This Bollywood producer’s Mumbai home is his eccentric paradise

White walls become canvases for quirky art, generous windows dance with soft linens and bold colours pop from handpicked furniture in this 1,200 sq ft home. Interior designer Darshini Shah describes this project as rustic but lavish. The weekend home of a Bollywood film producer, her client gave Darshini a detailed brief describing the atmosphere he wanted and what he liked doing.

The brief was to create an elegant space for entertaining; a hideout where he could find creative inspiration and leisure. Décor-wise, he wanted something classical but not stuffy. Warmth was key. 
 

The furniture and art for this home have been sourced from antique stores in Jodhpur and Kochi as well as flea markets such as Chor Bazaar in Mumbai,” she says. Textiles from various corners of the country find pride of place on windows, beds and even headrests. Cushions and lampshades are unmistakably made with handwoven and antique cloth. These outstanding pieces are partnered with simple light fixtures, so that nothing distracts from the collectibles in the room.
 

DIVIDED BUT TOGETHER
Darshini is a great believer in creating distinct zones within the home. She does this with the help of salon doors and rugs that help divide areas while retaining continuity. In smaller spaces she settles for wall niches instead of shelves for curios. This helps keep the space clutter-free while providing interesting nooks for artifacts. She also employs used window panels in strategic places throughout the home. These features allow the eye to travel, and this way, you don’t feel imprisoned in a room.
 

A small study room with bold yellow hand-painted stripes catches your attention from the living room. This room is connected to the main hall through a small internal window within the home. It not only adds a pop of colour in the otherwise neutral room but also adds some height to the space.

There is an elegant sparseness to the bedrooms. Soft white walls with sheer curtains alongside pop-coloured cushions. Wooden beds strategically placed in front of large windows command the space and provide eye candy as well. Almost everywhere you look in this apartment, there are clever storage solutions in the form of antique tables, cabinets, dressers, chests and crockery units with drawers that allow storage.

Practical and but eye-catching, eclecticism pared down with minimalism, the home is easy and comforting. Did the finished space deliver the brief? “Being a creative person, he wanted a space where he could unwind, have friends over, write scripts and jam,” says Darshini. That would be a ‘yes’ then!