Neha Arora N Interiors transforms literature into an immersive living experience at this villa in Bengaluru. Each space within the home draws inspiration from a book chosen by the homeowner, translating personal literary connections into deeply atmospheric interiors.
Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Nayan Soni; courtesy Neha Arora N Interiors
The brief
When interior designer Neha Arora, founder of Neha Arora N Interiors, began conversations with the homeowners of this 5,000 sq ft villa at Adarsh Palm Retreat in Bengaluru, one thing became immediately evident—the lady of the house had an expansive and refined design sensibility. Her references moved across styles, moods, eras, and atmospheres, making it difficult to contain the home within a singular aesthetic language. “The concept evolved organically through conversations with the client. Surbhi had a wide range of ideas and references, each very distinct from the other, and she wanted them all,” shares Neha. “It became clear that a single theme wouldn’t do justice to her dreams.”
As the discussions progressed, Neha began noticing a recurring thread running through many of the references: literature. Several of the client’s inspirations were rooted in books, fictional worlds, and storytelling. This observation eventually became the foundation of the project, leading to the idea of House of Books—a home where every room could draw from a different literary narrative while still belonging to a larger, connected whole.
The design intent
The design philosophy of Neha Arora N Interiors is rooted in one overarching vision: transporting people into another world through interiors that feel immersive and emotionally engaging. With House of Books, that philosophy found its most direct expression yet. “I believe that good interior design, is not just about designing beautiful spaces. It’s about creating an immersive space that transports you to another world. And that starts by weaving a story in the entire design scheme. With the House of Books, that idea became literal—each space is inspired by a book that holds meaning for the homeowner, turning the home into a collection of lived stories,” explains Neha.
While every room references a different literary work, the home avoids becoming overtly thematic. Instead, the stories are interpreted through atmosphere, materials, colour palettes, and carefully considered details. The intention was to capture the feeling of each narrative rather than recreate it literally, allowing the spaces to feel timeless and liveable. To maintain continuity across the villa, the studio worked with a restrained base palette of soft off-whites, warm browns, earthy finishes, and accents of black and gold. This underlying material language appears throughout the home, though each room balances these elements differently depending on the narrative it draws from.
The spatial configuration
House of Books unfolds across two levels, with the planning carefully balancing shared family spaces and more private retreats. The ground floor is planned around the home’s social and interactive spaces. The kitchen, dining area, and living room form the central spine of this level, allowing movement between spaces to feel open and connected. Extending from these shared zones is the outdoor Lord of the Rings-inspired tavern area, envisioned as an informal gathering space. Also located on the ground floor are the Downton Abbey-inspired bedroom and the Bridgerton-inspired room. Positioned away from the more active common areas, these rooms offer a sense of privacy while still remaining closely connected to the larger flow of the house.
The first-floor transitions into a more personal and introspective zone. At its centre sits the library, which acts as both a functional reading space and an anchor for the upper level. The master bedroom is positioned alongside it, while the son’s One Piece-inspired bedroom occupies the middle of the floor plan. The Jane Austen-inspired room is located on the left side of the upper floor, completing the arrangement of bedrooms on this level.
The design and material details
The public areas
The living room draws inspiration from Moby Dick, though the narrative here begins with something personal to the homeowners. The client’s father, who served in the navy, had collected corals during his dives over the years, and these objects eventually became the emotional starting point for the space. Rather than interpreting the novel literally, Neha used these memories to shape a living room that carries a subtle coastal character. The collected corals are placed thoughtfully throughout the living room, functioning not just as decorative elements but also as memory markers within the home.
The space leans towards a rustic and woody expression, layered with textured stone, warm timber, and soft neutral fabrics. A large stone-clad fireplace wall becomes the focal point of the room, introducing a rugged quality reminiscent of coastal terrain, while exposed wooden ceiling beams and warm flooring bring depth and continuity to the interiors. Arched window frames and layered architectural detailing introduce a faint old-world character, though the overall composition remains contemporary, warm, and highly liveable.
The furniture palette remains understated, allowing the materials to take precedence. Upholstered seating in muted neutral tones is paired with solid wood furniture, including raw-edged side tables and a central coffee table that reinforce the organic quality of the room. Touches of black and gold appear subtly within the detailing, adding contrast without interrupting the earthy palette. Natural light filters softly through sheer drapery during the day, while warm ambient lighting from classic fixtures creates a more intimate atmosphere by evening.
The dining space and outdoor garden draw inspiration from the rustic taverns of The Lord of the Rings, translating the warmth and sense of togetherness associated with those fictional worlds into spaces designed for gathering and slowing down. Connected closely to the kitchen, the dining area is framed through a soft archway that creates a gradual transition between spaces. A palette of warm neutrals, textured walls, and natural wood establishes an earthy and inviting atmosphere, while cane-back chairs and a solid dining table reinforce the handcrafted quality of the interiors. One of the defining elements within the space is the large framed artwork of Gandalf riding into the Shire, introducing a subtle layer of nostalgia and literary connection without overwhelming the room.
Extending from the interiors is the outdoor tavern-inspired garden space, conceived as a relaxed extension of the home’s social areas. Stone-clad walls, solid wood elements, and barrel-style seating create a rustic setting that feels informal and welcoming. The furniture palette remains intentionally simple, allowing the textures of stone, timber, and greenery to shape the character of the space naturally. Soft lantern lighting adds warmth during the evenings, allowing the garden to transition comfortably from day to night while reinforcing the atmosphere of an old countryside tavern imagined within the larger narrative of the home.
The kitchen takes inspiration from classic Victorian interiors often associated with period novels, interpreted here through a more contemporary and functional lens. While the space carries several traditional references, the overall design remains suited to the rhythm of modern living. One of the strongest visual elements within the kitchen is the black-and-white harlequin flooring, which establishes the character of the space immediately upon entry. The bold flooring pattern is balanced by muted off-white cabinetry detailed with classic panelling and brass hardware, subtly referencing Victorian design language without appearing overly ornamental.
Warm wood countertops soften the monochrome palette and introduce a more natural warmth into the interiors. At the centre, a black kitchen island accented with gold detailing anchors the room while adding depth and contrast to the overall composition. Natural light plays a significant role within the space. A large grid-style window draws daylight deep into the kitchen, casting changing patterns of light and shadow across the harlequin flooring through the course of the day. The opening also strengthens the visual connection between the interiors and the surrounding greenery outside.
Gold chandeliers introduce a vintage character to the kitchen, complementing the cabinetry, cornices, and detailing that reference traditional Victorian aesthetics. Despite these layered references, the planning and layout of the space remain practical, open, and designed for contemporary use.
The library draws inspiration from Beauty and the Beast, imagined as a space centred around the romance and atmosphere often associated with old literary worlds. Wrapped entirely in rich wood, the room combines floor-to-ceiling bookshelves with a coffered ceiling, creating an immersive environment that feels both intimate and timeless. Warm brass sconces cast a soft glow across the shelves, while a rolling ladder strengthens the sense of a traditional library setting. Rather than functioning purely as a storage space for books, the room was designed as a retreat within the home—a place where light, materiality, and literature come together to create a more immersive reading experience.
In contrast, the Harry Potter-inspired TV room takes on a more nostalgic and playful character. Rustic stone-finish walls form the backdrop to a gallery of family photographs displayed in antique-style frames. Interspersed among them are digital frames featuring moving images, referencing the iconic living portrait walls from the fictional world in a more contemporary and personal manner.
The private retreats
The Downton Abbey-inspired bedroom draws from the elegance and old-world character associated with traditional English estates. The room adopts a richer and moodier palette compared to the rest of the home. Deep charcoals, muted blush tones, and soft blacks form the foundation of the material palette. Floral wallpaper becomes one of the defining elements within the room, introducing a classic pattern that immediately establishes the vintage character of the interiors. This is paired with dark wood flooring and black-painted wainscoting, which ground the space and add depth to the composition.
At the centre of the room sits a four-poster bed with turned wooden posts, reinforcing the traditional language of the space. Upholstered elements in dusty pink tones soften the darker backdrop. Vintage-inspired furniture and layered textiles further strengthen the old-world atmosphere without making the room feel overly formal. Lighting has been used to enhance the mood of the interiors. Warm ambient light from classic lamps and a statement ceiling fixture highlights the textures within the room, while sheer drapes diffuse natural light during the day, allowing the darker palette to feel soft. Subtle gold detailing within the lighting and accessories introduces an added layer of refinement.
The Bridgerton-inspired bedroom was designed to reflect the softness and understated romance associated with Regency-era interiors. Here, muted duck-egg blue forms the foundation of the palette, paired with warm whites, natural wood, and subtle gold accents. The walls and furniture are treated in tonal blues, creating a calm and consistent backdrop throughout the room. Delicate lace curtains introduce a vintage quality, while soft textiles, gentle patterns, and classic furniture forms reinforce the feminine character of the space.
Natural light filters softly through the lace drapery during the day, giving the room an airy and intimate atmosphere. This is complemented by warm artificial lighting through classic lamps and understated fixtures. One of the defining details within the bedroom is the gallery wall of framed “Dearest Gentle Reader” excerpts—a subtle yet instantly recognisable reference to Bridgerton, interpreted in a refined and personal manner. Gold accents across the hardware, lighting, and accessories introduce a touch of sophistication, while wood elements bring warmth and balance to the interiors.
Unlike some of the more visually expressive spaces within the home, the Count of Monte Cristo-inspired bedroom adopts a more restrained and introspective character, reflecting the emotional depth and solitude associated with the story. The palette is intentionally muted, built around warm beiges, soft creams, and natural wood tones. A solid wood bed anchors the room, bringing a sense of permanence and understated strength to the interiors. Upholstered elements, soft linens, and textured throws introduce comfort and softness without disrupting the room’s calm.
A stone-clad fireplace acts as the focal point of the bedroom, adding weight and timelessness to the space, while exposed wooden beams above introduce warmth and architectural character. Linen drapes soften the natural light entering the room, allowing the interiors to feel relaxed and settled rather than overly styled. Subtle details such as woven baskets, aged finishes, and touches of greenery reinforce the mood of the space gently and without excess.
The son’s love for One Piece became the foundation for his bedroom, shaping a space centred around adventure, curiosity, and imagination. The walls feature “Wanted” posters alongside a large One-Piece map, introducing graphic elements that immediately connect the room to the fictional world while also reflecting the personality and interests of its occupant. These details give the bedroom a sense of movement and exploration, turning it into a space that feels personal and story-driven. Warm wood tones and neutral textures ground the interiors, ensuring the room retains a sense of maturity despite its strong thematic references. Classic furniture pieces, a coffered ceiling, and soft fabrics bring balance to the overall composition, allowing the graphics and artwork to stand out naturally without overwhelming the space.
The Jane Austen-inspired bedroom was designed to capture the softness, restraint, and old-world refinement often associated with the author’s literary world. Muted olive greens form the base palette of the room, layered with warm neutrals and accents of gold and bronze. The cabinetry and walls are treated in tonal greens, creating a seamless visual envelope that allows the softer details within the room to stand out gradually. Vintage-inspired furniture with curved profiles and carved detailing introduces a sense of classic elegance, while wood elements add warmth and balance to the overall palette. Natural light filters softly through sheer drapery during the day, giving the room a gentle and diffused quality. This is complemented by warm artificial lighting through classic lamps and a delicate chandelier, enhancing the vintage character of the interiors while keeping the overall mood intimate and liveable.
The challenges
“The biggest challenge was bringing together such varied narratives without the home feeling disjointed or overly thematic. Each story came from a very different world, and the risk was that the spaces could start to feel disconnected or visually overwhelming. Equally important was ensuring that the home remained contemporary and liveable. We focused on interpreting the essence of each story in a subtle and refined way, rather than making it literal. This allowed the narratives to come through without compromising comfort, functionality, or the overall elegance of the home,” says Neha.
Fact File
Project: House of Books
Location: Adarsh Palm Retreat, Bengaluru
Area: 5,000 sq ft
Principal designer: Neha Arora N
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