Crafted by Vindhya Rao Design Studio Inc, this all-white home in San Jose, California conveys spaciousness, lightness and an understated elegance.
Designed by Vindhya Rao, Principal Designer, Vindhya Rao Design Studio Inc, this all-white abode in San Jose, California, is centered around creating a serene and minimalist home that blends contemporary design with a warm, inviting atmosphere. The home that spreads across 1985 sq. ft. was designed for an Indian couple that completely believed in the principles of vastu. The home began as a structure built in 1958— an extremely old house that had suffered years of wear and neglect. While the property retained some structural integrity, the vision demanded a complete transformation. The foundation was the only element preserved, as everything else was torn down and rebuilt from scratch.
Speaking about the client brief and design process, Vindhya says, “The client’s brief was clear yet ambitious—an ultra-modern, contemporary home characterized by a crisp white aesthetic. They wanted the home to feel light, airy, and serene, with the home itself becoming the centerpiece, free from unnecessary distractions. This extended beyond interiors to the exterior, where the same design principles were applied with precision.” One of the key challenges was designing this expansive space to accommodate 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, without compromising on the sense of openness and grandeur. The challenge was making the home feel huge, open, and airy, despite the tight layout requirements. “Through careful planning and design, we were able to create an expansive home that feels as vast and welcoming as the vision intended”, recalls Vindhya.
As soon as you step into the home, the formal living room towards the left, immediately welcomes you with an air of brightness and playfulness, setting the tone for the rest of the house. Understanding the need to create an inviting atmosphere right from the entrance, the team has opted for a vibrant yellow accent in this space to immediately grab attention and evoke a feeling of warmth and positivity. Vindhya explains, “The pop of color complements the natural light streaming through the windows, further enhancing the space’s openness and vibrancy. To complement this lively color, we integrated a striking piece of artwork.”
The living area towards the right, though compact at just 20 feet by 15 feet, was designed to feel expansive, maximizing the sense of space through thoughtful choices. The first step in this was the decision to use white walls and a white ceiling, allowing ample natural light to flood the room. “In a break from conventional design, we opted for a series of windows and doors throughout the space, rather than a single small door. This choice not only flooded the living area with natural light but also offered panoramic views of the exterior, merging the inside with the outside to create a continuous visual flow”, adds Vindhya. The neutral-toned drapes, stretching from floor to ceiling, were carefully chosen to soften the space while drawing the eye upward. Vindhya further informs, “A key design element throughout the living and kitchen areas is the use of Calcutta marble stone cladding for the LCD wall, which also continues across other areas of the living space, most notably in the kitchen backsplash and countertop, unifying the space and creating a continuous flow.”
The simple yet functional kitchen plays a vital role in connecting the functional and aesthetic elements of the home. “We wanted to ensure that the dining area was seamlessly integrated into the overall openplan concept of the living and kitchen spaces. To achieve this, we continued the use of white tones that dominate the surrounding areas, creating a unified and spacious feel”, says Vindhya.
The home features four spacious bedrooms. In the master bedroom, they opted for a low-profile bed, maintaining the room’s modern, minimalist aesthetic. The focus in this space was on maximizing natural light, which is why one entire wall of the room is made up of expansive windows. The concept of blending openness with natural light is echoed in the layout, where the careful positioning of windows allows light to flood the room. The other three bedrooms follow a similar theme with tailored adjustments. These spaces were also designed to maximize natural light and create an inviting, open atmosphere. The neutral colour palette used in the living and dining areas extends into these rooms, ensuring cohesiveness across the home. The bathrooms have been designed to be exceptionally beautiful, embodying a luxurious, hotel-style experience. The team has used stone cladding throughout, extending from the floor all the way to the ceiling, creating a seamless and polished look. The outdoor spaces of the home have been designed with a seamless connection between the interior and nature, maintaining a clean and modern aesthetic. A prominent feature of the outdoor area is the serene seating zone next to a neutral-colored oriental-style waterfall.
The color palette of the home was carefully selected in collaboration with the clients to bring their vision of simplicity and serenity to life. While the primary palette is based on neutral tones, the use of earth elements like browns and greens was essential to bring warmth and grounding to the home, particularly in spaces dominated by white. Material choices such as the natural warmth of wooden floors and the luxurious texture of Calcutta marble in key areas further anchor the design.
Every aspect of the design of this home has been meticulously crafted to be compliant with VASTU principles. From the very beginning, the design took into consideration the importance of VASTU, ensuring that each corner of the house is perfectly aligned with its guidelines.
This home is rooted in serenity, simplicity, and connection to nature. It is a sanctuary that respects the client’s preference for a clean, modern aesthetic while integrating elements that connect the interiors to the broader natural world — creating a sense of peace, unity, and timeless elegance.
