Editor’s Note: Incredibly quaint in nature, this abode is an apt example of simple yet effective designs dedicated to studio apartments. The spaces are delightful because of a blissful designer’s touch that personalizes the entire look and mood. For a bustling city like Mumbai, this apartment surely gives that much-needed comfort. ~ Nishal Sevak

This apartment, nestled in the greenery of eastern Mumbai, is the house of a young Architect and his wife, a Dermatologist. Purchased as two studio apartments, it has been re-imagined and combined into a one-bedroom apartment. Venus Apartment represents a marriage of Parisian and Arabian influence created with Indian materials inspired by the architect’s brief residence in said countries.

Venus Apartment Represents a Marriage of Parisian and Arabian Influence Created With Indian Materials | Techton

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The original layout was stripped down at the outset to maximize the limited footprint. This meant removing the kitchen partition wall, realigning the bathrooms and even replacing all the existing doors with salvaged teak-wood panel doors.

The decision to make a space that was mindful of the environment and at the same time did not compromise on aesthetics was deliberate. Hence, refurbished and upcycled materials formed the basis of several design choices.

On entering this north-facing apartment, we are greeted with a flood of natural light. The living space flows into an open kitchen area. The floating dining table is strategically placed to merge the two zones giving the house a spacious appearance and arbitrary separation of rooms.

A linear ledge running along the length of the window provides additional storage while being the perfect seating for a hot beverage amidst the Mumbai monsoons.

The interior takes on a colorful palette, which creates an overarching harmony with highlights of wood and white quartz. Within the apartment, whimsical colors demarcate different areas. For instance, the kitchen undertakes black and grey tones with the simplicity of white overhead cabinets & walls.

Behind its arched door, the powder room takes a more fanciful approach where grey glazed tiles are coordinated with a sky-blue wallpaper giving it a sense of entering a different realm.

The warmth of terracotta-colored walls accompanied by the wooden doors in the living room embraces you in a cozy vibe that instantly makes you feel at home. With its deep blues and muted greys, the bedroom transports you to a rather demure resting space. The master bathroom showcases black glazed tiles and a unique terracotta red grout that adds a tinge of flair. It opens up into a concealed yet vibrant walk-in closet.

This project is an exploration of materiality and different textures. Artifacts and trinkets collected from travels adorn the house giving it its personality which is non-traditional and quirky. The artwork is an amalgamation of the couple’s abstract and picturesque tastes.

Plants form an essential aspect in the decor of their home as they firmly believe in incorporating nature as a living element in the design. The wood used for the furniture is reclaimed 60–80-year-old teak sourced from the by-lanes of old Mumbai giving the home an aged richness while the center table is upcycled from a wooden crib.

The house much like its namesake – the Roman goddess Venus – exudes beauty and love, providing a welcoming escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and forming a haven for the young couple to enjoy company and relax within the private confines of their home.

Fact File

Designed by: Techton

Project Type: Residential Interior Design

Project Name: Venus Apartment

Location: Mumbai, Maharastra

Year Built: 2023

Duration of the project: 4 Months

Built-up Area: 590 Sq.ft

Principal Architect: Zaheed Lokhandwala

Photograph Courtesy: Murtaza Gandhi

Products / Materials / Vendors: Construction Materials – Wood, Stone, Tiles / Lighting – Liberty Lights Sanitaryware – Jaquar, Aquant, Parryware, Plumber / Windows – Goodluck Glass / Furniture – Galaxy Enterprises, Al-Burhani Creations / Flooring – Rosetta / Kitchen – Signet Kitchen / Paint – Asian paints Artefacts – The Plated Project, Ugaoo, Ikea India

Firm’s Instagram Link: Techton

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