An All-Neutral Apartment In Mumbai Champions Material And Texture Over Colour
Swathed in shades of ivory, bone, and ecru, this Mumbai residence by interior designer Chanya Kaur is a compelling exemplification of the neutral colour palette. Home to a young couple and their four year old son, the Ahuja Apartment in Juhu highlights the beauty and luxury that emerges from working with natural energies of a space. “The whole apartment exudes the kind of quietude you think you didn’t need, until you experienced it,” says Kaur. “It’s immersive. You can pick any space in the apartment as a favourite, and you would be able to savour the peace of the moment in it, quite effortlessly.” The space is a striking manifestation of Kaur’s signature style that champions material and texture, all while ensuring an immaculate finesse. This is hardly a surprise, given her background. Kaur is the founder of The Pure Concept Home, a new age store and design studio that houses contemporary furniture, fabrics, soft furnishings, and decorative accessories. Her keen understanding of textiles is evident in the spaces she designs, and this apartment is no exception.
Right from the outset, the living room evinces a soothing zen-like energy that goes on to flow through the entire apartment. The space highlights the role of multidimensional textural plays and a pristine colour palette in creating easy-going, lived-in warmth. “The neutral colours are inspired by the earth, the sky, and the horizon: shades of the sense of expansiveness that these 3 ‘realms’ bring to mind,’ Kaur explains. “Where there’s expansiveness, there’s a suggestion of nothing in particular, but also of infinite possibilities at the same time. This sensorial freedom, I feel, is central to the idea of a personal sanctuary in the midst of the proverbial concrete jungle.”
A cosy seating arrangement comprising a mix of complementary sofas and armchairs, layered rugs, and a fluid centre table set up forms the focal point of the living area. Kaur made use of furniture from her store all across the home, including custom pieces that incorporate storage planning for specific needs. Contemporary decor pieces and sculptural accents from West Elm, Oma Living, and The Pure Concept Home tie the overall look together. Undercutting the neutrals, refreshing indoor greens housed in chic planters from Plant People add just the right amount of colour.
The dining area features a sleek high gloss Grey William marble table, with soft rounded edges, and contemporary grey chairs. A light wooden console rests alongside the wall, adorned with art from The Pure Concept Home and an asymmetrical table lamp from Ivanka Lumiere. Overlooking an expansive view of greens through floor-to-ceiling windows, the living and dining areas feel like an oasis of tranquility amidst the bustle of the city.
From here, one moves into a refreshingly chic kids room. Kaur strikes an artful balance between playfulness and sophistication, adding whimsical touches that spark a childlike wonder while keeping the overall style coherent with the rest of the home. Foregoing loud colours and overly-thematic design elements, she uses material and decor in a way that ensures longevity. A cool grey rug from Jaipur Rugs adds warmth to the space.
The master bedroom is a testament to understated luxury. Its highlight feature, a handmade sisal wallcovering serves as a mindful ode to environmentally conscious details. “We wanted the master bedroom to have its own standout element, so we chose sisal for organic texturing and breathability,” says Kaur. “The base panel is of hand woven and hand in-laid sisal, with a neutral print superimposed on it.” Neutral colours are brought to life by an extensive material palette, as well as by shape and form. A curved headboard, side table, and planter add a welcome softness to the room.
Chanya Kaur’s vision for the Ahuja Apartment marries indulgence with a discerning taste that can only come from experience. Talking about what she believed to be the most unique aspect of the space, Kaur tells us, “the manner in which some crucial foundational elements – particularly scale, and perspective – interacted with each other from the get-go, is unique. I’m delighted that they came together to convey a sense of infinity; of harmonious continuity – which was essential for the apartment’s ‘Zen’ identity.”
