A bespoke contemporary aesthetics captivates this Raipur villa

Art of Space Studio crafts a versatile aesthetics for the Swarnabhoomi Villa… allowing any visitor to this show house to feel an instant connection with the space.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Ashutosh Agrawal; courtesy Art of Space Studio

The brief

Swarnabhoomi Villa was designed by Art of Space Studio, for a client with a highly refined taste and a keen eye for artful, minimalistic design. The client wanted to design this villa in a versatile aesthetic so it could be effortlessly sold to a potential resident.

The design intent

With emphasis on form, materials and light, the studio used a playful and expressive contemporary language to create a bespoke, beautiful and functional home. Art serves as an appealing backdrop in this project, curating a well-informed theme and positioning of every piece according to the area’s calling was very essential. All the pieces effortlessly fuse to create an attractive whole. “We focused on establishing design sensibilities that resonate with people in a way, that they’ll be able to walk into the villa and feel an instant connection,” says Ayesha Kansal, principal designer, Art of Space Studio.

The civil intervention

The studio received this 3,500-square-foot villa with a bare shell. The minor civil modifications included adjusting a few outer walls to create larger bedrooms, readjusting interior walls for better spatial connection, and accommodating a continuous balcony on the first floor.

The spatial configuration

The villa has an attractive corner entrance. Leading the way, the open space transitions into a formal living area with the dining area, a mandir space and kitchen lying adjacently. There are two bedrooms on the ground floor. Moving along, an interesting staircase opens into an airy informal living lounge with a connected balcony on the first floor. On either sides there are two bedrooms with attached walk-in wardrobes.

The design and material details

The entrance of the villa sees a grand sight — a show-stopping large landscaped scenery artwork — which graces the wall next to the custom-designed entry door. The minimally designed lobby leads to the living Area embodies contrasting elements with soft furnishings that perfectly complement one another in an unexpected way. Everything here, from furniture to paintings, has been custom designed for this space. The beautifully handcrafted design for the pooja area is inspired by the ‘tree of life’. The pure cream backdrop along with warm oak panelling, and a translucent fabric glass partition, create a comforting and spiritual setting… ushering a sense of positivity and tranquillity throughout the house.

The dining area with its iconic furniture elements, rises from the ground as an artful bold statement — featuring the amalgamation of contemporarily designed Lagos dining table by Baxtar, which is paired seamlessly with the iconic Pigreco chairs by Tobia Scarpa. The elegantly suspended flexible luminous rope chandelier serves as a prominent focal point to define the space. The simple and neutral kitchen which is set close to the dining was tailor-made with on site to suit the client’s preferences, and was delivered within a conscious budget.

While one of the two bedrooms on the ground floor was left spare, the other bedroom was done up in autumn colours and rich textures. A dressing area is seamlessly connected to the bedroom through a stylish fabric glass partition, facilitating an open and airy ambiance. “All the bedrooms embody a serene atmosphere, they’re defined by a restrained palette but are an epitome of thoughtful, intentional design,” shares Ayesha.

Moving along, an interesting staircase opens into an airy informal living lounge, the beauty of which, lies within its modular sofa seating, a stunning marble coffee table and an awe-inspiring rug. Paired with an over-sized artwork and a decorative light, this makes for a perfect space to spend time with friends and family. This transitional space was consciously designed to be fun and eye-catching by artfully merging the contrasting stones from the ground and first floors.

The master bedroom on the first floor is a haven of artful luxury and sophisticated charm filled with elements such as warm wooden flooring, oak panelling, Bottocino marble panelling, accent coffee tables, comfortable customized furniture, ombre glass decorative lighting and paintings. The European bedroom has a gorgeous sloping roof, ash veneered panelling, luxurious soft headboard paired with fine antique brushed metal details and accent coffee tables. The corner seating with its extraordinarily designed sofa and coffee-table set in this room has a calming aesthetic… which invites one to gaze into the ornamental balcony, and beyond. The walk-in-wardrobe attached with the master bedroom is a picture of elegance with its youthful marble dressing table, burnt ash veneered cupboards and a timeless art piece

The challenge

“Since the Villa was to be designed as a Show House, we did not have specific requirements or an aesthetic palette from the client. It was tricky to navigate design sensibilities which would appeal to a larger array of people, restricting the stronger, more personalised elements which usually bring a unique character and personality to the home,” shares Ayesha.