The popular saying, “you can take the boy out of the village, but not the village out of the boy”, holds true in most cases. A person’s roots do not change, but as the tree of life grows, new heights and achievements surely give a fresh spin to the basics. Proving this case in point is a modern home in Bengaluru owned by a family of four hailing from a village in Kerala.
Inside a Modern Home in Bengaluru that stands by its Cultural Foundation | By The Riverside
Visit: By The Riverside
In the living room, plush green sofas surround a graphic black-and-white centre table. Across it, a TV unit in timber with rattan detailing and some artwork gifted by Swati put up a sophisticated display.
Behind the sofa, artefacts made of coconut shells arranged in dainty black metal frames quietly garner attention. This installation is something the south Indian couple proudly flaunts and immensely thanks Swati for.
Even though they wanted a home that reflected their current development and status, these little musings reminiscent of their hometown, quickly occupied a corner in their hearts.
Following the serene but exciting living area, a combined kitchen and dining area imbue rustic vibes. A crude-looking, unfinished garden bench underneath playful channapatna lights makes for a cheery set-up. The kitchen, flush with printed backsplash tiles and brass details like cabinetry handles, matches the dining area’s gleeful repartee.
Originally, the dining area was not fused with the kitchen and was a separate space facing the balcony. But the moment Swati stepped in, she knew the potential of the space and wanted to give a more fulfilling function than being a dining area. Courtesy of her intervention, the space is now a patio-like area that overlooks the timber-laden balcony. It is perfect for a tranquil evening filled with silence and tea.
The guest bedroom, where the parents stay when they visit, is awash in a swanky yet grounded outlook. A large accent chair, brought from their old home and reupholstered, hints that the room is all about relaxation and resting.
The master bedroom’s most redeeming feature is the ceiling-to-floor green wardrobe finished with brass hardware. Bracketed by a niche window on one side and the wardrobe on the other, a compact study nook functions as a work-from-home desk for the husband. The fluted details on the desk beautifully amplify the softness of the room.
The children’s bedroom, just like the previous room, makes use of beds from the old home. Lodged between two single beds, is a vintage-looking chest of drawers that takes the aesthetic a notch higher. What’s most innovative about this room is blackboard finished walls that provide the children with full freedom to unleash their creativity and potential to learn, simultaneously.
Fact File
Designed by: By The Riverside
Project Type: Residence Interior Design
Project Name: Under the Palms
Location: Bangalore, Karnataka
Year Built: 2021
Duration of the project: 4 Months
Project Size: 2000 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Swati Seraan
Text Credit: Twinkle Tolani
Photograph Courtesy: Nayan Soni
Firm’s Website Link: By The Riverside
Firm’s Instagram Link: By The Riverside
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