Semi-precious stones, silver-leaf, yak-horn and other exotic materials bring opulence and allure to this South Delhi flat.
For the Director of Ashiana Homes, floor space was never the problem. With an entire floor – 2012 sq. ft. to call his own, what really mattered was transforming the space into a home that radiated allure and vibrance while also highlighting his art collection and extravagant tastes. Bringing his vision to life was Untitled Design Consultants, a New Delhi-based interior designing firm run by senior partners Joya Nandurdikar and Amrita Guha.
Recalling the initial days at the drawing board, Joya says, “Since the floor space was an extension of an existing family building, there were certain elements we could not change. Wherever possible, we applied the basic tenets of Vaastu Shastra and divided the area into a spacious three-bedroom house for the client and his young family.”
Keeping in mind the client’s background as the Director of a well-established housing firm as well as his interests in art, the designers refined their creative visualisation of the space. “This project was all about innovation, experimenting with new materials and at the same time keeping the aesthetic value of the entire concept together,” reflects Joya.
For Untitled Design Consultants, the project signalled an invitation to experiment with a host of new materials and the chance to think not just out-of- the-box, but also a little over-the-top.
The clients’ art collection which is at the forefront of the decor is complimented by a selection of rare and expensive pieces of furniture created by the designers exclusively for this project. “We collaborated with craftsmen from across the country and experimented with rich, exotic materials at our workshop,” reveals Joya. The end creations are indeed awe-inspiring and lend weight and opulence to the decor.
For instance the imposing centre table in the formal lounge; made of Italian stone with black and white mother-of-pearl inlay and silver-leaf legs, the table pulls off a regal lifestyle.
Nearby, a ledge made of semi-precious tiger’s-eye glints fiercely in the light and is undoubtedly the showstopper in the room. “By using semi-precious tiger’s-eye as a ledge, we changed the way this traditional stone was used thus far. Besides, the number of craftsmen who do this kind of work is dwindling and we thought it would be a great art investment for our client. Of course, he loved it!,” adds a pleased Joya.
From the tiger’s-eye ledge, we move to the yak-horn dining table, an intriguing creation made entirely from several segments of Yak’s horn which were painstakingly pieced together to create a large dining table. But if you think this is wild, wait till you see the giant leatherette headboard in the bedroom or the silver-leaf dresser with bejewelled handles. “The handles are encrusted with malachite, pearl and jade”, informs Joya, further revealing, “and these were specially sourced from a jeweller we know in Jaipur.”
But the decadence is not all without purpose. Joya explains, “We wanted our client to invest in classic pieces of furniture that would not only add opulence to the decor but also be of value down the ages as family heirlooms.”
While the exquisite tables and dresser will make it down to the next generation, other luxe areas of the home like the bathrooms may not. Nevertheless, they have been lavishly decked in Italian stone and ceramic fret glass panels or glass mosaic tiles and Italian stone.
Opulence apart, the designers also incorporated energy saving measures like laminated glass in window panes and usage of environ-seal around all open-able doors and window shutters. VRV system was used for ACs and LED lighting was installed across the house.
Speaking of this single-level residential flat that was completed in six months right from civil work to accessories, Joya sums it all up with the statement: “Our focus was to create as much scope as possible to highlight areas of excellence within each confined space.” Judging from the final outcome, surely the owners and their visitors will agree.
Text By Christabelle Athaide
Photographs Pranav Purushottam
contact
email: info@untitleddesign.org
