Houzz Tour: A Palette of White and Wood Freshens a City Flat
Combining crisp white with rich timber and colourful accents has given this home a sophisticated yet homely feel
Each person has their own idea of how they want their home to look and feel. With this Mumbai flat, Anu Chauhan and Prashant Chauhan of ZERO9 took the couple’s distinct individual preferences and merged them to create an elegant and inviting space. “The husband, of Kashmiri origin, is fond of wood and warmth; the wife was clear on an all-white space, as it’s easy to spot dirt and clean up. She was also fascinated by starry lights,” Anu says.
The clients, who liked the shape of the chinar (maple) leaf, also loved how the designers had inlaid leaves on the floor in earlier projects. This was brought into the décor, along with “a cherished botanical painting, which they wanted to be the highlight of their new space”.
The clients, who liked the shape of the chinar (maple) leaf, also loved how the designers had inlaid leaves on the floor in earlier projects. This was brought into the décor, along with “a cherished botanical painting, which they wanted to be the highlight of their new space”.
The main feature of interest in the living room is the large botanical painting, which influenced the palette of the seating area. Keeping the aesthetic minimal, the designers paired a muted grey, custom-made sofa with cane-and-wood armchairs and botanical-print cushions.
The designers also made use of varied yet complementary wood finishes on everything from the chairs and coffee table to the cabinets and even the ceiling fan. This infuses a greater degree of warmth into the décor.
The designers also made use of varied yet complementary wood finishes on everything from the chairs and coffee table to the cabinets and even the ceiling fan. This infuses a greater degree of warmth into the décor.
There are a few features that aid the visual flow from the interior to the exterior, such as the large French windows with Georgian bars, which open onto the balcony. “Because this space extends visually onto the balcony, it appears larger than it actually is,” Prashant says.
Another feature that helps the visual flow is the faux wood cladding that runs from above the French windows in the living room to the ceiling of the balcony.
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Another feature that helps the visual flow is the faux wood cladding that runs from above the French windows in the living room to the ceiling of the balcony.
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The designers also used the flooring to visually integrate the two spaces. “The grey cement flooring of the balcony merges seamlessly with the white flooring of the living room via a hexagonal grid,” Prashant says.
Adding life and providing privacy to this space is a plethora of potted palms, while a lattice panel separates this part of the balcony from the rest.
Adding life and providing privacy to this space is a plethora of potted palms, while a lattice panel separates this part of the balcony from the rest.
“The balcony ceiling is filled with starry lights to bring in the effect of sitting under the stars in the evening,” Prashant says. “We also added a portable barbecue counter, custom-made to ensure it can be moved around when required.”
Coming back to the entrance, the open dining area sits to the left. It forms the heart of the home, with easy access to the kitchen and living area.
“The all-white flooring symbolises snow and the custom inlaid copper chinar [maple] leaves scattered on the floor bring in the flavour of the autumn season,” Anu explains.
“The all-white flooring symbolises snow and the custom inlaid copper chinar [maple] leaves scattered on the floor bring in the flavour of the autumn season,” Anu explains.
“On one wall, we built a utility counter, which holds an oven, a sink and tap, and a hidden bar,” Anu says. The custom-made dining set continues the white-and-nature theme with a stone-top table and chairs upholstered in fabric that ties in with the botanical prints of the living room.
The dining room leads to the kitchen, which sits behind a glass-panelled sliding door. It features parallel counters that add to the functionality of the small space. It opens up to a utility balcony on the opposite end.
“The kitchen is again an all-white zone, which makes it appear larger than it is with the dado, counter and even the back-painted glass shutters all in white,” Prashant says. Sleek cabinetry and built-in appliances make the kitchen more streamlined.
“The kitchen is again an all-white zone, which makes it appear larger than it is with the dado, counter and even the back-painted glass shutters all in white,” Prashant says. Sleek cabinetry and built-in appliances make the kitchen more streamlined.
The designers maintained the simple yet elegant décor in the master bedroom as well, pairing light wood furniture with pastel-green wallpaper. “To add visual interest, we brought in framed artwork behind the bed. The pieces are actually embroidered fabric by Sarita Handa,” Prashant says.
The wood grain on the headboard and bed is laid in a chevron pattern. which adds a fun element to the room.
The wood grain on the headboard and bed is laid in a chevron pattern. which adds a fun element to the room.
“The master bathroom is predominantly white, with rose-gold fittings complemented by a wall of black-and-white inlay with rose-gold highlights,” Prashant says. A streamlined white cabinet for storage flanks the large mirror, while the basin is built into the countertop.
Anu considers the kids’ bedroom a visual treat, where the walls are a playground for graphic explorations. While the room is again mostly white, the designers added pockets of colour, such as the pale yellow storage niche.
“We brought in playful elements, such as animal chairs and an elephant blackboard against a backdrop of hot-air balloon decals on the walls,” Anu says.
“We brought in playful elements, such as animal chairs and an elephant blackboard against a backdrop of hot-air balloon decals on the walls,” Anu says.
The designers refurbished an old bed into a bunk bed shaped like a mini house, complete with a sloping roof, windows and a ladder.
Extending the hot-air balloon theme into the bathroom, the team designed this space with colourful and vibrant elements. A geometric black-and-white pattern on the floor and vanity unit lends an interesting visual element to the white space, while the fiery red storage cabinet brings in colour.
The guest bedroom with a simple layout takes inspiration from the hilly regions of Kashmir, alluding to the client’s origins. “A dynamic 3D installation of contours takes shape on the wall behind the bed and flows onto the adjoining wardrobe in the back-painted glass,” Prashant says.
One pocket of concrete grey stands in a fun contrast to its white surroundings, suggesting a dark mountain lake at the bottom of snowy hills.
One pocket of concrete grey stands in a fun contrast to its white surroundings, suggesting a dark mountain lake at the bottom of snowy hills.
“Another predominantly white space, the guest bathroom explores simplicity with sleek fixtures and streamlined storage,” Prashant continues. The designers elevated the palette with a few interesting features, such as a graphic black-and-white pattern framing the mirror and rose-gold fittings.
Tell us…
What did you like the most about this house? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
What did you like the most about this house? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? A couple and their two young children
Location Mumbai, India
Year built 2019
Size Three bedrooms and three bathrooms; 167 sq m (1,800 sq ft)
Design and build team Anu Chauhan and Prashant Chauhan at ZERO9
Photos by Suleiman Merchant
The entrance of the apartment leads into an open-plan room. The living area, which lies straight ahead, flows into the balcony. To the left is the dining room, which leads to the kitchen and bedrooms.
As is the case with a lot of urban apartments, this one lacks a designated hallway. The designers had to craft one in the existing space. “We built three vertical fins, which create a playful visual while giving privacy to the dining area,” Anu says. “Clad with brown tinted mirrors on one side and veneer on other, these fins can be rotated for different angles and choice of a reflective or opaque surface.”
They also brought in a sleek console, which visually divides this area from the living room and provides storage. “The console is paired with a rustic timber chandelier, further creating a visual break,” she says.