A Warm Solace

This Bali inspired Chennai home designed by Sunita Yogesh Studio is doused with warmth, subdued colours and simple yet strong textures.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Yash R Jain, courtesy Sunita Yogesh Studio

Interior designer Sunita Yogesh

The brief

Interior designer Sunita Yogesh, the creator of this beautiful and peaceful home in Chennai got a very simple, but well-defined brief from the clients. “They wanted a warm and laid-back home filled with earthy textures, luxurious in an understated way. We were commissioned to change everything from floor to ceiling if the design language demanded it,” says Sunita.

The design intent

This 3BHK, 1,250-square-foot home is greatly inspired by Bali. The interiors feature a modest colour palette that revolves around warm and neutral tones with hints of black. The design fuses traditional elements in a modern yet minimalistic set-up. The first thing the design team decided to work on was the builder grade glossy flooring tile which was changed to a concrete-finished vitrified tile — it instantly sets the mood for the entire house. Adding multiple textured elements like woven Indonesian wall baskets, antique wooden carved wall art, and repurposed louvered window frames on a white brick wall filled the space with life and character.

The living area has a cosy laid-back charm which comes through with the use of a low modular sofa, the kangaroo chair and the earthy natural tones of the lighting fixtures, the white painted brick wall, the rug and furnishings.

The material palette

The client wanted a laid-back home with a crisp, au-natural colour scheme across the home. This was achieved with the use of seasoned wood, woven elements through rattan, bamboo and cotton rope. The inclusion of local artisan crafted fabrics through rugs and cushions strengthened the material palette. Further, the use of low seating furniture, arched elements, the mirrors and built-in crockery unit seamlessly added to the mood.

The four seater dining table with rattan backrest chairs is flanked by a credenza with woven wicker shutter and a large arched mirror anchored above it on one side, while on the other an alcove highlighted by an arch with floating shelves display curios.

The design details

The apartment opens directly into the free-flowing Wabi Sabi inspired living and dining space. The carefully handpicked seaters — modular sectional sofa that maximises seating and a classic kangaroo chair — gives a comfortable, laid-back vibe. These are paired with the low wooden coffee table in a rustic finish, and a concrete end table from Gulmohar Lane. A white washed wooden bench with carved details was also introduced here, this becomes an extra seating for the elders. Other highlights of this area are the natural materials used here like the white brick accent wall, handmade rugs in earthy tones and a pair of bamboo pendant lights.

A close-up of the alcove near the dining table which is softened by an arch, which was designed on the request of the clients who were impressed with the many arches they saw during their visit to Morocco, and wanted its charm reflected in their home too.

The arched detail one sees near the dining space was a client requirement. “They wanted a lot of arches in the house as they liked this design element, having seen them on their visit to Morocco,” explains Sunita. Therefore, an alcove with floating shelves to display curios from travels is softened by an arch. A circular four seater dining table paired with chairs with a rattan backrest marks the dining area. While the credenza with woven wicker shutter details adds dimension to the space, a large arched mirror anchored above the credenza helps to make the space feel larger than it is. Wooden rafters running across the ceiling unifies the space and adds a lot of warmth.

The home office flaunts a bespoke teak wooden bookshelf, a vintage teal hued almirah, a bespoke wooden desk and a Pierre Jeanneret chair from Purple Turtles.

As the client is self-employed he required a dedicated work space at home, therefore the third bedroom of this apartment was converted into a home office. The “clutter-free space with adequate storage” requirement was addressed by creating a bespoke teak wooden bookshelf and a vintage teal hued almirah. A large comfortable daybed in grey was added to this ensemble for the client to relax and take a breather between meetings; besides, it would make for an additional bed if the family has more guests to accommodate. The all-important work desk and chair — a bespoke wooden desk and the Pierre Jeanneret chair from Purple Turtles — faces the window. Black and white artwork adds a modern touch.

A daybed is set against a wall displaying modern art — this allows the client to relax in between works, and also makes for an additional bed when they have more guests to accommodate.

The couple wanted their master bedroom to be a sanctuary, providing escapism from their busy work life. Sunita therefore decided to keep a minimal design language here with less materials. The client’s preference for a low platform bed worked great for the overall vibe the design team was trying to achieve. The arch created on the wall behind the bed represents a headboard — this make-belief though subtle makes it the most interesting feature of this room. The hand woven jute rug, and the beautiful teak framed and fabric textured wardrobe shutters help elevate the mood of the space.

The master bedroom is simple and clean, but with some striking elements: the arch behind the low bed which gives the impression of a headboard, the woven Indonesia wall baskets and the hand woven jute rug.

The room for the guests, and their visiting parents has a custom wooden bed with woven rope detailed headboard which adds an organic touch. Complementing the bed, traditional nightstands flanked by modern black rounded table lamps were brought in. A comfortable reading space in this room is highlighted by a vintage looking chest of drawers for added storage. Jute textured fabric window shades adds the earthy touch, while the PU-finished wardrobe in a grey shade helps to balance out the warm tones in the room.

Fact File

Project: The Slow Home
Location: Chennai
Area: 1,250 sq ft
Principal architect: Sunita Yogesh