Houzz Tours
Bangalore Houzz: Tradition Rules in This Modern Flat
This young couple's colourful home is the perfect canvas for their heirlooms, antiques and handcrafted accessories
The challenge that Ojas Chaudhari and Rahul Menon, principal architects, studio TAB, faced when designing this young couple’s flat was to seamlessly incorporate their beautiful collection of traditional furniture into a cheerful space. “The couple wanted a home that is unpretentious and the perfect contemporary backdrop for their carefully preserved handcrafted heirlooms,” says Menon.
“If the setup were too modern, the furniture could look out of place; however, if we went too ethnic with the decor, then the entire apartment could end up looking a little stodgy.” Agreeing that the furniture remain the focal point, the architects set out to create a “muted space with a dash of contemporary quirkiness”.
“If the setup were too modern, the furniture could look out of place; however, if we went too ethnic with the decor, then the entire apartment could end up looking a little stodgy.” Agreeing that the furniture remain the focal point, the architects set out to create a “muted space with a dash of contemporary quirkiness”.
An interesting element in the living room is the custom-designed floor made from a collage of Athangudi tiles. The patterns chosen stand out just enough to anchor the space without overpowering the furniture or room. “To offset the decor, we painted one wall blue and added a custom-made copper-finish ‘Tree of Life’,” he continues.
Opposite this seating area, the architects carved out a cosy nook, with a wood-and-brass swing taking centre stage. A wooden batten ceiling visually separates this zone from the rest of the living room.
A custom-designed jali screen of wood and brass divides the living and dining areas. The dining area looks out onto a balcony on one side, which features a verdant vertical garden. The blue wall of the living room continues into this area, offsetting the orange and wood palette. Occupying a corner is an armoire that features hand-woven silk panels specially sourced from Kanchivaram.
“We worked the decor of the dining room around the traditional dining table and chairs which are works of art in themselves. On the wall opposite the balcony, we fashioned a chequered cement-finish canvas that displays curios and objets d’art,” says Menon. A credenza with a vintage gramophone is flanked by two brass Buddha head figurines. The vignette creates visual uniformity with a touch of asymmetrical balance.
The open plan continues with the dining area flowing into the kitchen. Clean lines, sleek fittings and appliances and a palette of white and walnut wood create this modern space. Low counters of exposed brick painted white, topped with wood, have been used to partially section this space while adding a work surface.
“The home theatre room is the client’s den,” says Chaudhari. “We imagined the space a little differently from the rest of the house.” Traditional long wooden benches add a touch of old-world charm while solid and patterned furnishings, along with framed posters, lend the room a contemporary and relaxed vibe. A subtle design element is the false ceiling which hides recessed lighting.
In the study, a vibrant blue wall peeks out from behind the wood cabinetry and work station, brightening up the room. “This space is a reflection of the client’s study room in his ancestral home. We brought in hardwood flooring here, as well, and added a 25-year-old wooden chair which is reminiscent of a certain period of time in the client’s life,” he continues.
The master bedroom features hardwood flooring and other subtle wood elements that infuse the neutral space with warmth. An exposed brick wall, painted white, adds a hint of visual texture. To enhance the muted material and colour palette, the architects included elements like striking artwork, metal drop lamps and unique decor accessories. Mirroring the other rooms, a simple false ceiling conceals recessed lights.
The client’s mother’s room has been pared back, save for a couple of stand-out pieces like a restored wood-and-cane antique rocking chair and Warli-style wall artwork. Hardwood flooring, light-coloured walls and a streamlined bed form a subtle backdrop. Two contemporary drop lights flank the tribal artwork above the bed, forming a visual frame and completing the vignette.
Read more:
Bangalore Houzz: This Home Celebrates Light, Brick & Floating Balconies
Bangalore Houzz: Kitchen Renovation Ends in a Full Home Makeover
Tell us:
What did you like most about this house? Tell us in Comments below.
Read more:
Bangalore Houzz: This Home Celebrates Light, Brick & Floating Balconies
Bangalore Houzz: Kitchen Renovation Ends in a Full Home Makeover
Tell us:
What did you like most about this house? Tell us in Comments below.
Who lives here: A small family of three; Amith Sebastian, his wife Ashwini Mohan and Amith’s mother
Location: Bangalore
Year built: 2017
Size: 195 square metres (2100 square feet) carpet area; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Architectural and interior designer: Ojas Chaudhari and Rahul Menon, principal architects and co-founders, and Tushal Pandey, lead project architect, studio TAB
Photos by Nayan Soni Photography
“The house unfolds in such a way that different zones are visually connected yet maintain the requisite privacy,” explains Chaudhari. The entrance opens into the flowing living-cum-dining room with a glimpse of the open kitchen far back. From here, corridors lead the way to private spaces such as the master bedroom, the home theatre, the study and the mother’s bedroom.
“We used micro-concrete flooring in the public areas. It is a thin cement-based coating that can be applied to a range of different surfaces. For the private rooms, we worked in hardwood floors to add a cosy vibe.”