Need help designing your dream home?
Book ConsultationLooking for expert guidance to design your
Leave your information and we will call you to book your preferred consultation slot
An interior designer’s Chennai home that’s filled with chic affordable ideas
Designer Sunita Yogesh spent months on every little detail of her 2,000-square-foot apartment, making it just perfect
From the minute you enter Sunita Yogesh's 2,000-square-foot abode in Chennai, ingenious home-décor ideas beckon you to take a closer look. Not only are they innovative and nifty, they are also incredibly Pinterest-worthy. With an entryway which boasts a petit elegant bench, an assortment of eclectic wall hangings and a neat row of shoes—the first impression is bang on.
The white wireframe chair not only adds additional seating but also helps in offsetting the bulkiness of the sofas.
The couch in the study is again a buy from an e-commerce website. But Sunita has personalised it by adding colourful cushions and a throw. We also love the assortment of succulents on the centre table.
While different wood finishes dominate the dining area, a large carpet holds it together.
Open-Plan Perfection
Yogesh's home is a lesson in how to ace the art of open-plan layouts. The entryway to her home opens into both the living and dining room spaces. From here, the living room leads into what she refers to as the "family room". With its two beanbags upholstered in Kelly Wearstler-inspired covers, this room is "our favourite spot to unwind where we sit and relax for hours, binging on Netflix over the weekends," she says. What links these open rooms, besides the carefully chosen interior design, is the abundance of light which floods this very modern Chennai house.
Innovative Interior Design VIA Upcycling
What we really love though is how Sunita has upcycled regular, off-the-shelf pieces with an ingenuity that makes them more personal and unique. For example, she has thrown together a whole bunch of cushions in different colours and textures to uplift her otherwise quite typical beige sofa. She has created a gallery wall, lined with frames to move the eye away from the couch, and a metal chair is cloaked in a faux fur throw, making it look effortlessly chic. She has even repurposed a wireframe which now functions as a tack board above her study.
But the biggest steal of all would have to be the marble print photo paper that is stuck on top of the kitchen cupboard surfaces. Not only does it look like an authentic marble top for one-fourth the price, but also breaks up the monotony of the large wooden unit that it sits atop.
The Real Secret To Creating The Perfect Modern House
Behind every perfectly curated corner of Sunita’s home lies a colossal number of unseen hours spent planning and curating. Sunita spent months renovating and creating her home, changing things as she went along. Her big tip: don't pressure yourself into doing up the entire house at one go. Take time to figure out what you like, what your style is, what you are attracted to and then start working on putting it together from there. This is (hopefully) a space you will inhabit for many years to come, so it's essential that you don't rush it as you want to create a sanctum of calm that is reflective of your individuality.
Yogesh’s study is an assorted mix of buys from various online stores. She has made it personal and chic by adding elements like the faux fur throw on the chair, wireframe as a tack board and the metallic lettering with light that says, 'paradise'.
Sunita Yogesh in her study. As the one behind, she has created most of the artworks in her home.
Sunita Yogesh’s home in Chennai is a lesson in open-plan living. Here, the living room opens into the more informal family/ TV room.
The entryway is a neat little space with a bench. Yogesh has incorporated things that she needs every day in a schematic manner, including a keyholder, mirror and bench to wear shoes to create a stylish entryway.
One of her most cherished pieces in the home, the bookshelf in the living room is peppered with curios from Yogesh’s travels, photo frames and her favourite books.
The dressing area in the master bedroom is a mix of Aztec prints. A stepladder is a great way to put away shawls, belts, bags and other such accessories, thereby helping declutter the rest of the space.
Yogesh has created many cosy nooks, including this one in the guest room, thus ensuring that her guests feel at home. We also love how she has thoughtfully customised a frame on the side table, saying 'free wifi' with the password, so that her guests don’t have to awkwardly ask for it.
