During COVID and the ensuing lockdown, they realised the need for a bigger space for their family and decided to merge two adjoining 3 bedroom apartments on the 3rd floor of an apartment complex, transforming it into one large dwelling of 3200 sq m for their close-knit family of 5, which included their children and their pet, an adorable cocker spaniel named Leo.
“Art should be an oasis: a place or refuge from the hardness of life,” says Colombian artist and sculptor Fernando Botero. This sentiment struck a chord with the Mathur family, who believed that art could provide that elusive oasis within the walls of their new home, infusing a softer, more soulful dimension into their everyday lives.
Connoisseurs at heart, the couple wished to have their 3 bedroom apartments curated around art pieces collected over time and as a part of design processes during the project.
Editor’s Note: “Alkove Design’s interior project infuses a soft and soulful colour palette into the barrier-free interiors, creating an illusion of spaciousness. The interiors become the canvas for a wonderful art collection, curated in such a way that it does not feel cluttered. The meandering pathway makes one forget that this is the result of two separate homes melding into one.” – Gopika Pramod
A Bigger Space Adjoining 3 Bedroom Apartments | Alkove-Design
Alkove-Design, the architects for the project, thought it apt to design the home as a blend of traditional and contemporary interiors, in a tropical modernist aesthetic that would form a mellow backdrop for the art pieces and an idyllic setting for the inhabitants.
The design team faced a major challenge in fusing the two apartments, but soon turned it into an exciting opportunity. Komal Mittal, Principal Architect at Alkove, shares the starting point of the project. “Since the two flats were to be merged, we eliminated several walls, exposing beams on the ceiling.”
Additionally, the low-storey height also negated the possibility of a deep false ceiling as a masking strategy. The solution was to then use colour palettes astutely to create an illusion of spaciousness. Meanwhile, accentuating certain wall surfaces with textures to emphasise the art pieces.”
The architects designed a brand-new layout with a reallocation of spaces and a clear segregation of functions. One complete portion was kept for public use, and incorporated the Living– Dining, Kitchen and Guest bedroom. The adjacent portion was a private area that could be shut off with a sliding door. This accommodated a spacious master suite with two bedrooms and a common walk-in wardrobe for the couple. A binding gesture of lime-washed accent walls brought in rustic sophistication that tied the home into one theme. Also, it helped highlight selected areas.
Entering the home across the threshold, the lobby becomes a liminal space where one can decide their pathway of navigation. The entrance to the living area, created by removing a powder room, is carved through a passage around a wall featuring a Kalamkari painting of the Tree of Life by Harinath N.
The meandering path whisks the visitor in, where twin antique wooden columns stand like stately guards to the oasis. The columns, exquisitely crafted in teak wood, are sourced from an antique store, Suadades, in Goa. It marks an elegant entryway to the living space.
Navigating to the private portion of the apartment, a TV room with a connected prayer space offers a momentary transition before entering the resting areas. Mrs. Mathur’s room personifies traditional charm. Along with the ornate teak bed combined with the warmth of a minimal workspace that she would use.
Mr. Mathur’s den, with a more formal ambience, combines a resting and working space. It is tied to an accent wall in beige lime wash. This room connects to a spacious walk-in wardrobe for the couple. Thus featuring meticulously planned storage solutions in a dignified, dark ebony palette.
Ninada, Principal Architect at Alkove-Design, recalls, “Mr. Shaban Lakadwala, a master craftsman from Mumbai, crafted many furniture pieces that are works of art in themselves. His attention to detail and finesse were awe-inspiring. Mrs. Mathur suggested that he craft some pieces to further add a layer of artistry to the home.”
Mrs. Mathur, an architect by education and an aesthete, had procured a number of paintings and artefacts that can be found throughout the home, influencing moods in myriad ways. The sofa sets flaunt vibrant textiles from Nagaland that she herself sourced. A few years ago, the couple purchased several tonnes of timber obtained from the structural members of an old wada, intending to repurpose them someday. The wada wood now finds new life in a variety of forms in the home, becoming a metaphor for life cycles, somewhat like the Ship of Theseus.
“This project was a juggling of multiple roles: heavy-duty civil work alongside the planning of the finer details of accessories and art procurement. It was a brilliant opportunity for us to immerse ourselves in all facets of design,” reminisces Komal. Ninada adds cheerfully, “To top it all, Mrs. Mathur, being an architect herself, was completely in sync with our creative processes, and that made the entire journey all the more enjoyable for our team.”
By the end of the project, the two separate homes meld together seamlessly as a cohesive whole, striking a delicate balance between art and design, reminding the inhabitant that even in life’s most tumultuous moments, there is the potential for beauty and serenity.
Fact FileDesigned by: Alkove-Design
Project Type: Residential Interior Design
Project Name: An Oasis of Art
Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Project Size: 3200 Sq.ft
Principal Designers: Ar. Komal Mittal & Ar. Ninada Kashyap
Design Credits: Rutuja Ravindrakumar
Photograph Courtesy: Pulkit Sehgal
Interior Styling: Spaces and Stories
Lighting Designers: Batti studio
Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding – Kemtex Paints Arava finish / Sanitaryware – Grohe / Windows – Utility Windows / Furniture – West Elm, Dtale Modern, Sarita Handa / Flooring – Wooden flooring / Kitchen – Meine Kuche / Paints – Kemtex, Asian paints / Artefacts – Various artists
The Firm’s Website Link: Alkove-Design
Firm’s Instagram Link: Alkove-Design
Firm’s Facebook Link: Alkove-Design
For Similar Projects >> A Striking Brick House with Hints of Traditional Design and Essence of Reformed Living
Perched on the ninth floor of a high-rise apartment in Pune, this 1,600 sq. ft. apartment opens to sweeping views of the city’s tekdi, the tree-lined hills that define its horizon. For its owners, a lawyer couple with demanding careers and a shared love for travel, the view was the home’s greatest luxury. For the […]
A celebration can be loud. Its impact doesn’t have to be. That idea shaped the very foundation of this project. For this Ahmedabad home, the terrace design has always been more than just a terrace. It is the social heartbeat of the family, where birthdays slip into late-night banter and weekends turn into impromptu gatherings. […]
Fursat, designed by Checkered Spaces, is a residential interior in the heart of Bangalore’s urban zone that resists Stylistic definition in favour of a Grounded, Process-led rustic charm. The home unfolds as an organic Accumulation of spaces, objects, and materials—shaped by time, memory, and everyday rituals rather than a fixed visual language. The Rustic Charm […]
A city’s craft often weaves itself into our lives, sometimes subtly, other times by deliberate choice—much like in this 5,000 sq. ft. Kolkata home envisioned by Spaces & Design. When Pooja Bihani, the principal architect of the studio, was commissioned to design a thoughtful space for a young family of three, she infused it with […]
Designed with intent, the interiors of this 3000 sq. ft. apartment unfold gently. We call it VANILLA DELIGHT, a house guided by a vanilla palette of muted, earthy tones with a strong delightful visual identity. This 3000 sq. ft. Home Is Guided By A Palette Of Vanilla | Beyond Lines Studio & Connecting The Dots […]
At Verde Residence in Pune, the design isn’t just about how the rooms look; it’s about how they feel. The goal was to create a calm house where the architecture retreats into the background to allow a deep, rhythmic silence to take center stage. Every detail is a deliberate invitation to pause, breathe, and experience […]
This 1,650-square-foot 3BHK in Pune is a study in modern residential design, Tailored for a family of six. The Pune home was defined by complete creative freedom, Allowing The Curved Angle Studio to transform a standard floor plan into a refined Sanctuary. This Pune Home Is A Study In Modern Residential Design | The Curved […]
This home is a thoughtful expression of the modern interior design style, infused with creative and personalised touches that make it both distinctive and inviting. Every material, colour, and finish has been carefully curated to achieve a sense of timelessness, with a clear emphasis on balance and harmony. The muted colour palette seamlessly extended across […]
When it comes to enhancing the kitchen window over the sink, various design ideas are possible to decorate Indian homes. From rooted in tradition to Western-style modular kitchens offer both functionality and attractive aesthetics. Apart from the sleek profile and raised breakfast counter, the kitchen window over sink is another spot to add appeal and […]
Indian homes place equal importance on pooja room door designs as they do on main door designs. With diverse and unique ethnic backgrounds, every family strives to reflect their personalities and identities in their designs. These identities can encompass religious or spiritual interests, local contexts, or other personal elements. This series of blogs, featuring 50 […]