A stone fireplace glows softly, with a Chesterfield sofa drawn close beside it. Above, timber rafters stretch across the ceiling while a curved wooden staircase with wrought iron rails peeks from within; and for a moment, one is reminded of the lobbies of old colonial style hotels. The Earthy house: An 8,000-square-foot penthouse in Indore, reimagined by interior designers Poonam and Akash Mehta as a home that carries the romance of travel, history, and timeless design.
The Earthy house : An 8000 sq.ft Penthouse that Evokes Charm of a Colonial Hotel | Poonam Akash
The young couple based their brief on memory and atmosphere. “The husband, an outdoorsman who loves trekking and rustic colonial style spaces, desired interiors that felt like the log cabins and old country clubs of Indore,” recalls Poonam. “His wife, on the other hand,” adds Akash, “wanted the home to remain practical, uncluttered, and easy to maintain.” The challenge was to balance the two contrasting requirements.
From the outset, materials were central to this vision. In keeping with the client’s requirement, the designers leaned on natural finishes, a mix of wood and exposed bricks to lend a rustic feel. At the same time, the designers treated the surfaces with restraint, avoiding excessive ornamentation, so the spaces remained light-filled, breathable, and easy to upkeep.
The entryway sets the tone. A sequence of vaulted arches, inspired by Poonam’s readings of A History of Architecture, creates a gentle procession that opens into a dramatic double-height drawing room.
Here, a newspaper-collage artwork from Thailand pays homage to the iconic National Geographic cover titled ‘Afghan Girl’. Above, veneer panels crafted to resemble brick-lined rafters cloak the ceiling, conjuring the aura of a safari lodge.
At another end of the room lies the dining room framed by dark pinewood rafters on the ceiling. A wooden dining table from China sits at the centre of the space, cleverly concealing a Lazy Susan.
The walls of the space feature the couple’s collection of porcelain plates that they had amassed from travels over the years.
Opposite it, the kitchen features a cerulean hued wooden shutters and chimney that lend the space a surreal appeal. A large copper sink, breaks the colour palette, while adding natural elements to the space.
Upstairs, the master bedroom is kept intentionally uncluttered to let materials lead: exposed concrete walls, solid raw-wood doors, and a wool-textured accent panel by Phillip Jeffries establish a calm, tactile palette.
The master bathroom echoes the quiet grandeur of a luxury resort with two tones of grey concrete textures, softened by a traditional Persian rug in the dry area.
The daughter’s room shifts to an ethereal register – macramé, lace, and diaphanous fabrics create a bohemian mood. Wardrobes and a dressing table are finished in a vintage-inspired palette with ceramic handles, while her bathroom carries patterned handmade tiles from Keramos.
“The son’s room evokes a Boy Scout vibe with plaid walls, walnut furniture, vintage accents, and a themed bathroom.”
“The English cigar lounge exudes a club-like mood with Chesterfields, metal-studded trunks, stone mantel, and brass-inlaid floors.”
“Rhino-painted walls and a metal-and-leather Ralph Lauren chandelier create a warm, intimate glow.”“The English cigar lounge exudes a club-like mood with Chesterfields, metal-studded trunks, stone mantel, and brass-inlaid floors.”
“The English cigar lounge sets a club-like mood with Chesterfield sofas, metal-studded trunks, a stone mantel, and brass-inlaid floors.”
“Walls in Rhino shade by Asian Paints are paired with a metal-and-leather Ralph Lauren chandelier for a warm, intimate glow.”
“A curved wooden staircase with wrought-iron rails and a caged elevator, inspired by Mumbai’s early art deco and gothic lobbies, choreographs movement between levels.” Together, they lend the vestibule the ceremonial air of a heritage hotel lobby.
“The colonial style penthouse blends the spirit of a colonial lounge with contemporary design through its materials and details.”. The result is a home that feels timeless yet personal, offering its inhabitants both retreat and connection in equal measure.
Fact File
Designed by: Poonam AkashProject Type: Residential Interior Design
Project Name: The Earthy House
Location: Indore
Project Size: 8000 Sq.ft
Principal Designers: Akash Mehta & Poonam Mehta
Photograph Courtesy: Kuber Shah
Firm’s Instagram Link: Poonam Akash
For Similar Projects >> THE LUXURIOUS AND EXQUISITE APARTMENT DESIGN – MEANDER HŪS
Project Guru Prasad began with a simple yet nuanced brief — to design a home inspired by Japanese aesthetics while maintaining a minimal and grounded sensibility. The 3BHK apartment, spread across 1350 sq. ft. of carpet area, became an exploration of form, material, and composition. Inside the 3bhk Apartment Where Japanese Aesthetics Meet the Quiet […]
Some homes are designed around a view. This home is designed around a fleeting evening moment, when the Arabian Sea sky turns saffron, rust and plum. That daily transition shapes Sea Between Stories, a 3,500-square-foot Bandra West apartment by The Concreate Story for Shantanu Powle and Saily Lad. Arabian Sea Apartment in Bandra Frames Moments […]
In the Bustling neighbourhood of Oberoi Sky City, Borivali, Mumbai, Quiet Opulence unfolds as a refined 1,100 sq. ft. residence that celebrates the beauty of Understated luxury. A Square Designs created the home as an exploration of contemporary Sophistication enriched by timeless classical influences. The design brings together elegant, inviting, and deeply personal interiors. Rather […]
Project 774 House is a thoughtful exploration of how compact spaces can feel layered, immersive, and deeply personal. Designed as a seamless blend of warmth, functionality, and character, the home balances aesthetics with practicality while ensuring every space carries its own identity within a cohesive design language. The Compact Spaces In This Home Are Designed […]
In the pulsating heart of Gujarat, India, where the shimmer of the ‘Diamond City’ meets the rich tapestry of the ‘Silk City’, Surat has preserved its legacy of craftsmanship across generations. Amidst the precision of diamond cutters and the rhythmic hum of textile looms, the homeowners’ story began. They were not merely entrepreneurs but inheritors […]
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 […]
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 […]
In Indian homes with dynamic spaces, identification of standard interior door dimensions can have a positive impact on space optimization. First impressions matter, right? Beyond spaces inside the homes, doors carry long-time impressions through various panel sizes, intricate details, and more. While most of us remember the material and design, we tend to forget the […]
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 […]