The Earthen Haven by Storeyboard Design

Project Fact File:

Name of Design Firm: Storeyboard Design
Location: Bengaluru
Typology: Residential (Apartment)
Area: 2,400 sq.ft

Date of Completion: March 2024
Principal Architect/Designer: Swathy Sivaraman
Photography Credits: Nisheet Dodia

Highlights:

    A masterful combination of modern minimalism with an eclectic flair, while achieving an exceptional balance of functionality and aesthetic appeal.
    Inspired by nature and the breathtaking views outside, the design incorporates a palette of muted, earthy tones and pastel hues to reflect the surrounding landscape.
    Subtle yet powerful abstract shapes and carefully chosen colours create a contemporary and timeless look.
    Absence of chandeliers in the living and dining areas emphasizes the dynamic false ceiling as the understated hero.
    Thoughtful space planning ensures that each room meets the practical needs of a multi-generational household.

Concept:

The clients desired a home that embodies minimalism, elegance, and a functional aesthetic, uniquely tailored to four generations of their family, including a newborn, parents, and grandfather. They envisioned a sanctuary where each space would feel personal, comfortable, and effortlessly stylish, while embracing the philosophy of "less is more." The design also had to ensure wheelchair accessibility and thoughtful space planning, making the home easy to navigate for both the elderly and the new born in its growing years.

The design approach was, thus, guided by the client’s brief to create an understated, eclectic home that resonates with nature and offers breathtaking city views. Through contemporary, pastel tones, warm textures, and a harmonious material palette, Swathy Sivaraman sought to realize a home that is both intimate and inspiring, accommodating the needs and tastes of all generations.

Drawing inspiration from nature’s colours and textures, incorporating earthy tones, floral motifs, and organic shapes, the nature-inspired aesthetic seamlessly blends with the spectacular cityscape views, creating a tranquil indoor environment. The project capitalizes on its natural surroundings by emphasizing spaciousness and optimizing natural light. 

The large windows draw in the stunning cityscape, becoming an integral aspect of the home’s ambiance. The views directly influenced the design choices, from the choice of colours that mirror the outdoor landscape to the orientation of spaces that maximize daylight and ventilation.

Each room has been meticulously planned to reflect the personality and needs of its occupants. Connected through the step-layered curved ceiling, the living and dining spaces flow organically. The living room, with its uninterrupted views and serene colours, offers a perfect space for family gatherings. While it is anchored by a deep blue sofa that stands out against the understated tones, the dining area features a modern dining set and bar cabinet, crafted to exude elegance and simplicity. The sofa back panel with its abstract patterned textured finish and just a minimal veneer panel adds a sculptural quality, serving as an effective yet subtle backdrop. Neither the living nor the dining room has a chandelier, allowing the ceiling design to remain the understated hero of the space. This interior feature that elegantly flows from the dining room into the living space, connecting the two spaces seamlessly, gives a perfect prelude as one enters the space from the entrance passage. It adds an element of surprise since it is different from the typical ceiling designs, emphasizing modern sophistication while serving as a unique visual element.

The master bedroom is designed as a luxurious retreat. This room features leather-panel and muted veneer bed-back and bespoke furniture, with two different styles of side tables evoking a sense of indulgence. The leather accents provide a touch of opulence, while muted tones ensure a calm, serene environment. The wardrobe with black tinted glass and acrylic shutters is tucked away in a niche for some additional storage, while the walk-in has a tinted glass profile shutter and an integrated dresser to make the space completely functional.

Swathy believes that the guest bedroom deserves special attention as it houses the guests, who need to experience the ambience and vibe of the house through this space. This room embodies an eclectic feel, with a palette of greens and gold. The floral, arched bed-back creates an inviting focal point, with an oval mirror strategically placed to reflect the bed-back, while ample storage space ensures the comfort of the guests.

Warm, earthy tones define the parents’ and grandfather’s rooms, creating a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. Wood beading wall panels in the grandfather’s room with wooden furniture to give him a sense of connect and comfort, to the dramatic patterned wallpaper with subtle colours along with leather accents in the parents room, add a sense of warmth and sophistication with layers of texture that makes each space both functional and stylish.

The kitchen, though compact, is optimized with smart storage solutions that maintain a clutter-free look, proving that a minimalist design can be practical. Across the home, built-in storage ensures every space remains open and organised, bringing functionality to the forefront of this beautiful, nature-inspired home.

The choice of materials reinforces the natural, minimalistic aesthetic while adding durability and warmth. Textured walls, pastel-toned wallpapers, solid wood furniture, leather panels, and beige and golden hued curtains combine to create a balanced and cohesive look. Each material is chosen for its ability to blend with the home’s palette, drawing inspiration from nature and the city views to evoke a sense of tranquility and connection with the surroundings. Soft shades of beige, greens, gold, and warm browns dominate the colour palette of this home, creating a serene backdrop that complements the city views. 

Splashes of blue, particularly in the living room, bring in a vibrant contrast while retaining harmony with the overall tone. The design incorporates organic patterns, curves, through textured walls, beadings and wallpapers that evoke a natural, grounded feel. From concrete textures in the living room to floral wallpapers in the guest room, each texture contributes to the earthy nature inspired ambiance. Thoughtfully curated furnishings and decor, such as the green and gold arched bed-back in the guest room, the abstract concreted textured sofa back panel, the beige white wallpaper with a simple horizontal leather panel in the parent’s room, and the custom leather bed-back in the master suite, infuse each room with its distinct character. These eclectic touches reflect a careful blend of functionality and design tailored for diverse age groups.

Clear pathways and wheelchair-friendly layout cater to all family members, offering easy movement through each space. Large windows flood the home with natural light, further enhancing the open feel and allowing the calming colours of nature to be part of the interior. The design also thoughtfully adapts to each family member, from the vibrant, spacious living room for social gatherings to the cosy, comfort-focused layout with a distinct theme in every room, providing both style and function for each generation.

Working with a tight timeline, the project was executed within 90 days, owing to rigorous planning and efficient sequencing. Additionally, efficient coordination with suppliers and contractors ensured that each element was delivered and installed on schedule, culminating in a seamless and timely project handover.

Every inch of this home has been meticulously designed to maximise usability and accessibility, embodying a "less is more" philosophy that is both practical and beautiful. Inspired by the natural surroundings, the interior tones evoke a sense of calm with soft greens, gold, blues, and warm beiges, creating a seamless flow throughout the space.

This thoughtful design approach embodies the client’s vision of a refined, eclectic, and functional home that gracefully accommodates the diverse needs of four generations, making it a standout project and a serene retreat amidst the urban landscape.