Popular Indian interior designers give us a tour of their homes

Schenelle Dsouza

One’s home is always an interpretation of their own personality. And when it comes to people within the design industry, home is more often than not an interpretation of their design philosophies. Given their skillset and knowledge of the industry, it’s fair to assume that interior designers and designer entrepreneurs have an added edge when it comes to designing their homes. But a lesser-known fact is that many a time, the designers’ home is far different from the ones they’re used to creating. More often than not, designers have a very different outlook when it comes to designing their own homes. LuxeBook took a look inside the homes of some of the well-known designers in the industry.

Dhara and Falgun Shroff – Tessera India

Noted among the top designers in India, Dhara and Falgun Shroff of Tessera India are credited with bringing innovative Italian solutions to Indian homes. Their unique design perspective and innovative techniques extend beyond their work and to their own home.

Built during the pandemic, the architect duo completed the labour and design in just about 10 months, resulting in a stunning four-bedroom duplex in Andheri West, Mumbai. The home is spread across 3,800 sq. ft. and displays a contemporary, minimalist vibe, characterised by sophisticated, subdued tones of golds and greys with wooden finishes. Symmetry in design is a concept portrayed beautifully throughout the home; modern clean lines, minimal décor, and pale hues complement each other while simultaneously standing out on their own. Artworks are displayed in plenty — from eye-catching black-and-white portraits to colourful paintings — the home displays a selection of statement, noteworthy pieces throughout the space.

Keeping in line with the concept of symmetry, the couple divided the spaces to avoid creative conflict. The living area and entertainment room, which doubles up as the family room, were planned entirely by Falgun, while Dhara designed the master bedroom and the kids’ rooms opting for a more practical approach. Every piece of décor, furniture and upholstery was handpicked by the couple, these include the intricately carved contemporary furniture and natural stone flooring, among other elements.

While all the rooms are designed in similar neutral tones, each room evidently has a different theme in terms of colour. The formal living room, for example, displays mostly grey tones with a handful of beige elements. A sunken sofa from Minotti paired with trendy armchairs from Poltrona Frau takes the centre stage alongside a long centre table by Giorgetti. While the furniture is curated, it’s hard to miss the unconventional Rakumba floor lamp that adds elegance to the space. The informal living room has a more casual, contemporary aesthetic, with pastel shades of pink, blue, and white dominating the space. The room gets a pop of colour from the dull gold decorative lamps from Roll & Hill, while the fabric panels by Sicis draws out the artistic creativity of the space.

The entertainment room has to be one of the most interesting spaces with its special blue and black Sicis marble flooring. Complementing the eccentric floor, a royal blue B&B Italia couch is a fashionably regal spot to lay in. The jewel tone of the couch combines with the unique shaped contemporary centre table from Castelli, and a Bosa artefact lends a rather plush, upbeat vibe to the room.

The home displays a generous selection of artworks, and while there are a handful of pieces here and there, the bedrooms are where these artworks really shine out. In the master bedroom, a colourful psychedelic piece by KK Raghava while the child’s rooms get an artistic wallpaper from Wall & Decò. In the master bedroom, the painting along with a gradient toned chair from a Moroso echo colour into the rather muted room. A black-and-white carpet, grey sofa and dark geometric table all from by Baxter blend into the sober aesthetic of the room. The son’s bedroom gets a Barcelona Design side table and a striking blue shelf case providing a child-like comical aura to the room.

In its entirety, the home is a beautiful example of a contemporary home that is both luxurious and minimalistic at the same time. The paintings and other statement pieces blend with the décor lending a much-needed splash of colour and creativity; colourful lights, pale pinks, lush golds and blues, paired with muted browns and greens all flow into each other, in a balanced demeanour.

Pavan Chatlani – Managing Partner, Dash Square

Bengaluru-based Dash Square’s Pavan Chatlani has always showcased a refined elegance and style when it comes to furniture designs. His home is a reinterpretation of the same style displaying modern elements within a predominantly neutral space, with opulent details like marble and wood making a statement.

Every corner of the house a bright and airy layout which keeps the neutral ambience looking warm and welcoming rather than pale and elusive. The light filled foyer is an example of the open layout in the home. The colour black has been used to create a stark contrast to the white surroundings; this includes two cosy leather couches and a wooden patterned screen that partially separates the living room and the foyer among other details. A bright yellow accent chair adds a fun pop of colour to the black and white ambience while glossy wood finishes along the TV cabinets and wooden ceiling details add a certain richness and depth to the space.

An exciting feature in the home is the chic patio bar that extends from one section of the living room. Adding to the wooden details, the stylish wooden deck, wooden bar top and plush chairs give the patio an informal yet cosy vibe. The patio bar opens into the dining room on the right where a wall panel made of linear wooden rafts creates an elegant backdrop to the stone topped dining table. Intimate, upholstered chairs, a decorative ceiling, and charming accent light, really binds the dining space together.

The master bedroom gets a light edge with a 3D wooden wall panelling, a dynamic backdrop for a comfortable bed space. Wooden elements once again make a standout appearance in the form of wooden flooring which along with the panelling adds a naturally warm ambience. Chic accessories, artworks and pendant lights break the monotony adding a statement style to all the bedrooms.

While the owners put their own ideas together when designing the space, the end result was a simple, yet remarkable aesthetic that was an expression to their refined sensibilities. These are evident through the various elements of design that delivered a beautiful and harmonious space minimising the overall effort.

Saba Kapoor – Designer, Nivasa

Saba Kapoor recalls her home to be a space that is very close to her heart. The entire project was designed keeping in mind Kapoor’s design ethos of sustainability resulting in raw elements both in terms of colour palette and materials. The four main highlights of the home, as Kapoor puts it, are the double-height foyer, double-height terrace, living room, and bar. The terrace poses as the heart of the house, with every room connecting to it somehow.

The double-height foyer is one of the more defined spaces in the house, packed with custom touches and artisanal craftsmanship, with décor that is forever in a flux, whether it is to reflect the change in season or design attitude. The double-height foyer is adorned by a beautiful staircase. An intricate cast railing enhances the staircase—the captivating reflection of which is captured in an imposing 20-foot mirror. The lobby, double height invites pools of natural light. It also has a fireplace which is enlivened with fresh blooms and birdcage mirrors.

The dining area and lounge have a similar pattern with natural wood and earthy materials in the form of flooring, furniture and other minute details. Since the family believes that spaces can and should be multifunctional, the lounge was designed to double up as a dining room. It boasts a dining table that converts into a coffee table during the day, thanks to an in-built mechanism. Wood and brass accents create a contemporary yet earthy vibe in the bar/family lounge.

The living room is by far one of the most polished and sophisticated spaces in the home. Custom elements like wooden bay windows and a brass double door add character to the space while a diverse inventory of antiques, art, and artefacts from Kapoor’s travel adventures lend a more personal air to the space. Like the bedroom, the living room too is filled with natural woody and earthy materials across floors, furniture and décor accents. Almost all rooms in the home provide a stunning view, however, the living room’s bay window overlooking the Golf course and Aravali range is the view to beat.

Just a few feet away from the living room, the bar is where all the opulence lies. A real conversation starter, the bar is defined with a stunning hardwood bar table with intricate carvings, highlighted by gold and grey elements for a darker theme.

The master bedroom is the area that holds all the colour. “Reviving timeless techniques with a new twist has been a mission of utmost importance for us,” says Kapoor. “And so, we’ve gone with refreshing hues of greens paired with pristine white tones of the room.” While the room boasts a rather contemporary approach to design, Kapoor opted for a selection of floral upholstery along with elaborate details defined by a yesteryear charm uniting opulence and comfort in one space.

A fun contrast of minimalism and maximalism comes alive in the passage by the bedroom. A pleasing medley of dramatic accents, vintage elements and artisanal pieces, although distinct, come together organically and beautifully. Further accentuating the theme of rustic minimalism, Kapoor ropes in a neutral palette paired with a dramatic styling of oversized mirrors, sculptures, and artworks, which, along with sumptuous finishes of muted and antiqued brass accents, bring out a certain charm to the terrace.

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