Sea House Apartment, Mumbai

We often find solace among nature, be it the greens of the plants or the blues of the ocean. This residence enjoys the best of both. Perched on the 6th floor of a South Mumbai apartment, it gazes out at the lush green garden lined with tall palm trees followed by the Arabian sea while its interiors pay homage to the serene beauty of the outside. The 1500 sq. ft. space becomes home to an enterprising young couple who are ardent art lovers and collectors.

Taking off from these two driving factors, Quirk Studio designs an understated home which allows the client’s art and the evergreen view to be the hero of the space. The visual language is sketched through clean lines and organic forms, part of prominent design elements like doors, furniture pieces and art without fighting for attention. The interior is hence weaved as a calm and soothing montage, curated with a neutral colour palette. However, the space is far from mundane, for a vivid play of textures adds dimension and depth. These are introduced through materials like marble, wood, fabric, and glass, along with art pieces that are testimonials of the couple’s journey.

Spatially, the space accommodates a spacious living space conjoining a statement bar, a dining area adjacent to the kitchen, a master bedroom, a multifunctional guest room and a pair of balconies. A fluted door in charcoal black with a juxtaposing handle in warm wood opens up the vista to the living space. It features a striking grey marble floor with auburn streaks and lime plaster finish walls in ivory, which becomes a canvas for all the play. Upon entering, the bar console becomes a pause point, made with a fluted stem supporting a black and white textured marble. Right behind it are two paintings by Shamshad Hussain & Bose Krishnamachari, starting the visual narration of the couple’s love for art.

The living room, sitting by a wall-to-wall window, is a fun symphony of monochromatic textures created through textured ivory sofas, a pair of lounge chairs with black pipe detail and an all-marble coffee table from Eter Collective, all of which create a neutral canvas for an eclectic art piece by Bhuwal Prasad. Conceiving an intimate nook for lounging with an endless ocean view, the designers opt for a pair of playful lounge chairs in black and white.

Taking off from the neutral shell, the dining space is spirited yet subtle. A sleek table supported on two cylindrical stems is paired with a classic stripe upholstered chair, creating an inviting space. Balancing the visual frame, the art pieces displayed on the wall behind feature Sakti Burman & Krishen Khanna’s signature sketches and a statement wall plate from Fornasetti. Going with the flow, the monochromatic kitchen is designed with functionality in mind. Light grey is the primary colour, featured on the dado and the overhead shutters, whereas the below-counter drawers are finished in wood.

Keeping it simple and timeless, the bedrooms have off-white walls warmed by panelled wooden flooring. The master bedroom has a beige bed with a minimalistic linen bed back topped with art frames of sewing machines by Art Chain India. Classic black side tables and contemporary wall-mounted light fixtures add to the setup. The indoor plant in the corner binds the outside to the inside, adding life and energy. The wall on the side is lined with wardrobes popped with band metal lining in black and handles on the plain ivory shutters. However, the ensuite bathroom holds the element of surprise through the magnificent black and white textured countertop.

The Seaside home is envisioned as a canvas for the homeowners to grow old with. The neutral aesthetic becomes a natural background to the vibrant life in and around it, be it the crashing waves of the ocean or the incremental addition of art the couple collects over time.