Houzz TV: A 860-Sq-Ft Flat Transforms Into a Glamorous Dream Home

In the latest episode of Houzz TV, we revisit a Mumbai flat customised to the T for its discerning homeowner

Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar 9 December 2019

Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist. www.mangomonk.com

Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist.... More

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As an army kid, Shalini Sekhri’s nomadic upbringing was inspired by adventure. “We were on the move every few years. Wherever we went, we took home with us. Back then, ‘home’ was defined by people, not place,” says Sekhri. As she grew older, however, Sekhri began to feel the need to put down roots. “As a finance professional with a demanding job, I wanted a place with calming vibes to come home to. I was clear that I wanted to customise everything to suit my style and sensibilities, and requested the builder to hand over the home bare-shelled,” says Sekhri.

Sekhri’s USA-based sister encouraged her to try the Houzz app which Sekhri used to browse photos and create ideabooks. After scouring design professionals in her area on Houzz and reading a plethora of reviews, Sekhri decided to hire Smit Bhagat and Rajvi Mehta, co-founders, and principal architect and principal interior designer respectively, of deSigneR - Architects and Interior Designers, to harmonise her ideas and help breathe life into her dream home.

deSigneR - Architects and Interior Designers

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Shalini Sekhri, a finance professional
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Year built: 2019
Size: 80 square metres (861 square feet); 1 bedroom; 1 walk-in closet; 1 bathroom; 1 powder room
Interior designers and architects: Smit Bhagat, principal architect, and Rajvi Mehta, principal interior designer, deSigneR - Architects and Interior Designers

Photos by Photographix

The entrance of Sekhri’s home opens into a deep formal living room steeped in a minty blue and monochrome pink-pearl palette, which runs through much of the home, uniting the spaces. A three-seater Chesterfield sofa and matching daybed conjure a sumptuous, indulgent vibe, while a high-back grey chair spells classic sophistication. Lightweight side tables flank the sofa scheme, complementing the four-piece coffee table in the centre. The walls are adorned with intricate Parisian-style mouldings, abstract black-and-white paintings, elegant luminaires and ornate cornices. The floor is laid with warm-toned Botticino marble. The aesthetic is equally inspired by classic and contemporary French elements.

“The space mirrors my love of colour, brightness and sparkle. I was keen on an aesthetic rooted in visual fluidity, with free-flowing, airy spaces,” says Sekhri.

Paint: Asian Paints; rugs: Jaipur Rugs; wall lamps: The White Teak Company; accessories: Ikea; living room sofas are custom-made

deSigneR - Architects and Interior Designers

The original layout hindered sunlight, ventilation and spatial distribution. Bhagat and Mehta remodelled the home entirely, creating a configuration that optimised erstwhile dormant spaces and focused on maximum utility.

From conceptualisation and design through to development, detailing, prototyping and manufacturing, every piece of furniture was customised to Sekhri’s tastes.
Sekhri, Bhagat and Mehta decided at the outset to use Houzz for shared ideas and inspiration. “Shalini came to us with an entire ideabook made on Houzz. She had a vision but needed some help executing it,” says Mehta.

Adds Sekhri, “We were able to communicate and collaborate with each other through the Houzz app.”

In line with her brief, Bhagat and Mehta sought to weave an elegant and dignified shell, and infuse colour through furniture and furnishings. They also took care to conceal all wiring by embedding the distribution board inside a cabinet behind the television.

Find a professional to remodel your home

deSigneR - Architects and Interior Designers

Sekhri’s living area is divided into three contiguous, visually connected zones – a formal living room, an informal lounge, and a knock-back zone composed of a bar and open kitchen. The latter two, which lie to the left of the main entrance, are reflected in the ivory-toned, brass-bordered mirror grid that adorns the wall to the right of the main door.

Find how to create an ideabook on Houzz

deSigneR - Architects and Interior Designers

The informal lounge is dominated by shades of purple. A violet sofa-cum-bed rests against a shallow backlit wall alcove that bathes the sitting area in a warm glow. A mauve rug, dove-grey wallpaper and plum accent cushions weave a plush aesthetic that exudes a rich, regal air.

Being a social person, Sekhri hosts a lot of family gatherings and parties at home. Bhagat and Mehta decided to make the informal lounge the heart of the living area, with the kitchen and bar on one side and the formal living room on the other.

Dining table and dining chairs are custom-made

deSigneR - Architects and Interior Designers

The bar is the most distinctive feature of the entire house. An ingenious play of lights, textures and proportions elevates the aesthetic. The bar unit was tailored to host specific-sized liquor bottles and glasses. Instead of a traditional chandelier, an entire range of globe lights was customised for the space. The dining table double-hats as a bar counter, with a table and chairs that channel an upscale lounge appeal.

To the left of the bar lies a slimline kitchen hosting utilities such as the refrigerator, coffee machine and microwave. The kitchen passage leads to the powder room and utility area.

Accessories: The White Teak Company, Ikea

deSigneR - Architects and Interior Designers

The powder room is robed in a soft neutral shell, with dramatic black and gold elements. A classic round mirror is mounted on a panel of black-tinted glass, while brass borders and hardware give the space a luxurious air. The counter is crafted of black Marquina marble.

All the sanitary fixtures and accessories were sourced from the builder’s inventory, which saved Sekhri significant costs.

deSigneR - Architects and Interior Designers

Sekhri initially wanted a visual disconnection between the lounge and the master bedroom, but this would have obstructed natural light and ventilation to the lounge and kitchen, making them stuffy and light-starved. After brainstorming, the designers proposed a glass partition with roller blinds. This would filter plenty of natural light to the common areas, and still allow for privacy in the bedroom.

Furnishings & accessories: Ikea; laminated flooring: Action Tesa; bed is custom-made

deSigneR - Architects and Interior Designers

Sekhri’s bedroom takes cues from the ocean, hosting bold hues and luxe textures. The deep-green headboard is balanced by shimmery peach curtains and a pearl-inspired stone wall backdrop. The wall opposite the bed (out of view) is painted in a pearl finish and hosts a television, flanked by a bookshelf on the left and a door to the walk-in closet on the right.

deSigneR - Architects and Interior Designers

The sun-kissed walk-in closet is composed of an island display unit, a wardrobe with bi-fold doors, and a sliding-door wardrobe, the latter two featuring a mirror finish. A dressing table and blush-pink chair occupy one corner of the room. The wall opposite the table features open, backlit shelving.

“I didn’t want to compromise on my dressing area and closet space. I envisioned this as my private oasis, where I would spend a significant amount of time getting ready every morning,” explains Sekhri.

Bhagat and Mehta tore up the traditional rule book of incorporating the dressing space within the bedroom, and converted the second bedroom into a walk-in closet.

Look at these walk-in closets and wardrobes

deSigneR - Architects and Interior Designers

The warm wooden flooring complements the subtle mushroom-grey elevations. Tinges of peach and pearl echo the flow of colours in the bedroom and tie in with the subtlety of the rest of the home.

The lighting scheme in the dressing room is of special note. There are no spotlights, which minimises the formation of shadows. In addition, the dressing table mirror is flanked by lights on both sides to keep the focus on the face while grooming.

deSigneR - Architects and Interior Designers

Sekhri’s bathroom is aesthetically far removed from the rest of the home. Glossy black, matte white and warm timber tones highlight the brass accessories, and exude elegance and sophistication. The wall abutting the wash basin hosts three backlit mirrors, mounted on a black marbled stone backdrop. The counter is made of the same black Marquina marble as the powder room.

deSigneR - Architects and Interior Designers

The shower area, divided by a glass partition, is characterised by a black herringbone tile design. Brass hardware takes centre stage against the monochrome backdrop.

For Sekhri, who, for years, yearned for a home to call her own, the apartment is a dream come true.

“Every inch of space was conceived for a particular reason. With the help of Smit and Rajvi, I turned these four walls into a home; one that is unapologetically all about me! I enjoy every moment of my day here and I can’t wait to come home every day,” she says.

Fixtures: Kohler; stone veneer: Shree Kota Stone; wash basin: Sternhagen

Watch Now: See how Shalini Sekhri made sure she had her dream home

Read more:
Mumbai Houzz: A Contemporary Home for a Family of 10
Kerala Room: A 341-Sq-Ft Bedroom Suite Channels an Elegant Vibe
Mumbai Houzz: A Tiny Studio Apartment Makes the Most of Its Space

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