This villa steeped in subtle shades reveals a colourful twist

When a couple recently relocated from Delhi to Bengaluru along with their young daughter and the husband’s mother, they wanted to do up their space in a soothing and functional manner. Through a referral, they found Anisha Chandy of her eponymous design studio, and started work on creating their dream home. The project at hand was a villa, spread across three levels with a square footage of 3,027 sq-ft, and three bedrooms.

The wife, who develops programmes to nurture caregiver-toddler bonds through sensory play-based learning techniques, brought unique insights to design her daughter’s room. Adding a rainbow to the otherwise muted colour scheme also gave this home its name, ‘Over the Rainbow’, in sync with their daughter’s name, Malhaar which signifies the raag that pleases the rain gods. Filled with greens and nooks that become calming cocoons, this home follows a minimalist, monochromatic theme, creating a harmonious and balanced environment. Chandy tells us the design story behind this project.

BH: Tell us more about the home's colour palette and the thought behind it.

AC: This house is designed for a family of four. When it came to the colour scheme, there were differing opinions—some of us favoured vibrant hues, while others preferred a more subdued palette. To find common ground, we decided to make plants and greenery the focal point of the space, maintaining a foundation of neutral tones and natural materials such as whites, beiges, browns, creams, and greys. We incorporated pops of colour strategically, serving as palette cleansers in key areas like the black kitchen, the rainbow room, and the retro family room.

BH: Biophilia plays an important role in this home. What prompted this decision?

AC: As a studio, we actively seek out projects that prioritise green spaces and improved air quality. This has always been a key goal for us. When I encountered this property with a courtyard specifically designed for a green element, I was immediately drawn to it. The clients were completely supportive from the outset, eagerly embracing the idea of planting two trees, one indoor and one outdoor, and seamlessly integrating them into the interior space while adding as much green in every sunlight nook we could find.

BH: How did you conceptualise this home's furniture?

AC: The furniture is intentionally simple with many of the pieces on the ground floor featuring micro-topped surfaces. Our aim was to create durable, easy-to-maintain surfaces with a clean concrete finish, offering a more natural and grounded aesthetic compared to materials like glass, laminates, or plastic. Several pieces are crafted from rubber wood, chosen for its simple design, natural beauty, and the way it ages gracefully over time.

BH: What is the design story behind the kitchen?

AC: The all-black kitchen is the yin to the yang on the ground floor. While black isn't typically seen as a pop of colour, in this context, it truly is! Stepping into this kitchen from the otherwise bright and naturally-toned space, you immediately feel a sense of warmth and cosiness in the darkness of the shade. This decision was made after much deliberation, with the kitchen evolving from white to grey, and finally to black. Although it wasn’t everyone’s first choice, I’m thrilled we went with it. It's a welcoming yet moody design element of this home.

BH: How was this home personalised for the clients?

AC: To me, personalisation means finding a resting place for your toothbrush on the left of your sink if you are left-handed, so that when you wake up all groggy, you find your brush easily. One of our primary goals at the studio is to personalise spaces to enhance lifestyles. In my opinion, personalisation can be divided into two aspects: functional customisation and the customisation that will tug at your heart strings. While there is much to cover, a piece that truly embodies this thought is the artwork on the ground floor. The eight unique pieces hold deep, personal significance for the clients, reflecting concepts close to their hearts.

For example, they include beloved school logos, a depiction of the Jagannath Puri deity cherished by the client’s late father, the apartment number alongside the transformation concept of their childhood home, the birth date of their rainbow baby, a significant cricket date, and the concept of threads and Kalamkari, which are integral to the family business. This is just one example of how we create personalised elements to make a space truly feel like home, and it’s something we are passionate about.