This apartment balances classical components and a minimalistic backdrop

DIB Collaborative spin a narrative that is filled with light and air in this Dahod, Gujarat, apartment.

Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Arif Boriwala; courtesy DIB Collaborative

DIB Collaborative conceived this home as a modest apartment with a neutral tone, simple features and a bright colour scheme. A touch of classical components were added to this minimalistic backdrop to amplify its character. The result is a beautiful setting that is light, open, and quiet.

The 1,100-square-foot home is replete with light. Large windows, light-coloured carpeting, and a neutral colour scheme all contribute to the airy openness. “The interior of the house has been tastefully decorated, with classics, contemporary furniture, and works of art blending into a subtle harmony,” say architects Mustafa Katwara, Husen Bhabhrawala and Mustafa Kagdi, principals of the young Dahod, Gujarat-based firm.

In the living area, interaction of textures gives the room a presence of its own. While the white marble and mahogany TV wall give the room verticality, the sofa upholstered in contrast hues and easy patterns provide variety and vibrancy. Overlays with a classically styled pattern decorate the backdrop wall.

Thanks to its massive windows, the kitchen is abundantly blessed with natural light. Views of the landscape outside are the veritable cherry on the cake. The use of pink, granular granite, with white backsplash, against the pastel blue hues of the kitchen cabinets makes the space seem ample and modern. The bright blue cabinets with a classical approach bring drama to the space.

The apartment’s master bedroom, which is at the far end, is gifted with a sizable window. An interplay of textures and patterns effectively fills the room. A walnut desk reaches out to enclose the wall with charming simplicity. The wooden side table and the mirror’s frame meld together. The backdrop for all these components is a mixture of pastel teal and light tangerine. With the minimalist cupboards in front, more colour play is introduced on both sides of the bed, giving the room a distinctive vibrancy and intensity. A fusion is created by the interaction of all these colour schemes with walnut wood.

The kids’ room, which is calm and cosy like the rest of the house, is located next to the master bedroom. Stylish, timeless, and exuding positive energy, it sees an interaction of wooden battens placed against the furniture as the main focus. The grooved design of the ceiling, which comprises lights arranged in a grid for uniform lighting across the area, adds a point of interest overhead.

“Although it is a minimal setting, it has a maximalist spirit. Maximalist doesn’t mean packed or congested, and minimalism doesn’t mean harsh and sterile. The apartment is exquisitely balanced,” the architects sign off.