Mud walls, modern tales in Bengaluru

Once a dance school, this villa by Studio Autumn choreographs slow living

27 Feb 2026

Christened Rumi, after the poet whose words summon inner peace, the abode serves as a soulful sanctuary; a place to connect with oneself, find balance, and escape the noise of the outside world. With design sensitivity and intuition at its heart, this home in Bengaluru, composed by Studio Autumn, harmonises the built structure and the life it shelters.

From regional accents and the family’s art collection to ivory blinds and brass details, every chosen element complements the organic architectural shell crafted by Biome, allowing its raw canvas to hold the reins.

The living space melds social and bibliophilic pursuits, where a sofa from Gulmohar Lane is paired with a teakwood coffee table from Fleck; Photography by Nayan Soni

Culture of calm

The 2,800 sq ft space wasn’t always a home. The ground floor housed the Swastika School of Dance and Music, run by the client just steps away from where she and her husband lived. When they decided to make it their permanent residence, two additional storeys were added, transforming the former cultural space into a three-bedroom residence that now harbours modern rusticity.

Principal designer Chintan Punjabi worked closely with the architects to curate an interior palette that responded sensitively to the building’s rugged backdrop. “The clients gave us complete freedom with the aesthetics,” he recalls. His take? A synergy of minimalism, mid-century classics, and calibrated moments of muted hues — the resultant language treads a fine line between vernacular and modern sensibilities. Constructed with earthen blocks, the structural frame features a blend of exposed and mud-plastered walls, making material authenticity its most enduring virtue. It was this structural honesty that Studio Autumn entrusted to uphold

The living and culinary zones are connected through an open plan layout; Photography by Nayan Soni

Tonal harmony is forged between a handmade rug from Carpet Kingdom and armchairs from Lap and Dado. The floor lamp from Mianzi adds a sinuous twist to the sleek setting; Photography by Nayan Soni

Curated Rhythm

Step inside, and the transition is almost imperceptible. The first floor spills into the shared living space with a fluid, open layout. Modest yet inviting, the living room is layered with svelte furniture in diverse silhouettes, all resting atop a handmade rug. True to the client’s desire for bookshelves, the designers wove them throughout, from a dedicated unit to an open-framed media console.

The culinary expanse advances this streamlined lexicon. A wood-and-cane ensemble anchors the dining area, flanked by an alcove seating and a sleek bar cabinet. Adjoining in free-flow, the open kitchen is gently demarcated by a crockery console. Overhead rafters and vibrant floor tiles, jointly curated by both studios, knit the spaces into a cohesive whole.

A set of pendant lights from Fig Living crown the dining furniture set from Lap & Dado. The table decor is sourced from Minimal Indian; Photography by Nayan Soni

In the daughter’s bedroom, bohemian prints mingle with sharp black accents, guitars pose as wall art, and a bay window beckons moments of relaxation; Photography by Nayan Soni

Eclectic Layers and Personal Stories

Soft textures and measured doses of colour cultivate a soothing ambience in the bedrooms. A floral-printed headboard becomes the master suite’s focal point. Drapes veil the walk-in wardrobe’s shutters, and handpicked curios underscore the room’s vintage character.

The daughter’s bedroom takes on an eclectic persona, speckled with whimsical elements. Two discreet shutters of the terracotta wardrobe offer an unexpected reveal, leading to the bathroom. In the hallway connecting the two bedrooms, a niche is leveraged as a study corner, maximising the space’s footprint with subtly rich pieces.

Honest, artful, and utterly in sync with its makers as well as dwellers, this abode proves that clean aesthetics need not forgo character. With an intersection of nature’s raw beauty with contemporary comfort, the space remains as rooted in its surroundings as it is in its purpose.