Some homes are designed around aesthetics. Others are designed around people. House of Ayra belongs firmly in the latter category. Located within Mantri Serenity, Bengaluru, this 2,000 sq.ft. residence was envisioned for a young family returning to India after spending several years abroad. Having experienced different cultures, lifestyles, and design sensibilities, the homeowners arrived with a clear understanding of how they wanted their home to feel. They were drawn to spaces that felt refined but not intimidating, luxurious but not excessive, and most importantly, deeply personal.

For Redgrid Architects, the challenge was not simply to create a beautiful home. It was to translate the family’s experiences, aspirations, and routines into a space that would feel unmistakably theirs. From the earliest conversations, one theme emerged repeatedly. The clients wanted a home that would age gracefully. They wanted warmth over trends, character over extravagance, and spaces that would continue to serve their family as their lives evolved.

This philosophy became the foundation for House of Ayra. Rather than relying on dramatic gestures or statement-making design, the project focuses on carefully considered details, layered materials, and thoughtful planning. Every room tells a story, every material has a purpose, and every design decision was guided by how the family would actually live within the space.

House of Ayra: A Mantri Serenity Home Shaped by Personal Stories | Red Grid Architects

Creating Luxury Through Thoughtful Choices

One of the most significant challenges during the project was balancing aspirations with practicality.

Like many homeowners today, the clients came with an extensive collection of references gathered from Pinterest boards, Instagram reels, and international interiors. While these references helped establish a visual direction, they also presented a familiar challenge. The images often showcased materials and construction methods that could significantly impact budgets without necessarily improving functionality. The design process therefore became an exercise in intelligent decision-making. Instead of pursuing luxury through expensive materials alone, the focus shifted towards achieving the desired visual richness through craftsmanship, detailing, and careful material selection.

This philosophy can be seen throughout the home. The pooja room, for instance, appears to be crafted entirely from solid teak wood. In reality, a combination of plywood construction and meticulously detailed veneer finishes was used to create the same warmth and richness while remaining mindful of costs. Similarly, several timber-clad surfaces throughout the residence utilise carefully selected finishes that achieve the appearance of natural wood without compromising durability or budget. The success of the project lies not in how much was spent, but in how thoughtfully every decision was made.

A Living Room Designed for Real Life

The living room establishes the character of the home immediately upon entry.

Warm timber finishes, textured stone surfaces, decorative mouldings, and layered lighting come together to create a space that feels welcoming from the moment one enters. Rather than adopting a minimalist approach, the room embraces comfort and personality.

The television wall combines richly textured stone with warm wooden panelling, creating a focal point that feels elegant without being overwhelming. Decorative wall sconces introduce a soft ambient glow that enhances the material palette and adds depth during the evening hours.

Furniture selection was approached with equal care. The leather sofa, accent chair, area rug, and decorative accessories were chosen not only for their individual appeal but for the atmosphere they collectively create. The result is a room that encourages people to stay, gather, and spend time together.

This idea of creating spaces for connection appears throughout the home and became a recurring theme during the design process.

A Dining Table That Does More Than Dine

Every project brings with it a unique challenge.

For House of Ayra, that challenge arrived in the form of a dining table.

The family wanted a dining solution that could adapt to different occasions while optimising space. What initially seemed like a straightforward requirement quickly evolved into one of the most technically engaging aspects of the project.

The final design incorporates a custom rotating and convertible dining system that seamlessly transforms according to the family’s needs. Achieving this required extensive prototyping, coordination with craftsmen, and multiple rounds of design refinement.

What makes the piece particularly successful is that the engineering remains invisible. It performs its function effortlessly while appearing as a clean and elegant furniture element within the space.

Today, it stands as one of the most distinctive features of the home and serves as a reminder that great design often emerges when creativity meets constraint.

Reinterpreting Tradition

In many Indian homes, the pooja room occupies a special place beyond its physical dimensions.

The clients wanted their spiritual space to feel rooted in tradition while still belonging within a contemporary home. The challenge was to create a room that respected cultural expectations without feeling disconnected from the overall design language.

The solution lies in the careful balance between traditional references and modern execution.

A graceful archway establishes a sense of ceremony and arrival. Veneered surfaces introduce warmth and sophistication. Brass accents add a subtle sense of richness, while a backlit onyx feature creates a serene atmosphere that transforms throughout the day.

The room demonstrates how traditional spaces can be reimagined without losing their essence. It remains deeply familiar while feeling entirely contemporary.

Designing for Childhood

At the heart of the home is Ayra’s room, a space designed to evolve alongside its young occupant.

Rather than creating a room that would quickly feel outdated, the design focuses on flexibility, imagination, and growth. Soft pink tones, playful illustrations, rounded forms, and warm timber finishes create an environment that feels cheerful and nurturing.

The room incorporates several thoughtful elements that encourage learning and creativity. A convertible activity table transitions between different functions, allowing the space to adapt from study area to play zone with ease. Integrated storage ensures toys, books, and learning materials remain accessible without overwhelming the room visually.

Every detail was considered from a child’s perspective while maintaining the overall design language of the home.

The result is a room that feels playful without becoming overly thematic, allowing it to grow naturally alongside its user.

The Beauty of Layered Materials

Throughout House of Ayra, materiality plays a central role in shaping the experience of the home.

The design intentionally avoids relying on a single dominant material. Instead, stone, wood, glass, upholstery, metal, and textured finishes are layered carefully to create depth and visual richness.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the master bedroom.

One of the most striking corners of the home brings together dramatic stone textures, warm timber panelling, soft upholstery, and subtle lighting. While the final composition appears effortless, it is the result of extensive exploration and countless iterations. Material samples were compared repeatedly, proportions were refined, and details were adjusted until the balance felt right.

The success of the space lies in the dialogue between the materials. Each element enhances the next, creating a composition that feels warm, sophisticated, and timeless.

It is easily one of the most loved spaces within the home.

Beyond Trends

Perhaps the most defining characteristic of House of Ayra is its refusal to follow trends.

The project does not seek attention through novelty. Instead, it focuses on creating an environment that feels relevant today and will continue to feel relevant years from now.

The home is contemporary, but not minimal. Luxurious, but not extravagant. Personal, yet universally inviting.

Every room reflects a careful understanding of how the family lives, entertains, works, learns, and gathers. The design responds not only to aesthetic aspirations but also to emotional needs, cultural traditions, and practical realities.

Ultimately, House of Ayra is more than a collection of beautifully designed spaces. It is a home shaped by memories, informed by travel, grounded in family values, and crafted for everyday life.

In a world increasingly driven by fleeting trends, House of Ayra offers something far more enduring: a home with character, warmth, and a story worth telling.

Fact File

Designed by: Red Grid Architects

Project Type: Residential Interior Design

Project Name: ”House of Ayra”

Location: Mantri Serenity, Bangalore

Year Built: 2025 

Duration of the project: 9 Months

Project Size: 2100 Sq.ft  

Project Cost: 50 Lakhs

Principal Architect: Ar. Monika Revankar & Harsh

Team Design Credits: Monika, Kushal, Nisarga

Photograph Courtesy: vedantsharma.photo

Firm’s Website Link: Red Grid Architects

Firm’s Instagram Link: Red Grid Architects

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