Rustic living in greener scapes

On a Telangana farmland, NaaV Studio reinvents a picturesque cottage as the perfect holistic home

08 May 2025

Home is a universal word, but once in a blue moon, you come across one that’s so entrenched in its roots that there is only one word apt enough for it. And for this one, it is illu – meaning home in telugu. NaaV Studio has created a 3700 sq ft cottage in Telangana, Hyderabad that’s reminiscent of afternoons spent soaking in the sun indoors and evenings spent in the courtyard chatting with your family.

On a tranquil farm, the designers retained the original structure with only minimal changes to maximise light and airyness. “The space embraces the trend of open, airy living, where the boundaries between indoors and outdoors are fluid. It breaks away from conventional luxury by incorporating rustic elements,” says principal designer Varsha Reddy who envisioned this terracotta home along with Niharika Veerabommala and landscape consultant Rohit Mirdoddi. Enveloped in shades of red, vermillion and pink, the cottage opens with repurposed wooden pillars that tell an enduring story.

Muted soft pink walls encage the airy courtyard within; Photography by Vivek Eadara

Massive courtyards and an open ceiling bathroom

Walking in through these pillars along the entrance porch, a sea of soft pink greets one across the courtyard’s expanse. Simple and salient, a concrete bench runs across one side whilst a couple of trees and rustic chairs are strewn across the premises.

The left side leads one into the bedroom suite. Light and dark wood finishes contrast, with a bed frame on stumps and soft furnishing. Adorned with carefully chosen elements, the unique array of windows fills up the room with sunlight and warmth.

Stepping out of the suite, through the right side of the courtyard, one comes across a living and bedroom space built bereft of boundaries. The same soft terracotta tiling runs across the space, with a living room featuring furniture that is art in itself. A massive glass window looks out into the land on which the house stands. A grand mirror, gorgeous artisanal rugs, the same rustic pillar at the entrance and lamps with abstract bases make up the rest of the living space that leads into the bedroom.

Perhaps one of the most interesting features of the house is the open–ceiling bathroom, framed by red walls, a modern mirror and greenery through the top. The bathroom fittings are somehow both rustic and industrial, standing at the cusp of vintage Indian cottage and minimal modern.

Featuring a modern mirror and vintage elements, the bathroom is so stunning that you wouldn't wish to step out; Photography by Vivek Eadara

Built on a farmland, the cottage sets up the most ideal atmosphere for slow living; Photography by Vivek Eadara

Rustic simplicity

Varsha elaborates, “The design philosophy revolves around the integration of structures with their natural surroundings, ensuring minimal disruption to the environment. Minimalism and sustainability were prioritised in the design.” These minimal choices manifest through soft blush pinks and tones of red, accompanied by muted beige to bring the colour palette to completion.

One can’t help but be fascinated by every subtle turn in the home. From wood with both rustic and refined character to terracotta across the space; from black metal elements to soft jute rugs; the home takes on the story of an Indian home from a 100 year old book and gives it the modern and minimal touch.