The Earthy Modernist Home revels in underrated neutrals and soothing pastels

Dot Concept create a narrative that is both serene and dynamic in this Mumbai apartment.

Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Noaidwin Sttudio; courtesy Dot Concept

The brief

The clients wanted the 3 BHK, 1350-sq-ft apartment to nurture dynamism and serenity alike. “They wanted a home that would be warm and minimalistic with a great flow,” reveal architects Harsh and Banjul Rathod of design firm Dot Concept. “The brief also required a spacious, open plan designed around the earthy palette.”

The central idea

Given the clients’ request for a grounded palette, the narrative veered towards a raw, rustic and minimal expression. “We endeavoured to engage textures and subdued hues in a fresh, pristine light,” the duo explains.

The spatial flow

Light and airy, the living room brims with elegant charm. The colour palette embraces shades of brown with black accents, bringing in cosiness and warmth. The abstract art prints adorn the wall giving the space a modern and contemporary touch. A fluted panel on one side of the wall adds depth and character to the space. The dining area forms the other part of the L-shaped public zone. The two areas are separated by a wooden slat partition that complements the modern interiors perfectly. The dining ensemble features a beautiful marble table with fluted wooden legs, simple chairs and a suede-upholstered bench. A mirrored wall adds depth as well as light to the area.

The master bedroom showcases a similar palette as that of the living room. The wall above the bed has a cement finish texture giving the room a rustic feel. Two beautiful botanical paintings by renowned artist Pulkit Gupta bring in peace and tranquillity. The wardrobes are finished with dusky pink wallpaper and brass handles. The best feature of the room is the breakout zone which overlooks the mangroves. This area also functions as a tiny library with a bookshelf on one side and a dressing area with a dresser on the other side.

The study room is a multifunctional space serving as a home office and a guest bedroom. It accommodates a pivoted study desk that attaches itself back to the TV console. The son’s private space adds a colour pop to the entire home with its lovely shades of blue. Half the wall behind the bed is painted in duck egg colour with white panels, while the lower half forms a panelled headboard in a dark cobalt colour. The wardrobes have glass panels in duck egg colour with transparent glass shelves on one side to display trinkets and collectibles. The wall opposite the bed has a bright orange TV console along with a compact and sleek study table attached to the wall.

The challenges

“One of the challenges was that the civil work was already done when the apartment was handed over to the client. This included the Italian flooring. Therefore, we opted for a warmer earthy palette,” disclose the architects. Then there was the 10-foot ceiling height that had to be maintained. “To tackle this, we, naturally, avoided false ceilings. We used rafters and track lights to add character to the living room.” The third challenge was the poorly lit dining area. This problem was circumvented by adding a large mirror to catch the reflective light coming in through the living room.