The home of Anubhav Gupta is a collection of stories across time, bringing together the past, the present, and the future with an underlying theme. Searching for a place he could call his own, he zeroed in on one that spoke most to him – a modest 480 square feet, one-bedroom flat in a vibrant community in Mumbai. Having lived in different cities across the world, he recalls each home he lived in to be rooted contextually to that city. “This one had to be quintessentially Mumbai.” He adds, “I have always been fascinated by the Art Deco interior design, Bollywood glamour, and the city’s vibrant nightlife.”
Editor’s Note: Just like the saying, “Home is where the heart is,” this abode weaves together the eclectic imagination of the client. The collaboration between Studio Vikhroli and Mangrove Collective creates a cosy interior where every corner is adorned with tasteful decor. It is a treasure chest of cherished memories and collectibles, decorated aesthetically without any clutter. – Gopika Pramod
A Curious talk of Art Deco Interior Design | Studio Vikhroli & Mangrove Collective
Anubhav elaborates, “I made 3 buckets across time – what I wanted to bring from my past; how I wanted to live in the present and where my aspirations were headed for the foreseeable future.” It seems to have been an exhilarating journey for him, being both client and designer, “This time travel exercise was quite enlightening – it was a story which I could creatively script the way I wanted.”
For his home, he sought to create an urban style that is compact yet productive, versatile yet not devoid of culture, soul-lifting yet rooted to context, and, most importantly timeless in the way things age.
Anubhav is also an avid art collector, with his collection at home essaying as a set of characters almost like theatre – The Blacksmith, The Clown, The Actor, The Saint, The Lady, The Samurai, The Collector and so on. The walls and surfaces of his new space are brought to life with this collection along with antiquity, objects, toys and his love for vintage motorcycles.
He started with deconstructing all non-structural walls to reconfigure the space minimizing utility areas for optimal use. The heart of the house is a day-lit, open kitchen with a bar table, adjacent to a home office that also doubles up as a dining space.
Anubhav mentions, “the dining table is a ‘found’ log of oak that was naturally split down the middle and repaired by an infill of brass much like the Japanese technique of Kintsugi.” The table lamp is repurposed from a 100-year-old German bicycle headlight.
The warm heart at the center of the home opens generously into the living room, making it look larger and airier. The room is anchored by a comfortable couch and a light settee, crafted in wood and leather, allowing for the host to entertain from behind the kitchen counter.
The center table is adapted from an antique thangka monastery door framed in brass, which also works as a display case for found objects. On the far-right corner is an period console reminiscent of an apothecary’s desk adorned all over by hand-painted mirror revealing the artist’s signature in its aged patina which casts playful reflections.
The day-lit, airy master bedroom is demarcated by a black framed fluted glass door partition, which adds to the depth of the apartment. The bed is elegantly crafted in oak and punctuated with woven leather on its headboard. The vanity table in black Marquina marble and brass framed by bespoke light fittings, extends the volume of the bedroom. On the terminal wall rests The Actor, a painting in knife and palette style of the doyen of Bollywood.
Anubhav reveals, “When the entire home is illuminated with candles, a comforting yet playful dance of shadows and firelight across various reflective surfaces instantly transports me across time – lifting my soul yet making me feel rooted to this space that is as much an extension of me, and my story as it is of bricks and mortar.”
Fact File
Designed by: Studio Vikhroli & Mangrove Collective
Project Type: Residential Interior Design
Project Name: A604 The Trees
Location: Vikhroli, Mumbai
Project Size: 480 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Anubhav Gupta
Photograph Courtesy: Manoj Jadhav
Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio Vikhroli & Mangrove Collective
For Similar Project>>Artistic Design Approach with Minimal, Organic and Cheerful Material Palette
The fusion of mid-century modern style and contemporary Indian elements in this 2500-square-foot property nestled in Gandhinagar represents a harmonious blend that celebrates nature’s beauty while providing residents with a serene haven. The design narrative, open kitchen living room intricately weaves a seamless connection between the interior and exterior, emphasizing the importance of integrating natural […]
Showcasing a beautiful amalgamation of Indian aesthetics with a modern touch, Saldhana Vilas in Bengaluru is a multi-generational home for a family where three generations seamlessly co-exist. The young couple working in the IT sector, hailing from Kerala and Mangalore with two boys aged four and one and a granny deserved a space that was […]
A project is so close to my heart. The client is a dear friend and former college roommate, a resident of Dubai originally from a small village in Thrissur, Kerala. A significant advantage of this project was my familiarity with her tastes, likes, and dislikes, as well as my understanding of her personality and preferences. […]
The project was deeply influenced by the unique site context. Balancing the design of the temple and the house was a significant challenge. While the house interiors followed a contemporary modern aesthetic, the temple required a traditional approach. We worked carefully to harmonize both styles, ensuring they complemented each other while meeting the client’s needs. […]
A 3-BHK home’s interior design always offers a special chance to combine the client’s vision with inventiveness. The client’s request for this project focused on a calming beige color scheme with bohemian-inspired design elements infused with Mediterranean elements. Editor’s Note: This 3-BHK home breathes warmth and ease, unfolding like a story woven with soft hues […]
The vision for Mr. Utkarsh Khemani’s residence, located in Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, was to craft a luxurious, sophisticated residence reflecting Mr. Khemani’s status and refined taste. The residence was designed featuring warm, rich color palettes, premium materials, and elegant finishes and textures in interior design. The feature of the residence is its spatial planning, […]
For this project, the client and US had a very clear vision for their home. The theme of this home design revolves around modern Indian thought with minimal furniture and maximum functional spaces. The furniture layout reflects efficient planning to accommodate the family of five in this cozy 3BHK. The use of single wooden laminate […]
The exciting challenge presented to us was from a wonderful family of six, consisting of a couple, their two kids, and their parents, making it a 6 bedroom house design. The objective was to create an interior that exuded grandeur and modernity. Each room was tailored to match the preferences of its intended user, creating […]
The design brief for this apartment, spanning 1300 sq. ft. house design, aimed to create an open, inviting atmosphere with plenty of natural light. The clients, who have demanding jobs, wanted a home that offered comfort and tranquility, where they could unwind and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. The goal was to design an efficient, functional […]
The micro-condo project, nestled within the vibrant urban environment of Pune, presented a unique design challenge that required a thoughtful approach to space and aesthetics. Our task was to transform a 2BHK builder-finished apartment, which unfortunately felt devoid of warmth and personality, into a welcoming and inviting home for a young couple. The challenge for […]