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This Bengaluru home’s design is inspired by Sri Lanka’s Tropical Modernism
Studio Ruh transforms this space into a home reminiscent of the sprawling Sri Lankan residences of Geoffrey Bawa and Minnette de Silva
When homeowner Radeesh Shetty approached Kavya Sheth of Studio Ruh, he had a one-line brief for his abode’s design — to make it like a home in Sri Lanka. “I am personally very inspired by the design and architecture of Sri Lankan homes and that’s what I wanted my home to reflect. It is designed with the intent of allowing maximum amounts of natural light to filter through the large windows, creating an open flow in the layout and retaining the original mosaic terrazzo floor,” says Shetty who is the founder and director of Beruru, a Bengaluru-based garden lifestyle brand. It is therefore not surprising to find planters big and small throughout the home, a trait that Shetty imbibed from his childhood and merged it with the overall design aesthetic of Tropical Modernism.
The 1,750-square-foot residence is tucked in the bylanes of Indiranagar, and is spread across two levels. The lower one features the living room and two bedrooms, while the upper floor is home to a spacious terrace. Keeping a neutral base on the walls, the interiors are swathed in Asian Paints ‘morning glory’ hue, while the use of solid wood, natural cane, stone and metal render the space warm, earthy and inviting. Says principal designer Sheth, “The guiding impetus was to create warmth and comfort by using materials in their raw, native form — materials that age with grace. Our intent was to allow nature to envelope the home in its entirety. We reanalysed the spatial layout of the residence wherein the living spaces, dining, kitchen, and stairwell to the terrace completely opened up into one large expanse.”
“I wanted my home to reflect Sri Lankan architecture," says home-owner Radeesh Shetty who is also the owner of Purple Turtles and Beruru.
Of Curios and Souvenirs
An avid traveller and curator, Shetty’s love for collecting objects of desire, and antique pieces is evident throughout the space. From antique cases and trunks to animal sculptures and vintage artworks, there’s a pièce de résistance in every nook of this home. “My house is filled with artefacts and souvenirs that I have collected over the years on my travels and while sourcing for The Purple Turtles and Beruru,” he reveals.
In the living room, a large wall art of hand-painted lotus leaves by a Vietnamese artist catches the eye. The seating area too is peppered with antique sculptures of a lion and tribals that enhance the décor element. As you move into the dining room, you can spot marble pears and wooden handicraft pieces on the table. But the showstopper here is the antique wooden framed mirror which was originally a haveli door frame. Adjacent to it lies a hand-chiselled stone sink that builds on the bare material identity of the space. In the open kitchen, a chandelier above the black granite island creates visual interest. On the other end of the dining area lies an alcove with a display of sculptural monkeys, a large succulent and art prints picked from Bangkok showcasing attire from southeast Asia.
The dining alcove features décor products from the client’s stores like the monkey sculptures from The Purple Turtles and a plant from Beruru. There’s also wall art of prints picked up from Bangkok on his travels.
Radeesh Shetty has filled his home with artefacts that weave an interesting décor story.
An Oasis of Calm
The bedrooms are distinct in their design yet the Tropical Modern style carries forward here too. The highlight of the guest room is the botanical wall illustration using charcoal pencils. “The focal wall in the guest bedroom was turned from a blank canvas into a masterpiece by a local artist Rajendra Shrihari Bagate, who painstakingly hand-illustrated the mural,” adds Sheth. Other elements like the pendant light, the stone Nandi on the antique trunk, the mammoth fiddle-leaf fig plant and the cane-and-wood bed add character to the room.
Like the rest of the house, the primary bedroom too has a muted base which is enhanced with the use of colours, prints and textures through the furniture, art and soft furnishings. “We paired a solid wooden bed headboard with genteel origami-like wall lamps that accentuate the space. Open-grained black wardrobes with breathable louvred shutters complement the room while soft furnishings, handpicked antiques and Gond art pieces in black-and-white complete the look,” says Sheth.
Terrace Tales
As you move to the next level, the staircase connecting the two floors engages you with its visual imagery with a collection of Chinese horoscope symbols framed on the wall. The flooring on the terrace is of Shahabad stone, reminiscent of cobbled Sri Lankan gardens, while the walls are painted in ‘sage green’ hue by Asian Paints. It opens into three different zones. There’s a lounge under a gridded pergola with antiques interspersed in the seating area with a backdrop of thriving greens. As you move to the bar, a slatted bamboo roof allows sunlight to stream into the area. The wall niches created are decorated with antique lamp holders, while the intricately carved wooden panel forms the backdrop. The third seating area features an eclectic mix of furniture with an assortment of small tables and sculptures placed on a rug. There’s also a suspended bronze wild horse statue from The Purple Turtles that ties the décor together.
“The design stimulus lies in the zest for creating a home where the client’s devotion towards beauty, art, and comfort is preserved. It embraces the nuances of Tropical Modernism with its every weave, creating a home filled with impeccable finds and tranquillity,” concludes Sheth.
“I wanted my home to reflect Sri Lankan architecture," says home-owner Radeesh Shetty who is also the owner of Purple Turtles and Beruru.
This seating zone’s highlight is the suspended, bronze horse statue from The Purple Turtles that lies behind the outdoor bench.
A painting by a Vietnamese artist of hand-painted lotus leaves covers the living room’s accent wall while a rug from Jaipur Rugs adds softness to the seating area.
The bar area features a bamboo roofing and a wooden door frame for wall décor. The niches are filled with lamps while the bar counter is made of black granite and stone.
Wood is used extensively in this home to add a warm, old-world charm in the décor.
The primary bedroom is done up in a monochrome colour scheme with an origami-like wall lamp next to a wooden headboard balanced with Gond art on the walls. The wardrobe also features black louvres.
The kitchen features an island with a matte finish black granite, with a cream-hued chandelier from Oorja at The Purple Turtles above it.
A hand-carved stone sink lies between the open kitchen and dining area, creating a nook with décor pieces like hanging planters, brass lamps and a ceramic pot.
The washroom in the primary bedroom features a stucco wall finish by Asian Paints with framed art from Turkey.
The guest bedroom creates an eclectic vibe with its hand-drawn wall illustration using charcoal pencils, and a large indoor plant. The use of cane and wood is apparent here too.
The terrace flooring is done up in Shahabad stone with a wall and ceiling finish in ‘sage green’ by Asian Paints. All the plants are sourced from Beruru.
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