The Contemporary Craftsman Apartment
Created by Vinithra Amarnathan on March 28, 2023
A 1400 sq ft apartment in a busy Bangalore suburb and a young family that was seeking a classic home for a refuge. Saini and Sampath are self-declared home bodies and they wanted a home that was comfortable, cozy, inspired by a traditional craftsman style within the trappings of a small city apartment.
We came in with a very clear brief and very engaged and very involved clients and what ensued was a design process filled with the best kind of collaborative energy and a shared vision to create something that felt transportive in nature.
Saini loved the classic and traditional feel of American Craftsman Homes and wanted to see those details interpreted in an updated way apt for modern day living with a young family! And we loved the idea of creating a warm cozy space for three!
The entire home is grounded with warm wood floors – a classic walnut tone herringbone for the main living areas and plank styled floors in oak and walnut tones through rest of the home.
Living/ Dining
The living room mimics a classic fireplace clad in red brick to create a warm focal point, crown moulding runs through the ceiling and a traditional English roll arm sofa and tufted back chairs frame the layout.
A lattice wood door conceals a cleverly placed laundry area next to the guest bathroom.
A board and batten wall runs the length of the wall from the entryway into the dining to create a beautiful banquet seat…. something that Saini wanted from the get go and one of my favorite features in the home in how it embodies the classic aesthetic and is also extremely functional in how it utilizes the space.
The banquet seat is flanked by a tall crockery cabinet for storage and a gallery wall atop grasscloth wallpaper that lines the wall!
Kitchen
The kitchen is possibly my favorite space in this home. In a very small footprint this kitchen needed to not just be uber functional for someone like Saini who loved to cook and bake, it also needed to be light and stylish!
A beautiful gray and white classic harlequin floor and soft ivory cabinets bring this classic kitchen to life. We designed it as a galley kitchen with one side functioning as a dry section complete with drawers and warm wood shelves for both storage and ample counter space for prepping!
Master Bedroom & Bathroom
The master bedroom and bathroom are decked in tones of grey and beige complemented with beautiful walnut veneer wardrobes and a vanity. A classic tufted back bed framed by vintage botanicals creates a calm serene vibe.
Study
The small study is wrapped in a warm shade of terracotta all over and creates a cozy inviting space for work and after hours.
Kidsroom
The kids room is bright airy and has soft details like a polka dot wallpaper behind the wardrobe, a painted arch background that frames a bench seat to create a small reading nook!
This home is such a warm classic space with every small nook thought through to fit the clients lifestyle and personalities.
We hope you enjoyed walking through this home!
All pictures shot by Nayan Soni.
The Midcentury meets Tropical Kochi pied-a-terre
Created by Vinithra Amarnathan on
Our clients are a family based in the US and connected with us after seeing some of our past work and resonating with it. They desired a clean modern home but one that brought in facets of their Indian heritage, color and art in a way that was intentional and curated.
Ajith a doctor based in California and his wife Indu an educator reached out to us in early 2021 to design their apartment in Kochi. It was a place meant for them to stay in during their travels back home and also as a home for their parents in Kerala to visit and use.
Ajith clearly loved the mid-century style and furniture that I personally love and use generously in our designs. From the get go we wanted to create a sharp modern classic mid-century aesthetic married with the modern tropical vibe that Kerala had. While the home is modern in its persona it beautifully integrates color, tropical patterns and art that’s so representative of its immediate surroundings.
The apartment is an approximately 2000 sq ft 3 bedroom apartment overlooking the beautiful Mangalvanam Bird Sanctuary situated on Marine Drive in Kochi.
Living & Dining
The apartment opens into a large L shaped living dining space that is a large multifunctional space that opens into a wraparound balcony overlooking the bird sanctuary and with lovely ocean views.
As you walk in a large mid-century credenza offers storage and doubles up as a landing strip and entry console. The entire wall spanning the entry and living area is panelled in beautiful oak wood and sets a beautiful mid-century tone to the space.
A dove gray classic mid-century sofa sits in the heart of the living room flanked by mustard velvet chairs and a geometric rug. A round marble top coffee table and 10ft long built in media unit round off the space. A nelson pendant replica over a small concrete corner table perks up the corner.
Anushka Kalro’s art of Indian jewel pieces offers a striking contrast to the oak walls.
The dining area is framed by a large live edge dining table and cane back chairs that hone in on the tropical modern feel and a large Shekhar Roy painting sits on the wall. On the opposite side a small Pooja clad in white brick wallpaper and vibrant kitschy Indian frames adds a burst of color.
Kitchen
The kitchen was changed from a closed kitchen to an open plan kitchen. A deep navy in the lower cabinets beautifully contrasts with the open top and natural wood shelves. The kitchen also contains a large sink and a complete pantry on the left that maximises storage.
A small bar counter separates the kitchen from the dining which also houses a fun bar nook clad in the same navy cabinetry and bold geometric tiles.
Master Bedroom
The master is beautifully situated in the corner of the apartment and faces on two sides into the bird sanctuary with a balcony. A deep blue fluted panelled headboard spans the length of the room and anchors the bed. Cane front bedside tables and a simple painted wardrobe with slat details elevate the space.
Guest Bedroom
Teak wardrobes, a classic modern cane back bed and a tropical patterned upholstered chairs make this small room come alive. A hint of blush on the walls complements the warm tones beautifully.
The other guest room is painted a tone of blue and features a wood bed and marble top bedside tables.
This home was designed as a space for the family to use upon their visits and by their parents and is very thoughtfully designed to use materials that are natural, durable and age well owing to the climate in Kerala and the nature of use. Breathable cotton and linen upholstery, cane/ rattan and wood are widely used in the home.
All pics – Justin Sebastian Photography
Project Reveal – The New Victorian Remodel
Created by Vinithra Amarnathan on January 30, 2023
Located in an old quiet neighbourhood tucked behind busy streets is this 30 year old ancestral home where our client grew up as a child. Years later when the larger family moved out and Nandish made this his own family home, we had our job cut out to remodel and nurture this home to function for the present day and his young family.
One of our challenges as well as design inspiration came from the need to retain the old world charm and character of the home while marrying it with functionality, freshness and personality for the new generation of inhabitants.
We wanted to be able to build without erasing, create with sensitivity and retain the feel of a generational home that has been brought up to the times.
What was also inspiring was Nandish and Nandita’s past experiences like studying in London, living in downtown Bangalore etc that had shaped their views on design and aesthetic and to cohesively marry that with the character of an old home!
We tried to develop a charming Victorian like town home with character and married old with new to bring in a fresh feel to the home.
Here’s a detailed walkthrough of the various spaces in this split level home.
Entryway/ Foyer
The entrance to the home involved changing the entire stairway and structural changes. We opened up the wall at the entrance and created a large picture window to bring in much needed light and created a small foyer.
The staircase was entirely remodelled to a wood and white staircase with wall panelling along the sides that enhances the character of the space and brings in a beautiful detail.
Along the panelling we have a gallery wall of vintage landscapes that sets the tone for the aesthetic of the rest of the home.
Living & Dining
The living room floors are clad in a cool greige tone faux marble tile for easy maintenance. The walls are painted a beautiful tone of soft gray upto 3/4th height and has a beautiful bright white ceiling with a moulded cornice detail inspired by Victorian homes. This also cleverly tricks the eye away from the beams we encountered while taking down the wall between the living and the once powder bathroom and utility.
We removed the wall and integrated the powder with the dining to create a larger space and converted the utility area to a powder.
The living room features a teal velvet couch set against the window that brings in ample natural light and is flanked by large English roll arm striped chairs on either side. An oval brass coffee table sits in the center below a modern branch chandelier suspended from a medallion to create the perfect balance of old and new.
The adjoining dining space sits in front of the puja that has hand carved teak doors and features a beautiful walnut dining table and upholstered chairs.
The pendant is custom made and inspired by the classic tiffany pendant.
A large Pichwai print sits on the far end and hones in on the old meets new vibe we wanted to create.
Kitchen
We entirely gutted the kitchen and used a patterned floor tile to create interest while keeping the cabinetry a soft gray to tie with the palette in the living. One of my favorite additions here is the small brick tile stacked vertically to create a simple yet stunning backsplash.
Since the kitchen was small in space we added a prep cart with wheels for convenient use as an additional work surface.
We also added metal and glass sliding shutters to close the kitchen when needed for extra privacy.
Guest bedroom
The guest bedroom uses the clients antique rosewood bed and we added a simple geometric wallpaper all over the room to unify the space. An antique armoire and a set of curve back chairs add functionality.
Kids room
The kids room is a small cozy space for a 5 year old boy. We clad the wall behind a simple teak wood bed in a world map wallpaper and carried through the rest of the space in blues, greys and whites.
A built in desk adds function and a window seat makes for a reading nook!
The second floor in the independent home is imagined as a private space for our clients and has a family room cum library area, the master bedroom and an adjoining terrace.
Family room & Library with Terrace
The second floor was designed as more of a private space for Nandeesh, Nandita and their son. We remodelled the space to house a cozy family room with a TV and and adjoining library area for the collection of books.
The library opens into a large adjoining terrace. We create a small pergola area for seating and highlighted it with patterned tiles with a Victorian vibe.
Master Bedroom & Bathroom
Adjoining the family room is the master bedroom and bath. The master bedroom is decked in tones of blush, gray and beautiful wall to wall walnut veneer clad wardrobes.
A panelled wall forms the perfect backdrop for a blush velvet upholstered wingback bed.
The bathroom vanity is clad in a beautiful rosato marble and hex marble tiles in the shower area that features a small bench seat and a half wall.
Working on this remodel was an extensive process of change and creating a space that’s fresh and modern in its sensibility without losing its character was quite the challenge! I hope you enjoyed walking through this transformation.
Vinithra
All pics by Shamanth Patil
Project Reveal – The California Casual Home
Created by Vinithra Amarnathan on January 16, 2023
Set in a verdant green expanse in small town Belgaum this home brings forth a warm, welcoming and relaxed California aesthetic! Our clients young professionals working in Bangalore after the initial days of the pandemic made the decision to move to a smaller city – Belgaum and embraced the slower pace of life, abundant green and the support of family!
We signed up to transform this almost 3500 Sq ft bare shell apartment into a home that’s young, fresh and modern with a distinct California casual vibe! Being our young home buyers first home this was a home designed with a fresh modern vibe and on a budget.
The home is light, bright and airy in a way that allows natural light to shine. It’s a large expansive open floor plan that brings with it seamless flow from one space to another and an aesthetic that is fresh and modern. The home is built around simple sustainable choices using natural materials like solid wood, jute, hemp and cotton fabrics to create a fuss free and organic space!
Entryway
The apartment originally opened directly into the expansive living dining space. To create a visual separation and a foyer area we designed a floating wall that visually separates the foyer from the larger living spaces. This area is further defined by a patterned floor using the wood tile of the kitchen and the neutral marble tile of the rest of the living spaces to create an interesting detail that allows the foyer to stand out.
On one side of the foyer is a beautiful mudroom that provides ample storage for the family and on the other side is a seating area anchored by two upholstered chairs. A simple marble top console and a mirror sit against a floating wall.
The mudroom is accented with a simple wallpaper that carries through the same geometric detail of the flooring.
Living room
The living room is expansive, airy and beautifully sets the tone for rest of the home with its wood beams, white walls and an oversized rattan pendant. The flooring is a beautiful Italian tile in a seamless concrete inspired ceramic tile from Nexion’s Endless collection. Being a large space it’s ground by a 9X12 neutral flatwoven rug and ample seating with 2 sofas, 2 leather chairs and 2 ottomans. The symmetry in the seating is something we carefully complemented with varying colors, textures and layers!
Two floor to ceiling floating open shelves bring interest and are a clever way to allow for display away from the seating area and little kiddie hands 🙂
Dining room
The dining room was designed to be a stylish yet functional space that could serve for the family everyday as well as accommodate extended family and friends. A long 9ft table in natural wood is complemented with sleek leather chairs and modern spindle back chairs in black for added contrast.
Two branch chandeliers in black and brass sit atop the table.
But everyone’s favorite has to be the beautiful niched in arch bar. Clad in neutral subway tile to create a textural backdrop and a clean organic look, the bar is one of my favorite elements in the living dining.
Kitchen
The kitchen was a labor of love! Swathed in a cool blue tone and expansive, its one of those instantly uplifting spaces in the home.
We started off opening up the wall facing the terrace to create a large 8 ft long window that brings in natural light and provides instant interface to the outdoors!
The counter under the window houses the sink and is flanked by the refrigerator and the appliance unit on either side. In the middle of the kitchen sits a large island that holds the hob and makes for an eat in kitchen with bar stools.
The wall to the left facing the island boasts of floor to ceiling storage in the form of a pantry on either side with a small puja tucked in. A beautiful oak tone arch door leads into the utility which has the laundry room and a small wet kitchen.
Master Bedroom
As you walk along the hallway, at the end of the corridor is the master bedroom on one end and the kids bedroom on the other.
The master bedroom is a large space with a king size upholstered bed and large bedside tables. The overall space is clean, light and modern with touches of natural materials like jute and rattan that keep it looking airy like rest of the home!
A woven rattan bench sits at the foot of the bed and a custom made simple striped rug anchors the space.
On the opposite side is a large mustard upholstered chair flanked by a full length leaning mirror that creates a beautiful reading nook.
The walk in closet area and the master bathroom are sectioned off with beautiful metal and glass sliding doors. The adjoining bathroom is a monochrome space with simple details that elevate it.
Family room
The family room is designed as a space where the family can spend time together. A long custom made work desk sits on one end of the room, which we extended to take in a balcony. This acts as the home office for the couple.
A sofa bed and a large ottoman make for a comfortable spot for watching TV. A vibrant geometric art print adds interest to the grey walls.
Powder bathroom
The powder room adjoining the family room is a simple yet striking space outfitted in a monochrome palette. A shibori inspired geometric black and white tile adorns the floor and simple matte black subway tiles are stacked up till half height of the walls.
A vibrant print adds a pop of color to the otherwise neutral space.
Guest Bedroom
Simple earthy tones and patterns come together to create a warm space for guests. The adjoining bathroom is decked in olive subway tiles and a brass pendant.
We hope you enjoyed seeing more of this home.
Vinithra
All pics shot by Shamanth Patil Photography
Project Reveal – The Modern Balinese Villa
Created by Vinithra Amarnathan on December 12, 2022
A cross generational villa, one that weaves a unique story by bringing together memories, experiences and interests! The modern balinese villa is a confluence of various design styles and personalities and one that deftly ties together a narrative that’s not just unique but also bold and breathtaking!
Navneeth a sports presenter for The Royal Challengers and his wife Deepthi got in touch with us when they had initially decided the move from the city into a green villa community in the suburbs of Bangalore. We met while the villa was still bare bones and in the initial stages of construction and what ensued was an almost yearlong association which led to one of our best works in how representative it was of their likes and travels and interests while at the same time marrying the functionality a cross generational home needs!
One of the unique challenges for us as a design team in this project was straddling the needs and aesthetic of a younger generation with that of their parents who also lived in the same villa. Navneeth and Deepthi both liked the clean modern earthy feel of Balinese Villas and wanted to reinterpret the same in the Indian context while also being able to give a nod to the South Indian heritage they came from and one that was dear to their parents.
The entire home straddles this beautifully and what you are left with is an eclectic and tasteful mix that’s equally personal as it is collected and designed.
The home itself is spread across three levels but in terms of square footage isn’t too large which made it challenging to define spaces while still retaining a feeling of expansiveness and open plan which the clients wanted. Here’s a quick walkthrough of the villa.
Living
The living room flips the layout and works with a rather unconventional approach of walking into a large statement gallery wall of frames that also houses the TV. In a narrow and long living room, this meant we had to use the space cleverly to create both a dramatic view and also to maximise function.
The gallery wall of large art pieces with a massive Noguchi replica makes for a dramatic entrance into the home. A suspended track light throws light on the beautiful pieces of art that highlight the stone clad wall.
The seating comprises of a collection of simple, modern and classic pieces of furniture. A walnut veneer clad sofa cleverly makes for an attractive back to walk in to and is complimented by a danish modern inspired armchair on one side and a cane back curved chair on the other. A striking black chinese cabinet and a bold oriental rug grounds the double height volume beautifully!
Dining & Kitchen
The dining and the kitchen open into the large green front in the villa and a clean teak and white palette with references of heritage and art make it a grounded and personal space for the family.
A collection of Athangudi tile prints frame the dining area and contrast with the modern furniture and lighting.
The kitchen builds on the modern yet earthy vibe of the home and features a sharp clean palette of whites and wood with rich veneer clad cabinets.
Guest Bedroom
The lower level of the triplex villa houses the guest bedroom adjoining the kitchen and dining spaces. It continues the simple palette of pastel tones and rich wood to create a clean modern space.
A beautiful slatted veneer clads the headboard creating a simple yet elevated moment to walk into.
Tea Room
The first floor of the villa features a beautiful and cozy tea room that Deepthi wanted in the home. Reminiscent of the tea rooms in Oriental culture and from Deepthi’s time in Singapore, the small space is visioned as a space for the family to come together over a cup of tea. The entire room is enveloped in warm grey paint and houses a bold orange red oriental cabinet to display tea boxes and knick knacks.
A cane sofa and teak wood chairs create a cozy comfortable seating area with tray tables in the center. A black and white piece of art from Anushka Kalro offers sharp contrast.
Parents Bedroom & Bathroom
The parents bedroom takes a beautiful oriental meets Indian inspired approach. A partition screen inspired by oriental folding partitions is clad in a Sabyasachi wallpaper and acts as a headboard for the poster bed. Gray toned oriental cabinets form bedside tables.
On the other end a traditional chest of drawers and cane back chair bring in function.
The bathroom is a clean simple space with a beautiful walnut toned vanity.
Primary Bedroom & Bathroom
The primary bedroom situated on the second floor is imagined as a private haven for Navneeth & Deepthi. Navneeth wanted us to create an organic earthy refuge in their primary ensuite and we surprised Deepthi with the space. Earthy wood beams, lime plastered walls and a kilim rug come together in this subtle and calm space.
A leaning wood mirror and a small desk on the opposite wall round off the space.
The bathroom brings home the balinese earthy vibe with a insitu concrete sink and cement look tiles. The ceiling is clad in a beautiful rattan weave and black beams that make the space a haven away from the mundane.
Media Room
The media room is a small space that opens into a private terrace and is designed as a space for the couple to watch a game and entertain friends. A deep rich green clads the room and a bold botanical wallpaper takes over the wall behind the TV.
Two chaises anchor the space and make for the perfect perch for a game of cricket!
This home allowed us to push creative boundaries and create a home that blends aesthetics, function and style while still telling a unique story. We hope you enjoyed walking through this home with us 🙂
See you here next time…..Vinithra
All pics shot by Shamanth Patil.
Project Reveal – The Modern Tropical Chic Home
Created by Vinithra Amarnathan on December 8, 2022
An expansive 3 bedroom apartment is located in a busy area of North Bangalore amidst new high-rises and offices that opens its doors into a surprisingly breezy tropical chic escape……..Welcome to the Modern Tropical Chic Home!
Our clients Sidharth and Prerana were relocating from the States and chose this apartment to create a home after their move back to India. From the time we met and in our initial discussions we knew their love for travel, beaches and a relaxed casual aesthetic with a vibrant feel. They already owned some beautiful art pieces and our jumping off point for the design was a beautiful large tropical painting already owned by them……vibrant and tropical it somewhat led to the design ethos of the home!
Dressed in largely neutral tones and filled with natural materials to add texture, the entire space is then punctuated with vibrant art and accessories to bring in an earthy eclectic lived in feel! The design hinges on creating a breezy tropical chic air with light neutral tones, natural wood, cane and rattan and eclectic art and accessories. The resulting space has a very tropical meets global chic aesthetic representative of our well-travelled clients.
Here is a detailed walkthrough of the various spaces in this home……
Living / Dining
The apartment opens into a small foyer with a powder room that then leads you into the expansive living and dining area.
The living room is a large space that opens into a beautiful view. It features the tropical vibrant piece of art that you see upon entering the space which drove the design language of the home. The living room is designed to be easy, elegant and airy. Two large sofas facing each other form the main stay of the living area and bring about beautiful symmetry. On one end are two wood arm chairs while the other side houses a leather bench that allows for uninterrupted views of the outdoors.
A white brick wall frames the wall opposite the oversized painting and tones of natural wood and brass are peppered through the space to add texture, warmth and interest.
A large branch chandelier adds a touch of drama and a hand knotted tone on tone rug grounds the space.
The adjoining dining area boasts an outdoor pergola inspired timber slat ceiling that immediately draws the eye up and frames the dining area. The dining has a simple modern natural wood eight seater table, strapped leather chairs and a row of glass pendants.
A large credenza in black stained wood sits on the far end and an oversized mirror reflects light.
Kitchen
The kitchen is situated right next to the dining area and was originally closed off with a door to enter. We removed the entire wall and added beautiful glass bifold doors with sandwiched cane that hone in on the modern tropical feel of the space.
The kitchen itself is beautiful in all-white tones with a soft gray backsplash and bold brass pendants over the island that creates contrast. The kitchen being large not only utilises the space carefully but also looks light and bright.
Family Room
The family room situated adjoining the living room is designed to be a home office cum a den / hangout space. The entire room is swathed in a beautiful steel gray tone and a part of the room is sectioned off to create a home office with beautiful floor to ceiling built in cabinetry.
The seating is a comfortable large sleeper sectional that pulls out into a queen bed for additional guests. A leather wrapped ottoman offers the perfect spot to prop your feet while watching a movie. And a gallery wall of frames collected from various travels sits on the wall!
The wall on the opposite side houses a large built in unit with storage and open shelves with a desk in the center.
Primary Bedroom & Bathroom
The hallway from the living area leads into the two bedrooms. On the right is the master ensuite with a large bedroom, bathroom and a walk in closet. We remodeled the entire master bathroom removing the bathtub and using the space to add a vanity. The master bath is all white but nuanced textural elements like the pebble tiled shower floor and the stacked white subway on the walls, to the wood tone vanity and marble countertop that allow the large space to come together beautifully.
The master bedroom features a fluted wood headboard and is enveloped in a dusty blue tone all through. A built in window seat and a desk bring in functionality to the space.
A wardrobe clad in cane and a similar tone of paint sits on one end while a large window seat carved out on the other side invites you in. This might be one of my favorite elements in this space!
Guest Bedroom
The guest bedroom has an angular shape and a coat of soft taupe and white paint runs through the entire room creating an unifying effect. Simple details like rattan, beautiful art and textiles bring the space together.
And thats a walkthrough through this apartment. The idea of creating a visually light, balanced and airy space in a relatively large square footage was something that we found both exciting and challenging. One of our biggest challenges was to retain the relaxed airy feel in a larger home. The other challenge was being able to design in a way where we could bring in some of the pre owned art and collectibles and furniture that our clients owned and still keep the freshness of the space.
Being able to take a creative approach like with the indoor pergola, the kitchen with cane bifold doors or the pebble stone shower floor all made the execution and materiality of this project that much more interesting.
I hope you enjoyed reading about this home! Until next time….Ciao!
All Pics – Shamanth Patil Photography
Project Reveal – The Organic Modern Home
Created by Vinithra Amarnathan on March 30, 2022
We met Prateek and Archana who happened to be friends of one of our clients just around the time we were completing and handing over the project. We signed up to transform their 4 bedroom apartment in Bangalore and the brief was to have a home that was minimal and simple but with a laidback bohemian and restful vibe. Our clients wanted a space with a simple airy and organic aesthetic while at the same time punctuated with punches of color to bring in vibrance and energy to the space!
We strived to create a home that’s largely woven around a simple organic modern aesthetic that was very reflective of Archana’s style with bold color and masculine accents that reflects Prateeks energy!
The home is awash in a soft white palette with flowy shapes and curves from the arches and curved edges across the home. And the contrast of raw wood and flutes brings in the edginess and masculinity to balance the space.
There are strategically placed punches of bold color like the rust sofa or the emerald powder bathroom but it largely uses a very striking mix of whites with the natural raw materiality of wood and marble!
I found the idea of creating a home that’s based on the sharp contrast of softness and rawness, curves and fluidity juxtaposed with straight lines and raw edges, soft ivory and blush tones offset by striking color very interesting and achieving the right visual balance was what we strived for through the design process!
We wanted to create a home where every vignette carried through the contrast in different ways, with different materiality but inherently developed with contrast and balance in mind!
Material & Color Palette
The material and color palette was developed around an inherent focus on picking natural simple materials like wood, marble, rattan and plaster. We wanted the material palette to be simple yet significant and like in all our projects we worked with a tight material palette and carried it through all the spaces.
The color palette was predominantly soft whites, ivory and neutral tones with punches of warm colors like rust, blush, dusty taupes and wood to bring in some warmth and depth to the space.
Walkthrough
The home is approximately 2000 square feet and comprises 4 bedrooms one of which we turned into a walk in closet.
The apartment opens into a narrow small entryway that throws open into the large open living dining space!
We kept the entryway simple with a shiplap inspired vertical groove detailed wall and a simple wood ledge to create a landing strip!
The entryway leads into the open living dining area and at first glance is a simple solid wood bench anchored by a set of organic fluid irregular edged mirrors. We love how this simple vignette almost sets the tone for the rest of the home!
Living & Dining
Right afront is the light and bright living room. We kept the layout simple with a large rust colored sofa in a solid substantial style and we love how this grounds the light and airy living space. Two beautiful cord woven back armchairs with a sleek wood frame sit next to the sofa. A large round coffee table sits atop a tonal blush and beige hand knotted rug from Jaipur Rugs.
On the opposite end a large TV is set between slim arch shaped open built in shelves and simple fluted detail shutters below.
One of our favorite details in this home is the all-white space that comes alive with varying textures and shapes from soft arches, organic shaped mirrors, white ceiling beams in the living area to the beautiful fluted plaster ceiling in the dining.
The dining area has a large beautiful walnut veneer clad modern pedestal leg dining table flanked by classic wishbone chair replicas. A handmade rattan pendant offers a striking contrast. On the far end we had a space provided originally for the puja that we converted into a vaulted arched niche and its such a cozy space to hangout in the home!
A fluted curved edge sideboard in natural oak adds much needed storage for the space. A large mark Rothko print brings in a punch of color and vibrance to the space!
Kitchen
The dining opens into a small kitchen that is enclosed behind a simple arch opening and houses the cook area and appliances on one side and a white brick clad coffee bar on the other. A fluted leg marble top prep table sits in the center of the kitchen under an oversized brass and white pendant.
The kitchen is separated from the utility with a simple glass partition reminiscent of a French window pane shutter. The entire kitchen is bathed in a tone of soft creamy ivory from the painted shutters to the marble with gold veining. The white brick wall brings in a hint of the rustic organic against the soft luxurious marble.
Right next to the dining is a small powder bathroom clad in bold emerald tones and black and whites. The floor tile has a simple geometric pattern that offsets the bold emerald. Simple fluted ceramic wall lights and moody art punctuate this space.
Primary/ Master Bedroom
This space was imagined as a sanctuary and might be one of my favorite primary bedrooms ever! The yin and yang, the balance of edgy raw wood with the softness of the arched hearth and glowing candles, the details all come together to create a laidback organic modern vibe that’s perfectly balanced.
Enclosed into the bedroom space is the stunning master bathroom clad in a bold white statuario marble all over. Hex cut marble tiles frame the wall behind the mirrors and a bathtub adds to the luxury quotient of the space. It’s a small bathroom that packs in a punch!
Adjoining the master is a bedroom that we converted into a walk in closet for Archana. It’s a simple wood and white closet with a large floor mirror, a bench and a simple beautiful fringe chandelier to bring a soft feminine touch!
The closet has ample storage and an ensuite bathroom that carries through the tonality and is dressed in terrazzo and blush tiles.
Guest Bedrooms
The Guest bedrooms are simple understated spaces that are comfortable and carry through the organic simple feel of the rest of the home.
In one of the guest bedrooms we used wall moulding as a way to unify the room and deter from the off-centre window we had to work with! While in the other we added simple details like a cork pendant, soft cotton window blinds and a simple wood Ikea bed.
We loved creating this home and truly feel it’s a project that allowed us to explore materiality and design staying true to the core aesthetic…..I hope you loved this home as much as we do 🙂
Until next time, Ciao…
All pics shot by Nayan Soni.
Project Reveal – The Modern Classic Home
Created by Vinithra Amarnathan on March 4, 2022
This home was one of our longest running projects and while we did most of the designing through the pandemic, the home has evolved through the changes our clients saw and the design subsequently.
That being said, the vision of creating a space that’s fresh, modern and luxurious in a livable way stayed through the design process. The design is built with classic forms and shapes but with a fresh modern perspective.
We embraced the idea of everyday laidback luxury in the spaces bringing in luxe materials that also feel accessible like linens, marble, leather and wool rugs all juxtaposed with natural wood, white brick and metal to create a beautiful contrast!
And this is my favorite aspect of this home!
Here’s a more detailed walk through of this gorgeous home 🙂
Entryway and Formal Living
The apartment directly opens into the formal living room and we had the challenge of creating an entryway and landing area. One of the ways we visually achieved this was by creating a beautiful art installation featuring hand painted wood blocks on the far end that draws your eye upon opening the door! The wood blocks are hand painted in abstracts and botanicals bringing in shades of earthy olives, light greige and charcoal tones.
The wall next to it is flanked by a beautiful custom-made leather wrapped console and a brass sunburst inspired mirror.
To the right as you enter is the formal living area dressed in modern tufted back blush velvet couches facing each other with a beautiful custom marble top coffee table in the center. A set of ochre velvet clad ottomans add additional seating and a pop of vibrant color.
The soft furnishings and wall paint are all kept in shades of grey to create a canvas for the blush and gold tones.
A large print by Namrata Kumar adds a burst of color and seamlessly ties the space together.
Dining
As you walk past the formal living area to the left is the beautiful dining space. Our biggest challenge in this space was almost no natural light. We tackled this by creating a space that felt intentionally intimate and moody.
A dramatic wall mural from Rebel Walls in a black and white tonality brings in a modern moody botanical vibe. A large leather clad bar in deep brown leather sits afront.
The dining table is custom made with a beautiful layered marble top with a built in lazy susan and a fluted wood base. Soft velvet clad curve back chairs enhance the cozy feel of this space. On the opposite wall and custom starburst cut veneer clad credenza offers storage.
The entire dining area floor is clad in herringbone wood and grounded by a cluster of ombre pendant lights and framed with a metal and glass arch detail that visually separates the area from the expansive informal living space.
Informal Living
The informal living area is an expansive area set adjoining the dining and opens into a large balcony! This space was designed as an area for the family to spend time together, unwind, entertain close friends and relax.
The space is highlighted by large wood beams on the ceiling and a beautiful black farmhouse inspired modern chandelier. The beams and the chandelier may seem counter intuitive here for a rather low ceiling height but they cleverly draw your eye up creating an illusion of height and is my favorite structural addition to defining this space!
The seating comprises a large custom made 12ft corner couch that spans the large area and creates a snug comfortable place to gather. A glass and metal console frames the back of the corner couch on one end, while olive velvet metal frame chairs frame the other!
Uninterrupted balcony views create a beautiful indoor-outdoor feel while letting in ample natural light to the space.
On the opposite wall we wanted to bring in a textural element while keeping the feel laidback and we achieved this with beautiful limewashed white brick. It instantly brings in the laidback Mediterranean influence and paired with the luxe materials in the rest of the space creates a striking contrast.
A clean wood veneer built in wall mounted unit acts as storage and a media unit. At the center of the room is a large tufted leather ottoman……perfect for putting your feet up while watching your fav movie or for entertaining with a tray set on top!
Custom black and white art with streaks of gold tie in beautifully with the modern gold arc lamp that frames the area.
This space is the heart of the home and defines the vibe of this home so aptly!
Master Bedroom
The master bedroom was imagined as a luxurious suite for the clients with three distinct areas within the suite. The main bedroom is framed by a large velvet tufted bed set against a simple striped wallpaper from the Little Greene Company. Walnut veneer bedside tables create the perfect contrast.
A burgundy upholstered daybed at the foot of the bed and a leather armchair forms a cozy seating nook for the TV area. The TV rests on a custom cane front black stained wood console.
The walk-in closet is segregated by a fluted glass and black metal sliding partition and houses a beautiful open cum closed closet.
Guest Bedroom
The guest bedroom is a calm and pastel oasis dressed in shades of chartreuse and blush with soft warm gray walls and a dark walnut four poster. A beautiful sanderson wallpaper forms the back drop of the bed and smoky grep pendant lights add a touch of drama to the otherwise understated space.
A curve back blush velvet upholstered chair sits by the window.
The guest ensuite bathroom was one of the bathrooms that we remodeled entirely in tones of dusty olive. A floral tile behind the mirror offers contrast to the shade sage brick tile that we used all over the bathroom walls in a herringbone style. The vanity is painted a bold green to round off the space. We love how this bathroom remodel turned out!
Walk in closet
We converted the third bedroom in this home into a walk-in closet for the lady of the house. The large all-white and glass walk in closet is grounded by a marble topped island and incorporates ample storage, a vanity in the center and a beautiful arch mirror flanked by a coral upholstered settee!
We converted another bedroom into a game room for Trilok. This home is large and spacious but at the same time retains a sense of coziness and intimacy thats characteristic of a lot of our spaces. It’s inviting and luxurious and lends itself to a lived in luxury vibe that we wanted to create.
We hope you enjoyed walking through this home and we cant wait to be back here with more.
Vinithra 🙂
All pics shot by Shamanth Patil.
Project Reveal – The Colorful Contemporary Villa
Created by Vinithra Amarnathan on December 21, 2021
I’m back here after long! And this time with a fun, beautiful and relaxed home that’s packed with punchy colors and clean lines but at the same time straddles modern and contemporary effortlessly!
This villa is a classic example of a home for a young family and their parents where the design language though primarily driven by the aesthetic choices of the younger residents beautifully marries and brings home the classic forms of traditional design. There are thoughtful details woven with the clean modern lines and bold colors.
We worked with Menaka and Andy remotely on this project and the home resonates Menaka’s love for geometry and color, the traditional influences from her parents and the modern functionality that Andy was seeking!
Here’s a walkthrough of this home with me 🙂
Entryway
The entryway is a small space that opens into a large double height living room and we wanted to keep the space simple, functional and crisp!
The wall has framed photographs clicked by Menaka on their travels and a simple wood bench with a shelf for stacking shoes completes this functional nook.
Living Room
Walking straight in, the double height living room frames your view with a warm grid ceiling that explores simple clean lines with the warmth of humble plywood, treated and polished to create a striking effect!
We used tones of blue to work through the entire living room with an ombre blue toned wallpaper that sits behind the TV and a striking black and white bone inlay console framing it.
A bold indigo rug grounds the floor and a soft ocean blue daybed offers subtle contrast. The neutral sofa and tan armchairs offset the bold art that sits on the double height wall!
The double height wall is flanked by open industrial inspired wall mounted shelves that fill the volume in the space and offer a space for the family to display memorabilia!
Organic banana fiber pendants in amorphous shapes form a gentle fluid contrast to the geometric straight lines all around.
This is a space that’s unafraid of color and yet offers the restraint we love working with in all our designs!
Dining/ Puja & Kitchen
The dining and the adjoining puja alongside the kitchen form the heart of the family’s common spaces and bring in the traditional nuances in this home.
The dining sitting adjacent to the puja has a simple teak wood dining table and cane back chairs. A brass lotus pendant frames the dining area and creates a segue into the puja room. The ceiling in the puja mimics the lotus shape of the pendant while the rich wood and etched glass doors create an interesting visual tie with the tile pattern and the wood tones in the kitchen.
This is one of my favorite elements in the home where finer details across the various spaces tie together to tell a cohesive story.
The kitchen opposite the puja area was a closed space. We opened the wall up and created an open kitchen with a beautiful wood tone island and a quartz waterfall countertop!
The wall tiles in the kitchen bring in a traditional shape and pattern with the tile and the same shape is echoed in the etched glass inserts of the puja door.
Parents bedroom
The parents bedroom in the ground floor is dressed in tones of wood and pastel blues and beige. The chevron wood bed is framed by a pastel blue morrocan trellis inspired wallpaper and amber pendants to create a restful space.
Family room
The family room is bathed in moody grey tones and punchy colorful art! The lines are clean inspired by mid-century furniture and the art in the house also has the same punchy retro mid-century vibe!
The seating comprises of a grey sofa, blue velvet chairs that make for a comfortable lounge seat and a fun patterned floral bench seat! The rug is playful and packs in color to make the space feel informal and vibrant.
Kids bedroom
The kids room shared by two little boys is a bold, geometric and vibrant! A fun wall painted in tones of blues, a half wall running across the room and warm wood beds make for a chic boys room! The room maximizes storage by offering closets for each of the boys and a long shared desk space in the center.
A reading nook and an outdoor terrace makes this space perfect 🙂
Master bedroom and walk in closet
This might be my favorite room in this home….beachy, relaxed and so calming it feels like a retreat!
Menaka and Andy wanted this space to feel relaxed and remind them of the beach. The room is dressed in neutral tones, cane and light blues. An ochre chaise lounge set in the corner makes for a spot to lounge.
Relaxed linen, beachy neutral tones and simple cane stools bring in a sense of laidback luxe to the space. Opposite the bed we have a beautiful rattan and wood chest of drawers with a rope mirror hanging above.
Every detail in this room tells a story and brings the space together!
The walk in wardrobe is a beautiful U shaped walk in with a vanity in the center. Light wood tones and a blue and white wallpaper on the walls extend the tones of the master into the walk in closet!
Home Office
The home office sits next to the home theatre room on the third level of the villa.
A large wood desk set by the window looking out into the open green sits next to a built in bar in deep Prussian blue!
Rich leather chairs and a large bookshelf make for a spot to relax with a drink and a book!
I love how the home office came together. It creates a relaxed yet definite vibe.
This has been a project that allowed us to play with color in ways that we had not before. Its fun, fresh and vibrant and flows beautifully from one space to another even being a three level villa!
I hope you enjoyed reading about this home as much I did sharing all about it 🙂
Vinithra
All pics shot by Shamanth Patil
Project Reveal – The European Farmhouse Villa – Private Spaces
Created by Vinithra Amarnathan on October 26, 2021
If you have had the chance to walk through the living spaces of this villa, you know how nuanced and beautiful the spaces are and how true to character we have tried to keep the home.
The private spaces are no different and bring in the same old world charm and character in a fresh modern and restrained way! They set a mood, tell a story and most of all feel like home 🙂
Vinithra
Before we take you up the stairs into the larger private spaces, the ground floor houses a bedroom that we treated as the couple’s parents bedroom.
Parent’s Bedroom
The inspiration for this bedroom stemmed from wanting the colour green to become the visual protagonist. The statement monochrome botanical wallpaper imbues a minimalistic feel into the room against which the preowned charcoal upholstered bed has been placed in tandem with open-legged wooden nightstands above which the white-globed sconces levitate.
The colour green permeates the space in the form of plush velvet curtains, expressing the depth of the hue while taking in the green views of the surrounding landscape. A blush pink rocking chair occupies a quiet reading corner in the bedroom by the windows. The solid hues in the room have been interjected by the neutral striped rug which grounds the space. A soft sage washes the wardrobe’s exterior, linking it with the omnipresence of green in the palette.
Walking up the stairs we knew we had to create a moment and the staircase landing in this home stops you to take a moment and gaze up 🙂
Staircase
Inspired by a Spanish influence, the primary staircase of the home was transformed to ensure that the presiding design language carries through. The balustrade now comprises suave matte black metal members which connect in the form of a continuous teak-toned handrail that sculpts itself along the stairwell. A set of 9 art prints from the house of British Artist William Morris have been curated to layer the landing space, introducing an interplay of colour and pattern in the space.
FIRST FLOOR
Home Theatre
Immersive in its milieu, the home theatre is the couple’s cinematic retreat within the comfort of their home. The sliding barn door is enveloped in a black chevron pattern on the outside and boasts of a leather padding on the interior with rivet detailing. Functionally designed to create an engaging environment, the home theatre exudes a dark and moody identity with the slate grey hue tinting the walls and ceiling uniformly.
The wall mouldings create intentional nooks for the display of movie posters, showcasing some of the couple’s go-to favourites while staying connected to the classical persona of the residence. The ergonomic lounge furniture stays true to the doses of ochre and deep blues that can be spotted across the abode’s shared spaces.
Master Bedroom
Designed with a deep-dyed penchant for the traditional European aesthetic, the strength of the room’s character lies in its love affair with lyrical nuances. Autumnal colours like ivory, off-whites and mustard paired with accents of black brew visual sorcery in this sanctuary for the couple.
The poster bed with its linen headboard becomes the objet d’art in the room and culminates as a bed-end bench. Archetypal wooden nightstands have been coupled with massive wall sconces that delicately illuminate the bedsides. The pastoral landscape vintage art print above the headboard borrows its hues from the area rug that is garbed in the colours of fall.
A wood dresser with a brass-framed mirror layers the wall opposite the resting space, further celebrating the deliberately dated charm of the room. The fluted-front wardrobe finished in an off-white shade becomes an extension of the room’s volume.
Master Bathroom
The warmth of the colour palette seeps into the ensuite bathroom of the master. The veined pink onyx double vanity is backed by textured beige subway tiles which extend into the shower in the form of peachy patterned tiles, creating a sense of visual interest. Hints of brass and glass make a cameo in the form of sanitary ware, round wall mirrors and dainty lighting pendants.
Guest Bedroom
Strung together with a driving inclination to introduce an impactful punch of colour while creating a soulful oasis for its inhabitants, the guest bedroom splits the expanse of its walls to summon forth a duality in colour and surface finishes.
The walls encasing the room have been demarcated by a running wooden profile which renders the bottom half of the panelled surfaces in a salmon-blush tone while the top half in a neutral and pared-down hue. The walls travel the perimeter of the wall, bookending as the wardrobe which also sports the blush tone seamlessly.
The woven cane and wood arched-back bed and complementary bedside tables allow a modern-bohemian essence to trickle into the bedroom. This aesthetic is further elevated in the form of the duo of botanical watercolour prints, the patterned greige rug and the bold eclectic upholstered bed-end bench. An elliptical standing mirror occupies a corner of the room, amplifying the sense of space and light within.
The Den & Home Office
Conceptualised straight off the bat as a space for Arun and Ancy to unwind and possibly host loved ones in, the den is an informal and versatile zone in the home. Meant for evenings dedicated to playing board games and lounging, we introduced a replica of the Mah Jong Modular Sofa that injects colour and diverse function into the space. A beautiful indigo hand made art piece by Hansika Sharma sits against the white brick wall!
The colour and pattern-hewn upholstery pop brightly against the textured white brick walls. A sumptuous cane pendant, lively woven rug and central wood coffee table embellish the space. The adjoining wall hosts recreational elements like a dartboard ensemble for the couple and their friends to enjoy!
A dedicated minimalist yet effective workstation has been amalgamated into the layout in the form of a running desk with drawers below, overhead cabinetry and open shelving cloaked in a warm white.
The attached bathroom embodies a zesty tropical character wherein a neoteric bathtub completes the space. Wooden-finished panels line the ceiling, and a grid of hexagonal botanical-printed tiles visually dominate the wall’s canvas. The arched mirror leans against the ledge atop a vanity dotted with light wood and white tones.
At the European Farmhouse Villa, the creative freedom for us as a design firm assumed a newfound definition. With clients who were absolute troopers in spirit, we were able to create a seamless blend of spaces that enabled the resonant design vocabulary and the facets of functionality to come together in harmony, thus creating an atmosphere that echoes quintessential European-style expression.
Content – Lavanya Chopra for Weespaces
All photos shot by Ishita Sitwala
