COLOUR CRAFT
An architect revamps his 45-year-old Delhi apartment through colour, clever spatial planning and contemporary aesthetics
A tour of architect Kapil Aggarwal's recently revamped 45-year-old Delhi home
They say architects make the worst clients. But, what if you are your own client? My 1,400 sq ft apartment in south Delhi is 45-years-old and accommodates a family of three. Time was of the essence, from dismantling things to designing and getting it executed on site and we took only 35 days to complete the interiors without compromising on quality or design.
We created an entry lobby area that greets you the moment you enter the home. This space moves into the living-cum-dining room, the kids’ room and the master bedroom. The kitchen remained where it used to be, but instead of a wall, floor-to-ceiling glass doors now separate it from the dining. So, it creates a semi-open plan layout. To let natural light in, glass doors have been used instead of brick walls or small windows between the living and the narrow balcony (which has a vertical garden).
Colour is an integral element. In this apartment it creates the psychological mood and ambience that supports the functions in a positive manner. As you enter, the first thing that you see is the turquoise wall and a sofa in same colour, though a differ-
ent shade. To create an interesting contrast, on the right is a red sofa. In the bedroom the colour palette is subtle and sophisticated. Creams and beige dominate the space. Other hues are brought in through the artworks. There’s a lot of attention to details here, even the shutters of the wardrobe have been digitally printed on canvas.
Another colour story can be found in the living room. The walls have been painted using two contrasting shades—deep blue and baby pink. A bright yellow sofa against the blue wall and a black and white painting against the baby pink wall create an interesting eclectic mix here. The living opens up into the dining area, where a custom made dining table with a black and white pattern stone against a colourful artwork adds depth to the space.
Besides colour art plays a very important role here. In fact, the apartment is a treasure trove of paintings and digitally printed canvases. I handpicked each work of art so that it goes with ethos of the space. The result has been a cheerful space that meets all the functional needs of a family.