Siblings Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem’s shared home is an expression of who they are

Favouring the unconventional is a running theme for critically acclaimed actor Huma Qureshi. It is relevant in the roles she chooses and how she expresses her “artistic” side in the design of her home. The breezy, sunlit Mumbai abode, which she shares with sibling and actor Saqib Saleem, is a representation of their two personalities—her creativity with his practicality, her ideas with his execution. The siblings’ decision to live together surprises people but it works for them. “We are away from home, from where we grew up, so we want to be together and be there for each other,” says Huma, “…that’s just how we are as people.”

Saqib finds the meaning of home in the people he comes back to. “In Bombay, fortunately or unfortunately, when Huma is here, this is home,” he says. The siblings have moved into this house about three years ago, when Huma saw it and knew it was perfect for them. “I was quite happy with our apartment earlier. But when I walked in here and saw the terrace, I fell in love,” says Saqib.

The living room has some creative layering, from the floral printed Nilaya by Asian Paints wallpaper to the bright rug and colourful cushions, all balanced with couches in muted solids. Vintage-inspired side tables complement the distressed-finish furniture while quirky curios and family photographs infuse the space with warmth and a sense of home. In the corner is what the duo calls “the heart of the home”, a wonderfully eclectic dining space for shared meals with family and friends. You can’t miss the mismatched chairs—rugged, vintage, wood, metal or colourful—lending a unique touch to the wooden table.

Whether it is in the shared spaces or their individual alcoves, the siblings made sure that every area is homey and warm. “My idea of home is a place you come back to, a place where you connect with your family and share a meal…a place which is comfortable, in which you can just be yourself, and also express yourself. We want it to always remind us of our roots and who we are,” Huma smiles.