Interplay of textures for Mumbai home
Photography: Prashant Bhat
Mumbai-based Aum Architects by Ar. Manish Dikshit has designed the House on Levels, a 4BHK duplex apartment spread over 3100 sq. ft. The client wanted a minimalistic and luxurious home, which features colours, marbled textures, geometric patterns and space planning. Built for a family of two generations, the lower level has the formal living and dining area, kitchen and guest bedroom. The upper level is a private zone with a master bedroom, children’s bedroom, a bedroom converted into a play area and an informal family lounge.
Wooden rafters and metal edging create a motion effect and are elongated to turn into a ceiling for the entrance lobby. The formal living area features a monotone beige colour with marble cladding and veneer panelling as the design elements. The staircase is constructed as the piece de resistance, and the first step is cast as a platform enfolded in a floral mosaic material with a carpet laid on it. The dining area is set under the staircase overseeing the double-height area, and the tabletop has a metallic finish with specks of ruby strewn across the length.
The large kitchen features a marble tile backsplash, a counter table, back-painted glass on the overhead unit and a wood-finished under counter unit. The guest bedroom has white walls lending serenity to the design, with a light wooden texture acting as an accent. An arched profile is recreated throughout the wardrobe and headboard as a pattern.
The upper level is treated in a Victorian-style design using an autumn colour palette for the soft furnishings and the walls are treated with high-gloss taupe-coloured lacquer with an indigo blue accent wall. Golden accents are used in the rooms through the furniture, artwork and drapes, and the sheer curtain has filigree work resembling cherry blossoms.
Two bedrooms are dedicated to the children, one as the bedroom and the other as a play area accompanying the library. The bedroom uses pastel colours, and a cabinet resembling building blocks provides storage. The wardrobe resembles a panel with the centrally-accessible sliding doors finished in wallpaper, and either side treated with matte white openable shutters and customised handles. The play area is a colourful space with a library unit, built-in seats and a bunk bed with a slide. A neutral-coloured with hand-embroidered motifs resembles a football field set against the wallpaper.
The master bedroom is divided into a sitting and sleeping area, the former of which has a long wardrobe setting finished in copper ombre. A fluted wooden panel acts as the accent wall diving into the room, and the wooden ledge extends to the other side to form a study area. The sleeping area comprises a floating bed and a headboard adorned with marble and upholstery.
