Vinithra Amarnathan’s expansive Bengaluru apartment is a mix of modern and contemporary elements

By Pragnya Rao

Greige walls envelop this light-filled apartment creating the perfect backdrop to let décor elements shine

When Vinithra Amarnathan, interior designer and Founder of Weespaces, moved to Bengaluru with her husband Subhasis from Los Angeles, she sold most of her furniture assuming that the spaces here would be small. “Big mistake,” she laughs as she draws the blinds to reveal a sizeable terrace. It is this part – a large living room, and an equally large terrace – that drew Vinithra to the space; somehow recreating the California they were missing.

Much like how we envision our homes to shape up, Vinithra added pieces over the years, allowing her home to grow with her family, which now includes her six-year-old son, Neev, and her three and a half year old daughter, Nila. She painted the walls greige (our go-to colour for walls) to make a neutral backdrop for various décor elements in the home, including the tall planter at the end of the living room.

A good idea for most renters is what she has done with her bedroom furniture – thrifting pieces and giving them a new lease of life with a simple coat of polish. The best part of the home though, is reserved for the kids – a light-filled space awash with colours and a tent to boot. We love how each of the spaces are distinct, yet held together by the same warm feel, perhaps a result of the greige walls enveloping them.

Occasional chairs are a great way to add more seating to your living space. That, coupled with a tall planter and floor lamp for mood lighting, will help create a cosy corner.

The crockery console doubles up as a neat display area for artefacts behind the dining area.

he terrace is where Vinithra and her family spend most of their time. A bunch of potted plants helps create a green outdoor-like space.

The all-white kitchen helps brighten up the entire space. If you are planning for an open kitchen, make sure you plan your utilities well, so that your work area is away from direct view of your living room.

An edge-to-edge carpet or rug is the easiest way to create a cosy space. And if you haven’t found the right art for your walls, pull out pictures from your travels, frame them in uniform frames and put them up for an easy, DIY, gallery wall.

Vinithra Amarnathan in her sun-drenched living room.

The master bedroom is dressed up in pieces thrifted from various markets – a great idea especially if you are renting your space and don’t want to make a huge investment in furniture.

Swapping the velvet wingback armchair for a rattan one is not only inexpensive but also creates a visually lighter look.

While coffee table books are the world’s favourite elements to accessorise centre tables, remember to throw in a quirky accessory or two to help dramatise the setting.

The open plan living room makes it look spacious. A daybed is a great way to add more seating without creating a visual barrier. Here, Vinithra has added one that becomes as much a part of her living room seating as it does for the dining area on the left.

The kids room is awash with light and colours. The tent is a simple addition that not only adds a bit of fun but also creates a personal space within the room for the kids to retreat into.