Authentic Indian Home Décor: Transform Your Living Space into a Cultural Haven

Beautiful Homes (BH): How did the family envision their home?

Nain Belliappa (NB): Chic and effortless—they wanted a home that would come together with natural materials, solid wood furniture and stone accents, and evolve with them and their habits over time especially in terms of living room design. While the apartment needed to comfortably seat six people on the dining table and in the living room, the master bedroom needed to be specifically designed for the lady of the home. The adjacent bedrooms had to be styled for the daughter and her father, with the fourth room being converted into a family-cum-TV room. Each space needed to echo the personality of every member of the house.

BH: There’s a distinct Indian aesthetic that’s been given a hint of a contemporary upgrade in this home. How did you achieve that?

NB: After understanding the basic concept and idea of how the family envisioned their home, we chose colour theory [a collection of rules and guidelines which designers use to communicate with users through appealing colour schemes in visual interfaces] to narrow down specific shades that worked well for them. We then chose furniture that would complement the home’s chosen colour palette. After gauging the two, it was clear that an Indian aesthetic with a rustic contemporary touch would tie each space perfectly.

BH: What drew you to choosing paints and products by Asian Paints?

NB: The wide range and intricate number of shades Asian Paints offers, makes them our go-to brand for every home. We used their paints across all the walls in the home, with the doors were given a fresh easy upgrade with Apcolite Enamel Paint Spray. Sabyasachi’s Gokul Pichwai wall covering by Nilaya was used to adorn the walls in the family room. The exquisite wallpaper elevated the rich Indian details in the décor with the perfect heritage-style patterns we wanted to add to the apartment.

BH: And there are lots of materials used in their natural form as well…

NB: Instead of laminate, we chose a hardwood parquet floor which is my favourite feature in this home for its pattern and intricate design! We’ve deliberately tried using natural materials that would also be durable and long-lasting, such as exposed brick, raw wood and wicker, which pair beautifully with the flooring. And the first thing one notices is the statement wooden rafters that run across the ceiling in the living room.

BH: What is your most symbolic memory of this project?

NB: The daughter, who is now married, was the one who got in touch with me to design her parents’ home. While she and her mum were very involved in all the planning and decision-making, the home’s renovation was meant to be a surprise for her father. I’ll never forget my clients’ excitement and joy the day this was revealed and they all moved in!