This Hyderabad villa is a showcase of arresting sculptures and artworks

Designed by Beyond Spaces Design Studio, the interiors reflect a modern design aesthetic peppered with classical highlights.

Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Shamanth Patil; courtesy Beyond Spaces Design Studio

The site

Located in a luxurious gated community in the Narsingi neighbourhood of Hyderabad, the 6,300-sq-ft Art Abode is home to a family of three. The villa came with an existing flooring of white marble and everything else was bare.

The brief

Mounika’s clients were design enthusiasts who possessed a keen eye for detail and kept abreast of developments in the design world. “They desired a clean modern home but one that brought in facets of their Indian heritage, colour and art in a way that was intentional and curated, “ she says. “While designing the house, the main focus was art. We had a lot of discussion on what art or sculptures to bring in.” She responded to this aspiration with interiors that reflect a modern design aesthetic peppered with classical highlights, and a narrative that embraces opulent materials, luxe textures, and vibrant hues.

The design intent

The idea was to keep the shell bare and minimum — as open and airy as possible — but to bring in the design through the furniture, art and decor.

The civil intervention

There was a garage in the ground that was converted to a formal drawing room (equipped with a bar) for the clients to entertain their guests.

The spatial configuration

The bungalow’s exquisite foyer houses an eye-catching Hanuman artwork and a delicately designed console. The foyer opens into the lobby, which is more of an inviting space with a beautiful brass sculpture. The lobby sets the tone for the rest of the house in terms of its minimalistic approach and the pop of colours brought in through these thoughtful art and furniture.

The journey then takes the visitor to the drawing room/entertainment area where a grey tone sets in in terms of the walls and ceiling. A blue sofa and a colourful printed rug add vibrancy. The wall has a fluted look, which is carried onto the bar unit and the TV units. This area also houses a swing and opens into an outdoor deck, keeping the space casual and open.

One level up is an expansive living and dining room, 35 feet long. The living area is divided into two formal pockets with modern furniture and a touch of classic detailing. The first formal seating area comprises an inviting L-shaped pastel-hued sofa, while the second one features sofas with a brown and grey colour palette and contemporary silhouettes. Arresting paintings, sculptures, and wooden elements enrich this area and add personality to it.

The living room opens into a double-height passageway decorated with stone cladding, a wooden horse sculpture and a breathtaking chandelier. “The stone cladding was used to bring warmth to the white interiors, while the horse sort of guards the space,” smiles the architect.

The passageway leads to the dining area, which comprises a sumptuous 10-person dining table with chairs that are a mix of age-old and modern aesthetics. In addition to the dining table, the dining space has a nature-themed wallpaper that ties the room together.

Of the four bedroom this bungalow has, one — the guest room — is accommodated on this level. It has a minimalistic design aesthetic and houses a magnificent bed in a charming shade of pink. The room is a tranquil retreat that is soothing while also being highly practical. The master bedroom lies on the second floor. The bungalow’s spacious primary bedroom houses a comfortable four-poster bed and a balcony. This room, with its Indian motif wallpaper, oozes opulence.

The bungalow also includes a puja room, which has been created with wooden slats that act as an enclosure to an otherwise empty space. The wooden envelope had openings which increase visual connectivity.

The material palette

“The clients were keen on keeping things white to give a sense of expanse to the space and not clutter everything,” discloses Mounika. “The home features white floors and walls with wood and stone accents. The exquisite décor and accent pieces which bring in the pop of colour and add richness to the interiors.”