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13 Design Elements That Capture the Holiday Spirit of Goa's Homes
Thinking of designing your home away from home? Take a virtual trip to these Goan homes for ideas galore
Vinita Kunnath
25 June 2021
A Houzz India contributor, freelance writer, lover of the internet, travel, funny blogs and all things off-beat, with an eye for good taste and aesthetics. Home, not clothes, maketh a man.....or woman.
A Houzz India contributor, freelance writer, lover of the internet, travel, funny... More
Holiday homes, whether by the sea or in the mountains, are an excellent palette upon which to practise your design and decorating skills. From skylights in the bathrooms to colourful printed tiles, we’ve shortlisted twelve inspiring ideas from Goan homes featured on Houzz – ideas that exhibit such élan and ingenuity that you might be hard put to decide which one to choose for your own nest.
1. Exposed beams
Ceilings held up by timber joists are a typical feature of Goan homes. Exposed ceiling beams, while serving the all-important purpose of holding up the roof, are a dramatic crowning feature to any home’s interior for their sheer form and symmetry, as Raya Shankhwalker Architects shows here.
Take a look at the rest of the house
Ceilings held up by timber joists are a typical feature of Goan homes. Exposed ceiling beams, while serving the all-important purpose of holding up the roof, are a dramatic crowning feature to any home’s interior for their sheer form and symmetry, as Raya Shankhwalker Architects shows here.
Take a look at the rest of the house
2. Patterned tiles
Holiday homes often embrace statement tiling with bold patterns and colours. It’s easy to see why – they remind us of exotic holiday destinations like Morocco or the ever-popular Spain. The Orange Lane uses black-and-white patterned tiles to give this living room an eclectic and worldly feel.
Tour the house here
Holiday homes often embrace statement tiling with bold patterns and colours. It’s easy to see why – they remind us of exotic holiday destinations like Morocco or the ever-popular Spain. The Orange Lane uses black-and-white patterned tiles to give this living room an eclectic and worldly feel.
Tour the house here
3. Skylights in bathrooms
The next best thing to an outdoor bathroom is having a skylight in one, with the same outcome – they both immediately transport you to tropical destinations under blue skies. Here, SAV Architecture + Design gives us a skylight as well as a large window with a view – and some major envy.
See more images of the house
The next best thing to an outdoor bathroom is having a skylight in one, with the same outcome – they both immediately transport you to tropical destinations under blue skies. Here, SAV Architecture + Design gives us a skylight as well as a large window with a view – and some major envy.
See more images of the house
4. Balcaos
The balcao or built-in seat found at the entrance of most Portuguese houses in Goa truly captures the spirit of a holiday home – even modern ones, such as this one. Grounded designs the balcao in this verandah in cement oxide, one that is ideal for waiting visitors or to share a cuppa with the neighbours.
Take a tour
The balcao or built-in seat found at the entrance of most Portuguese houses in Goa truly captures the spirit of a holiday home – even modern ones, such as this one. Grounded designs the balcao in this verandah in cement oxide, one that is ideal for waiting visitors or to share a cuppa with the neighbours.
Take a tour
5. Seashell windows
The oyster-shell windows that adorned affluent Goan homes of yore are getting a rejig with synthetic alternatives, and rightfully so, considering the environment. These windows, designed by Architecture + Design Ankit Prabhudessai are not only imaginative and decorative, but also ideal for warm weather, letting in gentle air and diffused light while granting enough privacy.
Take a sneak peek of the house
The oyster-shell windows that adorned affluent Goan homes of yore are getting a rejig with synthetic alternatives, and rightfully so, considering the environment. These windows, designed by Architecture + Design Ankit Prabhudessai are not only imaginative and decorative, but also ideal for warm weather, letting in gentle air and diffused light while granting enough privacy.
Take a sneak peek of the house
6. Colonial furniture
Colonial-era furniture is a reminder of less frenetic times. The addition of a comfortable plantation-style chair by Papersky Studio to this patio is an invitation to while away the afternoon, with a book in hand – or a glass of wine, if you are so inclined.
Tour this beautiful home
Colonial-era furniture is a reminder of less frenetic times. The addition of a comfortable plantation-style chair by Papersky Studio to this patio is an invitation to while away the afternoon, with a book in hand – or a glass of wine, if you are so inclined.
Tour this beautiful home
7. Full-length windows
Holiday homes usually come with a view; and, where there’s a view there are large windows. These tall glass sliding doors frame the lush Goan greenery and provide seamless interaction with the outdoors.
Holiday homes usually come with a view; and, where there’s a view there are large windows. These tall glass sliding doors frame the lush Goan greenery and provide seamless interaction with the outdoors.
8. Concrete built-ins
Traditional concrete floors have gone a notch higher with built-in furniture such as beds and bathroom counters, which give holiday homes a contemporary look and feel. The flooring here shows a shift from the traditional red oxide to raw concrete shades that make the space seem more substantial.
Traditional concrete floors have gone a notch higher with built-in furniture such as beds and bathroom counters, which give holiday homes a contemporary look and feel. The flooring here shows a shift from the traditional red oxide to raw concrete shades that make the space seem more substantial.
9. Distressed textures
Worn and distressed textures create a warm feeling of familiarity and comfort – just what we need when away from home. This sanded-down wooden chest doubles as storage as well as a rustic decor piece.
Worn and distressed textures create a warm feeling of familiarity and comfort – just what we need when away from home. This sanded-down wooden chest doubles as storage as well as a rustic decor piece.
10. Water-friendly furnishings
Whether it’s rain or wet swimsuits, outdoor furnishings need to be able to handle it all while looking stylish. ZERO9 uses water-resistant rattan sofas, creating a comfortable and elegant spot under this wooden pergola.
Take a tour
Whether it’s rain or wet swimsuits, outdoor furnishings need to be able to handle it all while looking stylish. ZERO9 uses water-resistant rattan sofas, creating a comfortable and elegant spot under this wooden pergola.
Take a tour
11. Natural materials
Sustainability is important in holiday homes where one is less likely to change and make improvements as often as at home. JOSMO designs a live-edge coffee table for this living room, injecting the space with an element of nature and its accompanying warmth.
See the rest of the house here
Sustainability is important in holiday homes where one is less likely to change and make improvements as often as at home. JOSMO designs a live-edge coffee table for this living room, injecting the space with an element of nature and its accompanying warmth.
See the rest of the house here
12. Vintage charm
Flea market finds, often of vintage nature, that don’t fit in first homes, regularly find their way to the owners’ holiday homes, adding to their joie de vivre. Without breaking the budget, they can be colourful, quaint and charming, while being practical as well, like this old-fashioned pedestal fan and the bow-fronted chest of drawers.
Flea market finds, often of vintage nature, that don’t fit in first homes, regularly find their way to the owners’ holiday homes, adding to their joie de vivre. Without breaking the budget, they can be colourful, quaint and charming, while being practical as well, like this old-fashioned pedestal fan and the bow-fronted chest of drawers.
13. Vibrant colours
Paint your holiday home a bright colour à la traditional Goan houses that often sport a vivid ferrous oxide red or a turmeric yellow or a deep indigo blue. Lively shades are easier to carry off at a holiday home than at the main residence; plus, colour adds to the whole vacation vibe.
Read more:
Goa Houzz: A Home Inspired by Lunar Landscapes
Mumbai Houzz: This Breezy, Eclectic Home Is a Goa-Inspired Escape
Tell us:
Which of these ideas would you like to incorporate in your home? Do tell us in Comments below.
Paint your holiday home a bright colour à la traditional Goan houses that often sport a vivid ferrous oxide red or a turmeric yellow or a deep indigo blue. Lively shades are easier to carry off at a holiday home than at the main residence; plus, colour adds to the whole vacation vibe.
Read more:
Goa Houzz: A Home Inspired by Lunar Landscapes
Mumbai Houzz: This Breezy, Eclectic Home Is a Goa-Inspired Escape
Tell us:
Which of these ideas would you like to incorporate in your home? Do tell us in Comments below.
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