Sunil Grover’s Mumbai home has a warm rustic vibe

Wood is the central theme here, from the furniture pieces—big and small—to wall panelling to the internal staircase and all of the doors. The seamless open-plan living/dining/kitchen area on the first floor, double-height ceiling and staggeringly tall windows all add to the rustic look. A stand-out highlight is the unmissable hand-painted mural on a living room wall. Natural light pours in here from everywhere, a counterpoint to the wood-rich interiors. “The best part of the house is the morning sunlight. It makes getting up worthwhile,” says his wife. The clean modern lines keep the spacious home simple and the generous greenery adds refreshing colour. For Grover, the cosy TV room is a favourite spot, reminding him of his days as a voice-over artist. The first-floor balcony is especially interesting too. “From here, I can see all the buildings in which I had apartments earlier. It’s like an album of my entire journey in the city.” And this woodsy cabin in the sky is currently a hard-earned, well-deserved high point.

Rustic Interiors 101: Get the Look

Grover’s house offers a great mood board for homeowners who like wood and a modern aesthetic—and want a combination of the two in their house. This house does that effortlessly—with a modern style centred on the generous use of wood. This Where the Heart Is foray into Grover’s apartment is your go-to guide for the rustic urban home and how to achieve it.

Add a Statement Wall

As with most modern homes, colour comes through in accents and artworks. Pick out pieces and accessories that add colour to your space. Grover achieved that with the dark blue accent wall of his living room, then went ahead and got an artist to paint a mural on it. A casual seating area on the second floor follows a similar idea, with a bold red accent wall and a large unmissable tree painted on it. Adapt that idea to suit your space. (In any case, an accent wall in a favourite shade always works!)

Use Natural (Even Exposed) Materials

As far as possible, choose natural materials for your soft furnishings. They lend themselves to the rustic aesthetic and are typically used in modern interiors too. Cottons are an ideal option when it comes to fabric. You can even create an accent with exposed material, like red brick or concrete (but not too much of it if you’re already using generous amounts of wood).