Layered in unexpected design spins is a Mumbai home by Tejal Mathur Design

Inside a petite yet dramatically layered home in Mumbai, “A lot of thought went into how the colours and textures could create variations into the composition yet blend in, as there is less time to transition from one space to another,” says principal designer Tejal Mathur of her eponymous firm, who imagined refined surface treatments […]

13 Aug 2024

Aditi Singla

Inside a petite yet dramatically layered home in Mumbai, “A lot of thought went into how the colours and textures could create variations into the composition yet blend in, as there is less time to transition from one space to another,” says principal designer Tejal Mathur of her eponymous firm, who imagined refined surface treatments and bold vintage elements to dress up this cove in Marine Drive.

Dubbed Reem, the 1,000 sq ft apartment is tailored for a young couple and daughter, who deviated from the grips of a simply refined canvas towards an eclectic space, where every corner speaks of artistic accents and pops of colour.

The Purnakumbh concrete panels give an added touch of artistry against the lively art deco marble and lime plaster finishes. The bouclé sofa set and tabletop decor is from Magnolia. A bespoke floor lamp and vintage chandelier is curated from Ironworks. Art Deco bone inlay coffee table is from Cottons and Satins; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

The bouclé sofa set from Magnolia pairs seamlessly with the Art Deco bone inlay coffee table from Cottons and Satins, anchoring the living room with a refined cohesion; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

Ballad of demarcated flooring

Upon entering through the grand midnight blue door, you start to absorb the visual feasts — a fluted terrazzo wall, a chevron marble walkway and a towering teal almirah. And while you are processing this vibrant entrance, the space breaks into a subdued living area that stuns with its low-key glamour.

In the living room, emphasis remains on clean lines and purposeful elegance. Minimalism melds in as decor fluff has been artfully eliminated; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

The vintage bar console paired with a repousse cast iron artwork, curated by Ironworks, anchors the space with a narrative richness. The black vintage table lamp from Cottons and Satins along with totems from Magnolia introduces an intriguing interplay of form and texture; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

Tracing the gradients from a monochromatic palette, the living room bathes in gentle light filtering through sheer curtains. The Purnakumbh textile motifs grace the lightweight concrete panels, setting a serene backdrop for the modern bouclé couch and the Art Deco marble. In the dining nook, yellow swivel chairs and tesselated floor introduce a splash of unexpected colour and texture. These floor modifications create separate areas while maintaining a cohesive flow throughout the home.

The sandblasted dining table in raw texture finish is from Ironworks. Surrounding it are modern swivel chairs from Magnolia. The large bespoke teal almirah blends contemporary design with traditional elegance; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

Customised floral wallpaper, pastel blue cabinetry and tessellated flooring interweave the story of the kitchen; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

Bringing in design intelligence

“In my experience the tighter the space, the visual elements need to be large and strongly integrated into the structure as there is less room to add decor fluff” explains Tejal who worked alongside design coordinators Gayatri Shinde and Devashree Mane. Even the palette of neutrals was a deliberate choice, dictated by the natural light cascading in from only one side of the home. But who said neutrals can’t play well with a bit of drama? In the windowless bathroom and bedroom, the designer went bold with deep blue and dark green hues.

The bed in the master bedroom is from Magnolia. It is draped in luxurious bed linen from Cotton and Satins. The backdrop is adorned with an in-situ wall treatment by Bharat Floorings; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

The master bedroom opens into a small vestibule and is delineated with varied flooring materials. The bed trunk from Magnolia topped with handcrafted ensembles adds another layer of visual interest; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

The mint-chequered wallpaper is doing all the talking in the daughter’s bedroom. Both the wallpaper and the embroidered cushions are from Cotton and Satins. The grey rattan bed and vintage wall sconce are both Ironworks’ novelties. The artisanal side table lamp is from Magnolia; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

A gush of colours

After studying the site, Tejal Mathur deemed very little spatial changes as the bathrooms could not be moved. But he configured two beautiful bedrooms. The sliding doors of the living room reveal the daughter’s windowless bedroom that has its own dollhouse charm, courtesy of the mint-chequered wallpaper and a striking orange bookshelf.

A kind of chic simplicity is present in the master bedroom, evident from the bespoke furniture and natural antique finishes. The dramatic pattern on the in-situ wall behind the bed serves as the room’s singular bold element. The room is tucked away with a bathroom and territorially divided with a walk-in for the couple’s conjugal privacy.

Mint pastel colour and custom furniture are the quaint yet playful design elements in the daughter’s bedroom stitched together by Tejal Mathur; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

A dramatic design expression with deep intense tiles in a rush of blues and dark green in the windowless bathroom; Photography by Yadnyesh Joshi

The paucity of home demanded a meticulous approach, where each element stands as a singular marvel that speaks its own vocabulary. With a practical sense of ergonomics and geometry, Tejal Mathur accomplishes to craft a comfortably stylish home.