Haute couture spills inside a Mumbai home

Studio Namah turns the iconic monogram of Louis Vuitton into a design moodboard

21 Sep 2026

Can a sartorial motif inspire a home? Set amidst the sunlit streets of Bandra, the moodboard of a 2,500 sq ft duplex dips into an ensemble inspired by the iconic Louis Vuitton Damier grid, as a visual ode to its structure and balance merged with the beauty of monochromes.

Led by Namrataa Shetty, co-founder and principal designer of Studio Namah, alongside Neil Cresto, co-founder and project head, the residence sprawls across three bedrooms with a recurring semblance of Damier’s structural, checkerboard discipline. Surprisingly, the motif that was created in the late 1800s by Louis and Georges Vuitton, predates the fashion house’s popular monogram. “True luxury isn’t just about what you wear; it’s about how you live,” state Namrataa and Neil. “The same ambition that drives you to invest in timeless personal style inevitably extends to the spaces you inhabit.”

Styled by Namrataa Shetty; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

An elusive space

Crossing the first threshold reveals a living space that mirrors structure, scale and light. The Damier motif occurs as the home’s subtle design spine: from micro-crosshatched squares integrated into the matte-black entrance cabinet, mirroring an enticing woven depth, to the ceramics featuring a textured pedestal sustained by the rich red Rosso Levanto marble tables. “The entire composition rests on a polished grey marble floor, which beautifully reflects the soft, diffused light filtering through sheer floor-to-ceiling draperies,” explain Namrataa and Neil.

The middle of the room features an imposing spiral staircase in matte black, which echoes its fluid silhouette across the home. “By balancing high-contrast graphics with deeply saturated jewel tones and rich textures, this living room achieves a rare feat. It feels incredibly vibrant and lived-in, yet retains the sophisticated restraint of an art gallery,” states Namrataa.

Saunter into the open kitchen and one finds the geometrical reflections of the Damier pattern transforming the culinary area. A core centrepiece of the abode, it displays a monolithic island with its surface covered in oversized checkered motifs. Wooden stools around the island are upholstered with flecked tweed that complement the use of the stone beautifully, whereas the wall cabinetry extends a subtle nod to the classic motif. Damier becomes a discovery within the home through various moments of pause, reinterpreted on a wall cabinetry and other pieces of intrigue.

The kitchen features a cooking station and dining counter with a checkered pattern paired with tweed wood stools. Styled by Namrataa Shetty; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

Styled by Namrataa Shetty; Photography by Talib Chitalwala

Self-retreating

Tracing its way into the primary suite, the motif emerges as a multi-dimensional play of texture and art, taking in notes from the coastal-inspired Damier Azur palette. The room is centred with a custom wool rug that consists of pixelated hues of terracotta, chocolate, cream and slate blue, paired thoughtfully with a black folding screen and a solid brass nightstand dotted by the bed.

Move to the workspace and you’d find your sight pulled towards a custom rug splashed with dreamy swirls of cobalt blue and cream that astutely combats the grid’s rigidity. “The Study maintains a fluid connection with the master bedroom via a minimalist, black-framed glass sliding partition.” The space is complemented by a timber desk, a Mid-century leather chair and a burgundy Rosso Levanto marble fireplace mantel. The centrepiece features a Post-impressionist painting, which centers a floral vase against a diamond and checkerboard grid, revealing a redirection from the Damier pattern.

The rigid grid within the residence softens into a deeper palette where marble, bold pop art and stark shadows coexist with ease. The warmth of beige walls combat the graphic precision of the space as the study’s layered geometries bring the core story of the abode to the forefront. Fashioned after the Damier pattern, the monolithic bungalow reflects the idea that a sartorial ambition doesn’t necessarily have to be boxed up into the confines of a wardrobe.

The guest bedroom corner showcases bold graphic patterns as a cream headboard anchors the quilted bedding. The bedding is paired beside a charcoal nightstand and brass lamp. Styled by Namrataa Shetty; Photography by Talib Chitalwala