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Indian Homes
Pune Houzz: Conventional Elements Make an Unconventional Home
Woody, earthy and edgy elements give rise to a one-of-a-kind contemporary abode furnished with local materials
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two children
Location: Pune
Year built: 2017
Size: 250 square metres (2700 square feet); 4 bedrooms; 4 bathrooms
Architectural designer: Kalpak Shah, founder, Studio Course
Wooden ceilings, lights hung from tree logs, unplastered walls, recycled wall art … this home is a showcase for simple materials used in an off-beat manner. The resulting look? Unabashed and unconventional. “The client wanted a home that is a complete manifestation of their personality and a great place to live in. A space that makes a statement, and appeals to their likes and senses first. Taking this as a pivotal point, my concept for the house developed as ‘the matte house’, which refers not only to the matte finishing and textures but also to the nature of being matte – a home that is neither glossy nor dull but smart and built to impress,” Kalpak Shah of Studio Course says.
Photos courtesy Studio Course
Who lives here: A couple with two children
Location: Pune
Year built: 2017
Size: 250 square metres (2700 square feet); 4 bedrooms; 4 bathrooms
Architectural designer: Kalpak Shah, founder, Studio Course
Wooden ceilings, lights hung from tree logs, unplastered walls, recycled wall art … this home is a showcase for simple materials used in an off-beat manner. The resulting look? Unabashed and unconventional. “The client wanted a home that is a complete manifestation of their personality and a great place to live in. A space that makes a statement, and appeals to their likes and senses first. Taking this as a pivotal point, my concept for the house developed as ‘the matte house’, which refers not only to the matte finishing and textures but also to the nature of being matte – a home that is neither glossy nor dull but smart and built to impress,” Kalpak Shah of Studio Course says.
Photos courtesy Studio Course
The dominance of materials over hues becomes evident as soon as one enters the home. The living room boasts a commanding wooden ceiling that immediately draws attention. To ensure that the wood looming overhead does not darken the interiors, the walls are kept white, paired with neutral marble flooring. The low wooden TV cabinet is a counterpoint to the visual weight of the wood above.
Large windows fill the room with plenty of light and a sense of airy spaciousness. The clean, straight lines of the furniture keep its visual impact subtle; any risk of monotony is dispelled by the pops of colours from the masnad (bolster) cushions, paintings, carpet and the chaise. The minimal elements do not crowd the room, giving it a relaxing ambience.
“I began to think of ways to show less is more. So, I thought of designs that could be more modest, functional or utilitarian in their being, and then aesthetics would follow with the use of natural materials in a non-shiny, non-glossy way,” Shah says.
Sofas: Fabindia; paint: Jotu
“I began to think of ways to show less is more. So, I thought of designs that could be more modest, functional or utilitarian in their being, and then aesthetics would follow with the use of natural materials in a non-shiny, non-glossy way,” Shah says.
Sofas: Fabindia; paint: Jotu
The dining area at the far end of the living room continues the theme of materiality: the same dominating wooden ceiling, a custom wooden cabinet and clean furniture design. “I made the dining table with a rough-cut, non-straightened wooden slab. Above it is a custom log with suspended lights,” Shah says.
The earthy, warm and cosy environment of the dining area is further enhanced with the diwan-style bench that serves as the seating along one side of the dining table. The masnad cushions on the diwan add to the ethnic vibe of the place. The white-painted walls and a single blue-green artwork reduce the visual bulk of all the wood in the room.
Dining chairs: Pepperfry
Find out your dining table style
The earthy, warm and cosy environment of the dining area is further enhanced with the diwan-style bench that serves as the seating along one side of the dining table. The masnad cushions on the diwan add to the ethnic vibe of the place. The white-painted walls and a single blue-green artwork reduce the visual bulk of all the wood in the room.
Dining chairs: Pepperfry
Find out your dining table style
“Reflective of an old-style design, the master bedroom is accentuated with grey Italian marble flooring, grey walls, a four-poster bed and a wooden side table and cabinet,” Shah says. The room’s grey-and-brown design with just a pop of colour from the painting ensures a relaxing, laid-back atmosphere.
An earthy, rural vibe resonates in the daughter’s bedroom – both in the choice of materials and in the furniture. “The walls and ceiling are in pale-brown, non-straightened plaster that activates the tactile senses,” says Shah. The rough, uneven plaster, natural wood finishes, old-style light holder sans shade perfectly replicate a rural setting. A wooden desk, chair and wall pallet shelves comprise the study area. The custom, distressed-style wardrobe takes up a good share floor and wall space – providing lots of welcome storage space. A narrow window area covered with a beige curtain gives the room a soothing, restful quality. The long mirror kept next to the window presents itself as a decorative feature in the room.
Check out these 3 girls’ bedrooms in three different colours
Check out these 3 girls’ bedrooms in three different colours
The son’s bedroom, too, brims with rustic character, though blue themed. The walls are a cool shade of white. “The rough, tactile walls act as a neutral background for the teal ceiling and the bright-blue bedding to stand out,” Shah says. The bicycle wall installation, sourced from a local market, adds a playful, fun ambience to the room.
“The entire home shows clean, simple lines, uncluttered and uncomplicated design accentuated with great textures, be it through the non-straightened plaster, brass hardware, custom-designed copper handles or lighting,” Shah says.
Read more:
Mumbai Houzz: A 760-Sq-Ft Home Reveals Its Space-Boosting Secrets
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
Mumbai Houzz: A 760-Sq-Ft Home Reveals Its Space-Boosting Secrets
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
