As you enter the villa of Arvind and Renu Patni in Koramangala, you are transported to a different world. A restructured staircase, use of skylights, pillars, wooden ceiling beams, all bring a sense of grandeur to the space.Sudha Jain takes a tour of the house.
When one looks at the comfortable, elegant home of Arvind and Renu Patni in Koramangala, you would never guess the energetic chaos that went into putting it all together. Dissatisfied with the existing interiors, an extensive redesign by the owners saw them come close to their dream home.
Renu Patni elaborated, "When we moved in, the living room was very small, the kitchen faced the entrance and the garden took up most of the space. We were clear we wanted a larger living room area and a discreet kitchen. So we moved to the first floor and revamped our house without shifting out!"
As you enter their villa, you are virtually transported to a decidedly different world. A well-appointed gazebo-like setting greets you giving you a taste of roadside European cafes on a sunny afternoon! They have an outdoor oasis in their front yard; stone paves delineate the al fresco sitting area, defined by garden chairs and tables, thus creating a contemporary outdoor living space for relaxing or entertaining guests.
Lanterns, brass ceiling fans and a brick-coloured niche for candles and artifacts all blend to make this space their relaxation haven. A wood and brass door spells grandeur as you step into their foyer, done elegantly in whites and greys and featuring artificial ceiling, curved staircase and stone clad walls. Renu Patni says, "The staircase was narrow and basic. My husband wanted drama and style. Against the advice of our architect, we overhauled the earlier structure and gave it a new shape."
Dash of character
While restructuring the staircase was a big job, it made all the difference to the flow of their home, giving the space character and dignity.
A small Italian sand stone table placed for effect, a large cutwork mirror on the wall and a no-fuss wooden console make up the foyer area which leads on to the living room. What is instantly noticeable is the use of a unified palette throughout the home. The walls and the ceiling have been given a uniform coat of white paint, the muted palette of white and black in the living area enhances the villa's chic, the elegant style and the off white marble floor with black designs perfectly match the setting.
The ultra comfortable sofas done in white and black are well placed, without being overpowering.
Villa of many wonders
The use of glass tiles on one of the walls and skylights on the ceiling ensure maximum natural light in the living area. The owners decided to use a pillar, which stood out like a sore thumb, to their advantage, making a mock barrier into another living space, thus creating a separate yet flexible formal area to accommodate more guests.
Here the soft blue tones of the sofa warm up the white room, making the space feel light and neutral yet not stark. The homeowners' love for travel and passion for beauty and craftsmanship can be seen in the various decorative objects, a stately wooden deer, an unusual looking fish lock and key, a glazed black vase which magically blend together, giving the space a touch of personality and soul. They manage to combine traditional and modern style very well.
The Rajasthani chowkis and small stools merge with the environment just as well. What's striking in the formal living area is a grey wall paper which provides a textural focal point and lends visual interest against the backdrop of the muted neutral tones of the space. The 3D effect of the wall paper almost fools you into believing it's a wooden partition!
Other rooms, other wonders
The rooms in the villa are practical yet they have a sense of airy grandeur. In the master bedroom, the prevailing white and brown colour scheme is seen. Here the decor embodies a laidback yet sophisticated style that is chic but never overwhelming.
The wooden flooring, the bed separated by the pillars, the floor levels created in the room, wooden ceiling beams, the ceiling lamps all blend to give the room the look of a warm and luxurious retreat. The musical instruments in the room reflect their love for music. The bathroom is done in black and white. Enveloping the bathroom, marble imparts a fresh sophisticated look.
A huge black wash basin, shower cubicle fixed with latest items and the bath tub give a sense of luxury.
The bedroom of the couple's son is practical and minimalistic, just the way he wanted it to be. A tall mirror, with space behind to hang a shirt or accessories, is suitably placed near the bed. A study table, separate dressing area and beautifully done bathroom complete the picture.
The kitchen, done in browns, is spacious and full of modern gadgets. The combination of paneled cabinetry, granite kitchen top and black tiles near the gas hob creates an elegant timeless look in the kitchen. The dining area continues the brown colour theme, fashioning a seamless feel in the environment.
The dining table is not the usual chair and table clone but has an interesting mix of benches and chairs for seating. The crockery unit is well stocked and has a practical white wash basin. The area opens up to the garden area thus bringing in a bit of nature inside. The design-savvy couple have managed to transform their home on the inside and out. The space epitomises their minimalistic style, plenty of personalised details that culminate into making this a delightfully beautifully home.