A reflection of the homeowners

A home in Bengaluru by The Design Collaborative scripts a narrative with cement, black marble and jute interiors

25 Nov 2025

Nothing is quite what you would expect at this Bengaluru home. Handmade bowls with uneven edges, weathered vintage books and a raw block of wood. These were amongst an eclectic mix of items presented by the family to The Design Collaborative and Spaceflux Homes. It was from these curated pieces that the studio envisioned a uniquely tailored home, stemming from the homeowners’ love for travel and infused with a sense of their Southeast Asian upbringing.

This home truly is where their heart is. A 1,000 sq ft expanse of material richness and artisanal touches, the space seems to simmer with an unimposing charm. “Their affinity for the imperfect and the poetic, combined with their nuanced oriental sensibilities, led us to explore the philosophy of wabi sabi, a celebration of imperfection, impermanence and authenticity,” explains Ramitha Anand, principal architect at The Design Collaborative.

“Having grown up in Southeast Asia and travelled extensively, they envisioned a space that reflected their global sensibilities while remaining rooted in the memories of their upbringing”

- Ramitha Anand, The Design Collaborative

A refurbished grandfather chair sits in the living room beside a jute rug by Obeetee; Photography by Nayan Soni

A sum of its parts

A distinct walk away from traditional colour palettes, the walls of this home are awash with lime plaster in a shade of grey. Balancing both the act of being mysterious and of becoming a neutral backdrop for elements to share the limelight. It’s very clear from the get-go that this home does not chase perfection, but finds it in the small details of materiality as they come together. The dining space finds itself at the centre of attention, and the house, with a concrete wall that adds a raw edge, softened by tropical leaf motifs designed through a unique raking technique by local artisans. Minimalism can look deceptively plain, but The Design Collaborative ensures that each element of this home has layers beyond what meets the eye. A study constructed by knocking down a wall features a patterned sofa that doubles as a bed for guests. A glass and wood separator creates a simple yet defining opening act for the home where there was none – an entryway. Coming together harmoniously, the home becomes a thoughtful retreat.

The raw cement backdrop provides a balancing contrast to the warm wood furnishing of the dining space; Photography by Nayan Soni

The bedroom houses a cane headboard with a matching table lamp by Homesake and tropical wallpaper by Life N Colors, allowing a getaway within the home; Photography by Nayan Soni

Intentional interiors

While the bones of the home focus on texture, the interiors take the wabi-sabi school of thought further with materiality and a clever mix of complementary and contrasting colours. Grey walls are countered with stunning cane chandeliers and headboards, the kitchen turns showstopper with dark wood and black stone surfaces, while each bathroom engulfs you within a unique colour scheme. On first glance, it’s a home decorated with a reserved hand; on the second, it’s a peaceful play of design ideologies. There’s an industrial base that runs underneath, with soft tones of earthy brown furniture and finishes reminiscent of Asian households, topped off by contemporary eccentricities in bathroom tiles or the occasional chequered flooring. A focus on finishes and grounded tones for soft furnishings, the design language of the home becomes multilingual, a reflection of the client’s well-travelled background. “Having grown up in Southeast Asia and travelled extensively, they envisioned a space that reflected their global sensibilities while remaining rooted in the memories of their upbringing,” shares Ramitha.

It’s been famously said that a home is a reflection of those who live within, and this one, designed by The Design Collaborative and Spaceflux, with its uncommon fusion of architectural philosophies, leaves no room for doubt. Displaying a personality of its own, the home is quietly eloquent.