Nebulous Design Workshop transforms an ornate apartment in Bengaluru into a serene, contemporary home. Curved walls, softened edges, and redefined balconies take the place of once-heavy detailing, while muted tones and tactile finishes lend the space a sense of clarity and calm.
Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Roshan Paliath; courtesy Nebulous Design Workshop Pvt Ltd
The brief
Every home carries echoes of its past. This one, rich in ornamentation and heavy detail, had outgrown its own narrative. The homeowner was ready for a change — not one of grandeur, but of purpose and one that is perfectly in tune with modern times. The challenge was placed in the hands of architect Manoj Sabnani and interior designer Kiran Sabni of Bengaluru-based Nebulous Design Workshop Pvt Ltd, a practice known for its close collaboration with clients and their ability to bring their visions to life. Guided by passion and a meticulous eye for detail, the design duo crafts spaces that are thoughtful, expressive, and shaped with a sensitivity to how life unfolds within them.
“The client wanted a functional yet luxurious home with minimal intervention and a budget-conscious execution. Key requirements included a walk-in wardrobe in the master suite, an operational kitchen alongside the existing island, and the addition of a water feature. The client also insisted on reusing most of the existing furniture and civil elements,” shares Kiran.
The site
The apartment originally featured glossy finishes, ornate detailing, and a layout that felt fragmented. Though the structure remained sound, the aesthetic appeared dated and visually heavy. The brief therefore called for an internal transformation that could bring clarity and lightness to the space without major civil changes. What followed was a careful process of spatial rethinking—a process that brought the home together with a sense of comfort and modern simplicity.
The civil intervention
The civil changes were minimal yet strategic. Key modifications included slab casting and waterproofing for balcony conversions, the introduction of curved walls and glass partitions to correct spatial irregularities, and concealed storage units integrated within the existing structure. Each intervention was carefully designed to merge with the new aesthetic.
The balconies underwent complete transformation: one became a seamless walk-in wardrobe, another evolved into an alfresco pantry, and a third turned into a serene retreat with a live edge and a cascading water fountain. A curved partition resolved the challenge of an awkward column, while a curved glass divider now discreetly conceals the laundry area.
The design intent
Project Lighthouse, as the designers call it, is a transformative reimagining of an ornate Bengaluru apartment into a calm, minimal, and purposeful retreat. It stands as a testament to balance — where restraint meets refinement, and form and function find common ground.
The design sought calm through subtraction by removing excess, highlighting functions, and introducing a warm, restrained elegance that felt rich yet grounded. Every detail was chosen for its quiet visual strength and practical purpose, allowing the space to breathe. Existing elements were thoughtfully repurposed with a contemporary sensibility: beds were reupholstered, finishes refreshed, and headboards customised to create a cohesive language. The kitchen island was redesigned in muted materials, reinforcing visual continuity, while the bold black trims of the value wall framed the home’s renewed identity.
The design and material details
The reimagined apartment now unfolds as a seamless sequence of spaces. The entry opens into a calm foyer that leads naturally into a connected living, dining, and kitchen zone, while the bedrooms extend into a quieter corridor of personal retreats. Each balcony has been reinterpreted as a purposeful extension of its adjoining room, lending versatility to the layout.
The foyer sets the tone with texture-painted walls, a floating bench-inspired seat, a console with drawers, and an organically shaped mirror—all rendered in a neutral palette. In the living area, an olive-green sectional sofa and a black-and-white accent chair anchor the space, while a curved wall conceals an awkward column and softens the geometry. Layered lighting and black trims add definition and depth.
The dining area continues this flow with a warm panelled wall and a sleek console that visually connects to the kitchen. Here, a redefined island, matte finishes, subway tiles, and fluted glass create a balanced composition of texture and tone. In the master bedroom, the original bed was retained and reimagined with a new headboard, while its adjoining balcony now functions as a walk-in wardrobe. The children’s room follows a gender-neutral, adaptable design, allowing it to evolve with time. Of the three balconies, one serves as the wardrobe extension, another as an alfresco pantry, and the third as a scenic retreat complete with a water fountain that forms a tranquil punctuation to this thoughtfully modern home.
The challenges
“Converting the balconies into livable spaces required extensive slab work and waterproofing with limited site access,” shares Manoj. “Repurposing ornate elements while adhering to minimal design within budget constraints was also challenging. Curved walls, fluted partitions, and concealed storage required precision and planning to fit within the rigid framework,” he adds with quiet pride.
Fact File
Project: Project Lighthouse
Location: Bengaluru
Area: 3,400 sq ft
Principal architect: Manoj Sabnani
Principal designer: Kiran Sabnani
Design team: Prerna, Saivarun
Add a Comment