A compact flat in Mumbai gets a minimalist makeover

I kept the colour scheme very neutral and minimal. They weren’t into the usual pastels, so we chose a very unique and pleasing mauve for the master bedroom as the highlight colour.

A refreshing seafoam green was chosen for their elderly mother’s bedroom and the living room had tones of blush pink. 

Bh: Was there Anything Specific you Implemented in Terms of the Overall Design Aesthetic?

Tj: We were very keen on enhancing all the rooms of the flat to make them appear larger than they were; hence the decision of using vertical lines to draw one’s vision upwards. For example, one of the bedrooms, apart from its unusual colours, also has a floor-to-ceiling headboard. We unanimously agreed that fluted panels for the headboard would be a great way to draw the focus towards it.

Bh: What Dictated the Decision for the Material Palette for the House?

Tj: The main pivot occurred when we started executing the design; one of them was diagnosed with a severe dust allergy so we had to immediately change all the fabric headboards to laminates and panels. We replaced the velvet fabrics selected for the sofa set and chairs to leatherette. Even the curtains were chosen keeping lint and dust accumulation in mind. The hard surfaces were all acrylic laminates in pastel tones. We tried to choose a set of complementary contrasts in every room—hard and soft, plain and textured, light and dark etc.

Bh: What Would you Consider as Some of the Highlights of the Space?

Tj: The use of lines in some form or the other all over the home tie the design together. The last-minute addition of a laser-cut ceiling design panel in the passage has become quite the talking point among visitors. And the clients love their living room wall, which they tell me, is reminiscent of a very European aesthetic.

Bh: Was the Furniture Custom Created or Store Brought?

Tj: All the furniture was custom-designed while the lighting fixtures were sourced from stores around Mumbai. The clients chose the fabrics, finishes, cushions etc, all of which were sourced from among Asian Paints labels.

Bh: What has the Client Response/feedback Been?

Tj: They really liked the process of shopping for and setting up the final touches, whether it is the choice of curtains or the designer wallpaper in the mother’s bedroom. And they are really satisfied with the functionality of their Sleek kitchen. They are waiting for their children to come home to show off the home that they have put together.