Right from the entrance, the chosen ornamentation of functional features such as the safety door serves as an homage to the inhabitant’s craft. To the trained eye, the diagonal pattern in the bottom part of the door emerges as a “tabla silhouette” while the oval segments hanging on a metal wire

become the notes of some abstract symphony.

Throughout the house, various patterns and elements come together under one theme – the marriage between art and spirituality. Examples of this in the living area are the mandir, wall panel, the kitchen planter and even the elegant swan brackets framing the archway.

The mandir has a solid walnut wood base and a curved bright blue top as the base for the idols. Engulfing the gods and goddesses, is an elegant wallpaper featuring the ethereal lotus flower. The blue base depicts the flowing water framed by the lotus flower on which the Goddess “Sarasvati” resides, who is the patron deity of knowledge and art.

The blue continues on the wall ahead, behind the sofa, where flowing sleek lines become the natural waves of the flowing waters. The remaining walls of the room have a deep beige lime wash texture that beautifully compliments the dark walnut of the wood. The TV console features the same waves as the ones on the wall, while the archway next to it has “swan” shaped brackets. What makes it interesting is that the Swan is the chosen companion of the Goddess Sarasvati.

The kitchen has grooved, deep walnut cabinets with an earthy green platform, overlooking the living and dining area. A solid planter box separates the two areas and has a stark lotus emblem embossed on it.

Inside, the master bedroom is shrouded in soft blues and peaches. The wall-length wardrobe plays on two shades of blue to bring out the minimal features. The delicate frame has the slightest

traditional touch, which only serves to highlight the brass framed mirror. The metal frame has intricate details and an oxidized, almost antique finish. The dainty bed, compliments the overall

design of the bedroom with the elegant shape of the headboard with two sleek posts on either side and a delicate floral cushion. Above, painted on the walls, are tiny silver line figures of musicians

playing different kinds of instruments such as the table, harmonium, flute etc. The room has an extremely soft and soothing ambience, contrasting with the outer areas but carrying the same traditional essence.

The last room of the house, converted into a musical studio, mostly uses wooden elements instead of pastel colors, as seen in other areas of the house. A checkerboard pattern is evident in both the

cabinet shutters and the ceiling. Two tones of wood have been used to create a pattern on the

cabinets, similar to how the blues were used in the bedroom wardrobe. The entire storage unit has been designed to house different kinds of musical instruments with an open wooden plank display for the Sitar. The wide use of the wood acts as the base for various elements like the openable window panel displaying a minimal “Sarasvati” wallpaper along with the Sitar. Overhead, the grid ceiling features a classical patterned fabric alternatively.

All these design choices come together to create a space which reflects the owner’s deep devotion to his art, while remaining functionally modern. Through the calculated use of dark walnut, resonant

deep blue and the powerful symbolism of the Sarasvati panel and lotus motifs, the design team has composed a home which is a contemporary translation of Indian heritage, tuned for the creative soul who inhabits the space.