A montage of striking yet subtle elements define this home by The Living Lab

Famous as the ‘city of textiles and looms’, Bhilwara is an old city in Rajasthan that stuns visitors with its history, art and culture. Thus, it was only fitting that this home crafted by The Living Lab honors its legacy through the use of indigenous materials and fabrics. A montage of striking yet subtle elements define this 3,600 sq ft home designed by architects and founders of The Living Lab Anant Duggar and Akanksha Dadhich. A slice of heaven for its inhabitants, the splendid residence weaves together a bespoke design narrative through a neutral color palette punctuated with pops of color at every nook and corner!

Living up to their core ethos and values, The Living Lab have displayed an immaculate artistic expression in the form of their latest project by making it as ‘livable’ as possible. As you traverse the home, one cannot miss the flamboyant ceiling right at the entrance which catches the attention of every person who sets their eyes on it. The hanging lamps on the ceiling give ambient luminescence, guiding the guests to the home’s lobby area. Speaking of functionality, on one side of the entrance you can find a shoe rack with a seating, while the other side hosts the drawing room. “To blend the spaces into each other, we took down the wall in between and finished it using teak wood with glass,” shares Anant. “The partition further divides the lobby allowing someone to experience the transition between the spaces. Partition is made out of teak wood and linen fabric,” further elaborates Akanksha.

Strict lines, bright hues, sharp divisions—the drawing room defies all norms and paints a picture of sheer luxury. Watchout for the gray walls complemented with vibrant furniture—the blue colored sofa with red cushions are instrumental in adding warmth to the space. Following its footsteps, the living hall is washed in shades of gray and brown. The area includes a dining space that leads to multiple rooms including the grandparent’s room on one side, a common washroom and guest room on the other.

What’s more, the TV panel made of kadappa stone makes for an element of intrigue, so do the bright yellow furnishings! Keeping up with the color palette is the kitchen from the house of Sleek Kitchens by Asian Paints.  Adjacent to it, the staircase made in black Italian marble leads to the first floor. “The slab at the top of the staircase has been left partially open allowing ample amount of natural light to flow in the hall during the day time. The jali pattern that has been made in the cutout creates an interesting play of light and shadow on the walls during different times of the day,” reveals Akanksha.

Situated on the first floor, the master bedroom is a sight to behold. Instantly grabbing attention and attracting nostalgia, the four poster bed binds the room together. An ethos adhered by The Living Lab comes into play here. The firm believes in designing spaces that last generations. The entire house follows that principle to the T as it amalgamates modern day sophistication with the charm of the bygone eras. Take cues from the mauve colored sofa that creates an alluring juxtaposition with the rest of the subtle primary color-scheme. However, the cherry on cake is the ensuite washroom decorated with blue Moroccan pattern tiles, simply breathtaking!

The minimalist theme continues in the kids’ bedroom as large glass windows bring in natural sunlight that brightens up other elements in the room. Furnished with a soothing artwork on the wall above, the console establishes a connect with the rest of the surroundings

This house by The Living Lab has been built as a benchmark conducive to the experience and aesthetics of luxury residences. It’s a physical and an ideological retreat, an intergenerational home for gathering family and friends, celebrating and creating lasting memories.

FACT FILE :

Name of the project: Casa Melange

Design Team: Anant Duggar and Akanksha Dadhich

Location: Bhilwara, Rajasthan

Area (Sq.ft): 3,600

Photo courtesy: Ar. Ayush Ostwal