When Pop Art and Art Deco hobnob to define a chic home

Compiled by Savitha Hira

Photography: Sagar Padwal Photography; courtesy the designer

Read Time: 2 mins

Mumbai apartment (inset) Ar. Ayesha Puri

Architect Ayesha Puri designs a South Mumbai home with a characteristic contemporary twist to classic Art Deco, creating an interior that is graphic and urbane…

Situated on a newly constructed top floor of a building on Mumbai’s Marine Drive, the coveted property maintains its exterior elevation from the sea facing front side, whilst its back is altered to create a sheltered outdoor terrace.

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Responding to the homeowner’s desire for a modern classical interior style whilst preserving the Art Deco character of the neighbourhood precinct and the building, Ayesha chooses a diligent balance of classical elements and pop colours, underpinning the scenario with the all-time classic favourite – black and gold. 

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Subtle on the eye and suave on the mood, each colour, pattern and carefully chosen accessory seems picture-perfect-picked to weave a story, lending each of the rooms their rightful place in the sun. Each space is carefully orchestrated to feel open and luxurious with special attention to fluidly connecting the corridors to the larger rooms. Pop Art colours make their appearance via soft furnishings and works of art and are judiciously composed against muted backdrops of solid and wainscoting panels augmenting their form and presence, playing on the senses with each narrative crafted.

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The highlight is the architect’s skill in creating various environments within one home – from the blue and pink den room to the more subtle brown and white master bedroom, the teal moulded living room walls to the mirror panelled corridor walls and the beautiful marble floors that lead to chevron wooden floors that open up into patterned outdoor floors…the home comes together in a fluid and fun way. 

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But besides the marble, metal, lacquered surfaces, and glass crafted to play up the Art Deco feel, the home has its fair share of storage behind heavy panelling and in almost every nook and corner. Cassette air-conditioners ensure a clean walled look. And general lighting is complemented with accent lighting and vintage chandeliers to augment the premise. Both, design, and décor are treated keeping timelessness and durability in perspective, where combining older, more classical moulding styles with modern art and furniture helps achieve the former, whilst durable materials accomplish the latter.

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Speaking of inherent challenges, the emerging architect recounts the intelligent use of mouldings as a camouflage tool to create a seamless overall ceiling plan as the dated building did not have its columns and beams aligned in the same grid. 

Fact File:

Client: Ashwin Savani 

Design Firm: Sanjay Puri Architects

Project Architect/ Designer: Ayesha Puri

Built-up Area of project: 3600 sq. ft.

Carpet Area of project: 3000 sq. ft. 

Location: Marine Drive, Mumbai