Designer’s Circle uses materials and colours to establish a soothing environment.
Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Inclined Studio; courtesy Designer’s Circle
The site and the intent
Designer’s Circle was entrusted with the task of crafting an interior environment in an existing three-storey bungalow located in Vapi, Gujarat. It was essential that the interiors provided cooling through natural ventilation, materials incorporated and a soothing colour scheme. “We designed a contemporary styled home for a family of six members, with personal spaces representing their own personality,” discloses architect Rajesh Sheth, principal architect, Designer’s Circle.
The brief
As the exterior of the house is a bold red, the team limited the colour palette of the interiors to tints and shades of grey together with beige in a variety of materials.
The spatial flow
The entrance leads to an open floor-plan with the drawing room segueing into a dining room placed next to a kitchen. The dining area opens up to a double-height ceiling. The ground floor also incorporates a bedroom for the grandparents. The first floor is a private floor which comprises a daughter’s bedroom and the master bedroom, while the second floor comprises a bedroom for the son, a lounge area stretching to a bar and a balcony on the opposite with views to the landscape.
The accessorisation
Whether it’s about placing rugs complementing the character of each space, a striking metal knight sculpture placed at the foot of the staircase, or paintings carefully chosen to enhance visual freshness, the interiors demonstrate a warm, layered harmony. “It’s always about emotions. A project without styling and art is not finished,” states the design team at the studio.
The challenges
Multiple small windows in the bedroom brought in natural light, but created a visual hindrance. These were shielded with roman curtains instead of full curtains. The bathrooms in general were quite small for a bungalow. “This gave us an opportunity to use minimal materials and a colour scheme that visually enlarged the space,” remarks the architect. The double-height space on the ground floor was used to house a singular activity (dining) and create a focal point.
The highlights
The lounge and bar area were delineated with black on walls, flooring and the centre table by utilising kadappa stone to intensify the experience of comfort. The same theme was used in the son’s bathroom with similar material palettes for other bathrooms.
Fact file
Project: Midknight Novella
Location: Vapi
Size: 7,172 sq ft
Principal architect: Rajesh Sheth
Add a Comment