Bangalore Houzz: An Understated Elegance Defines This Contemporary Home
Quirky sculptures, curated accents, and the best of east and west, all collide and mix in this apartment by Fadd Studio
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple and their son
Location: Bangalore, Karnataka
Size: 390 square metres (4200 square feet)
Principal interior designers: Farah Ahmed Mathias, Dhaval Shellugar of Fadd Studio
Project designer: Rishika Sutawala
Interior stylist: Shohini Munshi
Photos by MEISTER MEISTER
“We maintained a charcoal palette throughout a large section of the home to offset the ubiquitous luminosity. As [the clients were] a young, energetic couple with a son, who divided their time between Germany and India, we crafted the home to channel international contemporary allure and understated elegance. Also, since the husband was in the business of high-end footwear, and because both of them adored shoes, they requested that we bring in an element of their passion in some way,” says Farah Ahmed Mathias, co-founder and principal interior designer of Fadd Studio.
Who lives here: A young couple and their son
Location: Bangalore, Karnataka
Size: 390 square metres (4200 square feet)
Principal interior designers: Farah Ahmed Mathias, Dhaval Shellugar of Fadd Studio
Project designer: Rishika Sutawala
Interior stylist: Shohini Munshi
Photos by MEISTER MEISTER
“We maintained a charcoal palette throughout a large section of the home to offset the ubiquitous luminosity. As [the clients were] a young, energetic couple with a son, who divided their time between Germany and India, we crafted the home to channel international contemporary allure and understated elegance. Also, since the husband was in the business of high-end footwear, and because both of them adored shoes, they requested that we bring in an element of their passion in some way,” says Farah Ahmed Mathias, co-founder and principal interior designer of Fadd Studio.
The home opens into a deep, dark lobby. Its floor, embellished with bold, brooding rectangles of black and grey marble, is highlighted by inky walls. A high ceiling lifts the space, providing breathing room for the moody palette, while cane furniture cures the heavy monochrome scheme with a measure of lightness.
The living room continues the charcoal palette with its walls. The room’s inward-facing seating includes the special edition, cream tufted Greta chairs, a three seater in blue and one in green. All seaters lend warmth and softness to the space. Floor-to-ceiling windows, arranged in an L-shaped layout, welcome sunlight indoors.
Living room chairs: Greta chair from Baxter
Living room chairs: Greta chair from Baxter
“Rugs, paintings, artworks and sculptures adorn the room in carefully chosen spots. We used elements in brass to create a subtle richness. We also employed indirect lighting to blanket the room in a soft glow, and to conjure a feeling of cosiness in a seemingly plush and stylish space,” notes Mathias.
The floor features aged wood, which exudes a quaint ruggedness. “The matte finish beautifully accents the furniture that sits atop it, allowing it to take centre stage. The adjoining dining room features glossy serpeggiante marble, distinguishing it from the living area,” says Mathias.
In the dining room, the walls are cement-finished in charcoal to offer a chic and intimate experience. The decorative displays in sage-green veneer are actually door handles for the pooja room and the kitchen. The floor, clad in shiny serpeggiante marble, is in sharp contrast to the matte wood finish in the living room.
A short distance away stands a bar, buttressed by two larger-than-life boot sculptures.
“These were commissioned from an artist who works with molten tar, coal and metal elements such as nuts, bolts, washers and wires. The piece in deep violet and navy, reminiscent of the midnight sky, is a re-imagination of a woman’s stiletto boot, while the ember-y black one is inspired by a man’s cowboy boot. The furniture was carefully chosen to complement these colours,” Mathias says.
“These were commissioned from an artist who works with molten tar, coal and metal elements such as nuts, bolts, washers and wires. The piece in deep violet and navy, reminiscent of the midnight sky, is a re-imagination of a woman’s stiletto boot, while the ember-y black one is inspired by a man’s cowboy boot. The furniture was carefully chosen to complement these colours,” Mathias says.
A partition of textured olive-stone panels divides the dining room from a warm and earthy study.
The study features a desk on the right and a giant sofa on the left. A large painting, displayed front and centre on the far wall, steals the limelight.
To the left and right of this wall lie passages that lead into the home’s four bedrooms.
To the left and right of this wall lie passages that lead into the home’s four bedrooms.
The family room is a vibrant cocoon of indigo and mud brown. The ridged walls form a vivid backdrop for the taupe sofa and wooden open bookshelf. Ottomans, clustered together, double-hat as tables in the centre of the room.
The master bedroom is a tranquil oasis of black and white. The bed is within a wall alcove and serves as a comfy slumber spot when swung open. The space breathes contemporary chic, with muted colours, subtle designs and understated decor.
The master bathroom is entirely outfitted in monochrome, save for timber panelling cloaking the broad basin alcove. The window at the far end bathes the space in natural sunlight, giving the limited colour palette a light and airy feel. A backlit tableau behind the mirror adds a dramatic edge to the otherwise pared-back aesthetic.
The son’s bedroom has a monochrome wall channelling industrial grunge. A brown leather headboard, suspended from a metal rail, adds to the room’s assembly-line aesthetic. The remaining three white walls form a calming shell for the busy charcoal statement wall, while beau blue and white striped blinds give the room a soft, whimsical spin.
The son’s bathroom mirrors the smoky aesthetic of the adjoining bedroom. The mottled tiles and floor are an ode to the industrial vibe of the bedroom, while sleek timber and indigo under-sink cupboards counterbalance the rough-edged style with a dose of contemporary charm.
A smart, two-tone, four-poster bed commands attention in the guest bedroom, while the surrounding soft-hued elements slide quietly into the backdrop.
The apartment opens out to a private terrace garden, which features a stone patio stretch, followed by a rolling sweep of grass. The patio hosts quirky seating, including a pair of armchairs, an old-style wooden sofa and a vintage-style rolling coffee table.
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Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
Read more:
Mumbai Houzz: A Flat Gets Its Sheen Under a Tight Deadline
This Rustic Surat Home Is Drawn From Childhood Memories
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
