This home uses colour to unify its eclectic décor

Beautiful Homes (BH): What was the broad design approach for this home?

Ali Baldiwala (AB): It’s a house for three different generations—a couple, their son and daughter, both of whom are in their twenties, and the husband’s mother. Each had a very different approach to design and aesthetics with a very clear idea of what they wanted. Bringing these distinct ideas together and honouring what each wanted was quite challenging from a design perspective. The daughter wanted English and Art Deco styles while the son wanted New York loft house and industrial inspired surroundings. The wife wanted a lot of colour, the husband leaned more to subdued elegance and his mother wanted something very simple featuring a lot of natural elements. Our design decisions were based on giving each room a distinct personality; the concept and approach was more eclectic.

BH: How did you fulfil their requirements yet create a cohesive language for the décor?

AB: A common thread that deeply ties the whole visual together is colour. With each space displaying such a varied language, it was colour that created a distraction from the design elements and connected the home as a whole. Another thing the family was unified on was that their art and collectible pieces needed to stand proud. This was another element that imparted a cohesiveness to the home. The family had an eye for details and aesthetics, however different. That’s why we called the project The Philocalist’s Abode—it means someone who admires beauty.

BH: Let’s delve deeper into how you used colour throughout the home.

AB: The home avoids bland at all cost; colour is the star of the show. In the living room, which has a very contemporary feel, there are a lot of fabrics, rugs and furniture pieces in general that bring in the colour. The curved-shaped fluted partition in a pistachio green shade (Asian Paints Matt PU River Cruise 7680) takes centre stage. The adjoining study features a palette of sunset tones elevated by a high gloss red lacquered chair. In the den, it’s the central burgundy stripe that runs on the ceiling and down the wall and the L-shape sofa in peacock colours that stands out against the mosaic wall and shelves made of Statuario marble. The design element in the kitchen became English but it’s the olive-green shutters paired with rust tones that stands out. The son’s room, though industrial in style, uses colour in the form of the exposed brick wall, which features variations in colour and texture, paired with a pop of green. The daughter’s bedroom was a confluence of design with colour being the common thread—from the colour-block yellow and white wardrobe to the impressive custom mural by Za Works. Finally, the master bedroom is soothing and elegant with cool blues of the television unit (Asian Paints Matt PU Tea Swirl 7481) and the arched, wallpapered element behind the bed. Forming a neutral base to all these colours and elements throughout the home are soft white walls and ceilings (Asian Paints Royale Love Song L144).

BH: What are a few stand-out features of the home for you?

AB: I have a few but one that really springs to mind is the entrance. The foyer, dominated by tons of gold and earth, stands out because of the main door made of brass sheets that are riveted on top of the plywood. The richness is balanced by the marble flooring thoughtfully crafted to mirror the keys of a piano. The patterned floor is inlayed in Cremo Delicato, Rosso Alicante and Swiss machina marbles. How apt that the marble flooring of the entrance portrays piano keys—it’s like you are walking on musical notes into a symphony of colours.