Designer Chanya Kaur weaves together a quietly luxurious home in Mumbai

What was the renovation process like?

The entire renovation took seven months. Besides the flooring, everything else (including the ceiling) was pulled down or gutted. One of the things I was keen to incorporate was a play of textures and veneers on the walls. All the old furniture, originally from Italy, needed to be updated or reupholstered. In every home, I'm always trying to pair something old with something new, which helps weave a story for the entire space, while maintaining a balance between opulence and humility. In one of the bedrooms, a four-poster bed that didn't have a headboard now has an intricately woven cane backrest; while the coffee table in the living room has a locally sourced marble top. Besides the closet, all the furniture is now freestanding so that it can be moved around whenever a room needs a quick update in the future.

Did you face any challenges along the way?

The entire family was living in the house while it was being renovated, which proved to be a little complicated. And we ended up needing to add an extra month to the timeline. If all the materials, upholstery and décor pieces are selected and organised before the renovation begins, you'll be saving yourself a lot more time later.

How did The Pure Concept Home come into being?

I've been working in the furnishings space with The Pure Concept for over 15 years, and always been passionate about interiors. Textiles always brought me closer to furniture every day, which, as pieces, tie an entire home together. Three years ago, I decided to study interior design, which led to The Pure Concept Home being created to offer the overarching design philosophies of our upholstery brand in every aspect of a house. Similar to our fabrics, all our rugs, ceramics, art and furniture are designed and built locally by indigenous artisans. All our pieces are meant to weave a sense of affordable luxury. A stylish and tasteful home should always be accessible to everyone!

How would you describe the perfect home?

The perfect home immediately has to echo what a family is like when they come together under a single roof. A person stepping in should immediately be able to piece together the stories and journey of a family's heritage. Every aspect of each space should be effortless without being too precious or trying too hard.

The Pure Concept Home is known for its minimalist aesthetic. What according to you defines minimalism in an Indian home?

Minimalism is often misunderstood as something that's too straight-lined or empty. In India, with our rich culture and resources, it's wiser to use materials that inspire us everyday, work better in our weather conditions and fit into the frame of our lifestyles. A truly minimal Indian home is one that is extremely practical, functional and utilitarian, while also displaying strong heritage and character.

Chanya Kaur’s tips for anyone looking to design their own home:

• Always start with a mood board, whether you’re designing your home on your own or with an interior designer. It will visually clarify exactly what you want to recreate in each space.

• While it's important to have lots of sunlight in a home, it's also clever to include accent lights in each room. From chandeliers to lamps—you can create the most dramatic or quietly intimate setting in any space.

• Avoid putting too much furniture. A lot of people love to design a home that's "party-ready", but it's important to first create a floor plan that works for you, and then think about guests. In smaller apartments, it's wiser to have more open space to be able to accommodate larger groups when entertaining.