Unfolding like a children’s graphic novel, The White House by Surbhi Gite, founder and principal architect of Surbhi rg Architects, is full of magical surprises that come by effortlessly, leaving a mark on heart and soul.
Located in Thane, outside Mumbai, this 3BHK, 1000 sq ft abode primarily entails a white colour palette. As, at the time of discussion with the owners, Gite felt that to depict the true nature of the inhabitants, the colour white would be best—allowing other elements to stand out without taking away it’s own power to make the space look elevated, bright and seamless.
Keeping the idea of clarity and clutter-free concept as the core of her design philosophy, Surbhi Gite goes at lengths to bring forth an experimentation that oscillates between diverse colour codes, decor accents and extraordinary textures.
Starting with the living and dining space, the entire area seems to tie knots with every other element in the room, creating a sense of balance and composure in the space. To achieve this stability, Gite says, “The living and dining space runs into each other quite seamlessly. One entire wall of this space is a royal blue to add a burst of colour. The rest of this space is done up in light but fresh tones.”
Facing the matte blue-hued wall that Gite also refers to as the largest accent wall in the house, lies the rest of the decor pieces that engage with it passionately. From the stylish L-shaped sofa in the corner of the living area to the quirky swing in the middle, or the vibrant upholstery of the dining chairs, each piece adds value, strengthening the character of the space.
One of the interesting characteristics that constantly gets amplified through Gite’s thought-process is her smart choice of colours. Although she has actively pursued the art of experimenting with different shades, she has made sure that nothing should disrupt the leading theme of the house which is contemporary and breezy. The white palette shouldn’t lose it’s prominence. The three bedrooms of the residence exactly follows this line of thinking.
Featuring a calming combination of teal and aquamarine shades, the first bedroom exudes an easy-breezy, feel-good aura. To define this, Gite adds, “Teal flows on the walls, ceiling and curtains of this bedroom to create a calming and refreshing experience, aquamarine is seen in the furniture. We wished to create a natural vista inspired by nature, namely horizons where an infinite sea meets an endless sky.”
The second bedroom instantly sparks a delight, as its dramatic red shade shines strongly. To bring forth a sharp contrast with regard to the previous cool-hued bedroom, this space leans on to spunky styles. With wooden flooring and a wall showcasing a fun, edgy grey world map, the room speaks volumes about the person that occupies this space. To further the beauty, Gite has incorporated a luscious crimson in the wardrobe fittings and a large mirror with curved edges on the opposite side of the bed that quickly makes the room appear more refined.
Meanwhile the colour palette of the third bedroom again shifts to soft hues, displaying pastel peach, mint green and white. Floor to ceiling sliding windows take up a corner of this room, flanked by curtains in spotless white. This invites the light in and adds freshness to the room that’s unrivalled. A planter here adds the joy of new leaves too.
When it comes to conscious use of materials and elements, Gite has made sure that no compromises are made. So talking about the sustainable features, she details, “We’ve used high quality eco-friendly materials where possible—natural stone for flooring, Pergo laminate flooring which has energy efficient production and is made of 100% recycled wood or other byproducts from other industries. We have also used eco-friendly deco sheets and LED lights everywhere. We opted for lighter colours to reflect more light, while rooms with darker walls and furnishing need more artificial lighting.”
Enveloped in an ethereal white, The White House illustrates the diverse degrees of elegance. With a limited square footage, Gite brilliantly shows how colours can lend perfection alongside the use of minimalistic decor pieces and elements.
If this home’s lovely shades stole your heart, make sure you check out this Nepal home by 42MM Architecture
