Houzz Tours
Mumbai Houzz: An Art Deco Bungalow Gets a Crisp Scandi Makeover
The Nordic-style interiors by Kunal Barve are inspired by the homeowner's love for Scandinavian design
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their twins (son and daughter)
Location: Mumbai
Year built: 1988; restored in 2018
Size: 325 square metres (3500 square feet); 4 bedrooms; 3 bathrooms
Interior designer and architect: Kunal Barve of Interface By Architect Kunal & Mihir Barve
Design team: Mihir Barve, Yameni Nambiar and Chirag Jethva
Photos by Suleiman Merchant
When Kunal Barve of Interface By Architect Kunal & Mihir Barve was approached for this project, the client had a clear design aesthetic in mind. “The client envisioned a home rooted in Nordic design; something minimal and functional,” Kunal Barve says. The site held an old Art Deco bungalow, and Barve and his team were tasked with adding an extension to the existing layout, marrying the new and the old into a seamless architectural style. “We modelled the home on the Scandinavian principle of hygge, a decor concept that implies cosiness, contentment and comfort. The client wished to have a house that was warm, inviting, elegant and minimal, where they could host relaxed, laid-back gatherings,” Barve says.
Who lives here: A couple and their twins (son and daughter)
Location: Mumbai
Year built: 1988; restored in 2018
Size: 325 square metres (3500 square feet); 4 bedrooms; 3 bathrooms
Interior designer and architect: Kunal Barve of Interface By Architect Kunal & Mihir Barve
Design team: Mihir Barve, Yameni Nambiar and Chirag Jethva
Photos by Suleiman Merchant
When Kunal Barve of Interface By Architect Kunal & Mihir Barve was approached for this project, the client had a clear design aesthetic in mind. “The client envisioned a home rooted in Nordic design; something minimal and functional,” Kunal Barve says. The site held an old Art Deco bungalow, and Barve and his team were tasked with adding an extension to the existing layout, marrying the new and the old into a seamless architectural style. “We modelled the home on the Scandinavian principle of hygge, a decor concept that implies cosiness, contentment and comfort. The client wished to have a house that was warm, inviting, elegant and minimal, where they could host relaxed, laid-back gatherings,” Barve says.
The door of the home opens into a soft-grey living room. The white walls and uncluttered look are an ode to the home’s Nordic design style, with colour used in restrained bursts. Mid-century furniture emphasises the decor.
The living room window offers a generous view of the landscaped garden. “During the remodelling, we completely reorganised the layout of the living area to maximise daylight and ventilation. The window behind the loveseat, for instance, used to be the front door. By moving the door to the left and constructing a large window, we were able to open the room to more light,” Kunal says.
The fabrics used are varied; cotton, linen, polyester and leather offer textural variety against the pale colour scheme.
Living room lights: Louis Polsen
The fabrics used are varied; cotton, linen, polyester and leather offer textural variety against the pale colour scheme.
Living room lights: Louis Polsen
The solid wood dining table is framed by classic mid-century dining chairs. Modern sculptural pendant lights effectively zone the dining area while serving as design statements.
Dining table and chairs are custom-made; dining room lights: Marset Lighting
Dining table and chairs are custom-made; dining room lights: Marset Lighting
“The chairs are not upholstered; deliberately so, as with kids in the house, plain chairs were a practical choice,” notes Kunal.
Beside the dining room is the kitchen. A departure from the pale colour scheme of the living and dining areas, the kitchen bursts with vibrancy, but takes care to maintain a limited palette. A marbled backsplash and a monochrome floor are offset by bright cobalt cabinets. A pocket door ensures that the kitchen can be closed off whenever required.
Oven and hob: Asko
Oven and hob: Asko
Opposite the front door lies a teal-toned guest room, which, at first glance, seems like an extension of the living room. In the original bungalow, the room was a dining area. A pull-out sofa-bed serves as a seat by day and a bed by night.
“This room dons many hats. It is sometimes used as a music room, sometimes as a reading room, and other times to host guests,” says Barve.
“This room dons many hats. It is sometimes used as a music room, sometimes as a reading room, and other times to host guests,” says Barve.
A floor-to-ceiling window, divided into long panes, provides a sense of continuity between the living area and the guest bedroom.
A staircase, fabricated in metal and clad with teak wood, leads to the first floor. “We broke down the home’s original staircase made of reinforced concrete and went with lightweight materials to allow natural light to filter through,” says Barve.
The master bedroom is dominated by azure and contains a modern four-poster bed. The decor is practical and pared-back, characterised by crisp lines and clean edges. “Dark blue is a popular choice in contemporary Scandinavian decor. We used it to lend the room some character,” he says.
Bedroom lights: Blux; furnishings: Bharat Furnishings
Bedroom lights: Blux; furnishings: Bharat Furnishings
The master bathroom, clad in light-toned Italian marble, is given a dose of glam by bespoke brass light fixtures. The space is elegant yet functional, crafted with the intent of being low-maintenance.
The son’s bedroom is outfitted in powder blue, with the decor kept basic and sleek. The bed is pushed against the window, leaving ample space for play in the centre of the room.
The bedroom features an extension that serves as a kids’ play zone.
The bedroom features an extension that serves as a kids’ play zone.
The daughter’s bedroom is decorated in baby pink, with wallpaper that channels Parisian chic. A throne-like sofa-cum-bed lends an air of royalty, dignified further by a pillow that reads ‘My little princess’.
The terrace, sparsely laid with deck furniture, exudes an unfussy vibe. Pockets of green planters are the only accompaniment to the seating area.
These floor plans display the exact layout of the bungalow.
This story was first published in 2019 on Houzz.
Read more:
Bangalore Houzz: Tradition Rules in This Modern Flat
Ahmedabad Houzz: Grey Brings This Renovated Bungalow to Life
Tell us:
What did you like most about this house? Tell us in Comments below.
This story was first published in 2019 on Houzz.
Read more:
Bangalore Houzz: Tradition Rules in This Modern Flat
Ahmedabad Houzz: Grey Brings This Renovated Bungalow to Life
Tell us:
What did you like most about this house? Tell us in Comments below.
A black iron gate slides open to welcome guests into the property. The home’s facade is understated, mirroring its overall aesthetic. “The material palette is inspired by the Scandinavians’ love of natural resources. We have used elements like wood, stone and granite throughout the house,” notes Barve.
Paint: Asian Paints; tiles: Flora Marble, Ritik Ceramics