The ‘House of Idiosyncrasies’ began as an intriguing challenge—a project that embodied the nuances of individuality and contrast. The clients, a young couple with distinct personalities and varied tastes, approached us with a unique canvas: two mirrored 2BHK apartments combined into a single expansive 3BHK home. Their request was simple yet profound—a space that celebrated their differences while creating harmony through a thoughtful approach to modern interior apartment design. Moreover, this is where DR&W found its muse.
Editor’s Note: “The House of Idiosyncrasies is a thoughtful exploration of spatial identity. Transforming structural challenges into moments of brilliance, the materials speak loudly, and volumes change with purpose. It’s an apartment that is both grounded and dynamic, where no two corners are the same, but everything just feels like home.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
This 3BHK Home Showcases Modern Interior Apartment Design | DR&W: Design, Research and Workshop
Walking into the Pune apartment for the first time, I was struck by its latent potential. The central space, flanked by two interconnected balconies, exuded an openness that felt inviting. At the same time, the mirrored layout presented an inherent symmetry that we decided to disrupt.
I remember standing in the middle of that space and imagining how we could inject personality into every corner while respecting its structural identity. The resulting design would become an exploration of asymmetry, materiality, as well as the celebration of unique elements.
We envisioned the heart of the home—the expansive living and dining area—as a place where textures and finishes could tell their own stories. To elevate the space’s relatively modest volumes, we introduced verticality through bison board panelling with wooden putties, lending an earthy texture that feels both raw and refined.
The beams that interrupted the ceiling became opportunities rather than obstacles. Softened by gentle curves that added subtle definition while concealing functionality. Lighting was approached with care, incorporating a mix of cove lights, hanging pendants, and surface-mounted fixtures to balance practicality and warmth.
One defining feature is the entryway. A deliberately low-ceilinged vestibule that creates a moment of compression before the expansive living area unfolds. This transition from containment to openness amplifies the spatial experience, guiding the eye and the spirit into the house’s core.
Adjacent to the dining area, a custom white marble dining table with wooden legs takes centre stage. It is accompanied by a credenza in birch ply—its indigo-stained gradient seamlessly blending with its natural texture. Moreover, this interplay of bold and neutral elements became a recurring motif throughout the house.
The open kitchen, integral to the couple’s lifestyle, was imagined as a dynamic space—a hub for conversation, collaboration, and connection. The island counter, clad in Italian marble strips, bridges the kitchen and dining areas.
Its serrated surface subtly disrupts the visual continuity of the marble veins, embracing imperfection as a design feature. Overhead, custom cylindrical stainless steel lights anchor the counter, adding an understated elegance to this vibrant corner. I imagined this space to become a stage for daily rituals. A place for morning coffee, quick meals, or late-night conversations for the couple.
Moving into the private spaces, each room was designed as a unique world, reflecting its inhabitants’ personalities. The study, for instance, is a sanctuary—a concealed wooden cabin that prioritises focus and warmth. From the hidden door integrated into the living area’s panelling to its seamless wooden cladding and bent-glass study table, the space encourages deep work and creative immersion. Furthermore, it was imagined as a retreat within the home, a place to disconnect and concentrate fully.
The master bedroom’s larger volume allowed for layered functionalities. A built-in sofa next to the bed creates an informal seating area, making the room adaptable for both relaxation and interaction.
Here, the imperfections of misaligned beams were transformed into intentional design elements. Vertical wooden columns were introduced to frame and celebrate these irregularities while turning flaws into focal points.
This room reminded me that design is as much about problem-solving as it is about aesthetics—finding beauty in what initially seems challenging.
The children’s bedroom, by contrast, is a vibrant testament to growth and imagination. Designed for a Lego enthusiast, the room incorporates modular design elements that mimic building blocks.
Glass bricks form a playful bed backdrop, while black-and-white tiled side tables double as a chessboard. Additionally, a central carpeted space was left open—a canvas for endless Lego creations.
The balconies, an extension of the living and dining areas, were treated as sensory retreats. Black china mosaic tiles lend a tactile, shimmering quality underfoot, while the ceiling, clad in cloudy marble, reflects diffused sunlight for a soft ambiance, almost emulating the cloudy sky above. Filled with lush greenery and seating, these spaces invite moments of pause, connecting the indoors with Pune’s gentle breezes.
At DR&W, we believe in celebrating materials in their most honest forms. In this house, bison board, birch ply, and raw concrete were not concealed but elevated, becoming protagonists of the design. The concrete column in the kitchen, polished to reveal its raw texture, and the exposed structural elements are a testament to this philosophy. Moreover, the result is a home that feels lived-in and authentic, with every surface inviting touch and exploration.
The ‘House of Idiosyncrasies’ is more than a residence; it is a dialogue between materials and inhabitants, between structure and personality. It’s a space where the familiar meets the unexpected. For me, this project is a reminder that true beauty lies in embracing imperfections and contradictions, turning them into stories that resonate deeply with those who call it home.
Fact File
Designed by: DR&W: Design, Research and Workshop
Project Type: Residential Interior Design
Project Name: House of idiosyncrasies
Location: Wakad, Pune, Maharashtra
Project Size: 2000 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Jay Shah
Team Design Credits: Tanay Bora & Nikhil Yadav
Photograph Courtesy: Vivek Eadara
Contractors: Sevalal Interiors, Saee Interiors (Loose Furniture Carpentry)
Firm’s Instagram Link: DR&W: Design, Research and Workshop
For Similar Projects >> Interior Classic Design Blends Elegance And Luxury In A Bustling City Apartment
This residential project is a celebration of material purity and timeless simple design. Here, the rich, warm tone of natural walnut becomes the unifying element across the entire home. The clients, an elderly couple, envisioned a house where walnut would dominate the interiors. Here, no other colors disrupt the visual harmony. This simple yet demanding […]
In a city where homes often compete for attention through ornament and excess, The Nordic Luxe Residence takes a far more assured route. It wins you over with restraint, clarity, and a quietly elevated hand. It is designed for a family that wanted a fully move-in-ready 4BHK modern Indian home delivered within an uncompromising four-month […]
The Archive Home is not just a home—it’s a narrative of two extraordinary souls who call themselves wildlife enthusiasts. Their journeys take them deep into the wilderness every few months, capturing rare frames that have found their way into renowned magazines and the wider world of wildlife. Add to that a husband who can mesmerize […]
Spanning 2200 sq. ft., this 4BHK apartment designed by Studio Inside Out is a finely tuned symphony of rooted design, soft tones, tactile finishes, and thoughtful detailing. “Every space has been planned with a balance of aesthetics and practicality, creating a home that feels rooted, personal, and intuitively luxurious,” shares Ms. Samruddhi Kulkarni and Mr. […]
The concept was to bring the warmth of a traditional South Indian home into a modern city apartment. The goal was to blend two worlds. One of them was the nostalgia of the client’s roots and the practicality of their current urban lifestyle. It is a fusion where traditional materials meet modern shapes. It creates […]
OneDot1 Design Studio approached Neptune Residence with a clear design intent: to create interiors that feel timeless, welcoming, and emotionally grounding. The vision centered around soft tones, natural textures, and warm lighting—an environment where modern aesthetics meet the subtle richness of lived-in comfort. Avoiding unnecessary ornamentation, the design relies on material expression and spatial clarity. […]
Designing the Gupta family’s four-bedroom residence meant crafting a home that could gracefully evolve with time. The clients—a couple and their two sons—approached us with a clear brief: a home that feels modern but endures, elevated yet comforting, and above all, one that functions seamlessly for a family that values both togetherness and privacy. They […]
Designing a home is always a dialogue between functionality, aesthetics, and the people who inhabit it. The Rathi Residence, designed by interior designer Bhavana Chandak, is a thoughtful exploration of modern contemporary living. Completed in 2025 in Aurangabad, this 1800-square-foot residence with a pop of color transforms a compact footprint into a home that feels […]
“The designers envisioned Oasis Within as a contemporary 3 bhk apartment where calm, material sensitivity, and spatial clarity take precedence over overt expression.” Designed as a three-bedroom residence, the project explores a restrained palette of warm neutrals, tactile surfaces, and softly articulated forms, allowing each space to feel distinct yet deeply connected to a unified […]
High above the city, on the 54th floor, Sthira finds its grounding not in spectacle, but in a sense of steadiness that moves quietly through the inviting home. The family wanted a place that felt pure and enduring. Somewhere the pace softened, the eye rested, and every room held a quiet assurance of being lived in, not […]