Picky & Plush

By Savitha Hira

Photography: Sebastian Zachariah; courtesy The Ashleys

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Understated luxury built into the lifestyle offers eclecticism as its mainstay in a call for ubiquitous style at this residence designed by The Ashleys’ in Mumbai...

Known for their attention to detail and their intricate weavings of traditional motifs and craftsmanship into their design, interior designers Pooja and Arbaysis Ashley have recently accomplished a very urbane home set in a high rise in a prime locality of central Mumbai.

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Merging two apartments into a single 1800 sq.ft, 4 BHK palatial home, with the onus on “palatial luxury” as aspired by the client, the challenge they have risen to this time around has been to subtly work on strong detailing “without crossing the boundaries and making it look garish”.

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So opting for a rich colour palette of champagne, gold, and silver and blending it into a neutral backdrop of white, black and wood, rich overtures of a luxurious setting are created. Nuances of Indianness are introduced into a contemporary setting by use of techniques like inlay, leafing and carving to induce a strong sense of individuality and pride.

Extensive use of mirror and select use of glass enhances the already spacious apartment, where the negative space speaks volumes.

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Using the principle of camouflage in an interesting take, the L-shaped wall from the cut-off lobby to the kitchen is wrapped in mirror, framing the detailing of the living space and enlarging it into an infinite visual treat. Similarly, the centre table block is styled with a golden mirror. The minimal straight lines of the table sit on intricately detailed legs finished in silver leafing; as does the divan, juxtaposing modern with classic.

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The vocabulary is sustained in the master suite, parents’ and childrens’ rooms, where subtlety and understated style predispose one to their user’s personas.

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In an area, where the tendency to go overboard with a flourish for the plush could have been an easier give-in, the designers underplay the ambience to cater to functionality with strong elements lending accent and style to the space and allowing the eyes to appreciate the finer details in isolation.