A contemporary Mumbai home for a close-knit family of six

A client brief is one of those intangible, deeply personal aspects of home design. Success lies in shaping it in an aesthetically pleasing, uniquely personal way, while keeping the spirit, the essence underlying it, intact. For this Mumbai home, christened Prana, Rohini Bagla had to work with a “heartfelt brief” while also considering its aesthetic and functional elements. “Prana is a 3BHK apartment for a close-knit South Indian family of six—parents, their daughters and grandparents,” says Bagla. The design, then, had to contend with offering a multigenerational-proof concept—one to appeal to three distinct age groups and six unique personalities. “Balancing form, function and emotion across generations was the real design puzzle and also the most rewarding part of the project.” The founder and principal designer of Studio Rohini Bagla explains how she accomplished this, and which Asian Paints products helped realise the goal. 

Beautiful Homes (BH): How did the brief translate into the way this space has ultimately turned out?

Rohini Bagla (RB): The homeowners wanted a home that felt like an extension of their roots. It needed to embody the warmth of their South Indian heritage while also reflecting their evolved modern lifestyle. Our vision for the space was to create a sanctuary that resonates with culture, spirituality and contemporary elegance. From the sacred mandir at the entrance to the hidden bar tucked into the balcony, every corner of the home was imagined as a moment where tradition and modernity coexist in harmony.

Along with that, the multigenerational dynamic was also central to our approach. Each room was created as a distinct microcosm reflecting the lifestyle, age and personality of its inhabitants. Yet, there is a cohesive flow throughout, be it in the material palette or spatial planning. The home never loses its sense of unity.

BH: How did you select the materials and the colours?

RB: Materiality was crucial in grounding the home in both its cultural and contemporary context. We worked with a mix of warm veneers, brass detailing, cane and organic fabrics to build a tactile and soulful environment. Colour choices were based on emotion: earthy neutrals to calm, deeper hues to add drama and pops of colour to energise. Materials and shades are not just for their aesthetic value, but for the story they helped tell. 

BH: The furniture is very interesting. Was it custom-designed, store-bought or both?

RB: A bit of both. We either custom-design pieces or carefully handpick them to reflect the family’s identity. For instance, the curved TV unit in the living room bridges nostalgia and modernity. The organic cotton and cane chairs in the dining area speak of sustainability and craftsmanship. In the master bedroom and grandparents’ room, bespoke cabinetry and headboards ensure the elements are personal and functional. We treated furniture as sculptural elements—practical but also deeply expressive.

BH: The walls in the different rooms are all very unique. Was that a conscious choice?

RB: Absolutely. We endeavoured to ensure that the walls did more than just hold up the space. They needed to speak. Each room has its unique tone, and the walls are tailored to the moods and personalities that inhabit them. For instance, we deliberately chose limewash-finished textured walls to lend depth and softness. The common areas have calming neutrals while the daughters’ room has bold blue accents. The paint and texture became our silent storytellers, adding layers of subtle drama without overwhelming the senses.