An Intentional Home: A Chennai Home Is Guided By Panels, Patterns, And Purpose
In a 4,000-square-foot Chennai apartment, interior designer Farah Agarwal crafts an oasis of quiet luxury, balancing timeless sophistication with the practical needs of a multi-generational family.
- 17 Sep '25
- 5:50 pm by Pallavi Mehra
In the bustling city of Chennai, Farah Agarwal, the founder and principal of Chestnut Storeys, has conceptualised an abode that tells a story of quiet luxury and layered intention. This 4,000-square-foot apartment, home to three generations of a family, balances the aspiration for timeless sophistication with the functional needs of six people, where every element—from a single panel to an embossed pattern—has a reason for being. “Conversations with the client revolved around creating something timeless, layered, and full of subtle discoveries, where every frame, panel, or pattern had intention behind it. It was also very important to them that the home didn’t feel overwhelming despite its scale, so our focus was always on balance of textures, colours, and functionality,” mentions Farah Agarwal, the founder and principal of Chestnut Storeys.
The home’s design narrative unfolds right from the entrance, a challenge that turned into a triumph. A narrow, light-deprived hallway is transformed into an inviting passage with warm wooden panelling, crafting an immediate sense of depth and intimacy. This leads to a square-shaped foyer, which cleverly doubles as a cosy reading nook and waiting area, welcoming guests to pause and take in the space.
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Panels, Patterns, and Purpose
In the formal living and dining spaces, the home’s core design philosophy of ‘Panels, Patterns, and Purpose’ is immediately showcased. Here, an embossed square-tessellated ceiling casts a dynamic play of light and shadow, a geometric rhythm echoed in the clean, angular furniture. A seafoam velvet sofa from Studio Ochre, paired with Gulmohar Lane armchairs and grounded by a Jaipur Rugs carpet, establishes a chic colour palette. The dining space, in particular, becomes a visual focal area with a hand-painted mural by local artist Gautam.
Moving into the private spaces, each bedroom reveals its own unique personality while remaining true to the home’s overarching theme. The primary bedroom finds its balance in arches and lines, with a neutral headboard anchoring a quiet, tranquil space. In contrast, the children’s bedroom bursts with a playful energy, boasting a colourful scheme of orange, blue, and green, a chalkboard veneer wardrobe, and a geometric headboard. The guest bedroom, on the other hand, experiments with arcs, from a curved headboard and fluted embossing to an arc chandelier, creating a layered, sculptural effect that feels both distinctive and harmonious.
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A Palette of Texture and Light
The principle of quiet luxury is exhibited in the home’s thoughtfully curated material and colour schemes. The design avoids opulence, instead focusing on detailed crafted surfaces that add richness in a subtle way. Agarwal picked materials like warm woods, embossed wall finishes, glass, velvet, and metal for their tactile quality and their ability to beautifully interact with light and shadow. The colour palette is equally understated and elegant. The base scheme features neutral creams, taupes, and soft greys, which are gently infused with pastels such as seafoam, muted pinks, and sage. While the overall visual story is serene, moments of vibrant individuality emerge, such as in the children’s bedroom, which features arresting oranges, greens, and blues, all balanced against neutral backdrops.
Moreover, the dining area stands out as the most enjoyable space for Agarwal to have conceptualised. “I truly enjoyed designing the dining area, the hand-painted mural by local artist Gautam became the visual centrepiece, so lifelike it almost seems ready to leap from the wall,” adds Farah Agarwal, the founder and principal of Chestnut Storeys. “The most challenging space was the entrance passage, because of the lack of natural light. Transforming it with warm wooden panelling into a welcoming approach ended up being one of the most rewarding elements.”
A Poetic and Intentional Design
This home is a physical manifestation of Agarwal’s design philosophy, which places human experience at the forefront. She believes a space should feel “layered, intentional, and poetic,” revealing its details slowly to encourage a closer look. This signature style is showcased throughout the apartment in the cohesive use of panelling, embossing, and layered textures. In a final nod to her holistic approach, Agarwal also focused on environmental sustainability. She deliberately picked natural and durable materials and finishes. This makes sure that the home is not just practical and aesthetically pleasing, but also built to last.
This Chennai home embraces the idea of quiet luxury, where opulence is showcased through detailed, crafted surfaces rather than over-the-top richness. It is a home built to last while being considerate of its residents and the environment, a perfect instance of design that is not just visually arresting, but also thoughtful.
