A holiday home in Mumbai, hidden in the clouds

BH: What was the process of turning this raw space into a sanctuary-like cocoon?

KV: Our starting point for designing this home was definitely working with the wife’s favourite colour—emerald green—and also finding ways to not overcrowd any room. We didn’t want to end up with an overbearing house that was fighting with the view. We also wanted to create a layout that promoted an intuitive flow through the apartment. At our studio, we’ve always loved the idea of imperfection—so, while we wanted the home to flow organically, we didn’t want to see any rigid, structured symmetry anywhere. There was also a sense of tranquillity and balance that we were trying to achieve. Layering textures in similar tones was the key to making the home feel calm, which we paired with natural materials like rattan, wood and pure Indian stones.

BH: You have a penchant for specifically using unusual Indian stones…

KV: This goes back to my personal journey of trying to write about my ancestral haveli in Rajasthan. While researching on it, I learnt more about the city of Makrana which is known for its iconic marble that built the Taj Mahal; and discovered other unique Indian stones, too. It made me wonder—why do modern Indian homes always want to use Italian stones instead of celebrating our own materials which are more beautiful and age better in our climate? It led me to marrying something that’s authentically Indian with a modern aesthetic. Homes are an emotion, and a special space where we can be ourselves. What could be more authentic in an Indian home than classic Indian stones?

BH: There’s also a secret hidden design detail in this home...

KV: Yes! The totem sculpture designed by Purple Backyard is an objet d’art beside the fireplace that spells the word ‘joy’ in Morse code. It quietly celebrates the couple’s personality and way of living.

BH: What was the biggest challenge while designing this home, and how did you overcome it?

KV: Probably the height of the building, which makes it sway a bit with torrential winds leaving the walls susceptible to cracks and weathering. Also, since the apartment is on the 73rd floor, clouds and mist gently roll in in the monsoon, which is so dreamy, but also brings in a lot of moisture with it. But we chose our material palette to complement this so everything would patina beautifully over time.