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 that the client’s desire for familiarity wasn’t merely aesthetic; it was deeply rooted in a longing for cultural connection and personal identity within an increasingly homogenised urban landscape.

This 1900-square-foot Bangalore residence features three bedrooms and baths, a living room, a foyer, a powder room, and a kitchen. A clean-lined arrangement provides a comfortable atmosphere for the family of three and their dog. The team meticulously planned the space to maximise both functionality and flow, ensuring each area served multiple purposes while retaining its distinct character. They carefully selected all furniture and furnishings to align with the fusion of traditional and modern aesthetics. Paying close attention to scale, proportion, and the interplay of textures and materials.

Editor’s Note: “Rooted in Kerala’s rich architectural heritage, this home is a celebration of cultural identity amidst a homogenised urban fabric. Warm wooden interiors, sculptural elements, curated artwork, and vibrant pops of colour come together to create a space that seamlessly blends tradition with contemporary sensibilities.”~Rajvi Dedakiya

With Wooden Interior This Home Embraces Kerala’s Spirit | Studio MG

Entrance Foyer Design

Entering the foyer from the main entrance, the inhabitants are met by a cosy atmosphere infused with wood and cane furniture. This transitional space sets the tone for the entire home, immediately signalling the departure from the urban environment outside. Arched entrances with wooden panelling, an architectural intervention found in traditional residences. Further, the team tastefully interpreted these elements with a modern sensibility, ensuring they aligned seamlessly with the project’s contemporary design language. These arches serve both as structural elements and visual anchors, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity throughout the home while paying homage to Kerala’s traditional architecture.

Living Room

The living room’s soft browns and neutrals create a vintage atmosphere that feels both timeless and contemporary. A natural material palette of cane and wood influenced this scheme. The designers carefully balanced the two to maintain visual interest without overwhelming the space. The apartment’s distinctness originates from the seamless combination of contemporary and classical Indian design features. Such as traditional woodwork arches in the living room and foyer. The team sourced these wooden arches from antique furniture stores and traditional residences, then meticulously refurbished them. Further, preserving their original character while adapting them seamlessly to their new context. This approach of reclaiming and repurposing heritage elements speaks to a broader philosophy of sustainable design and cultural preservation.

The designers selected flexible furniture pieces that can be easily reconfigured to suit different occasions, allowing the living room seating arrangement to foster both intimate conversations and larger gatherings. Natural light filters through carefully positioned windows, highlighting the grain of the wooden interior elements and creating dynamic shadows that change throughout the day, bringing the space to life in subtle ways.

Dining Area

The dining area is adjacent to the living space, creating an open yet defined environment for meals and social interaction. Here, arched cabinets add coherence to the design narrative. While the rustic dining table evokes an aura of Wabi-Sabi, the Japanese philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection and impermanence, it resonates with traditional Indian craftsmanship. A wooden pillar with carvings that replicates South Indian architecture lends a unique ethnic dimension to the contemporary design. Further, it serves as a sculptural focal point that grounds the space in cultural authenticity.

Kitchen Layout

An open-plan kitchen borders the dining room, maintaining a clear visual connection while offering practical functional separation. It brings with it a contemporary vibe, using soft lighting, futuristic asymmetrical ceiling lamps, and soft-colored furniture coverings that complement rather than compete with the traditional elements. Cabinet panelling and warm wooden accents delicately enhance the design, creating storage solutions that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing. The design seamlessly integrates the kitchen’s modern appliances, proving that contemporary functionality can uphold traditional aesthetic values without compromise.

Bedroom Designs

All three bedrooms are tastefully designed with ample storage and space. Here, each reflects the home’s overarching design philosophy while addressing specific user needs. The master bedroom blends minimalist ideas with native elements. Further, it gives it a one-of-a-kind character that serves as a peaceful retreat from daily stresses. Built-in wardrobes maximise storage while maintaining clean lines, and traditional textile elements add warmth and personality.

Children’s Bedroom

The children’s bedroom offers generous floor space and storage for a growing child, with design elements that can evolve with changing needs.

Guest Bedroom

The guest bedroom also reflects the balance of old and new, a theme that runs throughout the home, ensuring that visitors experience the same sense of cultural authenticity and modern comfort.

Interior Design Elements

“Bringing together the soul of Kerala with the ease of contemporary living, this home,” as Manisha Gandhi notes, “is a confluence of natural materials, heritage details, and a clean modern aesthetic, shaped by a unique client-designer synergy.” From reclaimed wooden interior, arches and intricately carved pillars to cane furniture, terrazzo flooring, and sage-green cabinetry, every element nods to the craft and heritage that tie the two cultures together. The result is a warm, tactile home that evokes the spirit of Modern India, while being refreshingly modern and rooted to the demands of contemporary Bangalore life.

An Ode to Kerala’s Architecture

A client living in the heart of Bangalore, a city known for its fast-paced life, traffic snarls, and urban chaos, approached Manisha Gandhi, the principal designer at Studio MG. He longed for a personal sanctuary that felt grounded, familiar, and serene. Originally from Kerala, the client wanted his home to be a gentle ode to his home state, bringing in elements of its culture, craftsmanship, and aesthetics. For Manisha, the challenge was to weave a sense of warmth, texture, and rich design vocabulary into the home as an antidote to the hustle and bustle of city life. Further, ensuring it suited the demands of contemporary urban living.

Fact File

Designed by: Studio MG

Project Type: Apartment Interior Design

Project Name: Varnam

Location: Bangalore

Year Built: 2023

Duration of the project: 6 Months

Project Size: 1900 Sq.ft

Principal Designer: Manisha Gandhi

Photograph Courtesy: Justin Sebastian

Products / Materials / Vendors: Wallcovering / Cladding – Limecoat / Lighting – Olie Lighting, Dazzle Doors and Partitions – Magari / Sanitaryware – Kohler / Furniture – Magari / Flooring – Nexion / Kitchen – Magari / Paint – Asian paints / Artefacts – Heritage arts Kerala, Beruru, Purple turtles / Wallpaper – Nilaya / Hardware – Hafele

Firm’s Website Link: Studio MG

Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio MG

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