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Mouni Roy's stylish home is a light-filled haven
The Asian Paints Where the Heart Is crew popped over into actor Mouni Roy’s home and found a space that is about understated elegance
Colour, sound, frenetic movement and inexhaustible activity are all built into the professional aspect of Mouni Roy’s life. Balancing that cinematic potpourri is the calming stillness that Roy finds in her personal space—in the home she shares with her husband Suraj Nambiar, which they opened to the crew of Asian Paints Where the Heart Is.
“This is a very simple getaway home but every little thing is special and handpicked. The colours are very neutral because that’s the kind of people we are,” says Roy about the airy, soothing space doused in generous daylight and lovingly transformed into a home where the couple can just be. “A home should allow itself to breathe. What I love about this home is the airiness, the amount of light, the amount of space, ensuring cross-ventilation,” says Nambiar.
The all-white living room with its cosy set-up and comfortable seating is layered with hints of metal and pops of blue, ensuring they stand out all the more. Bold black offsets the white colour of the open kitchen and the couple’s favourite spot—an outdoor deck brimming over with plants—hits just the perfect sweet spot. All these elements speak to the influences that shade Roy’s idea of what a home is. Growing up, the idea of home for Roy had much to do with her upbringing in the little town of Cooch Behar, with wide open spaces and the daily rituals her parents practised. Home, for her, was where her family and people were. This home and its carefully crafted interiors are a physical manifestation of what home means.
“Home has never been a place. It’s always been my people, my family, my person and now my husband. Now, I’ve realised it’s important to have a materialistic sense of belonging—a space that you can come back to after a tiring day of work.”
Here, away from the staggering brightness of life in the arc lights, Roy has found a home that serves as a panacea for the soul.
Design Goals
White spaces and neutral colours are a failsafe, go-to option for homes and Roy’s tranquil white haven certainly hits all the right notes when it comes to creating a minimalist yet welcoming space. If you’ve been wondering how to do that in your own space, our Style Guide will help you get there quicker.
Get that Perfect Seat
The living room in Roy’s home sticks with a neutral framework and colours in elegance and warmth through some well-chosen elements. The flooring, for starters, in warm wood makes the space welcome and offsets that very comfortable-looking cream sofa. If you find yourself spending much of your time in the living room, as Roy does when at home, choose a sofa that will add to your comfort. The Sicily 2 Seater Sectional Sofa if you have space will do the job, as would the Venice 2 Seater if space is a problem. Paradoxically, the supersized sofa is fronted by a small geometric table—a perfect way to balance the heavy with the light.
Light it Right
Those transparent doors that open out to an outdoor deck pour in the light, sure, but if you snuggle into the sofa in the evenings, then a floor lamp in a corner will double up as a nice décor piece and function as a light source too. White Teak’s Ruthless (Marble) Floor Lamp or Weeping Willow Floor Lamp certainly set the stage for an evening in. Roy found space for another industrial-style floor lamp next to her TV unit as well. White Teak’s One Step Forward Floor Lamp, with a slim build, albeit a single lampshade, will be a great addition, particularly with its attached ‘tray’ that makes it a pretty nifty accessory to have around the house As does the Walk On By Chandelier or the Home Already Pendant Light over your dining space, no? It’s functional, minimal and sculptural too.
Colour Blocking
A blue accent wall, a surfeit of cushions in shades of blue, a pretty rug underfoot, and an adjacent cosy dining space, with blue-upholstered chairs—this space enhances the calm soothing vibe that Roy was going for by pairing the white of the walls with shades of blue. That Scandinavian Hygge vibe that’s all the rage in contemporary homes is evident in this space, and it can be in yours too. This chevron-patterned Embren Flatweave Rug will be a good place to start from. Then there are the Gilberto Dining Chairs in bright blue upholstery (or the Lazzaro Dining Chairs for a lighter teal) around the Alder 4 Seater Dining Table should help you create an intimate dining space—if you don’t mind a square-shaped table rather than a round one.
Add Metallic Hints
Cosy and comfortable don’t always need to mean heavy furniture. The striking open shelving unit and cabinet framed in gold disappear into the background, allowing the personal selection of décor, accessories and books to stand out. The hints of gold also draw out the gold in the accent wall, pulling the room together in a cohesive design. If your space is compact, opting for such minimal open shelves and a few but significant accessories is a great way to layer on the elegance. If it’s a metallic touch that you want and if space permits, then the Osaka Side Board with the gold frame will make for a striking, and functional furniture piece.
…And Mirrors
“Wanted mirrors all over. [A mirror] reflects light and amplifies the space. We liked this accumulation of small round mirrors in one corner of the living room.” In the case of this home, the cluster of mirrors does all that but also looks like wall art, especially with the hint of gold in the slim frame. This is a particularly good idea if you want to make compact rooms look larger. The way that the couple has used mirrors here will add depth and a touch of artistry to your walls.
Out and About
The one thing that’s always a challenge in city homes is not having enough room to create an outdoor space. The lavish deck area, complete with sink-back-and-relax recliners and seating that is simply meant for lounging (and an al fresco dining set-up) in Roy’s home will give you goals. If you have the space, then this outdoor space is a must-see reference when it comes to choosing the best kind of seating. If you have just a small balcony to work with, don’t let that stop you. Make it a comfortable nook with a recliner and add an open shelf with some plants and you’re set! This Nevita Manual Recliner (in light grey upholstery) should help you get there.
This home is a perfect sanctuary amid a chaotic city—light, airy, welcoming, designed with care and meant to cherish its residents.
Two-seater Sectional Sicily Sofa
Gilberto Dining Chair
Two-seater Venice Sofa
