Evoking the nostalgia of colonial lodges and the warmth of mountain cabins, this Indore penthouse, designed by architects Poonam and Akash Mehta, transforms travel memories into an immersive living experience.
A stone fireplace glows softly, with a Chesterfield sofa drawn close beside it. Above, timber rafters stretch across the ceiling while a curved wooden staircase with wrought iron rails peeks from within, and for a moment, one is reminded of the lobbies of old colonial hotels. Yet, this is not a hotel, but an 8,000-square-foot penthouse in Indore, reimagined by interior designers Poonam and Akash Mehta as a home that carries the romance of travel, history, and timeless design.
The brief given by the young couple was rooted in memory and atmosphere. “The husband, an outdoorsman who loves trekking and rustic spaces, desired interiors that felt like the log cabins and old country clubs of Indore,” recalls Poonam. “His wife, on the other hand,” adds Akash, “wanted the home to remain practical, uncluttered, and easy to maintain.” The challenge was to balance the two contrasting requirements.
From the outset, materials were central to this vision. In keeping with the client’s requirement, the designers leaned on natural finishes, a mix of wood and exposed bricks to lend a rustic feel. At the same time, surfaces were treated with restraint, avoiding excessive ornamentation, so the spaces remained light-filled, breathable, and easy to upkeep.
The entryway sets the tone. A sequence of vaulted arches, inspired by Poonam’s readings of A History of Architecture, creates a gentle procession that opens into a dramatic doubleheight drawing room. Here, a newspapercollage artwork from Thailand pays homage to the iconic National Geographic cover titled ‘Afghan Girl’. Above, veneer panels crafted to resemble brick-lined rafters cloak the ceiling, conjuring the aura of a safari lodge.
At another end of the room lies the dining room, framed by dark pinewood rafters on the ceiling. A wooden dining table from China sits at the centre of the space, cleverly concealing a Lazy Susan. The walls of the space feature the couple’s collection of porcelain plates that they had amassed from travels over the years. Opposite it, the kitchen features a cerulean-hued wooden shutters and a chimney that lend the space a surreal appeal. A large copper sink breaks the colour palette while adding natural elements to the space.
Upstairs, the master bedroom is kept intentionally uncluttered to let materials lead: exposed concrete walls, solid raw-wood doors, and a wool-textured accent panel by Phillip Jeffries establish a calm, tactile palette. The master bathroom echoes the quiet grandeur of a luxury resort with two tones of grey concrete textures, softened by a traditional Persian rug in the dry area.
The daughter’s room shifts to an ethereal register macramé, lace, and diaphanous fabrics create a bohemian mood. Wardrobes and a dressing table are finished in a vintage-inspired palette with ceramic handles, while her bathroom carries patterned handmade tiles from Keramos. By contrast, the son’s room channels a Boy Scout sensibility: plaid wall coverings, walnut wood furniture, and vintage accents evoke an old boarding school. A mini leather sofa and adjustable study lamp round out the setting, while his bathroom continues the theme with sleeper wood, varnish, and a classic faucet.
A dedicated English cigar lounge introduces the home’s most club-like mood: nubuck leather Chesterfield sofas, metal-studded trunks as tables, a real stone fire mantel, and brass-inlaid wooden flooring set the tone. The enveloping Rhino shade by Asian Paints wraps the walls, while a metal-and-leather chandelier from Ralph Lauren Home punctuates the room’s low, intimate glow.
Movement between levels is choreographed through a curved wooden staircase with wrought-iron rails, paired with a caged elevator: a composition inspired by the lobbies of Mumbai’s early art deco and gothic buildings. Together, they lend the vestibule the ceremonial air of a heritage hotel lobby.
What sets the penthouse apart is the way it channels the spirit of an old colonial lounge into a contemporary residence through materials, details and elements. The result is a home that feels timeless yet personal, offering its inhabitants both retreat and connection in equal measure.
Photography Credit: Kuber Shah
