Sculpted and Sensuous

This Mumbai apartment by Limited Edition Design Studio uses gentle, monolithic expanses, muted colours and sculpted and sensuous shapes.

Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Kuber Shah, courtesy Limited Edition Design Studio

A neutral colour scheme and soft contours create a wonderful intimacy. Gentle natural light adds its own energy.

The brief

The apartment was created for a young nuclear family who was open to experimentation. They wanted a minimal space, but with quite a bit of storage. Since the family entertains every weekend, they wanted a space with universal appeal.

The design intent

A confluence of minimalism, intimacy and utilitarianism. A design that would dovetail gently sculpted sand dunes with the gravitas of Brutalism.

The terrazzo splashback and brass breakfast island in the kitchen intentionally brings in a brutalist style.

The spatial experience

The apartment has an open floor plan, with the living room being connected to the kitchen, and a passage leading to the bedroom. One end of the living room and kitchen has windows that fill the interior with lots of natural light which helps keep the moody space from being too dark. White sheers diffuse this light, shedding a golden glow on nude-textured walls in both the rooms. The ceiling and wall curves soften the angular nature of the sandy surfaces, creating a gentle dune-like effect. A soft grey couch is paired with two armchairs near the window. Near these, stands a wine-coloured bar counter in a corner. The folding breakfast table for two can be converted to a small ‘munch’ station during get-togethers.

The material and colour palettes

The visual aesthetic is quite muted, featuring compositions of beige, browns, greys, blacks and off-whites. The walls and ceiling are finished in sand beige texture, adding warmth and oneness. The wood floors and ribbed surfaces fuse well with the warm sandy walls and ceilings. Wood details, brass accents, and bold lighting brings luxe elements to otherwise raw interiors. The bedroom flooring features grey matte tiles, and veneers and PU costs on wardrobes and other storage units.

Curved walls behind bed add a soft touch. A graphic black-framed mirror connects the two curves.

The chromatic direction

Beige walls are balanced out with beautiful off-white sheers and curtains that bring in light. The browns of the wooden elements bring warmth to the home, while grey is used as base colour to blend in as well as cut off of the beiges. Black and metallic accents are used as highlights.

The highlight

This home subverts the idea that coloured, wall-to-ceiling textures tend to create dark, gloomy spaces. Even though the use of white surfaces is minimal, the apartment is bright and airy.