This Bengaluru home’s design is inspired by Sri Lanka’s Tropical Modernism

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.

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.