Houzz Tours
Khopoli Houzz: This Home in the Hills Breathes a South Indian Air
Trad motifs, ornate furniture and Kalamkari prints enliven this retreat by amritha karnakar architectural design
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: It’s a holiday home for a young couple and their son and daughter
Location: Khopoli, Maharashtra
Year built: 2021
Size: 279 square metres (3000 square feet); 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms
Interior designer: Amritha Karnakar of amritha karnakar architectural design
Photos by Ishita Sitwala
Tucked away in the verdant Sahyadri hills of Khopoli, not far from Mumbai, sits a house that exudes a distinctive air that evokes the temples, beaches and homes of the southern states.
“The brief emphasised the need for traditional south-Indian elements against a backdrop of modern amenities, colour, art and nature. The house needed to represent the homeowners’ roots, and though it was a holiday villa, it had to embody a sense of comfort and the simple spirit of home. Hence, the house is culturally deep-rooted, yet very relaxed,” says Amritha Karnakar, founder and chief interior designer of her eponymous architectural firm amritha karnakar architectural design.
Who lives here: It’s a holiday home for a young couple and their son and daughter
Location: Khopoli, Maharashtra
Year built: 2021
Size: 279 square metres (3000 square feet); 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms
Interior designer: Amritha Karnakar of amritha karnakar architectural design
Photos by Ishita Sitwala
Tucked away in the verdant Sahyadri hills of Khopoli, not far from Mumbai, sits a house that exudes a distinctive air that evokes the temples, beaches and homes of the southern states.
“The brief emphasised the need for traditional south-Indian elements against a backdrop of modern amenities, colour, art and nature. The house needed to represent the homeowners’ roots, and though it was a holiday villa, it had to embody a sense of comfort and the simple spirit of home. Hence, the house is culturally deep-rooted, yet very relaxed,” says Amritha Karnakar, founder and chief interior designer of her eponymous architectural firm amritha karnakar architectural design.
The main door opens into a quaint foyer filled with traditional wooden tracery, hand-carved accents and mythological figurines.
“The wooden Ganesha statue is the crowning glory of the entrance vestibule. It is adorned with intricate Dravidian temple-inspired brass detailing,” says Karnakar.
Need decor ideas for your foyer?
Need decor ideas for your foyer?
The foyer directs visitors into a glasshouse-like living room, where a kaleidoscope of colours is projected by way of the rustic terracotta-textured wall, jungle-green sofa, and wicker-clad armchair. A trunk with polished black wheels serves as the coffee table.
“In keeping with our ethos of working with native artists and young talents, we partnered with two artists for the living room. The kolam rangoli (a traditional decorative art form of ancient Tamil Nadu) was hand-painted by a local village artist, while the painted panels depicting Carnatic musicians were rendered by a Mumbai-based artist,” Karnakar says.
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“In keeping with our ethos of working with native artists and young talents, we partnered with two artists for the living room. The kolam rangoli (a traditional decorative art form of ancient Tamil Nadu) was hand-painted by a local village artist, while the painted panels depicting Carnatic musicians were rendered by a Mumbai-based artist,” Karnakar says.
Find an interior designer on Houzz
Karnakar was conscious about creating designs for the present, yet being sensitive to the past and the future.
“The artwork on the wall injects pops of colour, while dovetailing nicely with the organic colour scheme. More than that, though, it’s a celebration of India and all things Indian. The old wicker easy chair brings to mind a cheerful grandfather reading the morning paper on his front porch in Kerala,” says Karnakar.
Sofas and coffee table: Gulmohar Lane
“The artwork on the wall injects pops of colour, while dovetailing nicely with the organic colour scheme. More than that, though, it’s a celebration of India and all things Indian. The old wicker easy chair brings to mind a cheerful grandfather reading the morning paper on his front porch in Kerala,” says Karnakar.
Sofas and coffee table: Gulmohar Lane
On the other side of the living room rests a daybed clad in a Kalamkari print, overlooking the garden.
“Since the house is mostly open to the outside, we maintained an earthy material palette to complement the outdoors. Brass elements like the pots, the face mask on the coffee table and the floor lamps inspire brightness and add an Indian touch to the space. The glass facade brings in a lot of natural light and the view of the green garden is the room’s tour de force,” says Karnakar.
Dreaming of a daybed? These designs will have you heading to the nearest store to pick one for your home
“Since the house is mostly open to the outside, we maintained an earthy material palette to complement the outdoors. Brass elements like the pots, the face mask on the coffee table and the floor lamps inspire brightness and add an Indian touch to the space. The glass facade brings in a lot of natural light and the view of the green garden is the room’s tour de force,” says Karnakar.
Dreaming of a daybed? These designs will have you heading to the nearest store to pick one for your home
The dining room is divided from the living area by a central floating staircase. Here, a neutral shell prevails. The solid-wood dining table is reminiscent of traditional south Indian homes, while the chairs cut a more contemporary presence, alternately sporting wicker and nature-printed fabric.
“The dining room is positioned close to the garden and the lovely banana plants beyond form a lush tapestry against the window. The chandelier of brass and green glass is a hat-tip to the greens outside,” says Karnakar.
Dining table and chairs: Gulmohar Lane
Give your dining room a bright and beautiful makeover on a budget
Dining table and chairs: Gulmohar Lane
Give your dining room a bright and beautiful makeover on a budget
The living and dining areas spill out into a lush garden where a greenscape of bamboo, banana, mango and papaya trees takes centre stage.
“We sought to create a simple, clean aesthetic for the garden, since it’s the first space one notices on entering the house. It’s the home’s centrepiece, literally and figuratively, with openings from all rooms,” says Karnakar.
“We sought to create a simple, clean aesthetic for the garden, since it’s the first space one notices on entering the house. It’s the home’s centrepiece, literally and figuratively, with openings from all rooms,” says Karnakar.
An antique oonjal (a traditional wood-and-brass swing from Tamil Nadu) and petite stone elephants (in previous picture) serve as earthy accompaniments to the abiding greenness.
Here’s how to add a jhula to your home
Here’s how to add a jhula to your home
This centrally placed floating staircase leads to the first floor, which hosts the home’s two bedrooms.
Love the floating staircase? Here are 6 things you should know before opting for one
Love the floating staircase? Here are 6 things you should know before opting for one
“The staircase is housed within a double-height volume covered with carved frames, artworks and paintings,” says Karnakar.
Here is a closer look at the mosaic of artworks.
In the master bedroom, dark wood furniture, ornately carved accents, banana plant motifs and an old-world chandelier collectively channel the air of a quaint Kerala beach house.
“The wall mirror is in the Chettinad style, while the banana-plant-print headboard is an ode to the coastlines of the far south. Both bedrooms overlook the garden and offer stunning views of the lush landscape,” says Karnakar.
“The wall mirror is in the Chettinad style, while the banana-plant-print headboard is an ode to the coastlines of the far south. Both bedrooms overlook the garden and offer stunning views of the lush landscape,” says Karnakar.
The window frames a forest-green workstation, providing views of the landscape beyond.
“The all-wood theme is complemented by the beautiful dark-green study table and drapes,” says Karnakar, adding, “Each piece of furniture, every accessory and furnishing, was handpicked to fit the overarching aesthetic. Some pieces were sourced from south India, others from stores around Mumbai. We even discovered some antique gems while scouring Mumbai’s Chor Bazaar.
Bed: Maram Furniture
“The all-wood theme is complemented by the beautiful dark-green study table and drapes,” says Karnakar, adding, “Each piece of furniture, every accessory and furnishing, was handpicked to fit the overarching aesthetic. Some pieces were sourced from south India, others from stores around Mumbai. We even discovered some antique gems while scouring Mumbai’s Chor Bazaar.
Bed: Maram Furniture
The daughter’s bedroom features a south-Indian-style four-poster bed. The forest green of the master bedroom is mirrored in the feature wall behind the bed.
“The four-poster bed has beautiful floral carvings and is the room’s pièce de resistance,” concludes Karnakar.
Bed: Maram Furniture
From carved antiques to ultra-modern designs, nothing spells luxury like these four-poster bed designs
Bed: Maram Furniture
From carved antiques to ultra-modern designs, nothing spells luxury like these four-poster bed designs
This plan outlines the ground floor layout.
The first floor layout is depicted here.
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Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
Read more:
Pune Houzz: A Spanish Villa Nestled in the Idyllic Aamby Valley
Lonavala Houzz: This Valley Vacation Home Has Windows for Walls
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.