A house named “Dehleez” (which means “threshold” or “entrance” in several South Asian languages) is particularly fitting for a Mediterranean home that blends modern techniques and traditional interior design. The concept of a threshold represents the idea of transition, bridging the past and the present vibrant colours. This is much like how a home’s interior design bridges traditional and modern colours and techniques.
“Eclectic Traditional with a Vibrant Mediterranean Flair.” This interior style combines elements of traditional design with a bold, colourful aesthetic reminiscent of Mediterranean influences. The use of intricate patterns, vibrant blue accents, and detailed cabinetry highlights the eclectic nature, while the arched doorway and ornate door design draw from traditional architectural motifs. The juxtaposition of classic forms with lively colours and patterns creates a unique, inviting space that seamlessly blends tradition with modern vibrancy.
Editor’s Note: “Blending the rich hues of the Mediterranean with the timeless beauty of South Asian tradition, Dehleez tells a story that echoes the past. Arched doorways, stained glass, and bold design elements celebrate culture, artistry, and elegance. Classic artefacts and a hand-painted ceiling motif add a personal touch, creating a space that is both unique and enduring.” ~Simran Khare
The Interior has a Mediterranean Flair | MDC Architects (Mandala Design Consortia)
The existing penthouse features a unique central courtyard on the lower floor, visible from the upper floor too, although not accessible from all rooms on the lower floor. Our redesign of the living and dining areas now allows these spaces to have direct access to the central courtyard, which features arched, openable doors. Arched doorways with stained glass remain cherished in traditional architectural design for their elegance and timeless beauty. Digital printing technology has revolutionised the effect of stained glass, blending tradition with innovation. This method enables architects and designers to craft stunning, bespoke stained-glass elements, honouring the past while embracing the future.
The entrance foyer sets the tone for your home, making a lasting first impression. The entrance to the Mediterranean interior house design is marked by an intricately carved wooden door, showcasing traditional Indian craftsmanship. The detailed Ganesha carvings depict spiritual symbols and motifs, inviting you into a space of peace and reflection. Foyer, a striking blue console with laser-cut traditional Indian motifs, serves as a focal point, adding intricate patterns that evoke cultural richness. The foyer is designed with two primary access points: the main entrance to the house and the central courtyard. A multi-coloured glass, hanging light fixture casts a warm, welcoming glow. Opposite the console, a white, handmade traditional mural offers a serene and culturally rich backdrop, showcasing Indian artistry. A wooden ethnic bench provides both seating and aesthetic appeal, reflecting precise craftsmanship.
The entrance to the house features a striking blue door, adorned with digitally printed glass. The house entrance showcases a wooden integrated console and mirror, adding a traditional touch to the space. As a Brahma Kumari believer, the temple in the entrance embodies spiritual as well as cultural heritage. The walls and ceiling of the temple, painted in shades of white and gold motifs, reflect the Brahma Kumaris’ focus on simplicity and purity.
Designing an elegant and traditional living room is an art, especially when incorporating elements that reflect classical design. A standout feature is the hand-painted ceiling motif, a timeless detail that enhances the room’s aesthetic and cultural heritage. The living room opens with two large arched windows overlooking a central courtyard. Strategically placed artefacts demonstrate a deep appreciation for history, artistry, and spatial dynamics.
The dining area features motifs in the panelling, enhanced with a digital touch and painted with gold leafing and blue tones. The existing carved dining table and chairs are revamped to match the interior palette. The kitchen combines modern simplicity with traditional handles, creating a fusion of old and new. The dining area opens to the central courtyard through two arched doors, allowing natural light and ventilation into the dining and kitchen spaces.
The dining passage seamlessly transitions into the master bedroom. The bedroom design masterfully blends tradition with contemporary flair, focusing on a traditional-themed bed paired with matching side tables. The furniture is crafted with intricate details that echo timeless elegance, while the touch of blue adds a modern twist.
This blend of classic design and current colour trends creates a space that is both culturally rich and stylishly contemporary, embodying the essence of the present era. The walk-in wardrobe combines Sabyasachi wallpaper with beige tones, creating a harmonious blend of classic and modern aesthetics.
Both bathrooms embrace an ethnic theme, featuring traditional washbasin counters and tiles with motifs and patterns that echo the traditional era in a contemporary setting. This design approach ensures that every element of the master suite exudes sophistication and cultural richness.
The parents’ bedroom is a sanctuary of classic elegance, enriched with wooden accents that evoke a sense of timeless charm. The design features a wooden touch throughout, lending a warm and inviting atmosphere to the space.
The flooring tiles make a dramatic statement with hints of gold, adding a touch of luxury and sophistication. Paired with tinted gold handles on furniture and fixtures, the room exudes a subtle opulence.
A striking metal staircase gracefully ascends from the courtyard. Thus, serving as a focal point that seamlessly integrates architectural beauty with functional design. Moreover, against a backdrop of tinted gold walls, the staircase stands out, exuding an aura of elegance and sophistication.
Enhancing the staircase’s ascent are traditional wooden frames strategically arranged along the skirting wall. These frames not only add visual interest but also guide the eye upward. Moreover, emphasizing the path to the upper floor with timeless charm.
The upper floor design epitomizes a seamless blend of functionality and aesthetics. The spaces are designed to cater to diverse needs. Thus, offering private sanctuaries like the daughter’s bedroom alongside communal areas such as the family living room. Each area features furnishings and finishes that balance comfort and style, creating an atmosphere of warmth and relaxation.
From the lush green terrace with its refreshing blue Galicha tiles to the inviting common terrace, the design encourages outdoor enjoyment and connection with nature. These spaces are not just functional extensions of the home but also settings for memorable gatherings and moments.
In conclusion, “Dehleez” is not just a name but a concept that embodies the spirit of your home. It reflects the harmonious fusion of modern era and traditional design elements, making it a perfect choice for a house that stands as a testament to the beauty of blending the old with the new.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this project is how it reflects the client’s vision while pushing the boundaries of conventional design. A project is a celebration of creativity, innovation, and attention to detail. It showcases what happens when traditional design principles are reimagined through a modern lens, creating a space that is both inspiring and enduring.
Fact File
Designed by: MDC Architects (Mandala Design Consortia)
Project Type: Residential Interior Design
Project Name: ”Dehleez”
Location: Old Padra Road, Vadodara, Gujarat
Year Built: May 2024
Project Size: 3700 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Ar. Mihir Ashara
Photograph Courtesy: Pixellus Photography
Products / Materials / Vendors: Furnishing: V9 Home Decor / Wall covering / Cladding: Mr.Jimish Lighting: Prizm Lighting / Doors and Partitions: Mr.Jasraj / Sanitary ware: Jaguar / Windows: Domal window / Furniture: Mr.Jasraj / Flooring : Ceramic Shoppe / Paint: Asian Paints
Firm’s Instagram Link: MDC Architects (Mandala Design Consortia)
For Similar Project >> The Minimalist Design Gives A Feeling Of Simplicity And Sophistication
A 6,500-square-foot house in a peaceful Hyderabad neighbourhood tells a story through arches in interior design, light, shadow, texture, and time rather than words. Meghana Nimmagadda founded the award-winning boutique design studio Designtales, which is responsible for this most recent residential project. Designtales is well-known for its intensely individualised approach to interior design. They create […]
A 3-bedroom apartment with beige interiors hosts a Maharashtrian couple and their two daughters as its residents. The home’s main boast is its huge, full-height windows that let in ample sunlight – a fact which later became a key guiding point in designing the interior space. With Beige Interiors, This Apartment Unfolds Comfort | Agneya […]
The project with wooden interior represents more than just interior design; it was about creating an emotional bridge between two worlds. Kerala’s rich architectural heritage, with its emphasis on natural materials, intricate wooden craftsmanship, and connection to nature, needed to be thoughtfully translated into a modern urban context without losing its authentic character. Gandhi understood […]
Nestled within one of Chennai’s most sought-after and affluent neighbourhoods, The Chic Sanctuary is a quiet luxury style 2025 sq. ft. apartment that stands as a serene and stylish oasis amidst the vibrant energy of the city. Designed with a strong sense of modern sophistication and understated luxury, this home masterfully balances aesthetics with functionality, […]
In a city that rarely sleeps, this house finds calm with neutral interiors. Nestled in the buzzing heart of Mulund, Mumbai, lies a serene sanctuary where design speaks in hushed tones and emotions find form in monochrome whispers. “Whispers of White”, a residential project by Disha Maniyar, principal designer of The Next Step Interiors, is […]
In a city constantly balancing between the fast-paced and the familiar, this serene apartment for Gurjar family in Mulund unfolds like a quiet retreat. Titled The Woven Story, this 4BHK apartment was envisioned as a coming together of different individualities, tastes, and styles, an interior narrative that acknowledges contrast yet seeks cohesion. The brief was […]
The Jade House is a celebration of green interiors through colour, texture, and thoughtful functionality. A home where every design element has been carefully curated to reflect the personality of its residents while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. Named after the precious jade stone, the home takes inspiration from its lush green tones, which appear gracefully […]
Tucked away in a bustling Bangalore neighbourhood, Anubhav is more than just a home—it’s a feeling, an experience. Designed for a young couple from Assam with a modern eye and a deep love for the arts, this 1500 sq. ft. three-bedroom apartment captures the essence of boho interior design through farmhouse chic living with a […]
When a client from Mumbai’s eastern suburbs—a quiet father-son duo, one of whom is a budding musician—approached us to design their home, it set the stage for a poetic confluence of two creative disciplines: architecture and music. It’s always a rare pleasure when design engages in dialogue with another form of cultural expression, and in […]
When one imagines a home inspired by South Indian style, the mind conjures an air of vernacular warmth—wooden tones, saturated hues, and the scent of sandalwood mingling with earthy nuances. ‘Vasudhalayah’ brings these images to life, transforming them into a 5000 sq ft abode in Bengaluru, where Mediterranean design sensibilities subtly echo through the fusion […]