Houzz Tours
Before & After Tour: A Sterile Mumbai Flat Comes Alive
See how Anushka Contractor transformed a no-frills flat into a vibrant and characterful family home
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A bachelor and his parents
Location: Mumbai
Year built: 2019
Size: 192 square metres (2067 square feet); 4 bedrooms; 4 bathrooms; 1 powder room
Interior designer: Anushka Contractor of Anushka Contractor
Photos by Photographix, Ira Gosalia
Who lives here: A bachelor and his parents
Location: Mumbai
Year built: 2019
Size: 192 square metres (2067 square feet); 4 bedrooms; 4 bathrooms; 1 powder room
Interior designer: Anushka Contractor of Anushka Contractor
Photos by Photographix, Ira Gosalia
Before
The living room was a large expanse with a single-colour palette and indistinct zones. Yet, it was clear that with the right visual demarcations, it could be divided into functional sections. See how this view has been transformed, in the next photo.
Look for living room furniture on Houzz
The living room was a large expanse with a single-colour palette and indistinct zones. Yet, it was clear that with the right visual demarcations, it could be divided into functional sections. See how this view has been transformed, in the next photo.
Look for living room furniture on Houzz
After
Contractor employed an earthy colour palette, dominated by browns, tans, blues and greys, to bring in visual variety while constructing ergonomic zones. She counterbalanced the subdued blocks of colour with details and textures – a patterned monochrome rug, printed throw pillows, and pops of colour by way of artwork and enlivening verdure.
Sofas: Stanley, Blue Loft; drum armchairs; Coffee table: Wooden It Be Nice; Floor lamp: Hatsu; Rug: Pepperfry; Throw pillows: Address home, Tehueti, Fennel Luxury Home Decor, Pepperfry
Contractor employed an earthy colour palette, dominated by browns, tans, blues and greys, to bring in visual variety while constructing ergonomic zones. She counterbalanced the subdued blocks of colour with details and textures – a patterned monochrome rug, printed throw pillows, and pops of colour by way of artwork and enlivening verdure.
Sofas: Stanley, Blue Loft; drum armchairs; Coffee table: Wooden It Be Nice; Floor lamp: Hatsu; Rug: Pepperfry; Throw pillows: Address home, Tehueti, Fennel Luxury Home Decor, Pepperfry
Before
This bare wall in the living room was the perfect canvas for an ornament or work of art. With a little creativity, it held the potential to be transformed from drab to fab.
Find all sorts of home decor and artwork in Houzz products
This bare wall in the living room was the perfect canvas for an ornament or work of art. With a little creativity, it held the potential to be transformed from drab to fab.
Find all sorts of home decor and artwork in Houzz products
After
The wall, now a brooding indigo, serves as a striking frame for a Gothic-style mirror that lends an air of grandeur. A tan sofa provides a lesson in colourblocking (use of contrasting blocks of solid colour) and imbues the design scheme with an organic warmth.
“We were experimental with the palettes we chose. Yet, we were also careful about complementing bold tones with more restrained shades to work as calming antidotes,” says Contractor.
The wall, now a brooding indigo, serves as a striking frame for a Gothic-style mirror that lends an air of grandeur. A tan sofa provides a lesson in colourblocking (use of contrasting blocks of solid colour) and imbues the design scheme with an organic warmth.
“We were experimental with the palettes we chose. Yet, we were also careful about complementing bold tones with more restrained shades to work as calming antidotes,” says Contractor.
Before
Spare and spartan, this living room wall was screaming for a makeover.
Spare and spartan, this living room wall was screaming for a makeover.
After
An opulent floor-to-ceiling wall feature crafted of Lusso Macchiato marble now takes centre stage. A sleek matte-polish wooden ledge pairs with it, hosting artefacts and objets d’art.
“We selected and sourced the furniture and furnishings together with the client. Most furniture pieces were purchased online,” notes Contractor.
Find an interior designer on Houzz to transform your home
An opulent floor-to-ceiling wall feature crafted of Lusso Macchiato marble now takes centre stage. A sleek matte-polish wooden ledge pairs with it, hosting artefacts and objets d’art.
“We selected and sourced the furniture and furnishings together with the client. Most furniture pieces were purchased online,” notes Contractor.
Find an interior designer on Houzz to transform your home
Before
At the far end of the passage leading to the bedrooms was a blank wall that could be put to good use.
At the far end of the passage leading to the bedrooms was a blank wall that could be put to good use.
After
In this view, the end-wall of the passage (first picture) has been transformed into a sleek home-style art gallery, featuring an arrangement of spiffy black frames.
The dining zone is carved out of the erstwhile extended living area. “We used gold, black and white to give the dining zone a distinct visual identity,” says Contractor.
Dining table: Bent Chair; dining chairs: Iaah; hanging lamp: Jainsons Emporio
Wondering how to partition the living room from the dining area?
In this view, the end-wall of the passage (first picture) has been transformed into a sleek home-style art gallery, featuring an arrangement of spiffy black frames.
The dining zone is carved out of the erstwhile extended living area. “We used gold, black and white to give the dining zone a distinct visual identity,” says Contractor.
Dining table: Bent Chair; dining chairs: Iaah; hanging lamp: Jainsons Emporio
Wondering how to partition the living room from the dining area?
The multipurpose room – which alternates between being an entertainment space and a guest bedroom – is an explosion of deep, majestic colours. Royal-blue walls are matched by a sumptuous satiny sofa bed. To the left, a chilli-red armchair adds zing to the midnight tones while a subtle book shelf serves as a stylish surface for storage.
Armchair: Afydecor; chair: Urban Ladder; bookshelf: Wooden Street; coffee table: Freedom Tree; cushions: Cottons and Satins, Freedom Tree
Worried that dark tones will rob your room of light? Turn to these light-enhancing tricks
Armchair: Afydecor; chair: Urban Ladder; bookshelf: Wooden Street; coffee table: Freedom Tree; cushions: Cottons and Satins, Freedom Tree
Worried that dark tones will rob your room of light? Turn to these light-enhancing tricks
“The client, a bachelor, envisioned a room with a modern, industrial-style aesthetic. As a collector of quirky figurines and souvenirs, he wanted to introduce pops of colour through his vast collection of tchotchkes,” says Contractor.
True to her word, the room carries a modish, movie-set vibe. A tripod floor lamp, a black metal chandelier and exposed-brick-effect walls neutralise the vibrant splashes of colour provided by the decor and curios. Graphic pop print pillows and superhero-themed wall art inspire a spirit of whimsy and playfulness.
Cushions: Freedom Tree; recliner with ottoman: Blue Loft; rug: Borderline Studio; chair: Urban Ladder; floor lamp: Pepperfry; table lamp: Tranceforme; black chandelier: The Black Steel; small table: Urban Ladder; bedside tables: Rajtai Shree; black matte modular unit: Fuzziecouch
Let your walls take centre stage with attention-grabbing wall-art
True to her word, the room carries a modish, movie-set vibe. A tripod floor lamp, a black metal chandelier and exposed-brick-effect walls neutralise the vibrant splashes of colour provided by the decor and curios. Graphic pop print pillows and superhero-themed wall art inspire a spirit of whimsy and playfulness.
Cushions: Freedom Tree; recliner with ottoman: Blue Loft; rug: Borderline Studio; chair: Urban Ladder; floor lamp: Pepperfry; table lamp: Tranceforme; black chandelier: The Black Steel; small table: Urban Ladder; bedside tables: Rajtai Shree; black matte modular unit: Fuzziecouch
Let your walls take centre stage with attention-grabbing wall-art
The parents’ bedroom is a soothing melange of fresh mint and cream, set in a design language that straddles the classic and the contemporary. Soft gold pendant lights and gilded planters add sparkle to the otherwise subdued aesthetic, while patterned accent pillows and wooden bedside tables break the monotony of the muted palette.
“The client’s parents love plants and nature. The green and wood combination holds a mirror to their sensibilities,” says Contractor.
Bed: Fuzziecouch; hanging lamps: Pepperfry; cushions: Cottons and Satins; chairs: Urban Ladder
Browse throught these bedroom design ideas in Houzz photos
“The client’s parents love plants and nature. The green and wood combination holds a mirror to their sensibilities,” says Contractor.
Bed: Fuzziecouch; hanging lamps: Pepperfry; cushions: Cottons and Satins; chairs: Urban Ladder
Browse throught these bedroom design ideas in Houzz photos
Before
In the same bedroom, this wall alcove was a vacant recess that appeared to have no purpose.
In the same bedroom, this wall alcove was a vacant recess that appeared to have no purpose.
After
The wall alcove, now overlaid with a full-length mirror, provides a fitting backdrop for the wardrobe unit that abuts it. The reflective quality of the alcove cleverly serves to double the length of the room while enhancing its luminosity.
The wall alcove, now overlaid with a full-length mirror, provides a fitting backdrop for the wardrobe unit that abuts it. The reflective quality of the alcove cleverly serves to double the length of the room while enhancing its luminosity.
Before
A large window in the parents’ bedroom offered sweeping views of the city and welcomed plenty of sunlight indoors. It was important that the new design of the room embrace its existing functionality and accentuate the view both outward and inward.
A large window in the parents’ bedroom offered sweeping views of the city and welcomed plenty of sunlight indoors. It was important that the new design of the room embrace its existing functionality and accentuate the view both outward and inward.
After
Adorned with sheer floor-to-ceiling curtains, the window now acts as a gossamer veil of light when the curtains are drawn. Its function is not lost on the untrained eye. It still promises excellent views of the city and welcomes ample sunlight – all while retaining its gauzy avatar and echoing the soft surrounding decor.
Find out how to choose the perfect curtains for any room
Adorned with sheer floor-to-ceiling curtains, the window now acts as a gossamer veil of light when the curtains are drawn. Its function is not lost on the untrained eye. It still promises excellent views of the city and welcomes ample sunlight – all while retaining its gauzy avatar and echoing the soft surrounding decor.
Find out how to choose the perfect curtains for any room
Channelling a chic English country appeal, the guest bedroom has been designed keeping the client’s brother and sister-in-law in mind.
“His older brother and family visit them once or twice a year from the USA. This room nods to his sister-in-law, who has an affinity for light and breezy pastel palettes. We underpinned pinks, lilacs and mauves with floral prints and white undertones to bring alive a little cottage bedroom that could easily belong to the English countryside,” explains Contractor.
Bed: Urban Ladder; chair: Urban Ladder; décor wall plates: Mora Taara, Cyahi; rug: Amazon; cushions: Cottons and Satins; bed runner: India Circus; table lamps: Orange Tree
Read more:
Surat Houzz: This Modern Home Reveals Subtle Contrasts & Small Details
Mumbai Houzz: A Palette of White & Wood Works Wonders in This Flat
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
“His older brother and family visit them once or twice a year from the USA. This room nods to his sister-in-law, who has an affinity for light and breezy pastel palettes. We underpinned pinks, lilacs and mauves with floral prints and white undertones to bring alive a little cottage bedroom that could easily belong to the English countryside,” explains Contractor.
Bed: Urban Ladder; chair: Urban Ladder; décor wall plates: Mora Taara, Cyahi; rug: Amazon; cushions: Cottons and Satins; bed runner: India Circus; table lamps: Orange Tree
Read more:
Surat Houzz: This Modern Home Reveals Subtle Contrasts & Small Details
Mumbai Houzz: A Palette of White & Wood Works Wonders in This Flat
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
“When the home was given to us, it was outfitted with only some basic materials. We decided to leave the bathrooms alone and focus on the salient sections of the home. We retained the original marble flooring but overhauled the entire lighting system,” Contractor says.
Paint: Asian Paints