design elements that take you right to those pristine pages.

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