Designer Vinithra Amarnathan gives us a tour of her own brand new home

How would you define your house design aesthetic?
Casual, modern and relaxed, with high-quality textures and finishes for an elevated presence.  Nothing is over-the-top in terms of design nor cost and hence it is a space that is cosy, comfortable and very welcoming. Every room has a unique look, and it is a canvas for all the things we love like collectibles including art and rugs which we have gathered over the years. 

How is this house different from your previous house?
We had a lot more colour previously and pieces that were modular and heavy. We have now toned down a bit, have included pieces that are lighter and have stuck to a neutral palette.  So, we have a lot of white, black and lighter wood for warmth and airy vibes. Also, I love the whole gallery look so we have an extensive gallery wall in the living room and the hallway in this house.  Also, the storage in this house is customized to our requirements and in sync with our design philosophy as opposed to what was already existing in our previous rented home.

Tell us a bit about the storage solutions in the house
Storage was a crucial aspect in doing up the house as I am someone who does not like a lot of things strewn around the house.  I need to have a sense of space where I can freely move without being constrained.  So, we have extensive storage in the utility, bedrooms and the kids’ room made from BWR commercial grade plywood which is laminated from the inside and painted from the outside in white for seamless and sophisticated look.

How do you think a space and furniture can grow with you?
As a person I am not someone who likes to overhaul everything at one go. I like to source, collect and grow with things. I firmly believe that if you pick pieces you love, they will stay with you forever.  I have no problem when anything is aged, if wood cracks or the marble top develops a patina, it is symbolic of things well used and lends it a different personality. I always prefer to reuse and repurpose things I already have and making it work in my new space.

With time our tastes change and so I like to make some minor changes to give things a new look. I have re-stained and re-polished several pieces of furniture to perk them up in the new house which for me is an important aspect of sustainable living.  We have reused a nursery changing table as additional storage in my daughter’s room.  We had bedside tables in the guest room which became side tables in my son’s room, we have painted them white now. The furniture we have chosen for the children’s room is simple and light so we can replace them with whatever they like as they grow older.