SML Architects has designed this 720 sq.ft two-bedroom apartment in Mumbai for a family of three. There a number of striking things about the home that keeps you riveted: the distinctive grey ceiling to begin with, the cane chairs, subtle use of powder pink in all the rooms, the monochromatic paintings, and finally the restraint with which this project has been executed.
Simplicity is often misunderstood for minimalism. But, I personally find it the most difficult thing to achieve — to know when to step back and give a space a sophisticated look. This, in turn, means that a lot of thought has to go in to every object in the room from the choice of colors and texture of furnishing to the wood used for furniture. After a long time, here is a project that got me excited. And, I’m sure it will do the same for you, too.
I’m going to exercise restraint in describing and let the pictures do the talking initially.
About the project:
Who lives here: Mr.Rajesh Samant with his wife and their 20-year old son
Location: Malad, Mumbai
Year built: 2019
Size: sq feet : 720 sq.ft. or 66 sq.mts carpet area
Type: 2 bedroom apartment with 2 bathrooms
Designed by: SML Architects
Photograph courtesy for the images: Sameer Tawde
Budget: 24 Lakhs
Layout of the home:
When one enters the house through the main door, one notices the dining space straight up. On entering, on the left is the living space of the house. Further ahead, on entering the passage on the left is the kitchen and on the right is the common bathroom/ powder room.
After walking further ahead in the passage, straight up is the sons bedroom and on the left is the master bedroom with attached bathroom.
Living + Dining
Son’s Bedroom
Master Bedroom
Crafted from Shahabad stone and reclaimed burma teak in combination with either cane, rope or fluted glass, this compact family house utilizes its limited area to create spaces of tranquility, encased from the bustling city around. The intimate scale of the spaces allows attentive focus on the details and surfaces.
Designed for a family of three, each room of this house adapts to its inhabitants in a way that is both versatile and intimate. Overlooking a dense garden, this family house opens its windows to the landscape below and the skyline of Mumbai down the hill beyond.
The social spaces are arranged to offer casual comfort for daily use and generous hospitality during gatherings with friends and family. Its furnished with a combination of bespoke hand crafted pieces and iconic mid-century pieces designed by masters like Hans Wegner and Pierre Jeanneret. Bedooms are detailed with custom made furniture including floating beds with rope and teak frame headboard, wardrobe surfaces, door handles and storage cabinets.
From the initial meetings the architect had with the client, it became clear that they led a very simple life. This became the starting point for the design of the house and also selection of the materials. The clients were extremely open in letting the architects set the brief for the project. Unlike other clients in Mumbai, this family didn’t require a lot of storage space in the house.
The approach to design for this house was to achieve a sense of tranquillity in the home, encased from the bustling city around with clean lines, simple design and natural materials.
When asked about the most challenging aspect of the project, the architect says, “
Practicing restraint. There’s a thin line between a little under, just enough and a bit much. And the attempt, is to always hit the balance and that for us was the most challenging aspect of the design of this house.
Resources:
Lights: Throughout the house, there are concealed spotlights of 9W which becomes the general lighting design for the house. Above the dining table are pendant lights. Table lamp for the side table in the master bedroom and on the study table in the son’s bedroom.
Paints: Asian paints – white colour on the walls throughout the house. Grey colour on the ceiling which binds the project together.
Furnishings: Natural handwoven cotton custom dyed (in pale pink and grey colours).
Sofas: Pierre Jeanneret Office Teak and Cane Armchairs (3-seater and 1-seater)
Dining table: The dining table is made up of reclaimed Burma teak wood frame painted black and flame finished black granite table top, made on site by our inhouse team.
Flooring tiles: Shahabad (locally found limestone)
Rugs: Natural hemp rug from Akara Rugs
Furniture in living/family room: All handmade by our inhouse team.
