Credits
From coLAB Design Studio
The Project Brief
The Brief was to design a functional space that embodies Indian elements in the Design. The Space should connect with the user's culture and traditions, yet have all the possible modern gizmos.
The Site
Nestled along the picturesque Marine Lines seafront, this project celebrates the fusion of tradition and modernity in the heart of old South Bombay. With expansive floor-to-ceiling windows framing breathtaking sea views, the design capitalizes on abundant sunlight and refreshing sea breezes. Balancing heritage charm with contemporary luxury, the space offers a seamless connection to both culture and nature, inviting residents to indulge in the timeless allure of coastal living.
The Design Intent
Upon taking over the site, our primary focus was to rectify and optimize the spatial layout to align with the original building plan. We meticulously reconfigured the space, demolishing walls and reinforcing structural elements where necessary to ensure structural integrity. Following the building blueprints, we strategically realigned plumbing lines, rerouted AC conduits, and overhauled the electrical system to meet modern standards. Through careful planning and execution, we transformed the space into a functional family home, while accommodating the client's needs.
The Material palette
Adhering to the design theme, the material palette of the house is kept minimal yet exquisitely detailed. Indian white marble graces the flooring. Walls, painted in white, allow the space to breathe and evolve as it serves as an endless canvas to portray Indian artworks and paintings.
The warmth of Indian teak and veneer infuses the interiors with a sense of richness and depth, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding environment. Each wooden element is meticulously crafted, from the intricate mouldings to the smooth finishes, adding a touch of sophistication to every corner of the space.
Layered atop this foundation are an array of cautiously curated textiles and accents, each bearing the mark of Indian craftsmanship and tradition. Printed Ikat fabrics adorn the upholstery, their vibrant patterns adding a pop of color and personality to the interiors. Hand-embroidered curtains and blinds drape the space gracefully with their intricate motifs and weavings.
Hand-tufted rugs, with their plush textures and intricate designs, provide a soft landing for weary feet, while antiques and hand-painted artworks serve as focal points, capturing the imagination and igniting conversations.
A mix of indoor and outdoor plants breathe life into the space, infusing it with a sense of vitality and serenity.
In this carefully curated tapestry of materials and finishes, every detail is thoughtfully considered, every element chosen with intention. The result is a space that transcends mere design—it is a sanctuary, a celebration of India's rich cultural heritage, and a testament to the power of meticulous craftsmanship and timeless elegance.
Project Overview
Foyer
As one steps into the space, they are greeted by a seamless textured wall adorned with photo frames and wall antiques. Each piece tells a story, a testament to the craftsmanship and artistry that has defined Indian design for centuries. Vintage glass lamps suspended from the ceiling and fluted glass windows decorate the foyer, casting a distinct play of light and shadow, creating a soothing ambiance.
The checkered flooring, crafted from Indian white marble with intricate band detailing, runs along the entire periphery of the house, anchoring the space in a sense of timeless elegance. Each step taken resonates with the echoes of history, while simultaneously embracing the comforts of modernity.
Kitchen and Utility
A vintage kitchen in deep blue shaker style cabinets is where classic design meets modern convenience. The rich hue of the cabinets exudes sophistication and depth, while the antique brass handles add a touch of old-world charm and character. The soft, weathered texture of rustic grey flooring grounds the space, creating a sense of warmth and authenticity.
Peppercorn white quartz countertop along with printed tile backsplash adds a pop of personality and intrigue. Within this culinary haven, every modern convenience is at your fingertips. State-of-the-art appliances seamlessly blend into the shaker-style cabinetry, offering both form and function. Soft-close hinges and drawers ensure smooth, silent operation, while maximizing storage space and minimizing clutter.
The Kitchen additionally holds a utility room behind a flushed door next to the sink that matches the rustic grey wall tiles in that area. The utility room accommodates for the household extras, Washing machine and dryer, foldable iron board, brooms, dusters and other regularly used utilities. The utility is additionally attached to a servants toilet that takes care of the requirements and utilities of house helps and support staff.
Dining and Bar
The Dining space occupies the heart of the home. Adjoining the Kitchen, the dining space is separated by a double swing door. This entryway maintains privacy while ensuring the vibrant energy of the kitchen remains contained, allowing for a tranquil dining experience.
A large six-seater dining table commands attention, its carved details on the legs and side panels adding an air of grandeur and sophistication. Wooden chairs, upholstered in striped fabric, invite guests to linger and indulge in culinary delights, while a magnificent wooden Jharokha, intricately carved from mango teak, serves as a stunning focal point against the backdrop wall.
Opposite the dining table, the bar counter beckons, resplendent in its elegance and sophistication. Crafted from cheetah-printed marble and a fluted marble backsplash, the bar counter exudes opulence and charm, offering a stylish setting for cocktail hours and socializing.
Whether savoring a sumptuous meal or raising a toast to friendship and joy, the dining and bar area is a sanctuary of sophistication and warmth, inviting guests to indulge in the pleasures of good food, great company, and timeless elegance.
Living room
The expansive living room is a haven of comfort and style. Anchoring the space is a plush 3-seater sofa, adorned with sumptuous cushions and throws, inviting guests to sink in and unwind. Accompanying the sofa are accent chairs with poufs, providing additional seating options and adding a touch of elegance to the room.
Adjoining the sofa is a nestling table, offering convenience and versatility for drinks, snacks, or décor accents. But it is the grand hand-tufted deep green carpet that truly ties the room together, its traditional Indian design and intricate patterns not only anchors the room but also infuses it with a sense of heritage and cultural richness.
Expanding the grandeur of the living space is a large balcony adjoining the room, offering breathtaking views of the sea and bathing the room in natural light. Here, a charming Jhula beckons, inviting guests to sway gently in the breeze and bask in the serenity of the surroundings. Whether enjoying a morning cup of tea or watching the sunset over the horizon, the balcony seamlessly extends the living space, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors.
In this luxurious oasis, every detail is designed to elevate the living experience, from the plush furnishings to the stunning views and everything in between. It is a space where comfort meets elegance, and where memories are made to last a lifetime.
The ceiling of the Living area hosts multiple ceiling-mounted speakers and a retractable 110-inch projector screen, transforming the living area into a full-fledged media and entertainment room. Integrated automation seamlessly controls lighting, curtains, and ACs, enhancing the cinematic experience.
However, it is the backdrop of the sofa wall that steals the spotlight—a Patola painting serves as a captivating focal point.
This masterpiece, framed from a heritage Patola dupatta, is more than a piece of art; it is a poignant connection to the client's culture and family history. Originating from the Patan region, Patola prints on silk were once reserved for royal and aristocratic families, making this frame a cherished link to bygone eras and cherished legacies.
Guest Bedroom
The living room also serves as a multifunctional oasis, seamlessly accommodating a convertible guest bedroom hidden behind a striking sliding folding door. This prominent six-shutter door design finished in wooden moulding, and teakwood louvers, is a testament to exquisite craftsmanship and divides the living space into two halves when required.
The louvered element is a recurring motif, throughout the space, adorning cabinetries and wardrobes with understated elegance.
The guest unit, discreetly conceals a Murphy bed alongside a mandir, amplifier, subwoofer unit, while keeping ample room for printer and miscellaneous storage on the other side.
Guest bathroom or Powder toilet
Adjoining the Guest unit is the Powder Toilet of the house. The colour palette, fixtures, wallpaper and overall decor immediately captivates the senses.
A bespoke black and white mosaic flooring sets the stage, while intricate stone molding details exude timeless sophistication. The bottle green mosaic in the shower area evokes a sense of opulence and refinement. Antique bath fixtures further enhance the room's old-world charm, transporting guests to a bygone era of luxury and elegance.
Practicality meets style with the inclusion of a double-door sliding shutter wardrobe, seamlessly blending functionality with aesthetics. Crafted from louvered teak wood, the wardrobe exudes warmth and character, offering ample storage space for guests' belongings. An adjoining display unit adds another layer of functionality, providing a platform for showcasing cherished items and enhancing the room's overall allure.
In every detail, the Powder Toilet exudes an undeniable sense of grace and sophistication, inviting guests to indulge in a moment of tranquility and luxury, reminiscent of a chic SoHo retreat.
Master Bedroom
The cozy yet spacious bedrooms are a sanctuary of comfort and style, seamlessly connected to carefully curated bathrooms designed for ultimate relaxation. Each bathroom features a large walk-in wardrobe, offering ample storage space and adding a touch of luxury to the morning routine.
In the master bedroom, a vintage poster bed commands attention, its regal presence enhanced by a printed headboard and vintage clay tile frames adorning the wall behind. Yet, it's the lift-up TV unit that truly steals the show—a statement piece that seamlessly integrates technology with design.
With a simple touch of a button on the automation system, the TV unit springs to life, effortlessly lifting the screen from its hidden enclosure on hydraulics. This ingenious system of the T.V unit ensures uninterrupted views of the sea from the comfort of the bed, transforming the bedroom into a private retreat where relaxation reigns supreme.
Whether indulging in a movie marathon or simply enjoying the serene ocean vistas, the master bedroom offers a haven of tranquility and convenience, where modern luxury meets timeless elegance. With every detail carefully considered and every amenity at your fingertips, bedtime becomes an experience to savor, night after night.
Master Bathroom
Crafted from exquisite Black Panda marble, the walls exude sophistication, with fluid white patterns cascading gracefully from floor to ceiling. The vertically laid marble slabs in the shower and WC cubicles create a mesmerizing visual effect, accentuating the grandeur of the space.
At the heart of the bathroom stands a vintage vanity unit, a focal point that divides the shower and WC areas while adding a touch of old-world charm. Its ornate design complements the marble surroundings, creating a harmonious balance between classic and contemporary aesthetics.
Beneath your feet, the floor is adorned with inlays on the borders, while a brass motif at the center adds a subtle yet striking detail to the space. Accented by ambient lighting, fluted marble, and wooden frame mirrors, every element is carefully curated to enhance the luxurious vibe of the master bathroom. Antique handles and bathroom fittings add a final touch of refinement, marrying form with function in perfect harmony.
Kids Bedroom
The kids bedroom has been designed keeping in mind the changing spatial needs of a growing kid. The current requirement of the space being ample of play area in the room for her toys and frequent friends visiting the space for group study or playing.
We have provided a foldable study table that can unfold into a larger table to suffice for group studies or art and craft requirements. While the adjoins storage unit can take care of storing extra books, school bags or toys.
The bunk bed on the other hand has been refurbished to retain excitement in the space and also accommodates space for an extra bed when required.
The false ceiling is designed in such a way that it offsets the room layout. A magnetic track runs through the planned ceiling and therefore altering the room lighting merely becomes a fun activity of plug and play whenever the space gets refurbished in the future.
A conceal wall unit accommodates all her novels and story books along with display nooks to keep her trophies, curios or photo frames. However the other half of the unit is made keeping in mind provision for a tv screen and related storage. The unit has a single sliding door that has been finished with white magnetic back painted glass, that acts as magnetic pin board or frequently used sketching board. The door can slide on either side to efficiently use either halves of the storage unit. Attention to ambient lighting has been given in the unit.
The overall theme of the room and colour scheme has been kept neutral and matured and compliments the recycled bamboo wood flooring. While adding an accent kids chair, colourful blinds, or wall decals keep the vibe of the room playful. This arrangement makes it easy to change the loose furniture items and decals for future transitions of the space.
Kids Bathroom
The bathroom too has been made using colourful terrazzo stone in a vertical stepped cladding format and while the chrome yellow mosaic in the shower area acts as highlight to the entire colour scheme keeping the vibe in the toilet both mature and playful. The black matt sanitary fixtures create a contrast to the given material pallet.
The bathroom is attached with a full sized walk-in wardrobe consisting of 8 shutters, sufficient to accommodate the child’s growing storage requirement along with a full length dressing mirror on the adjoining wall.
Overall, the room is designed to be adaptable, with functionality and flexibility at its core, ensuring it can evolve alongside the child and accommodate future improvements.
Favourite aspect of the project
The overall process and virtuous communication with the client have served to an effortless delivery of the project. As the saying goes, “The goal isn’t to just get there, but also enjoy the process.” this project has been one such experience where everything eventually fell in place and the outcome was exactly what we envisioned with the first stroke of line.