search
  • A Bigger Space Adjoining 3 Bedroom Apartments | Alkove-Design

    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

    Design Concept

    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.”

    3 bedroom apartments

    Low-storey Height

    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.”

    3 bedroom apartments

    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 LivingDining, 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. 

    Spatial Layout

    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.

    Traditional Charm

    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.

    Exquisite Furniture

    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.” 

    Cohesive Design

    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 File

    Designed 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



    The White Interiors in This 4,000 sq. ft. Home Define a New Design Style | Designtales

    Local studio Designtales designed this 4,000 sq. ft. show flat in Hyderabad, defining it through a quiet interplay of styles and bathed in white interiors. The design unfolds through a curated mix of forms, textures and tones – quietly echoing the elegance of a pearl. They have created a home that feels layered, inviting, and […]

    Read More

    This Artistic House is an Ideal Amalgamation of Innovation & Art | A&K Design Studio

    The ideal example of innovation and artistic house expression comes from Elcid – a residential project designed by A&K Design Studio. They conceived the house with the client’s remarkable art collection in mind, creating each space to maximize vibrancy and enhance the display of majestic art. This Artistic House is an Ideal Amalgamation of Innovation […]

    Read More

    This Minimal Apartment In Bangalore Defines ‘Less is More’ | RN Deesign

    Designed a 1300 sq ft 3bhk minimal apartment; this being our very first project in Bangalore, Karnataka has not only given us 1300 sq ft of space for designing, but has made us believe in ourselves more than we could have imagined as there was budget constraint leaving us with no scope for developing 3d […]

    Read More

    Pushkarni Channels cultural Continuity With Open Floor Plan | HabitArt Architecture Studio

    Rooted in Tradition, Designed for Reflection with an open floor plan design. Pushkarni is more than a home; it is a contemporary sanctum that channels stillness, reflection, and cultural continuity. Pushkarni Mane (Ma-ney in Kannada, meaning “home”) was envisioned as a spatial pause, a meditative interlude in the otherwise hurried rhythm of modern life. The […]

    Read More

    This Contemporary Minimalist Interior Design Adds Refined Sophistication | Kiran Gala & Associates

    The design follows a “Contemporary Minimalist Interior Design” theme, where clean lines, simplicity, and functional spaces dominate. Key elements include a color palette, natural textures, and strategic use of accent colors in statement furniture and wall treatments to add warmth and vibrancy. This Contemporary Minimalist Interior Design Adds Refined Sophistication | Kiran Gala & Associates […]

    Read More

    With Spatial Interior Design, This Home Reimagines Urban Living | The Blue Wall Studio  

    Perched on the 34th floor of Raheja Imperia in Lower Parel, Canopy Crest is a 1,850 sq. ft. home that reimagines urban living with spatial interior design as a poetic interplay between nature, form, and feeling. Designed by Vidhi Duggad Bhagat of The Blue Wall Studio, the space is more than just a modern home–it […]

    Read More

    Quiet Elegance Shapes This Three-Bedroom Home | Jash Kadakiia Design Studio

    In the heart of Mumbai’s suburban sprawl, this three-bedroom home for a mother-daughter duo blends thoughtful architecture, warm materiality, and quiet elegance to create a timeless sanctuary. Nestled within the bustling suburbs of Mumbai, this rare spacious home was designed for a dynamic pair—a doctor with a demanding schedule and her multitalented daughter, who juggles […]

    Read More

    This Home Evokes Comfort by Embedding Warm Tone Colors | Bonita Casa

    It’s a calming haven with warm tone colors amidst the hustle and bustle of the city of Faridabad. The couple envisioned a calm, warm, and serene space for themselves, and the designers brought that vision to life in this beautiful 3500 sq. ft. home. As soon as you enter this home, you step directly into […]

    Read More

    20 Designs For Kitchen Window Over Sink In India Homes

    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 […]

    Read More

    50 Timeless Pooja Room Door Design For Indian Homes

    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 […]

    Read More
  • Interior Design For Clinic Unfolds As A Canvas Of Tranquility | Neev Design Studio

    A Home Rooted In The Cultural Context Of Pol Houses of Ahmedabad | The Art Container