In this Mumbai home, a love for Indian craft traditions meets modern clarity

This article highlights the design of a 2,100 square feet, four-bedroom apartment in Worli, Mumbai, overlooking the Arabian Sea. The interior design, a collaboration between Maulika Gandhi of Magnolia Design Studio and Richa Bahl of Richa Bahl Design Studio (RBDS), combines modern and traditional elements, drawing inspiration from American farmhouse, French modern, and English country styles. Gandhi, the homeowner and a trained lawyer who transitioned into interior design, sought to create a space that reflects her personal memories and family journey. The design process involved Bahl focusing on layouts and material selection, while Gandhi curated furniture, art, and decor. A defining feature is the consistent use of deep sage green, complementing the kota-like flooring, which Bahl envisioned to provide warmth and coziness, counteracting the typical high-rise glass complex feel. The aim was to create a home that could fit anywhere globally, like New York, London, or Paris, yet avoid a traditional Indian aesthetic, despite the family's previous residence in South Mumbai's older, gentrified areas. The entryway features a French checkered marble floor, softened by a foliage-printed cabinet, an arch-designed oakwood console, a colonial cane chair, and vintage glass lights from Hesperus. This foyer opens into a large living space, including a dining area and a bar. A key design challenge in the living room was integrating a round pillar and a fixed rounded window, which Bahl creatively incorporated as a central element for a curved bar unit. Magnolia manufactured most of the furniture, reflecting Gandhi's preference for transitional living. The living room includes an ochre sofa and a tomato-colored daybed with self-textured geometric fabric. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views of the sea and skyline, making the living room Gandhi’s favorite spot, enriched by her carefully selected art, upholstery, oakwood tones, and blinds. The home is divided into two wings: the left wing houses the kitchen, children's bedroom, and master bedroom, while the right wing contains the powder bathroom, a family den, and the grandparents' bedroom. The fourth bedroom was converted into a den, a cherished family space with vibrant wallpaper and playful artwork, designed to be adaptable as a guest room with a sofa-cum-bed. Bahl introduced a half-glass partition to replace a wall in the passageway, enhancing natural light and creating a more open, 'villa-like' ambiance. Gandhi's extensive collection of art and decor, gathered over 12 years of global travel from art shows, museums, and local markets, is thoughtfully distributed throughout the home. Bahl ensured that each piece aligned with the mood and color scheme of its designated space. The master bedroom features a built-in arched niche, showcasing some of Gandhi's collected artifacts. The color palette of warm yellows, pinks, greens, and faded blues in the furniture contrasts with the subtle wall and floor colors. The dining area includes a farmhouse-style table and cane-back chairs, set against a pale green tiled wall. The use of pastels, like light green flooring and various shades of blue, contributes to a cohesive design, while detailed elements like panelled walls and wooden mouldings add visual interest, balancing the expansive high ceilings and large windows. #MumbaiHomes #LuxuryHomes #EclecticDesign #TraditionalModernMix #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #MagnoliaDesignStudio #RichaBahlDesignStudio #WorliApartment

The contemporary design landscape is increasingly defined by the integration of timeless artistry with modern sensibilities. A new wave of Indian home decor brands is successfully bridging the chasm between historical craftsmanship and present-day aesthetics. These brands are not just preserving centuries-old traditions but are also reinterpreting them to create modern decor pieces that possess both deep cultural roots and refreshing modernity. This movement encompasses a wide range of products, from furniture imbued with traditional woodworking techniques to textiles reflecting generations of expertise, and handcrafted rugs that seamlessly blend heritage with high design, collectively shaping the future of luxury home decor in India. Alankaram exemplifies this fusion by crafting furniture that stands at the intersection of time-honored techniques and modern aesthetics. The brand's commitment to quality is evident in every piece, with skilled artisans employing age-old woodworking methods to produce bespoke furniture that aligns with contemporary tastes. Alankaram's extensive portfolio, featuring over 850 unique designs, ensures that traditional Indian craftsmanship finds a relevant place in modern homes, whether through intricately carved wooden items or sleek, minimalist creations. Beyond visual appeal, the brand prioritizes sustainability, utilizing eco-friendly materials and VOC-free finishes in its manufacturing processes. Drape Story, a co-branded entity with SPACES, specializes in luxury, made-to-order home textiles, recognizing their profound ability to transform a space and tell a unique story. The brand combines traditional craftsmanship with the capabilities of digital-age customization, offering a vast selection of over 2,000 prints and 1,200 colors across various products such as curtains, upholstery, and blinds. This tailored approach allows homeowners, architects, and designers to realize their specific visions, catering to preferences ranging from bold statements to subtle sophistication. Yura Rugs, based in Jaipur, a city renowned for its rug-making legacy, is redefining luxury decor through its masterful integration of traditional art with contemporary color palettes. With a lineage extending back to the late 19th century, the brand creates rugs that serve as both cherished heirlooms and striking design elements. Each rug is a testament to texture, precision, and artistry, providing the perfect complement to handcrafted furniture with its meticulously knotted fibers. Enii Living, drawing inspiration from the Sanskrit word for 'river' or 'Ganga,' symbolizes the fluid transition of traditional craftsmanship into modern design. The brand champions the rich textiles of the Indian subcontinent, producing handmade furniture and decor that function as modern heirlooms—luxurious pieces deeply embedded in cultural authenticity. Through ethically sourced linens, bespoke commissions, and artful home accents, Enii Living injects a fresh, contemporary perspective into ancient weaving and dyeing techniques, ensuring that every space feels thoughtfully curated, considered, and intimately connected to India's artisanal heritage. These brands collectively demonstrate that craftsmanship is far more than mere nostalgia; it is a dynamic force for innovation, sustainability, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. For individuals looking to invest in home decor that harmonizes tradition with modernity, the curated selection of brands by AD List offers an ideal starting point. The future of Indian decor is characterized by its timelessness, drawing profound inspiration from its rich and enduring past. #IndianHomeDecor #TraditionalCraftsmanship #ModernLiving #HandmadeFurniture #ArtisanalTextiles #LuxuryDecor #SustainableDesign #CulturalHeritage #InteriorDesign

In an era characterized by rapid production and technological advancement, a burgeoning movement within Indian design emphasizes the enduring value of craftsmanship. This approach views craft not merely as a relic of the past but as a cornerstone for contemporary luxury, transforming traditional techniques into innovative designs for modern interiors. The movement prioritizes tactility, patience, and the unique story embedded within each handcrafted object, fostering a connection between material, memory, and emotion. Several pioneering Indian brands are redefining craftsmanship by integrating classical idioms with modern materials and sensibilities. These brands demonstrate a commitment to preserving traditional skills while adapting them to suit current aesthetic preferences and functional needs. Their creations range from repoussé metal furniture and hand-illustrated, embroidered wallpapers to jacquard textiles and sculptural woodwork. This thoughtful adaptation ensures that heritage techniques remain relevant and desirable in contemporary homes, setting new standards for traditional heirlooms. Among these brands, KalakaariHaath stands out for its unique blend of illustration and embroidery. Each piece originates from a hand-drawn sketch, which is then meticulously translated into intricate threadwork, sequins, and beads. This process results in tactile wall art, framed textiles, and bespoke wallpapers that blur the lines between fine art and functional decor. KalakaariHaath’s work often draws inspiration from nature, folklore, and personal memories, embodying a narrative depth that champions intimacy and careful observation. A recent collaboration with the Welfare of Stray Dogs, which transformed portraits of street animals into textile tributes, exemplifies the brand's empathetic approach to design. Magicsimsim similarly uses embroidery as a medium for storytelling, crafting tapestries rich in myth and cultural memory. The studio's raw silk panels are adorned with heritage techniques such as Aari, Zardozi, Marori, and Pitta, executed by generations of skilled artisans. Collections like 'Akshayvata,' which depicts the immortal banyan tree with ornate needlework and semi-precious stones, and 'Mayura on Ghat,' which renders the peacock in shimmering Zardozi, showcase a delicate fusion of textile and jewelry. Magicsimsim also incorporates Japanese beads and Austrian crystals to create painterly effects, repositioning embroidered art as both a cherished heirloom and a contemporary collectible. Karu, a multidisciplinary design studio, approaches craftsmanship through the lens of sacred geometry, temple architecture, and folk symbolism. Their creations, including sculptural wall panels and shrine-like forms, are contemplative by design, often finished with burnished gold leaf. Karu’s process is guided by intuition, resisting repetition to ensure that each object possesses a unique, quiet presence. The brand focuses on creating enduring presences that invite stillness and anchor emotions within the home, offering a sense of permanence in a rapidly changing world. KVAR Design, under Kunal Mehta, transforms textiles into immersive narratives inspired by nature. Installations like 'The Secret Garden' feature meticulously stitched birds, blooms, and insects, celebrating intricate detail and expressive freedom. The 'Tadoba' collection, a collaboration with National Geographic’s Sudhir Shivaram, weaves wildlife photography into jacquard fabrics, offering richly textured surfaces for cushions and wall coverings. KVAR’s work aims to create lasting pieces grounded in material richness and narrative intent, as seen in 'Vrindavan,' which reimagines the sacred hues of the Banke Bihari Temple in vibrant silk Dupion. Scarlet Splendour infuses glamour into generational craft, where furniture becomes a theatrical statement. The brand utilizes repoussé, an ancient metal-shaping technique, to create striking pieces such as Sacha Walckhoff's 'The Land of Legends' panel, adorned with semi-precious stones. Their 'Forest Bar' evokes old-world opulence, while the 'Orbit Bar' features geological orbs and custom lighting, embodying a blend of spectacle and deep technical craftsmanship passed down through generations. Each piece reflects a commitment to transforming raw material into functional, timeless art. Chester's embodies a legacy of craftsmanship centered on carved wood. Renowned for its Chesterfields, the studio honors 19th-century forms through deep buttoning, rich detailing, and robust construction. Artisans utilize time-tested techniques with solid beech and pine framing, hand-polished teak, and leathers finished in their Tamil Nadu tanneries. Their carved floral panels, headboards, and sideboards demonstrate traditional chiseling techniques adapted for modern design. Chester's commitment to quality ensures longevity, producing furniture that ages beautifully and becomes a cherished heirloom. These brands collectively represent a shared ethic of intentional making, valuing process, and celebrating craftsmanship, offering collectible objects that bring story and soul to contemporary homes. #IndianCraftsmanship #HomeDecor #ArtisanalDesign #LuxuryInteriors #TextileArt #SculpturalFurniture #TraditionalTechniques #ModernInteriors #CulturalHeritage

In an era of rapid mass production and standardized designs, there's a growing appreciation for products imbued with historical narratives and unique backstories. India, a nation rich in indigenous crafts, boasts a diverse array of cultural influences, artisanal skills, and time-honored techniques perfected over centuries. These crafts embody community practices and symbolize rituals and traditions passed down through generations. However, many traditional Indian crafts face challenges such as declining demand, a dwindling number of skilled artisans, and design stagnation, leading to a loss of their inherent value. Nolwa Studio, for instance, believes that traditional Indian crafts can significantly enrich modern design. While their design language may have stagnated, the underlying skills, processes, and knowledge remain highly relevant, offering exciting possibilities for contemporary expression and re-imagination. Modern designers are actively integrating the nuances of these indigenous crafts into contemporary products, ensuring each piece carries a fragment of history and cultural significance. These products stand out due to the inherent value of human touch, patience, and remarkable craftsmanship, making each item unique and distinct, its value deepening over time. Each craft possesses a specific purpose and has evolved with a profound sensitivity to local climates and materials. These handcrafted items infuse modern spaces with character, meaning, and soul, bridging the past and present by grounding contemporary living in centuries of culture, symbolism, and technique. This evolving aesthetic marks a return to authenticity, with craft playing a central role in this journey. This article highlights five organizations that are leveraging India's rich craft heritage to create functional yet aesthetically pleasing interior products. Fos Lighting in New Delhi focuses on luxury lighting, emphasizing personalization. Their handcrafted lights aim not only to illuminate but also to evoke emotion, allowing individuals to bring a piece of their culture home, fostering nostalgia, and adding timeless elegance. The brand collaborates closely with skilled artisans, employing ancient crafts and techniques like inlay and engraving. Examples include brass navkashi work for wall sconces and pendant lamps, marble inlay from Agra for table lamps and wall lights with contemporary lines, delicate Rashida embroidery from Kashmir on fabric lampshades for texture, and terracotta and clay work for rustic outdoor lighting. This collaborative process ensures both craft preservation and design innovation. Furgonomics, also based in New Delhi, founded by Amrita Guha and Joya Nandurdikar, re-imagines various Indian crafts such as marquetry, Tarkashi, Sanjhi, and Koftgiri for their products. Their goal is to introduce lesser-known crafts and their inherent beauty to a wider audience, ensuring their longevity. The duo also explores craft traditions like Kari Kalamdani, Pinjrakari, and Khatamband for wardrobe shutters and partitions, and Dokra for console tables. They aim to use art forms in unconventional ways, with all products meticulously crafted by local artisans. One notable product is a chair featuring Koftgiri, a rare Rajasthani craft involving intricate silver inlays on iron or steel, enriching its sleek wooden form. Another is a tall storage unit made of Basalt, integrating marquetry and Tarkashi with strong geometric graphics, presenting a modern interpretation of ancient techniques. Nolwa Studio in Hyderabad reconceptualizes traditional techniques to create novel, contemporary, and globally relevant pieces rooted in heritage. They are revitalizing Bidri, an intricate metal-inlay craft, in products like drop tables, lamps, and mirrors. They combine Bidri, traditionally ornamental, with avant-garde forms, minimalism, and large-scale applications, expanding its conventional use. This required developing new casting techniques and engineering innovations, allowing the craft to move beyond mere surface ornamentation to become integral to the object's form and function. Their monolith and horizon lamps serve as sculptural objects of illumination, and their drop table features a seemingly levitating base. The Liminal bar cabinet, combining Bidri metal with wood, further expands the craft's possibilities, creating modern heirlooms that carry tradition into the future. Design ni Dukaan in Ahmedabad, a multidisciplinary studio, integrates materiality, craftsmanship, and spiritual philosophy into its creations, believing that “craft is generational while design is intentional.” They aim to translate the intangible nostalgia of crafts and the rhythmic labor of artisans into tangible architectural presences. Through artisan collaboration, craft transforms into functional sculpture and a dialogue between tradition and reinvention. The firm transforms wardrobe fascia through artistic interventions using textiles, cane, or inlays. Handwoven Pattamadai paai mats from Tamil Nadu are used in wardrobe fascia and swings due to their flexibility. Sujani weaving from Gujarat has been utilized for partition screens in architectural projects. Their metal dismantle chair explores precision and modularity through an intricate joinery system, eliminating welding and allowing for complete disassembly and reassembly, crafted from teakwood and solid milled brass. Traditional Handicrafts Centre (THC) in Jodhpur, a furniture brand, supports artisan communities and preserves craft cultures, working with bone inlay, wood carving, and wrought iron. Their specialization lies in bone inlay furniture and the restoration of heritage Naga furniture. Bone inlay, originating in Rajasthan's royal courts, involves hand-cutting, shaping, and individually inlaying bone slivers into carved wood. THC ensures ethical sourcing of camel bone from naturally deceased animals. The firm is also dedicated to preserving Nagaland's intricate woodwork, ethically sourcing pieces from old structures and restoring them with reclaimed teak wood, ensuring sustainability and authenticity. Hornbill and geometric patterns, rich in cultural meaning, are adapted for modern interiors. #IndianCrafts #HomeDesign #InteriorDecor #TraditionalTechniques #ArtisanSkills #SustainableDesign #CulturalHeritage #ModernFurniture #HandcraftedLighting

The foyer, as the initial impression of a home, holds significant importance in setting the overall design tone. This article showcases five contemporary Indian homes that integrate traditional artisanal details into their foyer designs, creating a welcoming and visually rich entryway. First, a luxury residence in Gurugram, designed by Shabnam Gupta of The Orange Lane, exemplifies fine Indian craftsmanship. Gupta’s eclectic and bohemian maximalist style is evident in the handcrafted details and playful colors. The foyer's approach features a framed textile from Sarita Handa, flanked by chairs made from a vintage camel cart sourced from Jodhpur, and a Brass Tawa wall light from AKFD Jaipur. The foyer itself is adorned with a carved wood panel titled 'Freedom' by Sonal Ambani and a vintage Bhutanese ceiling panel, with the study conveniently accessible from this area, allowing for separation from the private sections of the home. Next, a Mumbai home by Maulika Gandhi of Magnolia Design Studio and Richa Bahl of Richa Bahl Design Studio (RBDS) presents an eclectic blend of traditional and modern elements. This home incorporates American farmhouse, French modern, and English country influences, creating a global yet old-worldly charm. The entrance foyer features a checkered marble French floor contrasted with cement grey tiles, a black door, and fluted panel walls. It is furnished with an arch-design oakwood console and a colonial cane chair from Magnolia, a vintage foliage print cabinet from House of Things, and vintage glass lights by Hesperus, aiming to provide warmth and coziness despite its high-rise setting. Thirdly, a G+3 Hyderabad villa named Verve in Jubilee Hills, transformed by architect Niharika Veerabommala of Naav Studio, fuses conventional and modern design. The villa’s aesthetic uses chromatic shifts between white and grey to create an intimate atmosphere. The client specifically requested a grand foyer with large wooden main doors and a spacious drawing room. The lobby leading to the foyer includes a teak-bordered grey textured bison board ceiling, basalt flooring, and a white textured wall adorned with wooden elephant art. A black bench, brass antique planters, and artifacts enhance the lobby's visual appeal. The main entrance boasts solid teakwood doors with bespoke five-foot-tall brass handles, and an antique monolith stone art installation from Orion Studio complements the grey textured wall and a 200-kg mild steel console from K2 India, balancing modern and Indian elements. A DeMuro Das Hathi chair is positioned against a handcrafted brass wall installation with ikat motifs. Lastly, a Vadodara home designed by Mitul Shah of Studio Yamini showcases an artful and colorful character. Situated in a city known for grand residences like the Laxmi Vilas Palace, the design prioritizes complementing the client’s extensive art collection. The foyer features ochre Jaisalmer flooring as a strong base, with a diagonally paneled wall displaying works by K.G. Subramanyan and adjacent walls exhibiting art by Jyoti Bhatt and Jyotsna Bhatt. The design seamlessly integrates art throughout the home, providing visual continuity for a large joint family. Another home in Bengaluru, crafted by Ganesh Nair of Whitespace design firm, blends modern and Indian ethnic interiors. The family sought a contemporary look with traditional Indian elements, emphasizing correct dimensions and proportions for the large rooms to ensure a welcoming and uncrowded feel. The foyer area is decorated with a Tanjore-style painting of the goddess Lakshmi and a contemporary console table, achieving a harmonious balance between different design styles. #FoyerDesign #TraditionalFlair #IndianCraftsmanship #LuxuryHomes #EclecticDesign #ModernTraditionalMix #ArtfulInteriors #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign

This article explores a 4,105-square-foot, two-storeyed home in Surat, India, designed by Metropolitan Architectural Practices (MAP - Surat). The design narrative is deeply influenced by the homeowner's extensive knowledge and love for Indian handicrafts and handlooms, with textile motifs integrated throughout the interiors. The architectural brief involved expanding the existing built structure to accommodate two couples, their children, and an elderly parent, upgrading it to include four bedrooms, a home theatre, living and dining spaces, a kitchen, a courtyard, and a terrace. The architects, Miten Patel, Parth Patel, and Aparna Patel, retained only the original columns and beams, carving out new spaces to create a spacious dwelling while adhering to Vastu compliance. The design emphasized the use of materials like concrete, brick, and terracotta in their purest forms. The living room features a brick wall adorned with a Raza-inspired fabric artwork, and a sliding-folding door that allows the space to extend into a balcony. A custom motif on the Kota stone flooring is mirrored by a specially designed chandelier, creating a cohesive aesthetic. The staircase railing incorporates circular inserts with handmade artistry, showcasing patchwork designs and botanical patterns. The internal courtyard serves as the home's 'lung,' facilitating fresh air circulation and passive cooling. This area, housing the dining set, is enriched with various textile-inspired designs, including a hand-painted mural with Jaipuri motifs, patterned tabletops, and Jaisalmer stone flooring. The kitchen's chevron flooring pattern, reminiscent of Ikat textiles, extends into the dining area. The children's room, with its pastel hues and a hand-painted mural instead of wallpaper, extends into an activity area. The furniture is painted white to maintain a contemporary feel, moving away from conventional blue and pink palettes. In the primary bedroom, the flooring, designed to mimic a rug, is crafted from three different stones: Jaisalmer, Kota, and Mandana. African art from the homeowner's collection decorates a wall, while simple wooden furniture retains a natural charm. This bedroom also includes a balcony where stone, exposed concrete, and brick are prominent, with subtle patterns replicated on the door. The other bedrooms continue the theme of pattern play through fabrics, headboards, floors, and walls. The design team highlighted their focus on materiality while paying homage to the beauty and versatility of Indian textiles throughout the home. The terrace features a cozy seated area under a concrete pergola, enhanced by greenery and white terrazzo flooring with a plant pattern. A perforated brick 'jaali' provides privacy from neighboring homes. This meticulous attention to detail and integration of Indian textile heritage makes the Surat home a distinctive example of thoughtful and culturally rich interior design, where traditional patterns are reinterpreted in various architectural and decorative elements. #HomeDecor #SuratHomes #IndianTextiles #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesign #VastuCompliant #TextileMotifs #CustomFurniture #PatternPlay

The article highlights the home of Kat Rogers in Birmingham, Alabama, showcasing how designer Caroline Gidiere transformed the space by integrating family antiques with contemporary touches. Kat Rogers, facing a new home and an upcoming dinner party, enlisted Gidiere's help to furnish her dining room, primarily using pieces inherited from her aunt who was downsizing. This initial collaboration set the tone for decorating the entire house, as Rogers had access to a trove of sentimental family furniture, which Gidiere skillfully incorporated into each room. The design philosophy employed in Rogers' home aligns with the 'grandmillennial' style, a growing trend that blends traditional aesthetics, often featuring inherited or antique items, with modern elements. Gidiere explains that this style resonates with many, particularly after recent global events, as it encourages a return to roots and a preference for meaningful, historical pieces over new, custom-made furniture that might involve long lead times. Kat Rogers expresses deep appreciation for this approach, finding joy and heritage in seeing her grandmother's beloved items actively used and cherished in her own home. The article details several key design strategies Gidiere used throughout the house. In the dining room, for instance, Gidiere refreshed antique furniture with vibrant colors and patterns, including new seat covers and floral wallpaper, and introduced contemporary accents to reflect Rogers' personality. For the foyer, Gidiere requested a chest of drawers and two chairs, which Rogers sourced from family members, allowing Gidiere to enhance them with lively hues and prints. This process of incorporating existing family pieces continued across various rooms, each time revitalized with Gidiere's design expertise. Specific examples of Gidiere's work include the integration of a chest of drawers with intricate inlay work alongside a French mirror, Central Asian-inspired prints, and a mid-century-style chandelier, demonstrating a balance between traditional and modern elements. In the kitchen, Gidiere modernized a 1990s layout while maintaining a classic feel by adding beaded board backsplashes, cabinet brackets, and latch-style hardware, complementing the existing antiques. A new built-in bar area was also added to facilitate entertaining. The dining room, almost entirely furnished with handed-down pieces, achieves cohesion through a scenic wallpaper and a consistent blue color scheme, with a custom-colored chandelier chosen to match the draperies and rug. Gidiere emphasizes her intuitive approach to design, mixing various styles of lamps and furniture legs to create an eclectic yet harmonious environment. The 'adult den' features a screen from Rogers' mother's house as its centerpiece, around which Gidiere built the room's design with a blue color palette encompassing painted ceilings, grass cloth walls, and a performance velvet sectional, ensuring the space is both stylish and family-friendly. Pattern play is another significant aspect of Gidiere's design, guided by her philosophy that 'more is less when it comes to prints' – meaning a bolder use of patterns can sometimes make them blend in more seamlessly. This is evident in a younger daughter's room with a sophisticated yet playful wallpaper and in the primary bedroom, where Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper was chosen to complement existing turquoise armchairs. Even the screened porch was updated by refreshing antique iron furniture, swapping a wood tabletop for glass, and adding warm woven accents, using vintage textile patterns like 'Chrysanthemum by Tillett' for upholstery to tie everything together. The overall design successfully marries the past with the present, creating a home that is rich in history and personal meaning. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #GrandmillennialStyle #FamilyAntiques #BirminghamHome #CarolineGidiere #SentimentalStyle #TraditionalDecor #ModernEclecticism

This article explores four distinct Indian homes, each embodying a unique blend of old-world charm and contemporary design. The first residence, an 80-year-old apartment in Mumbai's Art Deco quarter, was revitalized by Studio Mestry, led by Akshaya Mestry in collaboration with Bhakti Loonawat. The renovation focused on preserving the home's ancestral character while integrating modern functionality and comfort for a couple and their two daughters. Key design elements include luminous open-plan spaces, abundant natural light, high ceilings, wooden accents, chandeliers, monochrome palettes, traditional furniture, terrazzo flooring, and black granite, all contributing to an opulent, old-world atmosphere. The careful selection of materials like terrazzo, Indian marble, and wood created diverse patterns, giving each space a unique identity. The second home featured is a 5,000-square-foot apartment in Vadodara, Gujarat, designed by Surabhi Kankaria Shah and Arpit Jain. This residence seamlessly merges contemporary Indian design with classic vintage charm. The designers aimed for an accessible, simple, and functional space, characterized by light-filled interiors, spaciousness, and airiness. The design reflects the tranquil surroundings through open windows that maximize natural light and a soft color palette combined with natural elements. The living room showcases a sophisticated mix of modern and traditional aesthetics, incorporating organic textures and luxurious accents. A muted beige and brown palette in the family room emphasizes earthy tones, while cane-style furniture adds warmth. An attached balcony enhances the indoor-outdoor connection. The dining room, with its muted scheme, features a green wall adorned with nature-inspired artworks, a wood and brass dining table with a sleek marble top, and a distinctive lighting installation. The third property is a Victorian-era 2-BHK apartment in Bengaluru, nestled amidst lush greenery. Designed by Vinithra Amarnathan, principal designer at Weespaces, with Design Assistant Lavanya Chopra, this home was envisioned as a Victorian townhouse updated for a young couple with a newborn and a dog. The design retained the original structure's beauty, making minimal structural changes primarily in the main bedroom. The project presented challenges due to its smaller size compared to typical Bengaluru homes. The chosen palette was largely neutral, featuring greys and pastels, complemented by materials such as white marble, brass accents, and wood. The entryway, reminiscent of a colonial club, serves as the central axis of the home, leading to various rooms. A striking black and white harlequin flooring makes a significant visual impact, and three glass and brass 'handi' pendants introduce old-world glamour. An arched mirror at the hallway's end creates an illusion of expanded space. Finally, the article highlights an Art Deco apartment in Mumbai, known as Sunshine apartments, with surreal views of the Oval Maidan and iconic city structures. Interior designer Annkur Khosla undertook this project, drawing inspiration from her experiences in Paris. Built in the 1920s, the apartment embodies Bombay's Art Deco movement. Khosla's design ingeniously managed space and flow. The entrance foyer features a minimal floor pattern and a subtly fluted oak backdrop concealing a closet. A mirrored partition opens into the dining space, which is paneled with a similar ribbed effect. The open balcony retains original features like twin columns with Ionic capitals and a restored Art Deco grill. Khosla focused on custom hardware, including brass door handles, knobs, and intricate carpentry details. A tall brass handle at the apartment's end stands as a sculptural element. The design maintains a consistent visual language through custom furniture, unique carpeting, and art mounted on a waved wall. Wooden screens with geometric patterns function as versatile partitions, transforming private rooms into open public spaces, with varying wood finishes adding texture and depth. #IndianHomes #OldWorldCharm #VintageDesign #ArtDeco #ContemporaryInteriors #MumbaiHomes #VadodaraDesign #BengaluruArchitecture #InteriorDesign

The Mumbai home of Sonali Saini in Andheri, designed by Teena Sanghvi of Lyraa Designs, presents a distinctive aesthetic that blends the gravitas of antique furniture with a lively, bohemian color scheme. The project began after Saini purchased a three-bedroom apartment in a 25-year-old building, primarily to be closer to her aging parents. Due to limitations in altering the existing layout, the design approach focused on interior elements and furnishings. The homeowner embarked on extensive antique shopping, primarily from Prachya Décor, collecting pieces from various parts of India without a definitive plan. This accumulation led her to enlist Teena Sanghvi, known for refurbishing old pieces and working with Indian cultural elements. The collaboration involved integrating over 100-year-old antiques, with Sanghvi often facing the challenge of physically incorporating these large items into the apartment. Saini's vision for her home was a space rich in history, culture, and art, yet simultaneously quirky and fun. The design process prioritized functionality, mapping the family's daily movements and activities—cooking, eating, and entertaining—to ensure every element accommodated their lifestyle. This emphasis on practical living underpinned all design choices. The aesthetic ambition extended to incorporating historical architectural elements. Saini desired old doors, pillars, windows, and benches, adapting them to the apartment's scale. For instance, three antique doors were re-sized for the powder room, main entrance, and as parts of the ceiling. An old window pane was repurposed into a cabinet, featuring large printing blocks as handles, and an antique brass tiffin was transformed into a pendant light above the dining table. The floor tiles were laid to evoke the appearance of traditional rangoli patterns. Textiles from Baro Market, India Circus, and Freedom Tree were also incorporated. The home's design embraces bold and unexpected color applications, such as ochre accents on the ceiling, contrasting with muted grey walls and floors that provide visual balance. The daughter's room features a black and gold palette with a four-poster bed from Kolkata and wooden angels from a Goan church pew. The primary bedroom showcases a flamingo theme with vibrant colors and fluted glass cupboards. Commissioned art by college students, including flamingo and banana leaf motifs, adorns the walls, reflecting a preference for personalized art over impersonal wallpapers. Despite the visually demanding elements, functionality remained a primary concern throughout the design process. The design team aimed to create a home that was both deeply personal and adaptable. Saini expressed confidence in the longevity of the design, noting that many pieces are movable and replaceable, reflecting a design philosophy that allows for evolution with the inhabitants. #MumbaiHome #AntiqueFurniture #BohemianDesign #InteriorDesignIndia #LyraaDesigns #EclecticDecor #RepurposedAntiques #ColorPalette #FunctionalDesign

This article highlights a 5,000-square-foot Chennai home designed by Palindrome Spaces, where the primary objective was to emphasize the expansive ocean view from its 700-square-foot terrace. The design brief called for a fusion of traditional South Indian aesthetics with a contemporary feel. Nayan Shah of Palindrome Spaces achieved this by integrating rich textures and intricate woodwork, favoring a timeless aesthetic. The color palette predominantly features beige, complemented by the brown tones of reclaimed Burma teakwood, chosen for its ability to age gracefully. This wood, sourced from deconstructed old homes, contributes a sense of history and character to the modern space. The home boasts four bedrooms and two kitchens, a common feature in South Indian households. One kitchen, by Valcucine, is designated for light culinary tasks and garnishing, while the other is a more robust, utilitarian space for staff, strategically separating strong cooking odors from the main living areas. This functional division underscores a practical approach to home design tailored to cultural practices. Beyond traditional South Indian elements like Tanjore paintings and wood carvings, the design subtly incorporates ocean-inspired motifs that connect the interior to its seascape surroundings. Waves and ripples are expressed through hand-carved details on wood and other materials. For instance, the master bedroom features a statement wall with deep, undulating vertical waves fabricated from aluminum and flexi-ply, while the bed itself has a curved cross-section reminiscent of a canoe. In the living room, a hand-carved storage unit below the television subtly mimics small sea ripples, with ribbed or chiseled textures consistently reinforcing the aquatic connection throughout the home. The material palette includes marble flooring laid in random patterns and engineered wood. Lighting fixtures are carefully selected, such as a statement pendant lamp from Lightscape in the foyer and boxy black and white pendant lights from Kaleido Store in the dining area. Furniture is a mix of high-end brands and bespoke pieces: a sofa from Bo Concept, single-seater lounge chairs from Magari, and a center table from Renovation Factory. Ambient lighting is provided by floor lamps from Purple Turtle, and decorative elements from Purple Turtle, HB Studio, and Bali add character, including a leopard sculpture that appears frozen in motion. Approximately half of the furniture was custom-designed by Palindrome Spaces, reflecting a tailored approach to the interior. Traditional motifs on walls were designed by Deepa Desai, while soft furnishings include rugs by Floor and Furnishings and sheer curtains by Sparrow Decors. Antique wooden columns frame paintings, enhancing the warmth and eclectic assembly. The home's automation system is by ABB, with bedding from Spread Spain. Bathrooms are designed with a contemporary aesthetic, featuring dual washbasins, St Gobain mirrors with integrated lighting, and Toto sanitaryware. The master bedroom includes a lounge chair in a Danish harp design from Seating World, bookshelves by Nappa Dori, and a Poliform wardrobe. Pendant lights in the parent's bedroom are from Ellementry, and botanical art is sourced from Espravo Art. The parent’s room also features a polished timber-framed bed with a handwoven bed back and cane weaving on cabinet shutters, complementing a Radha-Krishna themed artwork. The children’s bedroom, furnished by Peekaboo, exudes a youthful energy with a chalkboard wall, cartoon-themed wallpaper, and a four-poster bed designed to resemble a pitch-roofed house. This room features all-white furniture against dark wooden flooring. The guest bedroom is softened by peach tones. The overall design prioritizes longevity and meaningful engagement with the site and its magnificent view, avoiding fleeting trends for a subtle, enduring aesthetic. #ChennaiHome #SouthIndianDesign #OceanInspiredMotifs #PalindromeSpaces #TimelessAesthetic #ReclaimedWood #CustomFurniture #LuxuryInteriors #ContemporaryDesign

The article explores the pervasive and enduring role of wood in Indian home design, showcasing 14 different residences that exemplify its versatility and aesthetic appeal. Wood is presented not merely as a construction material but as a fundamental element that imbues homes with character, history, and a sense of belonging. The piece highlights how wood can make new houses feel established and rich with stories, drawing on its natural warmth and cultural significance in India. Several homes demonstrate wood's application as an accent. In a Gurgaon residence designed by Joint Studio, wood provides warmth and continuity, appearing in ceiling beams, perforated screens, center tables, and antique consoles. Fluted wooden headboards in bedrooms further integrate the material, echoing traditional Indian crafts. This approach establishes wood as a unifying element with deep hues and natural finishes, creating a sense of rootedness for a retired naval family. Other examples focus on wood as a central narrative in the material palette. An apartment in Pune by Alkove-Design prioritizes tactile surfaces over visual spectacle, using reclaimed wood, black stone, lime plaster, and natural veneer. Reclaimed wood frames entryways, adding a subtle sense of memory and grounding calmness, with timber-framed elements and natural veneer contributing to richly textured spaces. The concept of homes "wrapped in wood" is also explored, where wood dominates interiors without being overbearing. A Hyderabad home for software professionals, designed to blend Indian roots with modern living, features wood-veneer ceilings, jaali lattices, and various furniture pieces. Wood becomes the leading design element, creating a timeless Indian design heritage while maintaining a refined modern aesthetic. Sustainability is another key aspect, as seen in Rahul Mishra’s family retreat in Uttarakhand. This home integrates wood and stone reclaimed from old local houses, with most wooden furniture crafted in-house. Pinewood and Jaisalmer sandstone floors, along with a wooden altar in a glass solarium, emphasize a design ethos deeply connected to its environment, pairing local craft with natural calm. Wood is also shown to articulate subtle details and evoke legacy. A Thrissur home in Kerala, built around a traditional courtyard, incorporates antiques like 200-year-old windows and consoles made from reclaimed ceiling wood. Small wooden touches in furniture, like dining chairs with wood and rattan, and repurposed wooden embellishments, quietly convey memory and emotion, highlighting how simple material use can tell profound stories. The balance between indoor and outdoor spaces is achieved through wood in a Kozhikode residence by Stapati. Here, wood frames views, defines planes, and draws the outdoors inside, helping the home blend with its lush tropical environment. Open ceilings, characteristic of the design, are complemented by the liberal use of wood, reminiscent of nostalgic wooden bungalows. Innovation in wood application is presented in a Goa villa by Ini Chatterji, which uses coconut wood as its primary architectural fabric. Collapsible louvred coconut-wood doors act as walls, allowing the entire house to open up to the outside, celebrating material ingenuity while rooting the home in Goa’s tropical vernacular. Similarly, a Hyderabad residence by Sona Reddy Studio uses seasoned wood alongside lime plaster and natural stones to blend ancestral haveli sensibilities with contemporary minimalism, with a grand teak door anchoring the design. Further illustrations include a Mumbai home by STaND Design that uses wood to create a personal sanctuary, incorporating Japanese wabi-sabi influences through vertical teak wood panels and curated wooden artifacts. A Hyderabad home by Studio Nilasha achieves warm minimalism with wood, sandstone, and lime plaster, where wooden coffee tables and storage units soften the minimalist aesthetic. A Bengaluru home by A Threshold uses teakwood doors, frames, and furniture to connect indoors with surrounding greenery, while a Hyderabad villa by Sona Reddy Studio integrates wooden pergolas and black-stained wood to create a curated nostalgic farmhouse retreat. Finally, a Pawna weekend home by NACL Studio is built like a log house with imported Russian wood, emphasizing rustic charm, and an Ahmedabad home by Kerning Design Co. uses teak wood to evoke the warm, nostalgic aroma of sandalwood, connecting design to scent and memory. #IndianHomes #WoodDesign #HomeDecor #SustainableDesign #ArchitecturalFeatures #InteriorDesign #Materiality #TraditionalCrafts #ModernLiving

The article details the design philosophy and execution behind a luxury apartment in Mumbai, transformed by Thunk Design, led by Zohar Furniturewala. The core design concept seamlessly integrates the Wabi Sabi aesthetic—which embraces imperfection and naturalness—with contemporary zen principles, aiming to create a sensual and tactile living experience for the client. Spanning an expansive three-bedroom layout, the apartment features generous living and dining areas, a dedicated study, and a dance studio. The design prioritizes organic elements, drawing inspiration from nature. This is evident in the widespread use of natural stone and various grains of wood throughout the property, lending a warm and earthy ambiance. For instance, lime plaster coats the walls of the dance studio, adding a tactile dimension, while Indian stone is a prominent material, balancing with the wood elements to create a harmonious interior. Accent elements like large floor planters introduce greenery, brass accents appear in furniture legs and decor, and subtle flashes of turquoise are incorporated into furniture and upholstery, providing continuity across different spaces. Unique art installations, such as a specially commissioned Tree of Life relief wall panel, an impasto-style illusionary painting, and an original work by Ritika Merchant, contribute visual interest and conversation points within the home. The open-plan living and dining areas are distinctly segregated by material, with wood dominating the lounge and Indian stone defining the dining space. A striking 20-foot-wide window in the living area frames an expansive view of the Mahalaxmi racecourse, functioning as a 'live painting.' The window frame is crafted from teak veneer-clad aluminum, complemented by a seating log at its base. Locally sourced stone floor tiles from Karnataka and Rajasthan are strategically used to naturally cool the room by absorbing heat. The dining area features a custom-made Laminam-top table with brass detailing and clear resin-backed chairs, while a turquoise console and globe-shaped pendant lamps complete the setting. The lounge area introduces a richer color palette with London-based Havewood engineered wood floorboards extending through the space. A custom-made sofa by Rocking Chair studio is set against an Indian limestone wall, textured with a subtle wave pattern that subtly symbolizes the nearby sea. Both sections of the room are unified by a unique sycamore wood ceiling, where the wood grain’s small knots and pinkish tint create an appealing visual backdrop, also enhancing the effect of recessed lighting. Towards the far end of the living room, a stone wall adorned with greenery features a specially commissioned iron-wire sculpture of a meditating man, designed to support growing plants—a nod to the client's spiritual leanings. The master bedroom, formed by combining two original bedrooms, includes a sleeping area, lounge, walk-in closet, and en-suite bath. Walnut flooring provides warmth, and an original archway frames the bed, enhanced by a patterned cane and wood ceiling. The master bathroom continues the rustic theme with a walnut log serving as a base for a granite washbasin and waved granite tiles in the shower. The kid's room introduces a lighter, soothing ambiance with turquoise painted walls, a wooden playhouse-style bed, cloud-shaped lamps, and a Murphy bed for versatility. Its bathroom bursts with color, featuring hexagonal floor tiles, a yellow ceramic wash basin, and quirky animal-shaped wall hooks. The guest room maintains the rustic theme with cane detailing and wood-textured floor tiles, while its bathroom offers a touch of glamour with a brass South Indian uruli as a washbasin and blue accents with Spanish tiles. Finally, the study is predominantly wood, featuring a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf, a custom-made desk with brass legs, and stone cladding, all balanced by a lamp with an attached planter. #MumbaiHome #ThunkDesign #WabiSabi #ZenDesign #LuxuryApartment #InteriorDesign #NaturalMaterials #RusticLuxury #ContemporaryZen

This article highlights the design philosophy and personal home of Katie Kath, an interior designer and partner at Jkath Design Build + Reinvent. Kath embarked on building her dream home with her husband, Jesse, on a double-wide lot along Minnehaha Creek, aiming to create a space that prioritizes timeless interiors, exceptional quality, and impeccable craftsmanship, moving away from a standard builder-grade aesthetic. The vision for their 4,000-square-foot home was to incorporate customized features tailored to their family of five, ensuring every detail was intentional and thoughtfully chosen. The construction of the home, which commenced during the pandemic, was completed in a swift eight months. Despite the rapid timeline, design decisions were meticulously made, with Katie acting as both the manager and client. This dual role necessitated careful attention to both major and minor details to ensure the home's enduring appeal. Key design elements on the main floor include reclaimed wood beams from Manomin Resawn Timbers and alder accents in the cabinetry, island, and built-in banquette, which together create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The cast stone fireplace surround, matching the kitchen cabinetry, serves as a contemporary focal point in the living room, with white oak flooring extending up to its base for a seamless look. The home's modern design is enhanced by black-frame windows, which are balanced with gold tones to maintain a comfortable and clean feel. The baseboards and millwork are intentionally taller than standard, adding a traditional touch. Unlacquered brass cabinet hardware from Armac Martin in London provides a desired contrast in the kitchen. Beyond the physical design, the article emphasizes that the true essence of Kath's home lies in the traditions she shares with her family, especially during the holiday season. These traditions transform the house into a cozy, safe, warm, and inviting home, fulfilling her original vision of a timeless, traditional abode with festive flair. Kath also shares practical tips for incorporating seasonal spirit into home decor without overwhelming the space or compromising on timelessness. She advises decorating for the season rather than specific holidays to allow decor to remain relevant for longer periods. Sticking to neutral earth tones for the main color scheme, with bright accents, is another recommendation. Kath suggests focusing decorating efforts on main entertaining areas, like the ground floor, and involving family in the decorating process to make it an enjoyable event. Finally, she advocates for investing in high-quality, reusable decor pieces, such as garland, and taking advantage of end-of-season sales to build a collection of timeless decorations that can be cherished year after year. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #TimelessInteriors #HolidayDecor #CustomHome #JkathDesignBuild #Renovation #FamilyHome #SeasonalDecor

This article explores eight distinct Indian homes, each characterized by their eclectic interior designs, showcasing a fusion of contemporary and vintage elements and a rich tapestry of materials and craftsmanship. Eclectic design, defined by its blend of diverse styles and objects, is a prominent feature in these residences, drawing from India's extensive history of artisanal traditions. The homes are presented as part of a lookbook series, offering visual inspiration from Dezeen's archives, alongside other themed collections focusing on kitchen islands, London basements, and Art Deco interiors. The first featured home is Pennyroyal Tea in Tamil Nadu, designed by Multitude of Sins. This family residence in Chennai exhibits a maximalist approach, incorporating a wide array of materials. Over 200 artisans contributed to its creation, featuring a 400-kilogram chandelier made of wooden beads and a lilac mural designed to evoke draped fabric. Toy Storey, located in Kerala by Wallmakers, demonstrates an innovative use of recycled materials, with approximately 6,200 discarded toys adorning its perforated circular walls. This unusual detail is complemented by Japanese-style shoji screens, glass, and timber accents, promoting light and ventilation through the perforations. Next, the House of Concrete Experiments in Maharashtra, by Samira Rathod Design Atelier, showcases sculptural concrete walls cast from on-site waste in Alibag. The interior blends concrete flooring inlaid with black stones, vibrant furnishings, and distinctive geometric skylights. Also in Alibag, Asmalay by Blurring Boundaries is a curvaceous home designed to integrate with its natural surroundings, wrapping around mango trees. It features natural and recycled materials such as locally sourced bricks, glass bottles, and stone, with benches made from grey rocks and curving blue mosaics on the floor. Hybrid House in Rajasthan, by Sketch Design Studio, is distinguished by its rammed-earth walls in Alwar. The interior walls are coated with lime plaster, complementing an eclectic collection of items gathered by the clients during their travels. Terracotta floors are patterned with kolam, a traditional inlay made from rice flour. The Infinite Rise, another project in Tamil Nadu by Earthscape Studio, is a holiday home near Anaikatti camouflaged with large local rocks suspended within its gabion wall. Inside, these rocks create a constellation effect, set against green oxide-painted floors and custom furniture made from scrap wood. The House of Gond in Maharashtra, by Renesa, is an apartment in Pune designed for a fashion designer with a passion for traditional Kerala crafts. The living room boasts an intricate tiled floor inspired by Chettinad mansions, alongside a curated collection of artworks, including paintings, pots, antique masks, and statues. Finally, Karai in Tamil Nadu, by Rain Studio, is a holiday home in Kuvathur that utilizes clay tiles, earthenware pots, and compressed earth bricks. Its eclectic flooring is made from discarded stone and pre-used Mangalore tiles, harmonizing with timber furniture, colorful artwork, and unique features like a courtyard swing seat. These projects collectively highlight the diverse and innovative approaches to interior design in India, emphasizing the use of local materials, traditional craftsmanship, and a creative blend of styles to create unique and functional living spaces. The article reinforces India's position as a hub for eclectic design, where tradition meets modernity in inspiring ways. #IndianHomes #EclecticDesign #InteriorDesign #ResidentialArchitecture #ArchitecturalInnovation #SustainableMaterials #Craftsmanship #DesignInspiration #ModernIndianInteriors

This article highlights seven remarkable home renovation projects across India, demonstrating how designers and architects are thoughtfully preserving the heritage and nostalgic charm of old structures while integrating contemporary functionality and aesthetics. These projects range from revitalizing 30-year-old apartments to restoring 150-year-old villas, showcasing a commitment to mindful redesign. One featured renovation is an apartment located in a 1950s Portuguese villa in Bandra, Mumbai. Here, the design firm Jetsons modernized the ground-floor rental for a young couple, emphasizing the preservation and highlighting of the original architectural hallmarks. The aesthetic focused on warmth and comfort, alongside high functionality. The 12-foot-high ceilings were retained, and original teak wood doors were refinished. Contemporary materials and forms were juxtaposed with existing elements, and the original window openings and walls were left undisturbed, dictating the new design. Refurbished old solid wood furniture from the couple’s collection was integrated to add warmth and acknowledge the home’s past. In Bengaluru, a 60-year-old dilapidated house in Whitefield was transformed into a serene weekend abode by Studio4A. Spanning 3,750 square feet, the house retained its colonial-era character, including a gable-tiled roof, wooden decor, and antique furnishings, amidst a large garden with mango and tamarind trees. The architects avoided overly ornamental facades, instead focusing on architectural features like thick masonry, double-height spaces, colonnades, and symmetrical organization to evoke the essence of the old structure. A 40-year-old ancestral home in Pune underwent a modern yet timeless makeover, led by Alok Kothari Architects. The 1,700-square-foot space was refurbished to be inviting, functional, and aesthetic, with the ground floor designated for daily use and the first floor for guests. The structural framework of the first floor and an external staircase were retained. The ground floor was wrapped in brick for warmth, with horizontal black stone slats and vertical aluminum fins adding visual interest and breaking monotony. A key aspect of this renovation was the seamless integration of the interiors with the existing outdoor landscape. In Kottayam, Kerala, a 100-year-old residence called Pullolickel Veedu was mindfully renovated by architect Anupa Kurian, focusing on sustainability and environmentally conscious design. The project, spread over 3,000 square feet with a courtyard, emphasized the reuse of old materials. For instance, an old wooden kitchen door was repurposed to shade a veranda, and a dining table was converted into bedroom seating. Waste materials from carpentry were transformed into artwork and mirror borders, and bricks from a demolished garage were reused elsewhere in the house. A 90-year-old Mangalore-style villa, owned by architect Apeksha Naik’s family, was restored to its former glory. Naik traveled to Athangudi village for iconic handmade tiles for the flooring and walls and sourced green flora glass, typical of old Chettinad homes, for the facade's grill design. Traditional and heirloom furniture pieces were preserved. In Goa, the 132-year-old Casa Gracia, a family legacy, was transformed into a heritage bed-and-breakfast by Studio Praia, led by Rochelle Santimano, in collaboration with Acaso Living. The challenge was to modernize the shell while retaining its distinctive architectural features and heritage charm. While the balcão, verandah, and main living hall remained intact, two new bedrooms were added. The design drew inspiration from the original architecture, incorporating elements like segmental arched niches mirroring colonial doorways and built-in cement oxide seats referencing the traditional sopo or balcão. Finally, a 30-year-old duplex in Indira Nagar, Bengaluru, was converted into a sunlit paradise by Neha Sapre of Studio Taan. The ground-floor apartment, previously lacking natural light and offering unappealing views, was redesigned to be an extension of the clients' personalities. The renovation addressed the aging finishes and poor visibility, creating a space that resonated with the clients' distinct style while enhancing natural light and views. #HomeRenovations #IndianHomes #HeritagePreservation #ArchitecturalDesign #SustainableDesign #InteriorDesign #NostalgicSpaces #Modernization

DTALE Decor, a Kochi-based interior design firm, designed “Sarovar Haveli,” an 8,000-square-foot, three-story home in Bengaluru. The project aims to create a contemporary Indian aesthetic, characterized by a blend of traditional vernacular details reinterpreted for modern living, raw textures contrasted with metallic accents, and an ongoing connection between interior and exterior spaces. The firm curated furniture and decor from its own online platform, DTALE Modern, to achieve a masterful integration of visual motifs and natural materials, reflecting both Indian design principles and the client's individual preferences. Sreejith Pathangalil, the head interior designer, conceptualized the project with a vision of understated luxury. The design approach involved extensive experimentation with textures, finishes, upholstery, and various materials to define distinct and memorable areas within the home. The main living and dining area, a large rectilinear space, is cleverly divided into separate zones through strategic furniture placement and textural variations. This area features floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of an outdoor water feature, allowing the natural environment to seamlessly merge with the interior. The design incorporates a biophilic palette, utilizing teak wood furniture, earthy tones, and neutral fabrics, which are subtly punctuated by brass accents. Art plays a central role in anchoring the aesthetic of each space. The clients possess an extensive art collection, cultivated over two decades, which includes works by notable artists such as Bhaskar Rao, C.F. John, Chandra Bhattacharjee, Nagesh Ghodke, and Ashok Bhowmick. These artworks are thoughtfully integrated into the design; for instance, biophilic patterns on the dining chairs echo a tree painting by Bhaskar Rao, while the color tones of a Chandra Bhattacharjee piece in the living room are mirrored in the upholstery. This careful curation ensures that each piece of art enhances the overall design narrative. Textures are strategically employed to create intimate and tactile moments within the visual landscape, complementing the tonal palette of various spaces. Fluted wall paneling, made from veneer ply and cement board, breaks up large, unadorned walls. Ceiling-to-floor curtains crafted from sheer fabrics softly filter natural sunlight, contributing to a gentle ambiance. Patterned floor tiles in the dining area visually distinguish it from the larger open-plan space, maintaining its unique identity. These design elements, impactful in their simplicity, introduce both surprising details and moments of thoughtful contemplation. The "Sarovar Haveli" exemplifies a delicate balance between tradition and modernity, maintaining a consistent connection to the natural world. It beautifully represents the complex yet harmonious contradictions inherent in contemporary Indian home design. #BengaluruHomes #IndianDesign #DTALEDecor #UnderstatedLuxury #NaturalMaterials #ArtIntegration #BiophilicDesign #TexturePlay #ModernIndianHome