When two worlds collide

Indian aesthetics meet Californian openness in this Bengaluru home by Weespaces

24 Jun 2025

In Bengaluru, a gentle Californian breeze drifts through a home steeped in Indian roots, evoking a laid-back lifestyle. Designed by Vinithra Amarnathan, Principal Designer at Weespaces, the residence is envisioned as the forever home for a well-travelled couple. Their journeys converge as memories of their worldly adventures, lovingly brought together under one roof. “What emerged from our conversations was a home that feels like a modern, casual Californian hacienda, grounded in an earthy, Indian sensibility,” says Vinithra.

“One of our favourite aspects is how the home balances two distinct sensibilities — the earthy rootedness of Indian design and the casual, breezy spirit of a Californian aesthetic,” — Vinithra Amarnathan

California in India

Inspired by California’s relaxed spirit, the home uses warm colours like rust, sage green and beiges, reflecting Indianness in a modern demeanour. The home comprises a formal and informal living room area, dining area, kitchen and bedroom on the ground floor, leading up to the first floor which has three bedrooms, a family-come-media room and two terraces.

“One of our favourite aspects is how the home balances two distinct sensibilities — the earthy rootedness of Indian design and the casual, breezy spirit of a Californian aesthetic,” says Vinthra. This idea is seen through the placement of contemporary objects alongside traditional pieces, and the use of art that narrates cultural stories. The informal living room hosts a swing, a nod to Indian homes and American porches, reflection of the home’s overall spirit — light, contemporary and immaculate. Details across the space like soft arches, brick flooring and a patterned tile lining the staircase embrace the relaxed vibe of a hacienda that occupies the space without overwhelming the design.

A large live edge wood table resides in the dining room with upholstered chairs; Photography by Nayan Soni

Comfortable seating invites guests into the villa; Photography by Nayan Soni

What makes global local

Wood used in the ceiling, furniture, flooring provides a sense of warmth and continuity in the home. Black metal accents bring out a contrast, pairing with the stone surfaces. These earthy tones and natural materials receive their bold intervention in the form of printed, handmade tiles, grass accents and bricks that detail the home, but don’t overpower it.

The living room hosts a custom mural that entices the guests with its soft and elegant stroke of hues — a calm and graceful presence that anchors the room. A printed fabric headboard in the master bedroom complements the soft, layered furnishings below the vaulted ceilings. Wood-made rafters are a reminder of traditional homes when timber held up the home’s sloped roofs, while brick flooring in the patio leads to the serene open part of the home. The home comes to be the intersection of two worlds, rooted in Indian heritage but with the rhythm of Californian ease.