Entering the house, one arrives at a foyer clad with mirror panels.

Marble wallpaper, brass chairs, two table lamps made with banarasi fabric – fine decorative silk used to make saree – and an Islamic calligraphy art set the tone of the communal space. 

The space opens up to the seamless dining and living room. 

The richness of the material palette comes from delicate patterns with muted colours that give the interior a retro tinge.

“The colours in this home are a bit subdued with a special emphasis on white – as the space feels fresh and airy and other colours play up very nicely against white,” says Smitha. 

Throughout the house, wall panellings lend a stately touch, while mirrored surfaces double the spatial perception of the space. Brass accents add a touch of lux.

Smitha balances the myriad of textures and colours in the space with hardwood flooring and white surfaces.

One wall features a decorative wallpaper from famous Indian designer Sabyasachi; another features fine botanical prints echoed by a carpet with a Samarkand vibe.

The TV is mounted to the wall above the mantelpiece, flanked by bone-inlaid chest drawers – a subtle East-meets-West tableau. 

This communal space extends to the expansive balcony, with another outdoor dining and sitting area. Here, Smitha pairs terracotta-washed walls with vitrified tiles, striking geometric tables and plenty of cushions to create a Moroccan vibe. 

The family has another, more private, enclosed TV room, a den-like space finished with cobalt blue panelling that can be converted into a guest room when needed. 

The bedrooms are personalised to their occupants.

The master bedroom features arched niches finished in muted gold wallpaper that elegantly frame the bed and the nightstands.

The regal master bedroom features arched niches whose curve is cleverly echoed by the side tables.

Bone-inlaid drawers adds visual drama in this corner.

The daughter’s bedroom features floral wallpaper and a scalloped headboard.

The scalloped headboard and the delicate floral wallpaper create a whimsical and romantic vibe.

A  study in the corner is awashed in soft blue and pink.

Meanwhile, the son – who plays tennis – chose a Wimbledon theme for his room, articulated with leather and metal finishes, striped wallpaper, and tennis-themed graphics. 

The mint green exudes a gentle vibe.

The study is placed against the pinstripe wallpaper in the son’s room.

A cosy bay window sitting area in the son’s room, awashed in mint green.

In this home, Smitha has beautifully balanced richness with room to breathe and blended formality and opulence with a patina that spoke of warmth and a life well-lived.  

Photography by Gokull Rao Kadam.

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