This Mumbai Home Tells a Layered Story
Rich textures, muted tones and a charming mix of old and new characterise this Mumbai apartment by Ravi Vazirani. We spoke to the award-winning interior designer to find out more about his approach and how he weaves stories into every project
Design Anthology: How did you first meet the client?
Ravi Vazirani: The clients first came across my work in a publication where our studio was named one of India’s 50 most influential design firms. The project that was featured was minimalist and clean yet very luxurious, it actually marked a turning point in the evolution of our studio’s design aesthetic.
Who are the clients and what is their lifestyle?
The clients are a couple in their early forties with two children. As a designer, I feel it’s extremely important to not only understand your client’s lifestyle, but also to connect with it. While it isn’t always the case, sometimes you get lucky and get to design a home for people who’re quite similar to you. These clients are well travelled and interested in wellness, art and a pursuing a lifestyle that involves being home as much as it involves travel, eating out and being busy with work.
What was their brief to you for the project?
They wanted a home that would cater to all their needs, and a family of four has a lot of needs! It needed to reflect their lifestyle and accommodate their requirements, and age well but not feel empty or overdesigned. We were on the same page when it came to aesthetics: understated and elegant, with rustic wabi-sabi elements.
What is the layout and overall size of the house?
The original apartment had four bedrooms and an area of about 250 square metres. We reworked the layout and turned the guest bedroom into a study that could accommodate guests when needed.
What’s unique about the building and the location?
The building is one of the first luxury condos in Mumbai to offer everything within one structure. It’s an extremely sought-after property because of the amenities and facilities that come with the apartment.
How did you approach the project — what design references did you try to incorporate into the space?
The clients were extremely involved throughout the project, and in response to our common love for minimalist and clutter-free spaces, we broke down all walls to create as much concealed storage as we could. The house is a combination of new and old objects, like Pierre Jeanneret chairs, contemporary lights by Paul Matter, custom-designed sofas and a thrifted antique bar we sourced and restored. We took our time to find pieces and let the story evolve.
Please tell us a little about the material choices for the space.
We share the clients’ affinity for all things rustic and honed. Terrazzo, cement and shades of grey feature in most of our projects, and we tend to prefer spaces that aren’t too heavy on colour. The house is a combination of honed marble, cement walls, wooden floors and limestone walls.
Do you have a favourite element or design detail in the interiors?
My favourite part about the interiors is the juxtaposition of the old and new. The clients were very keen to reuse whatever we could. I enjoy weaving stories into my designs, and if a piece of furniture works and I can have it restored to its former glory, I want to do that. I want the story. My two favourite pieces in the apartment are both vintage. The first is the brass faucet we sourced online from a store in London, and the other is an old end table that belonged to the client’s grandfather. It was falling apart and she had it in storage with no idea what to do with it. We managed to have it restored and now it’s used as a coffee table alongside the Jeanneret chairs and a concrete table we custom designed. That epitomises what a home means to me: a mix of elements, layered onto one another but feeling so effortless and seamless.
Images / Sebastian Zachariah | Photographix
