Designed by Studio MG, this home captures the warmth, textures, and architectural elegance of Kerala, paying homage to the client’s heritage, while seamlessly adapting to the demands of contemporary urban life.
Manisha Gandhi, Principal Designer, Studio MG, was approached by a client living in the heart of Bengaluru, a city known for its fast-paced life, traffic snarls, and urban chaos. He longed for a personal sanctuary that felt grounded, familiar, and serene. Originally from Kerala, the client wanted his home to be a gentle ode to his home state, bringing in elements of its culture, craftsmanship, and aesthetics. For Manisha, the challenge was to weave a sense of warmth, texture, and rich design vocabulary into the home as an antidote to the hustle and bustle of city life, while ensuring it suited the demands of contemporary urban living.
This 1,900 sq. ft. Bangalore residence features three bedrooms and baths, a living room, a foyer, a powder room, and a kitchen. A cleanlined arrangement provides a comfortable atmosphere for the family of three and their dog. All furniture and furnishings were carefully selected to fit the traditional and modern fusion motif. Entering the foyer from the main entrance, the inhabitants are met by a cozy atmosphere infused with wood and cane furniture. Arched entrances with wooden panelling, an architectural intervention found in traditional residences, have been tastefully interpreted with modern sensibility in mind for the project.
The living room’s soft browns and neutrals create a vintage atmosphere. This scheme was influenced by a natural material palette of cane and wood. The apartment’s distinctness originates from the seamless combination of contemporary and classical Indian design features, such as traditional woodwork arches in the living room and foyer. These wooden arches were sourced from antique furniture stores and traditional residences, then refurbished.
The dining area is adjacent to the living space. Here, arched cabinets add coherence to the design narrative, while the rustic dining table evokes an aura of Wabi-Sabi. A wooden pillar with carvings that replicates South Indian architecture lends a unique ethnic dimension to the contemporary design. The dining room is bordered by an open-plan kitchen layout. It brings with it a contemporary vibe, using soft lighting, futuristic asymmetrical ceiling lamps, and soft-colored furniture coverings. Cabinet paneling and warm wooden accents delicately enhance the design.
All three bedrooms are tastefully designed with ample storage and space. The master bedroom blends minimalist ideas with native elements, giving it a one-of-a-kind character. The children’s bedroom offers generous floor space and storage for a growing child. The guest bedroom also reflects the balance of old and new, a theme that runs throughout the home.
“Bringing together the soul of Kerala with the ease of contemporary living, this home,” as Manisha Gandhi notes, “is a confluence of natural materials, heritage details, and a clean modern aesthetic, shaped by a unique client-designer synergy.” From reclaimed wooden arches and intricately carved pillars to cane furniture, terrazzo flooring, and sage-green cabinetry, every element nods to the craft and heritage that tie the two cultures together. The result is a warm, tactile home that evokes the spirit of Modern India, while being refreshingly modern and rooted to the hustle and bustle of Bengaluru life.
Photographer: Justin Sebastian
