The Elephant home in Pune is an embodiment of tradition and culture, blending in seamlessly into a minimalistic and peaceful home for its residents. Previously a congested apartment confined within rooms and walls, the 1825 sq. ft. home has been redesigned to open up into a bright, airy, and inviting space that embraces its residents’ simplicity, yet makes a statement with its design aesthetic that is rooted in the Indian heritage.
A Peaceful Home with a Laid-Back Take on Living | Sthetic Design Studio
A part of the Kasturkunj society, the apartment was originally a 4 BHK which was converted into a 3 BHK to suit the lifestyle of the four residents that needed more common areas as compared to private, seclusive spaces. The homeowners wanted a habitat that they could call their own, and were adamant on adding idiosyncratic touches throughout, moving away from the modern fad of the chic hotel/show-flat look. With an aim to minimize wastage, majority of the furniture from the old house was repurposed into the new design.
The entrance was a narrow, tunnel-like passage, that was redesigned and opened up to the outside through vast arches that allow daylight and fresh air to wash in. An added element of verdant planters lined along the arches enhances the connection with the outdoors, and subtly introduces the visitor to the tranquil home beyond the little wooden door marking the end of the passage.
Upon entering through the foyer, the visitor is greeted by the family room—previously a dingy bedroom enclosed within walls, that was converted into an open informal living area with a low Indian seating sofa. This sofa also functions as a day bed, and reinvigorates their ideologies of togetherness in daily activities like eating and entertaining.
The older toilet was split up into a powder room and a storage area, and the once smaller window was broken down into a wider one, peppered with flower beds behind the sofa to ginger up the residents’ favorite space in their house. Smaller windows opening into the duct were transformed into niches for displaying art and curios.
Adjoining the family room is the dining nook and a traditional swing juxtaposed between the two areas. The swing, anchored in elephant-shaped carvings and framed by the shear walls of the activity room on either sides, functions as a two-way seating between the dining and the former.
Old furniture was repurposed into a round dining table with fresh upholstery and polish, with an intent to encourage conversations on occasions with guests. A lush carpet by Jaipur rugs complements the area with its subtle colours and textures.
A colossal artwork wall—the backdrop to the living setup—becomes the showstopper element of the elephant home. Bedecked in Lipan art, a traditional artwork style from Kutch, this wall is the central part of the living area, untainted by a television or any extra accessory.
Maitreyee Nilawar, the talented artist behind the masterpiece, has handcrafted it using pristine white with mirrors and elephant shapes—their most beloved design element that represents their family—to add a touch of personalization. On either sides behind this art wall is the entry to the kitchen. Ardent lovers of cooking, the clients wanted a bright and fun kitchen with a touch of Indian culture, which is brought in through the herringbone tile patterns in a vivid, turmeric colour that kindles one’s appetite.
The master bedroom stands out from the conventional room with its unique functionality. The owners chose to replace the customary bed with a Tatami mat from Japan, converting the bedroom into an all-day Yoga and activity room, using only a thin mattress to sleep at night. A free-standing mirror repurposed from an old bed was used to conceal the large hooks on the wall that are required for the practice of Iyengar Yoga. Handwoven bamboo sheets soften the imposing volume of the cupboards, and three elegant niches in the wall enhance the items on display.
The second bedroom belonging to the grandmother was mostly untouched with a basic revamp to change the overall look of the space. The cupboards were reworked on with new veneer, and a headboard was added to provide comfort, with wall lights to frame it on either sides. A sewing table fitted with a television on the side has been provided to cater to her daily interests, along with wooden flooring that softens the floor and provides a safety net incase the elderly lady slips.
The children’s bedroom originally had a standard bed with a top open storage, which was converted into a princess bed for the ten year old little girl. The four-poster bed was designed with a turning radius for each leg to maximize safety and avoid sharp edges, and a small storage below the bed with a smaller width to conceal it visually.
The room is fitted with a work desk, a small library behind the dressing and blackboards for daily use. Since the kid will soon be a teenager, the design aesthetic of the room was intentionally kept conventional, as opposed to a flashy one that is difficult to grow into.
The residence with three improvised living rooms and two bedrooms, is a place of joy and celebration of the everyday life for the family. The walls and furniture tell stories from different nooks around the country—some of the residents’ own, some that they liked and embraced as their own—bringing them together to the wonderful stage set by the Elephant home, with a promise of many more stories to join them over the years.
Fact File
Designed by: Sthetic Design Studio
Project Type: Residential Interior Design
Project Name: The Elephant Home
Location: Pune
Project Size: 1825 sq. ft.
Principal Architect: Ar. Snehal Jajoo
Photography Courtesy: Hemant Patil Photographer
Text Credits: Ruchika Agarwal
Architectural Videographer: Anup Baheti
Firm’s Instagram Link: Sthetic Design Studio
For Similar Projects > A Fusion of Minimalism, Muted Tones and Contemporary Aesthetics
In one of Gurgaon’s towering high-rises, a young couple made a conscious decision to reject the uniformity of trends. They didn’t want their home to be manicured; they just wanted to channel themselves into it. The brief for this Gurgaon Apartment was simple and direct – “A home,” they told us. “We don’t want something […]
This luxury residential interior is located in the heart of Mumbai, which is a harmonious blend of sophistication, comfort, and timeless elegance. Every element within the space has been thoughtfully designed to create an atmosphere of indulgence and tranquility. The design exudes refinement at every turn, from the grand entryway to the intimate spaces, offering […]
Designing a home from scratch is a challenge and a dream hand in hand — this interior design for 3 BHK was a dream come true. While we first visited this apartment, it was just an empty shell: no furniture, no finishes, just plain walls waiting for a story. With this, the client’s brief was […]
Ar. Darshit Tejani and Ar. Bhakti Tejani of Pramāna Design have designed this 1700 sqft home in Vile Parle, Mumbai, for a family of four who wanted their home to be a physical extension of their personalities through an eclectic minimalist interior design. The most exciting part of the brief was that no two rooms […]
There are homes, and then there is Aurum – a modern luxurious home where luxury does not announce itself with grandiosity but lingers in the air, murmuring its presence in every fine detail. A vision born in Dubai yet rooted in Ahmedabad, this residence is an ode to refined indulgence, seamlessly blending the modern opulence […]
In Ratna Enclave, AKJ DESIGNS crafts a residence where clarity of design meets emotional resonance through a Scandinavian modern interior design approach. This project is a study in balance between clean modernist geometry and the warmth of personalized, memory-infused spaces. This Residence Reflects Scandinavian Modern Interior Design | AKJ DESIGNS Modern and Contemporary Styles The […]
Nestled in the heart of Bengaluru, this home is situated in a quiet residential neighbourhood that balances the charm of old-world architecture with modern urban conveniences. The homeowners approached us with a deeply personal brief—to create a traditional Indian house interior that embodies their cherished childhood memories while seamlessly integrating modern comforts. Traditional Indian House […]
In this 2 BHK home design in Pune, the concept was to bring natural elements into the space, countering the city’s concrete jungle feel. The design centers around creating a harmonious flow, using a Vastu-inspired color palette that promotes balance. Rattan, wood, and floral wallpapers were thoughtfully incorporated to bring nature indoors, offering a serene, […]
In the vibrant and ever-evolving city of Mumbai, where space is a luxury and every square foot counts, finding the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetic allure can be a challenge. The urban landscape demands homes that can adapt to the needs of modern families whilst providing a sense of warmth and refuge from the […]
Tucked within a thoughtfully planned 1900-square-foot layout, this residence serves as a harmonious dialogue between architecture and philosophy, drawing deep inspiration from the Japanese aesthetic and worldview of Wabi-Sabi. More than just a visual language, a modern wabi sabi interior is a way of being — it encourages mindfulness and presence, the acceptance of transience, […]