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Fine Lines Designers revamps a 3BHK apartment adhering to vastu principals, and infuses it with bespoke elements and stunning artworks. Â
Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Prashant Bhat; courtesy Fine Lines Designers
The site
Fine Lines Designers was assigned by a couple to design their waterfront 2,800 square foot, 4BHK apartment in South Mumbai. This renovation project required the design team to break down certain walls and strip all the existing materials from the original apartment, and give it a new lease of life. The brief from the clients was a straightforward one: a vastu complied apartment which is spacious and stays lively for their family of four, for years to come.
The design intent
The studio’s design plan was to stick to the brief, maximise on the available space, and build enough storage and utility while adhering to a calming, serene colour and material palette. The style is contemporary with elements of glamour.
The spatial configuration
The main door gives way to a foyer, and further on the left is the den which can later be converted to the son’s bedroom, on the right is the staff room and bathroom. This passageway will lead to the expansive public areas of the apartment—the living-dining-bar area. Through the dining area on the right, the pantry with an additional vanity for guests is placed. Connected to this space is the large kitchen. The private quarters, the children’s bedroom and the master suite with the walk-in, are placed in the furthest part of the house
The design and material details
At the entrance foyer the Srinathji painting gracing the wall, brass inlaid marble flooring and white oak and cane shutters on the shoe wardrobe adds warmth. The amalgamation of palette and materials showcased here gives a fair introduction to the feel of the home. The den which finds place on the left, after passing the foyer, was originally a bedroom which was converted into a multi-use space for the family. The colour palette of this room is grey neutrals with rust and mustard as accents. This is continued in the choice of original artwork (MF Husain and portraits done by the client’s father) as well as the ceramic tile table. A cushy sofa, two cane and wood chairs (which was refurbished), a dramatic marble topped coffee table make the seating ensemble; opposite a wall accommodating a wall unit which extends downwards to form a console.
The other furniture pieces here: a wardrobe with shutters made of wooden strips in a chevron pattern, polished with a black tint on an open grain, forms the backdrop for a snug single seater. The side tables and cocktail tables seen in this room are from West Elm. The cushions are sustainable materials made from macrame and jute cotton blends. The powder bathroom opposite this room has hexagonal tri-coloured ceramic tiles on the flooring, matching large tiles followed by a pop of blue in the subway tiles.
The kids’ room placed a little ahead of this multi-use space personifies the fun loving and vibrant attitude of the young inhabitants; and their interest in sports, Lego and crafts. The designers created a bunk bed which is as much a play zone as a practical solution to save space and add comfort. The bottom bed folds open to a queen size bed when required. The railings and bed back is made from cane sandwiched in glass and framed in white teak wood. The side tables, one for each child, has two drawers with aluminum butterfly and dragonfly knobs. The dresser opposite is just right for the daughter’s accessories and serves as a full height mirror for both. The unit opposite the bunk bed is made with back painted glass on the sides and fabric in the centre which serves as a pin board now, and can be used as television backdrop later.
The toy unit near the window (with custom designed cane baskets) serves as a space for open toy storage, Lego display as well as a whiteboard. The study desk and overhead storage is lacquered in white for ease of maintenance; IKEA peg boards which allow for modular options of storage systems; display and utility shelving options as well as buttons to hang stationary — are other highlights of this room.
The earthiness of natural cane flows into the washroom attached with this room, where chevron patterned mustard tiles, beige Moroccan tiles and grey vitrified tiles create a warm atmosphere. The highlight however, is the printed mirror which was designed by graphic designer Bhavika Shah from Beyondesign, and executed by Globe Glass Company.
The master bedroom has L-shaped tall windows which offers uninterrupted views of the sea, which is best enjoyed sitting on the ledge built on the window wall. The bed back is extended over the side tables to create a lasting impression. The artwork over the bed back wall started off as one painting gifted to the couple, but later the entire series was commissioned by the designers for the wall. While the side tables are in white oak veneer, the television unit is done in the same veneer but is grey PU painted. The wardrobe is flat panels painted with blue PU paint and gold handles. The bed is custom made with storage on both sides by Tahira Das.
The bathroom is a playful melody of all the colours in different surfaces and patterns. The flooring is a geometric pattern printed tile with two shades of blue and white, the accent wall behind the mirror is blue subway tiles arranged in a herringbone pattern, the remaining walls are a textured beige full body vitrified tile. The basin unit is grey PU painted with marble inlayed knobs and the storage unit opposite the shower is white oak louvered shutters polished a shade darker than natural. The pendant lamps are sourced from Chor Bazaar, hand towel stand is from Mason Home and the gold woven laundry basket is sourced from Jaypore.
The passage way with original Husain artworks leads to the luxurious free-flowing living and dining areas. The living room consists of a four seater, a three seater, a bench and a modern coffee table which is set against the backdrop of a wall filled with commissioned artworks. Towards the large windows which opens out to the view of the vast sea, a breakfast table for four (which also serves as a work area when needed) is placed opposite a peaceful reading corner. Right across the living room seating is the teal bar, while the dining area finds place against a wall storage unit which faces the living room and bar.
The large living-dining space is held together by hues of greens and blues; the earthiness of brown veneer; natural plants and sunlight. The cushions spread across the living were sourced from Cottons and Satins, the tables and breakfast dining chairs are from Blue Loft, dining chairs from Imran Shaikh, accent table and ceramic table from West Elm, candle stands from the Golden Triangle, and the sculptures are from Claymen.
The kitchen seamlessly transitions from a pantry, borrowing the same colour palette of the living and dining. Here, light grey vitrified tiles were chosen for the flooring and grey, blue and white patterned printed tiles for the backsplash, the accent wall was done in wooden printed tiles arranged in a chevron pattern, while the counter is a Kalinga stone from Classic Marble Company. The modular kitchen was designed and executed by Aakruti. The pantry has ample storage and sees a grooved ornate mirror and an art deco themed gold light fitting from Chor Bazaar as decorative elements.
The staff room is a very spacious area designed for the three housekeepers of the family. The kitchen flooring continues here, and a light veneer printed laminate was used on shutters for easy maintenance, and a hand painted storage unit of narrower depth was created.
Fact file
Project: 3BHK at Nepean Sea Road
Location: Nepean Sea Road
Area: 2,800 sq ft
Principal designer: Sunil Jasani
Design team: Aashna Mansharamani, Tara Anne Coelho Pereira and Charmi Shah
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