Taapsee Pannu’s home blends vintage European and Punjabi themes

Each corner of Taapsee’s home tells a story – whether it’s the gallery wall full of mementos from her travels abroad, the artisanal accents like the mini jharokhas from Jaipur that line the staircase or even the functional elements with a creative twist, like the turntable shoe cabinet in her dressing room. This thoughtfulness extends to every design choice, making her home a source of inspiration for anyone looking to create a space that reflects their own journey.

Here’s how you can bring a little bit of that same charm into your home.

Style Guide: Infuse Eclectic Charm into Your Urban Home

Drawing inspiration from Taapsee Pannu's thoughtfully designed Mumbai duplex, here are five tips to help you create highly personalised and eclectic spaces:

1. Create a Welcoming Entrance

The entrance to your home sets the tone for the entire space. Taapsee Pannu, with her distinct taste, proves that even the doorway can tell a story. Her duplex features two unique entryways, each brimming with character and personality.

Taapsee says, “We are so particular about how our house looks on the inside, but I think context is set from the moment someone comes to the door.” Whether you choose bold colours for the walls or the doors, planters or a sweet little seat for putting on shoes, the entryway should reflect your style and make a warm first impression.

A bold door colour can make a striking statement. Shades like deep navy, matte black or vibrant jewel tones can add character. For wooden doors, Asian Paints offers products such as WoodTech Emporio PU to achieve a smooth, durable finish.

Pro Tip: Enhance your entryway’s ambience with layered lighting, such as wall sconces or pendant lights, to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

3. Blend Global and Local Influences

Taapsee’s home seamlessly merges European vintage charm with Indian traditional elements. Don’t be afraid to incorporate décor pieces, textiles and art from different cultures alongside local crafts to create a rich, eclectic aesthetic that resonates with your personal experiences. Here are a few ways to achieve this eclectic interior style:

Pro Tip: To create a harmonious blend of global and local elements, start with a neutral base. And if it still seems to daunting to blend diverse cultural elements or themes, try maintaining a cohesive colour palette to unify them. For instance, collect and curate artisanal décor in earthy tones or objects and art in jewel tones as a set before putting them on display.

5. Transform Your Balcony into a Green Oasis

The balconies on both levels of Tapsee’s duplex are lush with plants – 137, to be exact – and compliment the overall narrative of the floor their own. They serve as cosy reading nooks where the sisters unwind. The lower-level balcony features a swing with a vintage white-coloured seat surrounded by lush greenery, tying into the European charm of the floor. The upper-level balcony takes on a more traditional look, with a charpoy and a circular swing with an embroidered canopy.

To infuse your city apartment’s balcony or windows with similar vitality, consider selecting diverse plant varieties – a mix of flowering plants, succulents and climbers to add visual interest and texture. Using vertical space with hanging planters or wall-mounted pots can maximise greenery without encroaching on limited floor areas. If space permits, add a swing or a small dining set and don’t forget to decorate with colourful cushions, eclectic planters and handcrafted artifacts.

Pro Tip: Enhance privacy and create a serene atmosphere by installing bamboo screens or trellises with climbing plants.

Photography by Stories In Motion