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. She and her husband approached me to design the interiors of her 1100 sq. ft. apartment in Thrissur, explaining their needs and requirements to be incorporated in a space that already had a defined spatial dimension, with a focus on incorporating a tropical interior style to reflect their roots and lifestyle.

One of the main challenges was to redesign the space to suit her needs without making the limited area feel congested. The client was also very fond of the colour gold and wanted it to feature prominently throughout the design, along with integrating nature. My challenge was to integrate this bold colour in a way that was both minimal and elegant.

This Tropical Interior Style Reflects Cultural Roots And Contemporary Living | Urban Hive

Open- Plan Layout

The layout was a 2BHK with an open-plan living and dining area that opened to an east-facing balcony, allowing plenty of natural light to flood in each morning. The apartment featured an entrance foyer where we placed a beautiful painting to create a warm welcome for anyone entering the space. Additionally, there was a shoe rack to keep footwear neatly organized and a full-length mirror for a final look before stepping outside.

The living area and dining space were combined. It had a small space to put sofas and to the left side it a pooja room located right next to the seating area.

Another challenge was to conceal it in a way that would not make it stand out in the space but still allow it to maintain its own character and significance inside the pooja space. We demarcated the living room with seating as we didn’t want to separate with a physical barrier. Thus, making the space look even smaller.

Dining area

The seating arrangement in the living room seamlessly integrates the dining area with the living space while maintaining a distinct spatial definition. It also connects to the kitchen through a semi-open design.

They partially opened up the previously closed kitchen on the right to create a semi-open layout. This transformation featured a breakfast counter. Thus, serving as a subtle division between the dining area and the kitchen.

The unique dining set enhances the golden accents of the dining area. Moreover, it harmoniously balances with the wooden elements of the living room, given its role as a central, connecting space.

Kitchen

The kitchen boasts a sleek and minimalistic design with bright yellow cabinets that infuse vibrancy into the space, enhancing the tropical theme. The acrylic cabinet finish pairs with fluted glass upper cabinets framed in gold. Thus, offering a stylish yet functional storage solution that aligns with our theme. The white hexagonal backsplash tiles, paired with a clean white vitrified countertop, create a bright and airy ambiance.

In the kitchen, we swapped the sink and hob, making the window area free of a hood, which otherwise blocked the incoming light. Thus, making it brighter and airier, while recessed and track lighting enhances the overall aesthetic. Moreover, it provides enough light at night. Thoughtfully subtle wooden accents with golden inserts complete the detail.

Wash Area

The wash area was strategically located between the dining space and bedrooms, within the bedroom foyer. We carried forward the same tropical theme into this space. Hexagonal tropical tiles with golden T inserts accentuate the space, adding a touch of elegance and completing the intricate detailing. The towel ring and tap enhance the golden accents. Thus, creating a harmonious balance between the tropical vibe and the luxurious aesthetic in the wash area.

Master Bedroom

On the left side of the living and dinning, the bedrooms were located. In the master bedroom, we reconfigured the layout by relocating the wardrobe to a designated dressing area, better meeting her needs. This adjustment provided ample space for a larger wardrobe.

Guest Bedroom

In the guest bedroom, we added a small worktable to create a comfortable spot for work. By opening up the spaces, the apartment felt larger, letting in more air and light. The concept seamlessly blended the bedrooms with other spaces.

Theme Development

Reflecting on how to use gold effectively, we drew inspiration from Kerala’s traditional culture, costumes and art forms where gold was used so prominently. Kasavu sarees, where gold was used sparingly for the rich gold borders elegantly balanced with beige or off-white cotton cloth, tempering the colour’s intensity while enhancing its beauty. Inspiring from the traditional Kerala art form Kathakali, where gold is gracefully blended with natural colours, creating a balanced aesthetic. This combination beautifully neutralizes the dominance of gold while enhancing the overall aesthetic. From this, conceived the idea of blending gold with earthy tones.

Design Development

We incorporated shades of earthy colours—browns, greens, and yellows—and a beautiful theme evolved out of this combination. And the outcome was a tropical theme incorporating greenery. To accommodate our NRI client’s limited ability to maintain live plants inside an apartment, we’ve to adapt alternative, low-maintenance design elements that provide a similar aesthetics. Wood, Leaf and plant motifs, were used to enforce the tropical theme by integrating them into elements of design such as colors, texture, form and shape, which reflected in the furnishings, wall coverings, and flooring through various materials. The balcony, decorated with natural plants, further enhanced the tropical theme by seamlessly connecting the outdoor and indoor spaces.

Creating an airy and well-lit space is achieved through thoughtful spatial modifications and the careful selection of a colour theme. By incorporating visual effects that encapsulate the essence of nature and a tropical ambiance, the design fosters a seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors. This approach not only enhances the space’s energy but also creates a serene environment. As a result, the beautiful home met both the client’s needs and an architect’s shared vision. Hence, successfully balancing aesthetics with practicality.

Fact File

Designed by: Urban Hive

Project Type: Apartment Interior Design

Project Name: Tropical Encase

Location: Trissur, Ernakulam, Kerala

Year Built: 2023

Duration of the project: 6 Months

Project Size: 1100 Sq.ft

Project Cost: 24 Lakhs

Principal Architect: Ar. Ragima Ramachandran

Team Design Credits: Ar. Nesma Naser, Darsana Ajayakumar & Ar. Althaf Muhammed

Photograph Courtesy: Ar. Midhul K M

Products / Materials / Vendors: CUBOARD WORKS – I DÉCOR / WALLPAPERS – SIVA’S WALLPAPER STUDIO / FLOORING – SIVA’S WALLPAPER STUDIO / CURTAINS – ROOT COTTONS / FURNITURE – M R METAL PRODUCTS / Kitchen – laminated WPC boards / Paint – Asian paints / Wallpaper – canvas printed wall paper, SIVA’S WALLPAPER STUDIO

Consultants for the Project: Civil – Benjamin Franklin / Interior execution – Manikandan / MEP & HVAC Consultants – Varun / Lighting Designers – Urban Hive / Project Managers – Urban Hive

Firm’s Instagram Link: Urban Hive

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