“In our cities today, streets and buildings are growing eerily similar. Amidst this uniformity, our homes remain the rare spaces where identity is alive, woven through the stories and traditions of those who dwell within,” observes Pratyusha Kethinedi, principal designer at House of Katha. It is from this musing that Sukoon, a 2,700 sq. ft. south indian house in Bengaluru, takes shape. Within its walls, the family’s Chettinad heritage emerges in archways, handcrafted details, and handwoven textiles, reimagined to suit modern living. Athangudi tiles and stone inlay floors anchor key spaces, while brass, lacquer, and wooden objects, alongside art from across India, carry imprints of craft and culture.  

This South Indian House In Bengaluru Brings Alive A Chettinad Identity | House of Katha

“It is a south indian house that refuses anonymity. To enter is to feel time slow and stories surface,” shares Pratyusha. This sentiment is evident the moment one steps inside. The main door welcomes visitors with brushed brass skirting and ribbed wooden detailing, accented by ornamental brass pins that quietly reference traditional Chettinad doors.

Inside, the foyer’s beige marble floor, inlaid with black stone in a timeless chequered pattern, opens into the light-filled living and dining areas. A temple niche with white doors and cane detailing anchors the space beside the entrance, while a corridor to the left guides you to the guest and master bedrooms. The kitchen and utility areas lie directly across from the dining space on the right wing, leading to an olive-green study, and further along, the parents’ bedroom.

Living room

The living room, serene at first glance, slowly unravels into a rich tapestry of textures. Here, pared-back seating allows Obetee’s handwoven rugs and cushions to stir a delicate play of sensation and sight through their intricate weaves and earthy tones of maroon, beige, green, and blue.

Across the room, a wooden TV console rests against wainscoting, its paneling topped with a veneered band inlaid with darker wood motifs. These motifs, along with the console’s rounded legs, echo a language of curves that continues throughout the home, mirrored in the arched doorways, mandir pillars, and furniture. As Pratyusha rightly notes, “In the room, nothing calls for attention, yet everything holds it.”

Dining

The dining area centers around a stone table and colonial-style chairs from Aanai, while a striking mural behind gently draws the eye. Crafted by Kalakaari Haath, it channels the opulence of ancient India in a sweep of colours and imagery that feel both timeless and arresting. It becomes a natural focal point, sparking conversations and turning everyday meals into shared stories. Ingeniously, it also doubles as a shutter concealing a compact bar.

kitchen

Nearby, the kitchen features deep blue cabinetry and white stone counters, grounded by muted Athangudi tiles. “These handmade tiles are usually vibrant and bold, but we opted for a subtler design. This is proof that tradition and modernity can co-exist in gentler ways,” says Pratyusha.

Master bedroom

A calm and cocooning retreat, the master bedroom finds its defining feature in the wallpaper cornice by Design by Metamorph. It is a delicate floral border in pastel pinks, blues, and beiges. This element descends subtly onto the wall opposite the bed. It transforms into a refined moulding that frames a mid-century wooden console.

Atop the console, a Madhubani painting picks up the cornice’s palette, while bamboo wall sconces nearby echo its organic lines. The oversized headboard and bedding harmonize with these soft tones, completing a serene sanctuary.

Guest bedroom

The guest bedroom contrasts with a minimalist palette of black and white. The dark-stained bed and side tables, along with the block printed headboard and bedding, form an intimate, textured haven. A pastel blue wardrobe softens the contrast, bringing a calm, refreshing note to the space.

Parents’ bedroom

Floral wallpaper framed in rounded arches defines the parents’ bedroom. Its presence forms a quiet vignette visible from the living area. A wooden bed, layered with plush textiles, and flanked by pared-back side tables and lamps, lends the room a gentle, restful poise.

The wood and wicker wardrobe continues the material dialogue. Its bespoke handles nod subtly to the living room arches, while a Jaipur Rugs piece introduces warm rust tones.

“What began as a dialogue between the family’s differing leanings, with the husband inclined toward modernity and the wife toward tradition, has gradually shaped Sukoon into a distinctly modern Indian home,” Pratyusha reflects. The south indian house distills lessons from India’s deep reservoir of craft and architecture into a space attuned to today’s way of living. In the endurance of wisdom and the persistence of the handmade, the home finds its truest luxury.

At the end, Sukoon does not close the conversation between past and present; it pauses, leaving the future to write its own.

Fact File

Designed by: House of Katha

Project Type: Residential Interior Design

Project Name: Sukoon

Location: Bangalore

Project Size:  2700  Sq.ft

Principal Designer: Pratyusha Kethinedi

Photograph Courtesy: Jubin Johnson

Stylist: Drisha Jain

Firm’s Website Link: House of Katha

Firm’s Instagram Link: House of Katha

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