In Navi Mumbai, Rawat Design Studio’s Between Black and White transforms a compact 3-bedroom apartment into a monochrome, two-bedroom haven for a young couple and their dog.
Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Studio Abhishek Sawant
The project
Between Black and White reimagines a 1,200 sq ft apartment in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. A 3-bedroom layout was pared back into a spacious 2-bedroom home, with a minimal aesthetic tailored for a young couple and their bulldog.
The site
The apartment, handed over by the builder as a compact 3BHK with high-gloss flooring and restricted room sizes, lacked the openness the clients desired. The reflective tiles not only jarred with the couple’s preference for muted finishes but also proved uncomfortable for their pet to move around on.
The brief
The clients requested a calm, clutter-free home with a neutral palette, concealed storage, and a seamless sense of flow. Functional demands included a larger bathroom with a freestanding tub, a walk-in wardrobe, and an open kitchen. A refurbished version of the couple’s existing bed, which accommodated a nook for their dog, was to be retained. Above all, the home had to balance minimalism with warmth and ensure comfort for both the residents and their pet.
The design intent
The design philosophy centred on cohesion, openness, and subtle textures. By avoiding rigid zoning, the interiors flow as one unified canvas, where black, white, and grey tones are layered with stone, metal, and wood for depth. “We wanted the house to feel minimal yet inviting—calm enough to be a sanctuary, but expressive through detail and texture,” share designers Geetika Bajpai and Sumeet Rawat.
The civil intervention
Several partitions were removed to achieve openness. The wall between the living and kitchen was replaced with a sliding glass partition. Two bedrooms were merged to carve out a walk-in wardrobe, while their adjoining bathrooms were combined into one luxurious suite with a freestanding bathtub. This restructuring maximised light, connectivity, and ease of movement—particularly for the couple’s dog.
The spatial configuration
The entrance opens into a living area anchored by a black marble fluted TV wall and an emerald-green sofa, the only pop of colour in an otherwise restrained palette. A low sculptural coffee table and floor-to-ceiling curtains in grey complete the mood. The dining zone flows seamlessly next to it, marked by a minimal table and chairs, a contemporary pendant, and a sleek glass-fronted bar cabinet. The open kitchen, finished in matte grey cabinetry with Vizag Granite counters, extends this aesthetic while adding warmth through woven wicker baskets. The master bedroom features a charcoal-toned poster bed, mirrored wardrobes, and monochrome textiles, flowing into a dramatic bathroom clad in book-matched marble tiles with a freestanding tub and integrated vanity. The second bedroom, now a walk-in wardrobe, creates an indulgent dressing space.
The material palette
Flooring was redone in rough stone–finished planks for comfort and tactility. Walls are plain white in satin-matte paint, allowing textures and finishes to take centre stage. Black-coated glass and metal partitions bring definition without blocking light. Furniture finishes in matte laminates and PU coatings keep surfaces soft and cohesive, while the dining table uses a full-body matte-finish tile for durability. Statement elements include the black marble TV wall, custom bar cabinet, and the bathroom’s seamless stone detailing.
The challenges
The biggest challenge was coordinating multiple agencies on-site, from fabricators to carpenters, without access to workshop-level equipment. Since much of the furniture and partitions were custom-built in situ, the process demanded precision and careful collaboration.
The highlights
The emerald-green sofa set against a monochrome backdrop, the bespoke bar cabinet integrated with glass partitions, and the indulgent bathroom with its sculptural bathtub all stand out as defining moments of the design.
The takeaway
For Rawat Design Studio, the project reinforced the expressive potential of restraint. “It taught us that even within a limited palette, thoughtful textures and details can create endless richness,” reflect Bajpai and Rawat.
Fact file
Project: Between Black and White
Location: Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
Area: 1,200 sq ft
Principal designers: Geetika Bajpai, Sumeet Rawat
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