This light

By Shweta Vepa Vyas

Photography by Rohit Mendiratta

Styled by Salonee Thakre of Krei Studios

Have you ever wondered what an architect’s own home looks like? This 4,500–square–foot Mumbai home located in prime real estate of the city gives you an insight into just that. Designed by Sapna Tapuriah, principal architect and founder, Sapscapes, the home brings to fruition the family’s vision of a dream home. The first order of business was to bring the outdoors within the confines of the home. “This house intertwines the realms of nature and habitation to transport you into a serene, botanical haven,” says Tapuriah.

In order to realise this vision of a ‘bagh’ indoors, the space needed to be airy with lots of natural light and ventilation. Tapuriah’s personal love for plants served as a catalyst for the creation of this zen-like oasis—a rarity in the city. “The design encapsulates the essence of dwelling within a garden rather than a garden within a living space,” says the designer. The lush greenery together with contemporary furniture completes the harmonious picture.

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By Aditi Shah-Bhimjyani

By Aditi Shah-Bhimjyani

The neutral colour palette—comprising greys, browns and creams—spells grace and sophistication. “The deliberate exclusion of bold or accent colours ensures a cohesive and minimalist colour scheme,” shares Tapuriah, with the exception of one room that confidently incorporates an abundance of black. In keeping with the zen mood, the material palette is a balanced blend of elements. “The deliberate choice of the mushroom grey flooring and the unique oak veneer that elegantly wraps the walls and furniture highlights the thoughtful attention to detail,” she elaborates. Further uplifting the space while also adding a touch of old world charm are materials like rattan and fluted glass—both effortlessly complementing the home. Apart from this, accents like focal walls and wooden mouldings add texture to the home.

A grand arched door leads into the living room that's a lesson in minimal elegance. The sleek staircase in the corner is equal parts functional and aesthetic. A stone-clad wall by Flexstone forms the backdrop for the soft, pastel-hued sofa. A customised centre table with rattan details and a carpet by Cocoon Fine rugs adds to the plushness. But perhaps what stands out the most is the indoor garden that serves as the foreground for the French windows and the cityscape beyond.

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The only room on the ground floor, this space is an ode to the timeless craft of rattan with each piece of furniture showcasing the wicker craftsmanship. A fluted glass window between the bathroom and wardrobe brings in ample light. In keeping with the principles of Vastu, an intricately-designed wooden panel acts as a cover for the mirror.

By Katherine McLaughlin

By Aditi Shah-Bhimjyani

By Aditi Shah-Bhimjyani

A stark, monochromatic palette was chosen to give this room a lair-like feel.

For her own room, Tapuriah envisioned a cave with the qualities of cool, solid rock. This translated into a black and white palette accentuated by large grey stone tiles. A set of shelves serves as a space to display the couple’s travel keepsakes while a floor lamp from the Kaleido Store complements the overall theme. Another noteworthy element here is the spacious walk-in closet accessible through double doors adorned with fluted glass.

Since the daughters of the house visit often, their room was designed catering to their needs and preferences. One of the top priorities was storage that was provided through spacious wardrobes. The brown tones of the room add warmth while elements like a moulding design on the wall, and a plush carpet from Jaipur Rugs tie in the space together.

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By Aditi Shah-Bhimjyani

By Aditi Shah-Bhimjyani

The highlight of the guest bedroom is the wooden pattern behind the bed, that also doubles as a storage. The same pattern is replicated on the opposite side of the wall while a rug makes the space more plush.

The home also has the luxury of a study—where an elegant study table takes centre stage. One side of the wall is dedicated to a storage cum display unit. Another side of the wall features a glass wall that leads to the temple area.

A chic, study table sits at the centre of the room brightly lit by the natural light.