ARIA: A timeless classic

By Tejal Mathur

The brief involved creating a timeless elegance of classic design for a couple that wanted understated objects of intricate beauty and catered to their love for old world luxury. 

It made sense to enclose the balcony to give a verandah feel and allow for more seating for a social gathering. That was the most critical structural intervention needed so we did away with needless walls and doors that earlier separated it into an indoor and balcony space. 

The mantel became the fulcrum and the seating worked around it to make it more intimate and separate. The balcony has its own vibe with the checkered flooring and plush vintage furniture.

Since the ceiling was woefully low it made sense to mirror the panels crafted in metal to give it an infinite outdoorsy feel. The tall window panels along the width and length add to the veranda feel and make it the preferred spot in candlelight.

Abutting the living space is a man cave in deep navy with a bespoke jungle themed wallpaper that envelope the ceiling as well with a black panther looking down from a tree. More smoldering than the softly pastelled living room, it has the formal feel of a cigar lounge with an English blue tapestried canopy daybed at one end.

Chandeliers, wall sconces and table lamps are the only source of light to bring alive the antiqued textures, tapestries and wallpapers.

Along the gamut of work we have done, it excites me to delve into the classics as a way to relearn the aspects of traditional methods and the importance of symmetry.

For me, any project must stay true to the narrative, old world charm to modern organic minimalist and eventually must be a space a client embraces as his own once I have moved out.

Even the bedroom takes on a soft palette with natural light and the various elements come together to make it comfortably tactile in its organic luxury given the limited space.

The bar near the dining is an exquisite, aged, cut glass and mirror a strong conversation piece.

The dining table, bar tools and chairs were from their existing home and a few touches better helped to find their way back here.

A lot of sourcing from brands and smaller crafters helped us pick selectively and make the space feel like it’s been around forever.

In a space that requires their level of appointment in décor, it is imperative to constantly inform your own taste and also deeply understand the unspoken desires of the homeowners.