6 Indian Homes Harmoniously Blend Tradition & Modernism
These homes show how to retain old-world charm in a contemporary setting
For those of us who love traditional Indian decor but are wary of its overpowering look, given its heavy use of colour and intricacy of design, these homes can be an inspiration for creating a space that is modern with an Indian twist.
Elsewhere, a neutral-coloured plaster wall is embellished with tiny mirror pieces – a type of decoration typical of homes in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The bedroom is a fine example of how to merge modern minimalism with ethnic intricacy. The ornate opulence of the haveli-door headboard is balanced by the sleek minimalism of the cabinet opposite.
Take a tour of this home
The bedroom is a fine example of how to merge modern minimalism with ethnic intricacy. The ornate opulence of the haveli-door headboard is balanced by the sleek minimalism of the cabinet opposite.
Take a tour of this home
2. Where: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Firm: Sona Reddy Studio
The design aesthetic of this Hyderabad home is an amalgamation of modern India and local art. The home itself is of modern build, dotted with marble staircases and panelled walls with geometric mouldings. The modern setting is a great background to showcase artisanal oeuvres d’art, such as the brass detailing on the front door, antique pieces of furniture and a blue kalai (a form of decorative work on stone) wall.
Firm: Sona Reddy Studio
The design aesthetic of this Hyderabad home is an amalgamation of modern India and local art. The home itself is of modern build, dotted with marble staircases and panelled walls with geometric mouldings. The modern setting is a great background to showcase artisanal oeuvres d’art, such as the brass detailing on the front door, antique pieces of furniture and a blue kalai (a form of decorative work on stone) wall.
Ceiling panels in vibrant ikat fabrics stand out in contrast to the more contemporary-looking wall panels, which have lighter patterns and shades, while motifs carved in granite have been used to decorate bedroom walls, bringing a touch of the ethnic to the sleeping spaces.
See the rest of this house
See the rest of this house
3. Where: Vadodara, Gujarat
Firm: Dipen Gada and Associates
The architect’s home is a lesson in minimalism, offering “contemporary interiors with an Indian vernacular twist”. The bold and minimalist façade features a front door inspired by the rural homes of Kutch. Inside,
IPS (Indian patent stone), a traditional cement-based flooring normally associated with red oxide pigments, has been given a modern twist – either left in its raw form to give an industrial vibe or mixed with more modern hues of blues and blacks.
Firm: Dipen Gada and Associates
The architect’s home is a lesson in minimalism, offering “contemporary interiors with an Indian vernacular twist”. The bold and minimalist façade features a front door inspired by the rural homes of Kutch. Inside,
IPS (Indian patent stone), a traditional cement-based flooring normally associated with red oxide pigments, has been given a modern twist – either left in its raw form to give an industrial vibe or mixed with more modern hues of blues and blacks.
Neutral palette interiors almost bordering on the stark are alleviated by vibrant Indian textiles and bejewelled brass chandeliers.
Discover more tips from this home in Vadodara
Discover more tips from this home in Vadodara
4. Where: Kamshet, Maharashtra
Firm: Design Office
The heritage getaway home is a “mix of an old courtyard style and new minimalist approach”. The outer shell includes a pitched red-tiled roof and a wraparound verandah that give the bungalow an old-world charm. The open-plan modern design layout uses local kota stone, while a beautiful mural, hand-painted by local artists, gives a traditional look to a wide corridor.
A mix of lighting styles (industrial nautical-style lights and traditional wall lights) and furniture (an old heritage dining table and modern sofas in the living room) complete the beautiful mix of varying styles.
Explore the rest of this home
Firm: Design Office
The heritage getaway home is a “mix of an old courtyard style and new minimalist approach”. The outer shell includes a pitched red-tiled roof and a wraparound verandah that give the bungalow an old-world charm. The open-plan modern design layout uses local kota stone, while a beautiful mural, hand-painted by local artists, gives a traditional look to a wide corridor.
A mix of lighting styles (industrial nautical-style lights and traditional wall lights) and furniture (an old heritage dining table and modern sofas in the living room) complete the beautiful mix of varying styles.
Explore the rest of this home
5. Where: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Firm: Design Box
This home in Ahmedabad is a happy melange of contemporary and traditional design aspects, be it in architectural details or interior design. The double-height courtyard is the most stunning aspect – typically found in most traditional homes. Stone-finish matte tiles offer a rustic look beside contemporary-looking walls covered in wood panels. Ogee arches in verandahs mix seamlessly with straight lines.
Firm: Design Box
This home in Ahmedabad is a happy melange of contemporary and traditional design aspects, be it in architectural details or interior design. The double-height courtyard is the most stunning aspect – typically found in most traditional homes. Stone-finish matte tiles offer a rustic look beside contemporary-looking walls covered in wood panels. Ogee arches in verandahs mix seamlessly with straight lines.
The living room is a fine mix of textures, patterns and shades particular to differing sensibilities: pale neutrals in faux-fur and linen on one side, and jewel tones in silk and cotton on the other.
Take a look at this beautiful bungalow
Take a look at this beautiful bungalow
6. Where: Pune, Maharashtra
Firm: Orange Lane
“A marriage of tradition and modern design” is how the designer describes this house. At the entrance one is greeted by a sleeping Buddha set against a wall of rustic texture and lit-up niches that bring a sense of traditional eclecticism. Trefoil arches and intricately carved wooden doors, as often seen in Rajasthan’s palaces, are a recurring feature in the foyer and bedrooms.
Firm: Orange Lane
“A marriage of tradition and modern design” is how the designer describes this house. At the entrance one is greeted by a sleeping Buddha set against a wall of rustic texture and lit-up niches that bring a sense of traditional eclecticism. Trefoil arches and intricately carved wooden doors, as often seen in Rajasthan’s palaces, are a recurring feature in the foyer and bedrooms.
The living and dining rooms take on a contemporary look with clean straight lines, albeit with traditional flooring, while the reading room is an unexpected combination of a Mangalore-tiled roof and a parquet floor. Open spaces, traditional arches and wood detailing make this home a happy blend of the traditional and the modern.
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Firm: Group DCA
A home that has been redesigned as “a modern abode but with traditional elements as accents” features an earthy textured stone floor reminiscent of old-style homes. In contrast, it is outfitted with floor-to-ceiling glass windows to connect the indoors with the outdoors. The juxtaposition of differing styles also comes through in the structural wood-and-glass staircase which is illuminated by antique brass lamps, with a traditional-looking louvred door in the background.