For a family that has lived across more than fifty countries, home was never tied to a single place. In their Mumbai apartment, Kiko House, it all comes together.
The clients wanted a home that could hold memories from different parts of the world without feeling disjointed or overly curated. “Kiko, meaning returning home, was always about a feeling of belonging,” says Ar. Anuja Marudgan.
The apartment came as a builder-finished shell, with a limited scope for structural changes. Resolving these constraints while keeping the space calm and cohesive became the central challenge. The design team opened the study to the living area, extending the line of sight. They expanded the kitchen for daily use. Neutral materials and consistent detailing keep the focus on the objects within the home.
Kiko House Brings Fifty Countries of Memories Into One Mumbai Home | Ikigai Studio
Kiko House entrance has a black-and-white patterned floor that marks the shift from outside to within. Above, a black curved border frames a striped wallpaper insert. An arched opening breaks the corridor. It frames the view ahead. Panelled walls, a slim console, and a mirror line one side. Warm lantern lighting softens the space.
The corridor opens into the living room. A hand-painted cabinet anchors the space. Its dark base and crane motifs catch the eye on entry. “It was once a plain wooden piece, an heirloom from the client’s great-grandfather. Now it’s my favourite element in the house. I love how it pulls the space together,” the designer notes. A neutral sofa and sage-toned chairs sit around a low wooden coffee table. A rug sourced during the clients’ travels grounds the room.
The dining area continues the layering. A marble-topped table sits on a darker base, surrounded by cane-backed chairs that bring in texture and lightness. Above, a sculptural chandelier softens the geometry.
Beyond, the kitchen stays connected to the dining but feels visually held. Muted sage cabinetry and warm wood define the space, with open shelves on one side holding vintage canisters, some over a century old. A coffee and wine station extends the kitchen for daily use.
Adjacent to the dining space, the glass-enclosed study introduces a more personal layer. It carries an Indiana Jones-like spirit, like a private field archive tucked within the home. Inside, souvenirs grouped by destinations and continents mark lived moments.
A cognac leather sofa anchors the space and creates a pause. Its transparency links the study to the home while keeping it a quiet world of its own.
Beyond the shared spaces, Kiko House slows down. The master bedroom envelops you in earthy textures and soft neutrals, reflecting memories of time lived in Dubai. A fluted headboard anchors the bed, while vertical panelling and soft striped wallpaper add depth without visual noise.
Pendant lights replace traditional bedside lamps, keeping the space calm and uncluttered. A balcony filled with dense greenery extends the room outward, creating a quiet retreat within the city.
When you enter the daughter’s room, it forms a restrained unicorn-inspired world built on a pastel palette. Scalloped forms run continuously across walls and key surfaces, creating a unified rhythm. A muted rainbow headboard anchors the composition, while layered fabric detailing introduces enclosure without heaviness.
Customised furniture scaled for the child, such as a low-height mirror, supports independent use. The design balances imagination and control, designed to evolve as she grows.
The activity room encourages hands-on exploration, especially for the daughter, who is introduced to many interests. A full-height burgundy built-in unit combines storage, display, and workspace. Musical instruments and craft materials stay visible for daily use. Cane baskets store supplies, while overhead cabinets hold sports equipment like swimming gear and badminton rackets. With no conventional seating, the space stays open for movement and informal activity.
The guest bedroom is restrained and adaptable, defined by a minimal palette and inherited furniture. One wall is left open for future memories, allowing the space to evolve over time. Even the smaller spaces carry their own identity. The powder room is tactile, with subtle. Moroccan-influenced tiles and handcrafted finishes. Sculptural fixtures and warm lighting give it an intimate, cinematic feel.
The master bathroom uses vintage mirrors and a bathtub as the focal point, and opens to a balcony, bringing in light and greenery. Across the home, variation is held through restraint. Materials, colours, and detailing are kept consistent, so each space stands apart but still feels connected.
Between departures and returns, Kiko House holds still. It resists the idea of completion. Each return adds something small, each journey leaves something behind. Coming back feels familiar, as if the house has been quietly living in between.
Fact File
Designed by:
Project Name: Ikigai Studio
Location: Pune
Year Built : 2026
Built-up Area: 2300 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Anuja Marudgan
Photograph Courtesy: studio_colourblind
Interior Furnishings: Gulmar Lane, Tianu, The Pure Concept
Lights: Radhika Sanghvi
Artist: Rudranee Chiman
Stylist: Krei Studios
Firm’s Website Link: Ikigai Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: Ikigai Studio
For Similar Project >> A Mindful Design Exuding Vibrancy And Plush Taste With An Equal Sense Of Calmness
Every home has a story, and Project Prarabdh is one that unfolds gently through curves, textures, soft tones, and thoughtful details. Designed for a family that values calmness, warmth, and functional simplicity, the project brings together minimal aesthetics and expressive craftsmanship. From the entrance to the kids’ room, each space follows a quiet rhythm. Curves […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The door design for main door is a defining feature of any Indian home, embodying both style and cultural significance. In a country rich with diverse architectural traditions, the entrance to your home reflects not only personal taste but also cultural heritage. Whether you’re drawn to the intricate carvings of traditional Indian door designs or […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]
We have listed the 20 Best Architects and Designer in Ahmedabad, Gujarat who has shaped some of the best architectural residences and commercial spaces. Of the many architects in Ahmedabad, these shortlisted few are the ones with an array of award-winning projects done by them that puts them over the edge which will aid you […]