An Oasis of Art

A Tropical- Modernist Pune home designed by Alkove-Design transforms into an urban sanctuary, offering respite with its fluid blend of art, design and tasteful living. 

Text by Rama Raghavan

"Art should be an oasis: a place or refuge from the hardness of life," says columbian artist and sculptor Fernando Botero. This sentiment struck a chord with the Mathur family, who believed that art could provide that elusive oasis within the walls of their new home, infusing a softer, more soulful dimension into their everyday lives. 

Connoisseurs at heart, the couple wished to have their home curated around art pieces collected over time, and as a part of design processes during the project. During covid and the ensuing lockdown, they realised the need for a bigger space for their family and decided to merge two adjoining 3-bedroom apartments on the 3rd floor of an apartment complex, transforming it into one large dwelling of 3200 Sq. m,  for their close-knit family of 5- that included their children and their pet, an adorable cocker spaniel named Leo.

Alkove-Design, the architects for the project, thought it apt to design the home as a blend of traditional and contemporary interiors, in a Tropical Modernist aesthetic, that would form a mellow backdrop for the art pieces and an idyllic setting for the inhabitants. One of the main challenges came with the fusing of the two apartments, which was soon turned into an exciting opportunity through Design. Komal Mittal, Principal architect at Alkove shares about the starting point of the project, “Since the two flats were to be merged, several walls were eliminated, exposing beams on the ceiling. Additionally, the low storey height also negated the possibility of a deep false ceiling as a masking strategy. The solution was to then use colour palettes astutely to create an illusion of spaciousness, whilst accentuating certain wall surfaces with textures to emphasise the art pieces.”

The architects designed a brand new layout with a reallocation of spaces and a clear segregation of functions. One complete portion was kept for public use, and incorporated the Living- Dining, Kitchen and Guest bedroom, while the adjacent portion, was a private area that could be shut off with a sliding door, that accommodated a spacious Master Suite with 2 bedrooms and a common walk-in wardrobe for the couple. A binding gesture of lime-washed accent walls brought in rustic sophistication that tied the home into one theme, as well as helped highlight selected areas. 

Entering the home across the threshold, the lobby becomes a liminal space where one could decide their pathway of navigation, to either portion of the dwelling. Moving around the facing wall featuring a kalamkari painting of the Tree of Life by artist Harinath N, the entrance to the living area is carved through a passage that was created by removing a powder room from the earlier layout. The meandering path whisks the visitor in, to be greeted by twin antique wooden columns that stand like stately guards to the oasis. The columns, exquisitely crafted in teak wood, sourced from an antique store, Suadades in Goa, mark an elegant entryway to the living space. 

The entrance lobby with a life-size kalamkari painting becomes a liminal space from where the inhabitant can choose to navigate to either portion of the dwelling.

Affixed to the main door is a handle carved with floral patterns derived from the Frangipani flower that flows in spirit to the doors of the shoe cabinet as etched leaves. A beige lime-wash texture accentuates the background wall, making the entrance warm and inviting.

A classic-fluted pedestal table with flared legs stands with poise in the backdrop of a beige lime-washed wall with a wooden framed mirror. An ornate chandelier casts an enchanting glow setting a soothing tone at the entrance.

Antique handcrafted wooden columns stand as epitomes of grace, against a beige lime-washed wall, marking the passage to the living space. A low-height wooden console crafted with criss-cross patterns frames the elements with elegance.

The expansive living space is distinctly framed into two areas that flow into each other with ease- one hosting a more formal setting and the other with a casual vibe. An accent wall with a beige lime-wash finish, at the fag end of the area catches the eye with its intricate occupier- a wooden balinese door converted into a wall mural carved with riveting motifs. This focal piece sourced from Good Earth, became the anchor for the design of the home. Patterns derived from this mural echo throughout the abode in select elements.  

Shades of beige and rich browns add a touch of earthy elegance to the living space. A mural made out of a wooden balinese door, sourced from Good Earth becomes the centrepiece mural, adding intricacy with its patterns. A circular coffee table from Sarita Handa adds a deviation from the linearity with its cupola form.

“Many furniture pieces that are works of art in themselves, have been crafted by Mr Shaban Lakadwala, a master craftsman from Mumbai, whose attention to detail and finesse were awe-inspiring. Mrs Mathur had suggested that we get some pieces crafted from him, to further add a layer of artistry to the home,”recalls Ninada, Principal architect at Alkove-Design. Mrs Mathur, an architect by education and an aesthete, had procured a number of paintings and artefacts that can be found throughout the home, influencing moods in myriad ways. The sofa sets flaunt vibrant textiles from Nagaland that she had herself sourced. A few years back the couple had purchased several tonnes of timber obtained from the structural members of an old wada, intending to repurpose them some day. The wada wood now finds new life in a variety of forms in the home, becoming a metaphor in life cycles, somewhat like the Ship of Theseus.

Repurposed wood from an old wada was sliced to create rustic and unfinished shelving units in a niche flanking the living area.

The column-beam connection slicing the living space frames the area adding the feeling of depth, imbuing interest with the variety of seating pockets created.

A balcony opens to the respite of greens. The wada wood continues to transform. Here, it is used in the form of an outdoor console unit for decor, with a stone top, awash in gold hues cast by cane lights. The space becomes a tranquil getaway within home.

The Dining area elongates itself to connect with the balcony through a sliding folding connection, making the space lighter and conversations livelier. Embroidered patterns and a tinge of blue on the handcrafted dining set break the earthy palette with freshness. Asit Kumar Patnaik’s evocative painting mounted on a flanking wall makes one pause and reflect, stirring emotions with its dynamic colours.

The dining space adjacent to the passage of the antique columns hosts a dining set crafted by a master artisan, draped in embroidered upholstery. A circular mirror reflects the greens of the balcony,  atop a wooden console from Sarita Handa. The Wada wood reappears as the base of the pendant lights. 

Asit Kumar Patnaik’s captivating painting adds vibrancy to the dining area, set above a turquoise bar unit, making the space a dynamic palette of blues and reds that add a break from the browns.

The kitchen is a closed one, cut off from the dining space with a glazed panelled door. A biscuit-salmon, beiges and browns form the primary ingredients of an elegant kitchen with an island. 

The children’s bedrooms are both connected to the living area and are quite divergent in terms of themes. The daughter’s room is fresh and more bohemian, with a palette of beiges, hints of textures from rattan and oak, and a white ornate metal bed adding charm to the space. While the son’s room is sombre in a palette of greys and whites with a midnight blue painting adding the element of  silent reflection.

The daughter’s bedroom is doused with fresh beiges and browns. The cocker-spaniel- Leo, blends effortlessly into the palette!

Sandwiched rattan wardrobes add texture and a connected dresser with a circular mirror above, reflects light to further highlight the expanse of the room.

Gossamer curtains bring in diffused light that bounces beautifully off the full length mirror. A rattan console matches the wardrobe, tying the room cohesively.

The son’s bedroom is in sombre greys and beiges. Slate-blue floral patterns on the chairs mingled with the inky midnight blue painting create an atmosphere of peaceful reflection.

Navigating to the private portion of the apartment, a TV room with a connected prayer space offers a momentary transition before entering the resting areas. Mrs Mathur’s room personifies traditional charm with the ornate teak bed combined with the warmth of a minimal workspace that she would use for creative pursuits. Mr Mathur’s den, with a more formal ambience combines a resting and working space tied with an accent wall in beige lime-wash. Connected from this room is a spacious walk-in wardrobe for the couple with meticulously planned storage solutions in a dignified, dark ebony palette. 

The India-Modern aesthetic stands out in one of the master bedrooms, with the ornate bed and contemporary study desk combined with a bookshelf. 

Pendant lights wash the ebony desk in golden hues. The space offers creative inspiration and focus, with its minimal sensibility.

The other master bedroom has a more clean and solemn aesthetic with a minimal, organised work desk. The space connects to a walk-in wardrobe common to the master suite.

Lime-washed textures coupled with patterns on a niche wooden shutter express themselves in earthy tones.

“This project was a juggling of multiple roles- heavy duty civil work alongside planning of the finer details of accessories and art procurement. It was a brilliant opportunity for us to immerse ourselves in all facets of design,”reminisces Komal. Ninada adds cheerfully, “To top it all, Mrs Mathur, being an architect herself, was completely in sync with our creative processes and that made the entire journey all the more enjoyable for our team.” By the end of the project, the two separate homes meld together seamlessly as a cohesive whole, striking a delicate balance between art and design, reminding the inhabitant that even in life's most tumultuous moments, there is the potential for beauty and serenity.

____________________________________________________________________________