Quiet sophistication in a modern Bengaluru sanctuary

The villa welcomes visitors with a warm wooden console and a painting featuring swaying palm trees by Swathii herself, setting the tone for the rest of the house. The living room, anchored by plush green sofas and a black-and-white inlay coffee table, features thoughtful details like coconut-shell artifacts in black metal frames – a subtle nod to the couple’s roots in Kerala. The dining and kitchen areas, merged to create a patio-like zone overlooking a timber-clad balcony, a raw wood dining table and bench exude rustic charm while Channapatna lights add a playful touch.  

This quiet sophistication flows into the bedrooms too – starting with the primary bedroom where sage green wardrobes with brass accents, wood panelling and a clever study nook create a serene yet functional retreat. The guest bedroom, featuring the blush pink “Indus Moon” wallpaper from the Nicobar for Nilaya by Asian Paints collection and a matching headboard, offers a whimsical yet soothing vibe. Meanwhile, the children’s room, with its blackboard-painted walls and vibrant red beds, sparks creativity and joy.

Every corner of “Under the Palms” tells a story, from its carefully chosen furnishings to the carefully curated artifacts that ground the space in its owners’ heritage. Below, Swathii discusses her creative process, the collaboration with Asian Paints DecorPro team and the philosophy behind balancing tradition with contemporary design.

BH: The project uses a mix of timber, brass and fluted wooden textures. How did you curate this palette and do you have tips for maintaining wooden surfaces?

(SS): The palette was curated to balance warmth and modernity. I recommend investing in high-quality finishes to ensure wood looks pristine for years with minimal maintenance. All the wood elements in this home have been used by our clients for a couple of years now and I’m very happy to report that the wood panelling and other features remain maintenance-free. It all depends on the quality of the wood finishes and we used premium finishes from Asian Paints that still look brand new today.

BH: The blackboard-finished walls in the children’s room are both playful and functional. What drove this decision?

(SS): The idea was to create a space where the kids could express themselves freely. We paired the chalkboard wall with upcycled beds from their previous home, which we painted red, instantly making the room more vibrant and playful.

BH: What was the nature of your collaboration with Asian Paints DecorPro and what were some of the products used?

(SS): We’ve had a decade-long association with Asian Paints now. For this project, we used their concrete finishes, premium wallpapers and PU paints. The DecorPro team was instrumental in helping us select products that aligned with our vision. We like experimenting but also rely on proven materials and Asian Paints offerings fit perfectly. The wallpaper in the guest bedroom, for instance, is from the Nicobar collection for Nilaya by Asian Paints and it adds a calming yet whimsical charm to the space. Fabrics, which we often source from DecorPro, were also part of the design. Their proactive support and high-quality products have consistently enhanced our projects and we look forward to continuing this collaboration in the future.