A Mumbai home filled with earthy tones and multiple curiosities

An interplay of volumes, earthy palettes and intriguing elements was employed by The Comma Collective to create a restful home for a family of three. 

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Suryan//Dang; courtesy The Comma Collective

The brief

Mumbai-based design firm, The Comma Collective, headed by architects Aayush Golecha and Kushaal Jhaveri, were earmarked by a family of three to design a home which evoked a deep sense of tranquillity. The clients desired spaces that offered respite from the bustling city life, with a specific focus on incorporating muted and earthy palettes. They sought a harmonious blend of soothing tones with pops of vibrant colours. The functional requirements included an extra utility area, a dedicated mandir, and a concealed powder basin.

The site

The site, a 1,300-square-foot Mumbai apartment, was uninhabited for 10 years, and was in a state of decline. The bare site showcased traditional arches, deeply recessed windows, and traditional mosaic flooring. Further, the apartment had a disproportionate kitchen, and came without utility and pooja areas. The highlight of the apartment was the captivating sunset views of the Mahalaxmi Race Course from the living and master bedroom.

The design intent

The design plan emphasised the interplay of volumes, earthy palettes, and intriguing elements to permeate every corner of the apartment. Additionally, the studio ingeniously incorporated baithaks (sitting areas) and intimate nooks into each room. These thoughtfully integrated nooks served as secondary spaces, offering the family versatile usability of the area. “With a keen focus on achieving a cohesive design, meticulous attention was dedicated to the materiality of each space. By carefully selecting and harmonising materials and elements, a seamless connection was forged, binding the entire site together using its earthy palette,” explain the architects.

The civil intervention

The design team repositioned windows to seamlessly integrate baithaks and intimate nooks into every room. These baithaks provided versatile seating options and created serene environments for relaxation, socialising, reading, sleeping, and enjoying the captivating views. In response to the family’s functional needs, the kitchen was resized to make room for a dedicated prayer room. Further, an additional utility area was introduced and a concealed basin was discreetly integrated in the dining area.

The spatial configuration

The entrance foyer is a captivating vantage point, providing a glimpse of the interconnected living and dining areas, and a glimpse of the textures, materials, and ambience that await within. The dining area connects to the prayer room, kitchen, and utility areas, ensuring convenience and functional flow. Moving from the living area, one can access the two bedrooms, each with its own attached bathroom.

The material and colour palette

The living and dining areas is visually connected by a veneer false ceiling, elegant marble flooring, and a lime-plastered panelled wall that spans the expanse of the room. Custom-made furniture complements the earthy palette of the home, with sleek marble tables from Escape by Creatomy and carefully curated accessories from Mantara and Ikiru adorning the living and dining areas.

Embracing a minimalist design philosophy, the bedrooms exhibit clean lines and cohesive materials that blend harmoniously rather than seeking individual attention. The parents’ primary bedroom embraces a warmer contemporary palette, featuring wood elements complemented by accents of brass. The second bedroom embraces a soothing combination of blue and grey tones, heightened by striking black accents.

The materiality of the baithaks are tailored to the palette of each room — the living room boasts a wooden volume, while the ones in the bedrooms reflect the unique character of its occupants. The master bedroom baithak exudes subtle elegance with a brown colour scheme that matches the mature palette preferred by the parents. In the second bedroom, a vibrant pop of colour (blue) in the baithak infuses life into the space.

Fact file

Project: Baithaks in a Home
Location: Mahalaxmi, Mumbai
Area: 1,300 sq ft
Principal architects: Aayush Golecha and Kushaal Jhaveri
Design team: Vaishnavi D
Styling: Twisha Desai