#DPExclusive: A 41st-Floor Penthouse That Translates Corporate Poise Into Quiet Luxury
Balancing scale with stillness, Mili Savekar transforms a sky-high penthouse into a portrait of understated luxury. Flowing marble grains, layered textures, and warm wood infuse a corporate sensibility with spatial poise.
- 12 Sep '25
- 5:15 pm by Mehar Deep Kaur
The higher you rise above the city, the more perspective shifts — noise recedes, and clarity sets in. Perched on the 41st and 42nd floors of an upscale residential neighbourhood in Mumbai, this 2,400 sq. ft. penthouse by Mili Shah Savekar channels this same ethos. It is a residence that resists ostentation, translating the client’s reserved corporate sensibilities into a philosophy of quiet luxury.
The homeowner, a well-travelled professional, gave a disarmingly simple brief: a space that mirrored his own personality — understated, unpretentious, and cohesive. “No loud colours or harsh decor. He wanted a home that looked rich but not dramatic,” recalls Savekar. This directive became both compass and constraint: the abode would avoid flamboyance, instead finding its richness in earthy accents, nuanced materiality, and a restrained yet layered aesthetic. The designer conjured a refined design language, where surfaces, textures, and volumes have been carefully calibrated to feel timeless rather than trend-driven.
A Dialogue of Scale
Walking through the entrance corridor, the penthouse reveals itself almost cinematically. A wooden ceiling greets you first, warming the threshold and signalling the home’s tone. From here, the passage opens into a double-height living room, where light streams in through expansive glazing. “Designing the living area was both interesting and challenging,” admits Savekar. “With such volume, it was tempting to over-design, but restraint became key. We had to layer the details carefully so nothing felt repetitive or excessive.” Beginning with white marble underfoot, its flowing grain became the guiding note — a material that eventually orchestrated the home’s overarching vocabulary.
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Adjacent lies the dining area, where a circular ensemble optimises space. “The client wasn’t keen on conventional paintings, so we explored more tactile expressions of art — from sculpted wall forms to crafted art accents,” says Savekar, gesturing towards the papier-mâché piece that tethers the hushed tones of the dining space.” A staircase — its wall at once art and architecture— leads upwards to the private quarters.
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Tones in Tension
Oakwood panelling in a grid composition engulfs the master suite with unbridled warmth. A floor-to-ceiling wardrobe dressed in textured wallpaper amplifies the room’s tactility, while the oak veneer ties back to the architectural shell. What transpires is a serene milieu. The son, by contrast, requested a darker, more masculine palette. His suite adopts shades of grey, black, and olive green. The upholstered headboard reflects this tonal depth, while wardrobes clad in leather fronts lend a contemporary edge. An ochre bed bench punctuates the monochrome lexicon.
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The guest bedroom illustrates a hint of classical elegance, set against a greige backdrop with wainscotting. On the other hand, smoked oak veneer panels create a moody backdrop in the study room, where a custom study table in burl veneer offers a tactile counterpoint. Here, the palette remains intellectual, quiet, and focused, resonating with the homeowner’s sensibilities.
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Design That Endures
Across, the penthouse resists the easy lure of spectacle: it doesn’t seek to impress at first glance, but grows richer with every return. “The design journey was immensely fulfilling,” avers Savekar. “There was full creative freedom, and the trust between us and the patrons made all the difference. The joy is not just in how the home looks, but in knowing it feels right for the people who live in it.”
