Bangalore Houzz: A Home Inspired by the Retro Style & Iconic Artists
This apartment by Treelight Design reimagines 19th- and 20th-century artworks across its ceilings and walls
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A young, well-travelled couple
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Year built: 2021
Size: 372 square metres (4000 square feet); 2 bedrooms; 3 bathrooms
Principal architect: Amitha Madan of Treelight Design
Photos by MEISTER MEISTER
Located on the seventeenth floor of a high-rise surrounded by views, this apartment is akin to a gallery of twentieth-century art. “We wanted the project to take on a retro spirit and we deliberately chose artworks and sculptures inspired by nineteenth- and twentieth-century artists,” says Amitha Madan, founder and principal architect of Treelight Design. Her words ring true in the kaleidoscope of elements that hold a mirror to the signature styles of Helen Frankenthaler’s bold colours, Franz Kline’s calligraphic expressions, Piet Mondrian’s geometry and Jackson Pollock’s abstract forms.
Who lives here: A young, well-travelled couple
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Year built: 2021
Size: 372 square metres (4000 square feet); 2 bedrooms; 3 bathrooms
Principal architect: Amitha Madan of Treelight Design
Photos by MEISTER MEISTER
Located on the seventeenth floor of a high-rise surrounded by views, this apartment is akin to a gallery of twentieth-century art. “We wanted the project to take on a retro spirit and we deliberately chose artworks and sculptures inspired by nineteenth- and twentieth-century artists,” says Amitha Madan, founder and principal architect of Treelight Design. Her words ring true in the kaleidoscope of elements that hold a mirror to the signature styles of Helen Frankenthaler’s bold colours, Franz Kline’s calligraphic expressions, Piet Mondrian’s geometry and Jackson Pollock’s abstract forms.
The penthouse is composed of two levels – the ground floor housing the living room, kitchen, dining room and den, and the first floor accommodating the master and guest bedrooms. The main door opens into the living room.
The open-plan living room lies between the balcony on one side and the dining room on the other. Buttercup-yellow sofas break up the monochrome shell, while the double-height volume lends an exaggerated sense of space. The palette features an equal mix of unfinished walls and clean finishes.
“The cement flooring, concrete-textured walls and Mahabalipuram stone monoliths provide a hardy background for the soft and polished upholstered furniture,” she says.
Paint: Asian Paints; sofas: Magari Furniture
“The cement flooring, concrete-textured walls and Mahabalipuram stone monoliths provide a hardy background for the soft and polished upholstered furniture,” she says.
Paint: Asian Paints; sofas: Magari Furniture
“We demolished a wall to enlarge the living room and reoriented the furniture towards the window to pay homage to the stellar views. Most elements in the house were designed to spark conversations against the backdrop of a stunning sunrise or sunset,” adds Madan.
Find an architect on Houzz
Find an architect on Houzz
The living room extends into a casual dining area.
Here, a pool table takes the place of the usual dining table, with a circular bar cabinet in the background.
“Here, and throughout the home, we made an attempt to keep the background raw, textural and neutral. The pops of colour are brought in by the array of furniture and accents,” notes Madan.
Furniture and furnishings are custom-made
“Here, and throughout the home, we made an attempt to keep the background raw, textural and neutral. The pops of colour are brought in by the array of furniture and accents,” notes Madan.
Furniture and furnishings are custom-made
Madan added a second dining room by enclosing the balcony. A low, monolithic dining table takes pride of place, amplifying the proportions of the double-height volume.
A Franz Kline-inspired cane installation backdrops the space.
“The two dining rooms were created to offer completely different experiences. The double-height glazing in this one conjures up an intimate dining experience,” says Madan.
Dining table and chairs: Magari
Get the perfect dining room by keeping these key measurements in mind
“The two dining rooms were created to offer completely different experiences. The double-height glazing in this one conjures up an intimate dining experience,” says Madan.
Dining table and chairs: Magari
Get the perfect dining room by keeping these key measurements in mind
The den is characterised by sleek lines, muted forms, and a monochrome palette complemented by lots of wood.
The wood-panelled ceiling provides a warm offset to the vanilla shell.
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Considering a TV room? Here’s a round-up of plush, glamorous and edgy spaces to inspire you
The kitchen is elusive, almost passing off as an extension of the casual dining room. A mirror-and-wood grid tableau accents the wall, while serving as a natural light reflector.
“The tableau offers the feeling of a kitchen window and gives the kitchen a whole new dimension,” Madan says.
“The tableau offers the feeling of a kitchen window and gives the kitchen a whole new dimension,” Madan says.
The staircase is sleek and pared-back, with vertical stainless steel wires making up the balusters.
“We relocated the staircase – the original location was blocking the flow between the interior and exterior spaces,” says Madan.
Love a good railing design? These examples step up the design aesthetic
“We relocated the staircase – the original location was blocking the flow between the interior and exterior spaces,” says Madan.
Love a good railing design? These examples step up the design aesthetic
On the first floor, a cosy antechamber greets visitors. Tufted floor seating lines the edges of the room, while a black-studded wooden coffee table adds an element of texture. The tour de force here though, is the hand-painted ceiling, which nods to late American painter Jackson Pollock’s ‘drip technique’.
The master bedroom is airy and minimalist. A floor-to-ceiling window stands in for an entire wall, offering a luminous counterbalance to the Mondrian-style fabric mosaic.
“The bed is made of solid wood and has built-in side tables. We added a soft, textured rug to balance out its ruggedness,” says Madan.
Furnishings: Yavanika Furnishings
Glam up your master bedroom design to make it a royal, relaxing oasis
“The bed is made of solid wood and has built-in side tables. We added a soft, textured rug to balance out its ruggedness,” says Madan.
Furnishings: Yavanika Furnishings
Glam up your master bedroom design to make it a royal, relaxing oasis
The guest bedroom is hushed and intimate, dominated by autumnal tones. The crimson headboard punctuates the soft colour scheme, while ribbed panelling lends a textural flair to the flat-lined surroundings.
Read more:
Delhi Houzz: A Stacked House That Tops in Design and Subtle Style
Mumbai Houzz: A Central Courtyard Opens Up a City Flat to Nature
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
Read more:
Delhi Houzz: A Stacked House That Tops in Design and Subtle Style
Mumbai Houzz: A Central Courtyard Opens Up a City Flat to Nature
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
