5 design takeaways from Pavitra Rajaram’s Mumbai home

1. Colour is Everything

Rajaram doesn’t hold back from experiments in bold shades to add drama. If you love bright colours, then let that show in your space. Even contemporary homes with a neutral canvas can carry a multitude of hues if they are used cleverly. In Rajaram’s home, the colours come through in the upholstery, the myriad artworks, wallpapers and accessories. Don’t let a compact space deter you from working with vibrant hues. Just use it in smaller doses and unexpected places—like a really dramatic painting, an accent wall or a statement chair. 

2. Layering adds Depth, Dimension and Character

A striking antique-looking Pierre Frey wallpaper that spreads across a wall is an unmistakable eye-catcher in Rajaram’s living room. What makes it even more of a stand-out are the layers of accessories and décor elements around it: the slate-grey bookcase, the large equine sculpture and the bright living room mise-en-scène in front of the sculpture—not to mention the vintage-looking chandelier hanging over it all.

Layering is the key to a character-filled home. Rajaram did it with an unrestrained yet careful hand; you too can make a play for it with some thoughtful planning. Use artwork, furniture and décor accessories to create an engaging visual palette that adds depth to your interior design story.
 

3. A Little Bit of Blue is a Must

While it may not exactly qualify as your textbook-neutral shade, the colour blue certainly adds something wonderfully tranquil to homes. Blue has timeless appeal and works in almost any way you choose to use it. Rajaram used it sparingly to offset the explosion of colours and textures in her home. A turquoise blue vase on a side table, a bright blue wallpaper behind an open shelving unit, blue in artworks, blue as a bedspread and a bit of blue in curtains. Find a way to add some shade of blue into your space. It’s a great way to cool down a bright house, or warm up a neutral space.