The design of this New Delhi home encourages family interactions

The Melange infuses subtle sophistication, meaningful connection opportunities, and privacy for a nuclear family who was transitioning from a multi-generational setup.

Curated by: Deepa Nair
Photographs: Avesh Gaur; courtesy The Melange Studio

The brief

The Link House is a 2,600-square-foot, 4BHK residence, designed by The Melange Studio in New Delhi for a nuclear family. The clients sought an elegantly functional abode that reflected their lifestyle choices and family dynamics.

The design intent

The designers wanted to capture timelessness by celebrating metaphorical connections within the family. The design takes into account the client’s lifestyle choices and the dynamics within the family to craft spaces that offer meaningful opportunities for both connection and privacy. Since the family was making a shift from a multi-generational home to a nuclear setup, the layout is conceptualised to be welcoming, and to encourage deeper connections between the four members.

A palette of whites and beige dominates the overall contemporary design scheme, with a subtle mid-century edge. Wicker and teak wood add warmth, and hints of gold and navy break monotony. While the scheme runs through the home, the individuality of the spaces comes from the way each material and colour has been used distinctively in each room.

The design and material details

Entering the home, one steps inside the formal living-cum-dining area, and is greeted by a brass partition system displaying a customised hand-painted art. In the room, blue-and-orange circular artworks add colour, straight-lined wall panelling, interconnected furniture pieces and customised accessories are in sync with the established design language. From here, a large balcony is accessible.

Contrastingly, the informal living space has a more youthful, quirkier vibe. Here, a niche is carved into a corner for the mandir, with the option of concealment by a sliding panel in blue that doubles as a sofa-back feature when open. The room’s cosiness and a laid back, mid-century sentiment is enhanced with the help of a tan leather L-shaped sofa, a houndstooth-patterned armchair, a monotoned striped rug, and metal floor lamp.

The master bedroom is functional and simplistic and features highlights in cool blue. A grand bed takes centre stage while a set of neutral-toned armchairs create a snug corner ideal for morning tea. The daughter’s bedroom, on the other hand is personality-driven. Featuring elegant brass details and muted fluting running on the accent wall, the room is quietly luxurious while allowing daylight from the balcony. The son’s bedroom imbibes a deeper mood with the use of teak and grey tones, along with contemporary elements like the matte-black, powder-coated lighting fixture. A fluted bed-back curves at its ends to include a study desk that extends from the side table. The guest bedroom introduces an element of surprise in the mid-century vocabulary with a tropical themed wallpaper, wicker lights and fluted side tables.

The challenges

“As the family was transitioning from a multi-generational structure to a nuclear setup, reconciling the diverse tastes of each member posed a significant challenge. Balancing the individual preferences and lifestyle requirements of each member while maintaining a cohesive and harmonious design demanded careful consideration and adept negotiation,” says Dhruv DV and Pranvi Jain, principal designers, The Melange Studio.