Mumbai Houzz: Two Tiny Flats Combine to Form a Luxe Family Home
A muted scheme with pops of colour and stylish storage highlight the design of this abode
Aditi Sharma Maheshwari
11 April 2018
Blogger, dog mom
Dreaming of a home that was spacious and accommodated everyone’s needs, the client decided to buy two side-by-side apartments. To plan and design a cohesive interior, he approached Neha Kachhara of Neha Kachhara Interiors to convert the two flats with six bedrooms into a spacious four-bedroom home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple, their son and daughter
Location: Mumbai
Year completed: 2016
Size: 232 square metres (2500 square feet); 4 bedrooms; 5 bathrooms
Architectural designer: Neha Kachhara, principal designer, and Alpana Sukerkar, interior designer, of Neha Kachhara Interiors
Photos by PHX India
Neha Kachhara designed the home in a way that would give it a sense of luxury and ample space, and reflect the design preferences of the residents. To combine the two flats and to convert the six bedrooms into four, she pulled down some walls and integrated spaces by using the same Italian marble flooring. She also added extra storage and windows on the elongated walls to create an ample sense of space. Included were a walk-in dressing room for the daughter and an entertainment area for the son.
The entrance has a muted scheme, enhanced with two modern illuminators. The door with brass handles sets the tone for what’s inside.
Who lives here: A couple, their son and daughter
Location: Mumbai
Year completed: 2016
Size: 232 square metres (2500 square feet); 4 bedrooms; 5 bathrooms
Architectural designer: Neha Kachhara, principal designer, and Alpana Sukerkar, interior designer, of Neha Kachhara Interiors
Photos by PHX India
Neha Kachhara designed the home in a way that would give it a sense of luxury and ample space, and reflect the design preferences of the residents. To combine the two flats and to convert the six bedrooms into four, she pulled down some walls and integrated spaces by using the same Italian marble flooring. She also added extra storage and windows on the elongated walls to create an ample sense of space. Included were a walk-in dressing room for the daughter and an entertainment area for the son.
The entrance has a muted scheme, enhanced with two modern illuminators. The door with brass handles sets the tone for what’s inside.
The living-cum-dining room has a clean, crisp aesthetic, where a multitude of accessories, art, sofas and greenery balance each other effortlessly. The seating area is divided into two parts by a blue ottoman in the middle.
With the living room in the centre, the master bedroom and the one for the daughter are situated to the left of it, and the kitchen, the son’s room and the guest room are on the right.
Two large windows opposite the main door (not visible in the images) bring in ample light during the day. A muted colour palette was chosen where the walls were painted mushroom grey and beige Italian marble was chosen for the flooring.
With the living room in the centre, the master bedroom and the one for the daughter are situated to the left of it, and the kitchen, the son’s room and the guest room are on the right.
Two large windows opposite the main door (not visible in the images) bring in ample light during the day. A muted colour palette was chosen where the walls were painted mushroom grey and beige Italian marble was chosen for the flooring.
“This site is in an old apartment building, which is why there were a lot of exposed columns and beams running across the space, and like most Mumbai apartments, the ceiling was also quite low. Therefore, I used long curtains in the living room to give an illusion of more height and built the doors and panelling to go all the way up to the ceiling,” Kachhara says.
Here’s how to tackle the decorating dilemma in an open plan home
Wall paint: Dulux, Velvet touch; curtains: Sarita Handa
Here’s how to tackle the decorating dilemma in an open plan home
Wall paint: Dulux, Velvet touch; curtains: Sarita Handa
All the elements in the sitting room – the beige sofas, the black leather chairs, the brass artefacts and the art have been sourced from abroad. “I consciously chose loose furniture for this space so that the clients could change the setting as and when required,” Kachhara says.
The dining room has a walnut dining table, a custom orange console with brass framework and a smoked-glass top and “the standout feature, the lovely pendant comprising smoky blown glass attached to MS arms,” Kacchara says. The art and console add sprinkles of colour to this otherwise neutral space.
The clean-lined, L-shaped kitchen with sleek shelves was custom designed. It sports back-painted glass cabinets, PU drawers and a granite countertop.
Check out the pros and cons of L-shaped kitchens
Check out the pros and cons of L-shaped kitchens
The son, who is a filmmaker, wanted a space that was casual and relaxed, where he could ideate freely. The calm, meditative vibe for the room was created with spotlights, a writing corner and a large window. “A solid-wood bed frame with a burnt=orange leather headboard was chosen for this room. The window is encased in river-washed granite,” Kachhara says.
Furnishings: Good Earth, Fabindia, Address Home
Furnishings: Good Earth, Fabindia, Address Home
The son’s bathroom has graphite-black floor tiles, Carrara marble on the walls and a louvred white vanity. “I chose a countertop in river-washed granite to give the washroom a bold and rugged look,” Kachhara says.
The den-cum-entertainment room was a prerequisite for the son. “Inside his bedroom is the entertainment area, dominated by dark tones. Apart from the comfy lounge chairs and the projector screen, what also catches the eye is the matte grey PU wardrobe,” Kachhara says.
Take a look at the ideal layout for a TV room
Take a look at the ideal layout for a TV room
Soft tones dominate the daughter’s bedroom and infuse a vintage English charm. “We chose a baby-blue bed and floral-printed wallpaper for the ceiling,” Kachhara says.
The all-white dressing area is flooded with natural light filtering through the blinds. The vanity is accentuated with vintage-style mirror and lights. The brass fittings on the basin conjure up a royal, elegant scape.
Learn how to set up a dressing room
Wallpaper: Elementto
Learn how to set up a dressing room
Wallpaper: Elementto
This bedroom also has a walk-in closet that gets abundant natural light. “This is one of my favourite spots. Its design is inspired by an English parlour,” Kachhara says.
“I made sure that the house did justice to the personalities and preferences of the client’s family members and also showcased my style sensibilities,” she says.
Read more:
Mumbai Houzz: This Compact City Flat is an Idyllic Oasis
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this house? Tell us in Comments below.
“I made sure that the house did justice to the personalities and preferences of the client’s family members and also showcased my style sensibilities,” she says.
Read more:
Mumbai Houzz: This Compact City Flat is an Idyllic Oasis
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this house? Tell us in Comments below.
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"she pulled down walls and existing columns". "This site is in an old apartment building.." I shuddered reading these sentences. Are you sure pulling down columns is a great idea?? That is how whole buildings collapse. No one cares about Italian marble if the entire building collapses. I am not certain that this action was praise worthy even if the decor looks great. Or if this is not the case, please make the required edits. Not only is it illegal to pull down any columns or beams but also to pull down load bearing walls (walls that are thicker than others). A magazine like this has to include a specific comments by a Civil Engineer also in such articles as people get influenced by reading this and might emulate ideas given here.