Is it possible to have the best of both worlds? While that’s up for contention, one thing is certain: millennial homeowners are becoming increasingly aware of the imperativeness for spaces to be multi-functional, serving in terms of both utility and leisure.
The Artisanal Home — a sprawling 10,000 sq ft duplex in South Mumbai serves as a stunning reminder of the same, emulating the spirit and ethos of a traditional Indian home, while being replete with fully automated technology. “The brief was both challenging and exciting: to design a modern and warm sanctuary that balanced fluidity with privacy, and combined a layered, yet fuss-free approach, ideal for both intimate gatherings over tea and grand soirees alike, with seamless service and effortless flow,” recalls Anupama Sharda, principal architect and founder of Anupama Sharda Designs.
A Cocoon Fine Rug anchors the foyer, while a quirky sculpture dubbed the “Musing” from Mozaic by artist Shilpa Gupta, positioned below a freshly pruned Firangipani tree enhances the visual allure of the entryway. A monochromatic artwork from Artewalls, sourced from Bharat Furnishings lends a majestic touch to the space; Styling by Shreya Mantri, Altrove, Photography by Pankaj AnandThe boulder lights from Klove Studio infuse a contemporary touch, while the sofas from Roche Bubois, love console from Saketsethi Paris, Denmark table lamp from Gulmohar Lane, and the ash wood white sand rug from Jaipur Rugs give off a neat finish; Photography by Pankaj Anand
Detailed and dynamic designs
The majestic entrance sets the tone of this home—striking salmon pink panelled doors, set against warm grey marble accented by wood and brass elements, and galaxy chandelier within a circular cove, and enhances visual allure. An eye-catching monochromatic artwork on a plush grey textured wallpaper create the perfect balance of formal elegance and playful charm.
“Our approach is both functional and detail oriented. The focus of our process is to create an environment that exudes calm through order. We have experimented with multiple materials in this project, in different formats and finishes, varied surface treatments on furniture, walls and ceilings to create our vision for this home,” Anupama details.
The living room embodies a subdued and cosy vibe, and the large windows allow for ample natural light to stream in all through the day. Landscape and topiary by Rhea Shah of Aranya Design; Photography by Pankaj AnandThe puja area serves as a sanctuary of calm, and is positioned in the centre on the private level with both the staircase and the internal lift opening to a glimpse of this serene space; Photography by Pankaj Anand
An antithesis to prosaic design sensibilities, the Artisanal Home stays true to its name, with standout design inclusions like the floating staircase, textural powdered bathroom, a multifunctional monolith, a bespoke terrazzo counter in the daughter’s bathroom, and the like. On the design process, she avers, “This design seamlessly marries sophistication with a touch of fun, ticking all the right boxes in terms of form and function.”
Reign of surface textures
In this design, surface textures play a key role in adding depth and interest. “The walls and ceilings showcase a variety of finishes, such as limo coat and flexstone. The floors and bathrooms are laid with natural stones like plush marbles and kota in finishes such as leather, river-washed, and tumbled. Wood surfaces are equally diverse, featuring fluted, scratched, hand-carved, and natural finishes,” Anupama explains, while enthusing that the furniture in both solid wood and veneer were treated with varied finishes such as flexstone.
The family room is a symphony of art and design, and features a gamut of noteworthy elements like a LEGO coffee table from Sanket Sethi Paris, Mahjong are from Roche Bubois, a sand hand-knotted rug from Obeetee. The fluted glass sliding doors are from Astronea, while the visitor sculptors from Gardeco Objects and topiary by Rhea Shah of Aranya Design; Photography by Pankaj AnandThe staircase area is a vision for myriad reasons, with eye-catching décor elements like a Manchaha rug from Jaipur Rugs, pebble seats by artist Shilpa Gupta from Mozaic and the striking salmon pink door. The PU door finish is from Asian Paints; Photography by Pankaj Anand
Soft furnishings and wallpapers further enhance the neutral palette of the home, with materials like boucle, weaves, silks, and linens introducing layers of texture and warmth. A thoughtful palette of soft greys, beiges, and gentle whites, combined with warm wood and brass accents oozes a design sensibility which is timeless and full of character.
Balancing fluidity with privacy
The two floors—categorically built to serve radically different purposes—embody a sense of individuality, energetically and even design-wise. “The lower floor was structured to be the entertainment floor and the upper level, a more private floor,” the designer reveals. The lower level features the dining area, living room, powder room, two guestrooms with attached bath areas. The right-side hidden panel door in the foyer leads to all the service areas.
The daughter’s bedroom proffers a subtle sophistication with youthful vibrancy through the generous usage of a classic muted palette. The soft white PU furniture with cane accents is by Shilpa Gupta from the Mozaic and the bespoke frames that adorn the walls beautifully are hand-painted by Siddhi Parikh of The Art Focus. The raw wood knobs enhance the room’s understated elegance. The lamps are from Apartment 9 India, while the accessories and bed settings are from Altrove. The grey Ashwood herringbone flooring sets are from Symphony International; Photography by Pankaj AnandThe guest bathroom is a lesson in clean design, with nifty sanityware and fittings from Kohler India, which were sourced from Shape of Water. The vanity and mirror from ZJM Exports and wall lights from Renovation Factory complement the minimalist vibe. The clutter-free arrangement and wooden accents lend a timeless touch to this space; Photography by Pankaj AnandA Cocoon Fine Rug anchors the foyer, while a quirky sculpture dubbed the “Musing” from Mozaic by artist Shilpa Gupta, positioned below a freshly pruned Frangipani tree enhances the visual allure of the entryway. A monochromatic artwork from Artewalls, sourced from Bharat Furnishings lends a majestic touch to the space; Photography by Pankaj Anand
The upper floor is an oasis of calm and features a tranquil and thoughtfully designed common space. “This area is anchored by a serene Puja space, creating a peaceful atmosphere at the heart of the home,” reveals Anupama. Flanking the Puja area, the tall doors lead to key rooms on this level, including the daughter’s bedroom, two guest bedrooms, and the pantry and service spaces. To the left of the Puja wall, a long white textured wall featuring celebrated familial occasions and milestones — serving as vignettes from the past.
While the definition of a good home may be subjective, The Artisanal Home eschews a ubiquitous design language in pursuit of futuristic excellence. The result? Love, love love!
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