Maximalist City, Maximalist Home.
This 7,500-square-foot duplex in Mumbai bursts with color, texture, and personality, where every detail tells a story. From grand chandeliers to carved wooden doors and vibrant wallpapers, the space seamlessly blends Indian heritage with modern flair, creating a dynamic haven for both creative inspiration and family celebrations.
The residence spans two levels, with a total area of approximately 7,500 sqft, including the ground and first floors.
The lower floor is used as a residential space and personal use whereas the upper floor has a setup for an office, guest room and entertainment purposes.
The house has a glass conservatory on the lower floor with a bar and seating area.
The entrance, featuring a hand-carved wooden frame and a stunning door from Peacock Life, sets the stage for a bold interior. A daring green backdrop, accented by a striking red art piece and curated curios, embodies the fusion of Indian aesthetics and modern design. Curved archways contrast with ornate ceiling moldings, seamlessly blending tradition and contemporary style.
In the living areas, maximalist glamour is mindfully switched out for a more calming, pared-back aesthetic (that still retains elements of glamour). Natural light filters through the lush greens that lie beyond, onto a warm wooden floor.
Contemporary furniture pieces are balanced by antique decor elements. The clients’ aspiration for a home that blends Indian aesthetics with a modern lifestyle is evidently brought to life; contemporary curved archways serve as a compelling foil to ornate moldings along the ceiling, exemplifying this blend.
Wooden flooring, Neoclassical wainscoting on the walls and magnificently framed scroll paintings intersect together in a tableau that is as eye-catching as it is serene.
Vintage temple panels hand-beaten and aged beautifully, set within antique mirrors, which became the highlight. We used the gold and silver within the panels to get reflected in the metallic hand-painted walls around the staircase.
The design language of Writer’s Retreat is elegantly infused with a tincture of vernacular nostalgia; picking up treasure chests, brass accents, and lush indoor plants along the way. Around the helical staircase, we applied a foliate wall covering embossed with gold vines to tap into a mystical threnody of bygone decadence, complemented by a constellation of showstopping lights from Peacock Life.
The layout features a spacious open-plan design with a central foyer leading into a living area, complemented by a striking spiral staircase. The elevations highlight a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary elements, such as wooden paneling, decorative ceilings, and large glass windows that invite natural light. The design also includes carefully curated furniture pieces, antique accents, and a focus on symmetry to enhance the space's sophisticated aesthetic.
The elevations showcase a luxurious and thoughtfully designed bathroom, where rich stone finishes and carefully selected wooden elements create a sophisticated ambiance. The intricate POP false ceiling with decorative cornice details enhances the space, while the sleek, minimalistic vanity area with a rough stone basin exudes timeless elegance. The space is further elevated by a niche for storage, full-height glass partitions, and antique mirrors, adding both functionality and artistic flair to the bathroom design.
The master bedroom radiates a bohemian elegance with fabrics and upholstery by Tulio, parquet flooring from Notion and pragmatic lampshades from Peacock Life.
The master bedroom features a natural charm, complete with rattan details and Warli art.
Decorative paper lights from Oorjaa.
Black and white panelled furniture complement a jewelled-toned chair and lounger, as an ornate decorative light, all of which are from Peacock Life, hang overhead.
A glamorous bathroom with Art Deco flourishes rounds out this space.
The addition of a glass conservatory (transformed from the terrace), complete with a bar, an outdoor seating area, and a quaint vintage water feature, layers the space with an aura of charm and tranquillity.
The dining space is enlivened by large-scale fuchsia pink Suzani textiles that serve as a vivid backdrop. Stone statues customised and sourced from across the country.
Here, we also find the guest bedrooms, where meticulously chosen wallpapers, muted bedlinen and captivating installations converge to create an experience that is both texturally diverse and richly personal.
A delightful guest bedroom on the upper level, featuring capricious decor by Peacock Life, enhanced by plush soft furnishings from Tulio and stylish flooring by Notion. Louvered wardrobes add a rustic charm to the interior.
In the children’s bedroom, an enchanted canopy ripples around the bed, creating a snug, imaginative hideaway. The ensuite bathroom, with its pink and blue palette and aquatic-themed walls, uplifts the space to an oasis of escapism and wonder.
Ascending to the upper level, one discovers a study, a gentleman’s den and an informal meeting area — dedicated spaces where the couple’s next screenplay can be conceptualized and etched into cinematic history.
In this big beautiful duplex in Mumbai, the ordinary is purposefully eschewed in favor of the flamboyant. It serves as a visual extension of the creative, colorful minds that inhabit it, finished with the trappings of contemporary Indian maximalism.