Subtle, serene and snatched—Project Crest by Chestnut Storeys artfully balances monochromatic moods

Project Crest, a four BHK apartment in Chennai, is marked by subtlety, simplicity and modernity. Designed by the principal architect of Chestnut Storeys—Farah Agarwal—the 3,800 sq ft apartment is home to a family of three.

Neutral tones and sharp lines form the primary design elements of the design—a flashy colour or a soft-edged piece of furniture occasionally stirs interest. Each space in the home is touched upon by luxury and seamlessness.

A narrow foyer bracketed by a black marble inlay flooring and wood-panelled ceiling perfectly hints at the style of the spaces to unfold. At the end of the passage, a wood-panelled wall connected with the ceiling forms the backdrop for a gorgeous circular marble console. 

The foyer turns into another passage. The passage has two doors leading to a guest room and a worship area, before the entryway to the spatially generous living area. 

The living area is a confluence of a formal and informal seating arrangement and a dining area. The entire space flaunts European furniture and accents of Indian origin. 

As per the running theme, neutrals dominate the interiors in the living area. While the formal seating and dining area are doused in a subtle and crisp beige tone, the informal seating area speaks of a bolder and casual brown hue. 

The red Porada dining table and the blue Baxter sideboard accentuating the informal seating area bring a dash of excitement into the space. The placement of the dining table in juxtaposition with wooden panelled and grey-toned walls amplifies its glamour.

In the informal seating area, however, the sideboard is in tune with the brass filled, hand-created cracks of the Bocadolobo coffee table, the suede and leather upholstered Fendi chair, and the neat pleating and detailed leg of the Koket sofa.

Adjacent to the dining area is a modern and well-finished kitchen from Poggenpohl. The separating door has a round glass cut that allows peaks between the space, assigning a cheeky character to the otherwise solid door.

The primary room is engulfed in wooden veneers—reminiscent of a wooden cabin during winters. The Arkitepo bed and full-sized window do just enough to support the aura. A modern Fendi chair, ideal for morning news readings, and mirror-finished sliding shutters of the walk-in closet add a pinch of grandeur to the humility of the room.

Next, the guest room is straightforward yet impactful. A wooden frame Shake bed and leather backing impart to its characteristics. A quaint study table in the corner in line with the accessories brings in welcome contradictions.

An extra treat in the form of a spare bedroom graces the home. A bespoke blue bed against an ivory panelled wall makes for a complacent match. The other walls clad with acrylic panels sync perfectly with a tropical printed chair from Desiree.

The daughter’s room stands out from the rest of the house. Dictated by effeminate pink tones, the room is a cheat-code escape from neutrals. A colour-blocked Fendi bed and a pink-based Cole & Son wallpaper in the dressing corner establish dominance in the space. A gorgeous bookshelf from De Castelli and a butterfly chandelier from Ingo Maurer add balance.

For Agarwal, the project was one of the least challenging ones from her portfolio. Easy-going clients and an understanding of their personalities made it uncomplicated to deliver a house befit for them. “The only challenging bit would be waiting for Italy to open up for furniture procurement owing to the pandemic, but that really wasn’t a challenge as we were all in it together”, concludes Agarwal.

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