FAMILY TIES

The owners of this three-storey dwelling in Mumbai’s Peddar Road suburb—an area filled with beautiful gothic and neoclassical heritage buildings—could have easily chosen a more traditional look.

What these clients requested, however, was a unique and colourful home that ref lected their needs and personalities. They were happy to grant Vasi the freedom to make unconventional decisions and leverage her entire range of skills.

The clients are three brothers from a reputed family of mill owners in Mumbai. Following the local practice of joint family living—common in large industrial houses in India—the brothers decided to live together in the same property with their wives and children, with each family occupying their own f loor.

The colour-shaped lamps and the colourful Pierre Frey wallpaper bring a sense of whimsy to this bedroom; the minimalist kitchen is kept deliberately austere, in contrast to the vibrant setting in the living area; the family’s collection of pop art and decorative pieces add a playful touch to this living room

While the structural elements and facade of the building were retained, the internal layout and walls were completely rejigged to suit the new design. “The windows are all intact and the services were concealed in ducts to maintain the existing old-world charm,” says Vasi. The new layout features seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, two kitchens, living and dining areas, balconies, and walk-in wardrobes.

For the interior scheme, Vasi proposed a combination of chromatic patterns and colour blocking. “I believe that a space should be a true ref lection of the client and their personality, so this project was driven by the iconic pop art and rare collectibles that the clients own,” says Vasi. She took inspiration from the Memphis design movement and Italian architect and designer