A 3 BHK, contemporary, Mumbai apartment by Rubel Dhuna

By Pragnya Rao

Contemporary Indian elements, local art and lots of natural light define the interiors of Sunita Namjoshi’s home designed by Rubel Dhuna Architects

Dappled light envelops Sunita Namjoshi’s sea facing apartment where a contemporary design aesthetic is interrupted by elements with an old-world charm. Before the space could be transformed into its current light-filled avatar, it needed deft planning and reallocation of areas. The existing rooms were broken down from five to three, to create airier spaces. Terrace walls were brought down to create seamless living spaces that allowed for the outdoors to blend in.

We have always grappled with working with a neutral palette. How does one decide how much colour, how many patterns and what materials will help add that perfect pick-me-up to the space? Rubel’s tricks are pretty simple to follow – she restricted the walls to white, furniture to woods and the flooring to natural grey slate to help create a warm envelope for Sunita’s carefully collected pieces. The home has a lived-in feel thanks to a concerted effort to stay away from matching pieces, instead curating a home that reflects her love for art as much as it does her love for cooking. Ask her friends, and you will know, no one comes back from the Namjoshi household without their stomachs full and their hearts fuller.

If you ever wanted to know how to dress up your corner table, take a cue from Sunita’s living room where she has used one large piece as opposed to a collection of smaller ones.

The couch in the study is backed by a library that holds all of Sunita’s cook books along with her collection of curios. A great way to open up your space is by introducing floor to ceiling windows.

In Sunita’s living room, the beige distressed wall finish by artist Meera Dabir, provides a perfect backdrop for vintage Javanese puppets. What we really love though is the mix of furniture styles – the long plush couch custom-made by RDa, recliner from Chor Bazaar and centre table, sourced from Kerala, was originally a massage board.

Sunita Namjoshi’s bedroom is a calm haven in neutral shades. Having a chair or some form of seating in the bedroom is a great way to unwind. What we like in particular is how she has used the bed back to display brass idols.