Jois Design House imparts a rustic bohemian flavour to this apartment designed for a young couple.
Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Nayan Soni; courtesy Jois Design House
The site
Jois Design House was approached by a young couple in Bengaluru to design their 1,120-square-foot apartment on the first floor of a building which was close to a factory. The apartment had a compact living and dining area, a kitchen, two small bedrooms and a large master bedroom with an odd bed and wardrobe placement. There was sufficient ventilation and lighting in the house with diffused sunlight entering throughout the day.
The brief
The newly-married couple had contrasting interests towards almost every aspect of design. The lady’s priority was aesthetics, since she worked from home and needed a visually stimulating setting. The husband’s interest was purely towards the functionality of the space. In terms of storage, the couple wanted the fixed units to be kept to a bare minimum so that there is scope for addition as and when their family grows. As the apartment is situated on the first floor and is close to a factory, keeping dust at bay and choosing easy, maintainable materials was a key requirement.
The design intent
The design intent was to make the apartment look fresh, serene and homely in terms of colours and textures. Jois Design House wanted to capitalise on the natural light the apartment received, whilst adding a touch of the bohemian to all the areas. Throughout the apartment one can see an extensive use of natural materials like wood, rattan, cane and jute and potted plants. Storage was given utmost importance, while ensuring there is enough leg room to move around comfortably.
“The initial designs were done with a modern contemporary theme in mind, but somewhere down the line the client got inclined towards the bohemian theme. The challenge was to alter the theme without changing the design. We found a way to introduce fresh hues and raw textures in terms of fabrics, upholstery and wallpapers to the existing design which completely changed the design language of the project,” shares Ananya A Jois, principal architect, Jois Design House.
The civil intervention
The only change involved the demolition of the existing kitchen, utility space and redesigning the placement of services. This rearrangement allowed the design team to accommodate a lot more storage in the kitchen.
The design and material details
From the entrance door, one steps into the foyer which gives an illusion of a larger space thanks to the mirrors used here. A seater done in walnut-coloured laminate with boho-themed cushions and a variety of framed photographs are the other engaging design elements created for the foyer.
The earthy vibe of the living room is balanced by the off-white floor, and the focus wall highlighting a flowery wallpaper framed by sleek wooden pattis. The seating ensemble includes a velvety lapis blue sofa and two cane and wood armchairs. Small and simple, the circular coffee table placed centrally is burnished and boasts a caramel brown hue with natural cane detailing. All the furniture pieces are placed on a jute carpet. On the focus wall, under the television unit a compact storage space revealing a beautiful wooden texture in laminate finish was created. From the ceiling hangs a helix-shaped modern chandelier. Potted plants brings in freshness.
The dining area is announced by a simple and traditional sheesham wood table, polished but visibly flaunting the contours of the wood grains. Analogous chairs and a bench with comfortable cushions surround the table. This setting is magnified by the voluminous mirror on the wall which is framed by dark walnut laminate panelling. A mini bar resides in the corner, finished with a chic wine glass rack and translucent shutters while a sleek horizontal chandelier casts light upon the table. A minimal contemporary style pooja nook neighbours the wooden panelling by the dining table. Austere but elegant, it remains laminated by a wallpaper, stamped with a stark and beautiful lotus motif.
In the open kitchen which can be accessed from both, the living and dining areas, a striking China blue acrylic finish has been used on the storage cabinets and cupboards, with sleek rose gold handles to complete the look. Set in a cabinet by the refrigerator are two tall units with built-in appliances. Minor details, such as hooks to hang mugs, pull-out pantry inside the cupboards, and a magnetic bar for knives complete the functional look of the kitchen.
A counter in glossy white quartz slab with a contrasting grey quartz sink with ebony fittings is elegantly placed across the length of the L-shaped kitchen. The backsplash breathes of complete opulence as it exhibits a modern gothic tile in shades of grey and white. The walls of this open kitchen is framed by a partition done in jute wallpaper and a walnut-finished laminate frame. An old-fashioned stained-glass orb hangs from the frame — a spotlight to the breakfast counter which is paired with a classy bar stool with a varnished seat, atop a black metal base.
The guest bedroom is dominated by a queen-sized wooden bed which is flanked by Salvador Dali-inspired bed-side tables with its live edge wooden tops spilling over metal frames. The backdrop for the bed is a mellow sage green wall which is covered in a wooden panelled frame and rustic wallpaper, adding much character. A pair of hanging pendant lights furnish the room as their suave ceramic tubes dangle from a thin wire. One wall in this room is taken by a sliding wardrobe which is made from cappuccino-hued laminated shutters which is encased on thin wooden frames.
The master bedroom reveals a similar placement, except for the wood flooring and cream-coloured carpets which appear to give a more rustic feel. The colour scheme of the master bedroom catches the eye as an eruption of beige, pink and grey fill the room. The impeccable choice of shades pay heed to the chic and airy quintessence that capture the couple’s needs. A mirror here extends the room, enlarging it as the tube pendant lights are replaced by caged globe lights, assuredly bathing the room in a warm glow. On the opposite side of the bed is are large floor to ceiling sliding wardrobes in double hued acrylic finish of grey and rose gold. The same rose gold is displayed on the dresser unit to disrupt the monotony of a large mirror.
The study room features a dapper but unembellished mahogany finish study table and chair, against a pale green and white striped wall. The flood of sunlight in this room is obstructed by timeless magnolia shade blinds. A wall here is adorned with a large custom painting done in complementing shades of the study room.
The highlights
The mirrors are the highlighting element in the entire home not just in terms of aesthetic but also in terms of functionality. Considering how they have played a key role in making the living-dining and kitchen space look expansive and larger — even after accommodating a dining set, pooja unit and a bar unit all on one wall, the space doesn’t look crowded thanks to the mirror panelling. Same can be said about the foyer unit, since after accommodating a huge cupboard like storage it still fails to cramp up the entry way.
Fact file
Project: The Bohemian House
Clients: Tanu Kulkarni and Shamanth Naik
Location: Princeville, Mysore road, Bengaluru
Area: 1,120 sq ft
Principal architect: Ananya A Jois
Design team: Deepa G
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