Play of Neutrals

Chestnut Storeys designs a modern, contemporary and classy apartment in Chennai using soft neutral shades, interesting patterns, and a dash of colour.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Ishita Sitwala; courtesy Chestnut Storeys

The brief

Project Crest is a luxurious and modern apartment in Chennai designed by Chestnut Storeys. The homeowner’s brief was a home which would reflect their personality with the use of neutral hues, but at the same time weaving in patterns and a dash of colours to make the space come alive.

The design intent

With neutral tones and straight lines setting the base, softness is brought in through circular and curved shapes of a few pieces of furniture. Colour has been added harmoniously in different forms, patterns and textures to form a beautiful design narrative.

The furniture, lights and accessories have been sourced from some of the best luxury brands from all over the world to enhance each corner perfectly. “The key features were the introduction of a few bold colours in the form of a red dining table or a blue side board to the otherwise neutral palette. Along with a few dramatic and interesting antiques pieces. It was kept subtle with a uniform panelling of the walls with wood in a light colour all through so they don’t become overbearing and to camouflage with the doors and make them seamless. We used materials such as marble, wood, acrylic and wallpapers as the clients brief was to make the space look plush and rich,” explains Farah Agarwal, principal architect, Chestnut Storeys.

The design and material details

A narrow foyer with marble inlay design directs the movement into an open living-dining and four bedrooms. The doors have been flushed completely to the wall and finished with the same veneer to give the entire space a seamless and neat look. The living and dining room has a neutral shade on the walls with coloured accent pieces — like the red dining table, blue side board, the yellow tiger artefact — to break the monotony. The straight lines concept in this public area of the apartment was given a little break with the circular shape of the dining table, and the curved shape of a three seater sofa and circular shaped coffee table.

All the bedrooms were designed keeping a modern and neutral palette in mind as well. The daughter’s room has a bed (which features a combination of two pink shades) which is set against a printed wallpaper in a beautiful ombre tone. The patina finished book shelf and the chandelier with butterflies adds to the dreamy look. The master bedroom was planned keeping in mind wooden panelled walls in different patterns to add warmth, with a mirror panelled sliding door leading to the walk-in-closet. The sliding door was mindfully planned with mirror panelled over to give the master bedroom an expansive feeling of space.