Mumbai Houzz: Grey Ceilings & White Walls Expand a 66-Sq-M Flat
With dark ceilings, minimalist decor and unfussy designs, this apartment by SML Architects inverts the design rule book
Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar
13 January 2020
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist. www.mangomonk.com
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist.... More
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their 20-year-old son
Location: Mumbai
Year built: 2019
Size: 66 square metres (720 square feet); 2 bedrooms; 2 bathrooms
Architectural and interior designer: Mahek Lalan of SML Architects
Photos by Sameer Tawde
When it came to designing this home, the clients gave Mahek Lalan, founder and chief architect of SML Architects, complete creative liberty. “From our first few interactions with the clients, we sensed a quiet simplicity. That served as our starting point,” says Lalan. “Unlike other clients, for whom storage is often a priority, this home came without that particular caveat. We focused on carving out spaces seeded in tranquility, cloistered from the busy bustle of the city. Our design language was ruled by clean lines, simple designs and natural materials. Each room adapts to its inhabitants in a way that is both versatile and intimate. The home equally embraces the lush landscape below and the resplendent skyline above. Also, interestingly, the ceiling throughout the home is grey.”
Who lives here: A couple and their 20-year-old son
Location: Mumbai
Year built: 2019
Size: 66 square metres (720 square feet); 2 bedrooms; 2 bathrooms
Architectural and interior designer: Mahek Lalan of SML Architects
Photos by Sameer Tawde
When it came to designing this home, the clients gave Mahek Lalan, founder and chief architect of SML Architects, complete creative liberty. “From our first few interactions with the clients, we sensed a quiet simplicity. That served as our starting point,” says Lalan. “Unlike other clients, for whom storage is often a priority, this home came without that particular caveat. We focused on carving out spaces seeded in tranquility, cloistered from the busy bustle of the city. Our design language was ruled by clean lines, simple designs and natural materials. Each room adapts to its inhabitants in a way that is both versatile and intimate. The home equally embraces the lush landscape below and the resplendent skyline above. Also, interestingly, the ceiling throughout the home is grey.”
The living room, which lies to the left of the entryway, exudes a casual retro spirit. One three-seater and two matching single-seater armchairs made of reclaimed Burma teak wood anchor the seating area. A river-finished granite centre table acts as a riveting focal point against the muted periphery, while a tall ficus plant by the window gives a pop of emerald green. Graphic wall art of old favourites – a still camera, a cassette, a typewriter and a gramophone player – take pride of place on the wall. A hemp area rug ties the disparate elements together, giving the decor a decided sense of cohesion.
Channel vintage vibes into your home with these timeless accessories
Channel vintage vibes into your home with these timeless accessories
“We used only natural materials throughout the house. Our palette was ruled by Shahabad stone and reclaimed Burma teak, the latter of which we combined with cane, rope or fluted glass in various sections. The intimate scale of the spaces allowed us to channel attention to the details and surfaces,” says Lalan.
Paint: Asian Paints; living room sofas: Pierre Jeanneret
Find an interior designer in the Houzz directory of professionals
Paint: Asian Paints; living room sofas: Pierre Jeanneret
Find an interior designer in the Houzz directory of professionals
“Most of the furniture and furnishings were designed by us and specially handmade for the home,” Lalan says. “We established a visual continuum by way of colours and textures. You’ll notice pale pink and grey ebb and flow across spaces.“
“The dining room is adjacent to the living room and the first space one notices when entering the home through the main door,” he says.
The dining table is composed of a black reclaimed Burma teak-wood frame and a flame-finished black granite tabletop. The dining chairs are the iconic mid-century ‘Wishbone Chair’ by Hans Wegner. The tablescape gets depth by a set of serene paintings on the wall, while a pair of pendant lights bathe the zone in a soft golden glow.
Look for dining furniture in Houzz products
The dining table is composed of a black reclaimed Burma teak-wood frame and a flame-finished black granite tabletop. The dining chairs are the iconic mid-century ‘Wishbone Chair’ by Hans Wegner. The tablescape gets depth by a set of serene paintings on the wall, while a pair of pendant lights bathe the zone in a soft golden glow.
Look for dining furniture in Houzz products
The master bedroom is a whimsical medley of pastel hues and soft, floaty fabrics. The double bed, sheathed in natural handwoven cotton custom-dyed in pale pink and grey, is accented by a teak-wood frame with a handmade rope infill. A shallow alcove above the headboard houses open shelves that function as a vibrant home-style library. The wardrobe, which sees a reappearance of Burma teak wood, is outfitted with horizontal wooden louvres and features recessed handles.
Bedroom furnishings are custom-made
Learn how to use colourful accents to bring your interiors up to date
Bedroom furnishings are custom-made
Learn how to use colourful accents to bring your interiors up to date
The son’s bedroom is compact, yet characterful. A single bed stands against one wall, while a wooden desk and chair occupy the opposite side of the room. The minimalist work station is enlivened by a set of monochrome paintings and a powder-pink tripod lamp, which, together, rekindle the recurrent pink-and-grey palette.
Check out these bedroom design ideas
Check out these bedroom design ideas
“The Burma teak wardrobe shutters are fitted with fluted glass, which adds a degree of transparency and depth to the otherwise compact room. The large semicircular door handles have been handcrafted and finished in a natural matte polish to reveal the natural grain of the wood,” Lalan concludes.
Discover the best material finishes for wardrobes
Discover the best material finishes for wardrobes
Read more:
Mumbai Houzz: Art Deco Meets Contemporary in This Cosy Flat
Before & After Tour: A Sterile Mumbai Flat Comes Alive
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
Mumbai Houzz: Art Deco Meets Contemporary in This Cosy Flat
Before & After Tour: A Sterile Mumbai Flat Comes Alive
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
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720SQFT*
kindly suggest me where to place the living area and wash basin and bed for the living room and bedroom from the floor plan!
Furniture 👌