This Mumbai rental is a beautiful DIY project you need to see

The couple took on the refurb as something of a DIY project, working closely with the contractor chosen by their landlord and an informal collaboration with a close friend and interior design consultant, Shital Deliwala. “We’ve learned so much about each other in the process of making this house,” says Naina. “I often dream up designs and ideas and while I know exactly what I want, I don’t follow through because I’m impatient. This is where Sakshi comes in and complements me. She’ll just swoop in and handle the actual execution.”

Like the windows, the frame is painted white for a seamless transition between the three areas A community-style dining table seats 8 to 9 people in an L-shaped sofa seating arrangement along with a cushioned bench.

“All our friends and family have their favourite spots around the house,” says Sakshi. “By giving more depth to all the seating and sofas around the house, we’ve made sure they are super comfortable to chill and even take a nap. Even at the dining table, the sofa is placed next to the window so you can lie down as the sunlight pours in on lazy afternoons.” 

Another noteworthy feature of the room that’s flooded with natural light is that there are no conventional ceiling lights in the room. Instead modern, colourful hanging lamps are placed strategically over the work table.

Accessories and More

Soothing greys punctuated with lighter shades of blue and pink make up the colour palette for the bedrooms. Sparsely decorated, the rooms feature large beds that the couple designed in collaboration with Asian Arts. A side table from Gulmohar Lane, black-and-white photographs from Art & Found and rugs in earthy tones from Jaipur Rugs complete the primary bedroom. Since the apartment is situated on the first floor, lush house plants on the windowsills are placed for added privacy.

“Luckily we inherited a great layout so both our living spaces are right in front of the house while our bedrooms are at the back,” says Naina. “This not only helps us mentally separate the two areas completely but also ensures nobody else goes up to the back of the house when we’re hosting. This makes these spaces extremely personal.” 

While renovating the apartment through two lockdowns has been a challenge, Sakshi says it also afforded them the luxury and time to truly personalise and decorate in a way that makes the rental feel like a home now. “Being a queer person, at times you are resigned to the fact that you could have love, but only in parts. Maybe not really have a home or family of your own,” says Sakshi. “But I think this particular home is my reality, my home, where I have managed to make those things happen, and it’s all because of Naina.”