W 26 Barsati

1. Firm: Shreya Krishnan DesignLocation: New DelhiA barsati in South Delhi succeeds admirably in channelling old-world courtyard vibes, with its open-to-sky centre space sandwiched between the living room and bedroom. Full-length glass accordion doors give the entire home a sense of space and seamlessness.Take a tour of this house

2. Available in unique designsCement tiles are available in solid and patterned colours. The most common size of the tile is 8 x 8 inches; flooring patterns are achieved by placing a set of 4 tiles in a square grid by rotating each tile by 90 degrees to form an interlocking pattern. They are available in ethnic and modern motifs, and are suitable for floors and walls. Brands such as Bharat Floorings have such products on offer. Discover why Athangudi tiles are so wildly popular

While the door and window frames are made of teak, the door shutters are crafted from plywood and finished with a walnut veneer. The deep wood tones provide an earthy backdrop for the pocket of lush foliage juxtaposed against the wall. The flooring exudes an old-world feel, thanks to the heritage-patterned, hand-polished cement tile floor.

The neutral-toned tiles lead the eye to the two blue accent chairs and greenery in the patio, without overdoing the setup.