House 403 | The Design Chapel | Mumbai
A house, when becomes a home provides not only physical but also psychological sanctuary. It becomes a guardian of identity. The Design Chapel has always aimed at making a house into a home that is ready to be lived in. A space that is ready to become a knowledgeable witness of its occupant’s lives, their highs and lows, their strengths and weakness, their joys and sorrows.
House 403 is a compact 2BHK house, but the process of making this house a home has been a joyous journey. Compact spaces come with their own set of challenges. But our team worked together to convert these challenges into opportunities for learning.
The design concept for this house was to marry modern minimalism with functional requirements while creating a warmth and a sense of timelessness. The challenge was to make the compact space look bigger and more spacious while incorporating the storage demands of the clients. The design language that we derived effortlessly marries earthy tones and natural textures with clean lines that does not overwhelm the space. We kept layering to a minimum, only where needed and created textural variations while maintaining color harmony to create restrained elegance.
Living and Dining
In the living room, the standout piece is the soft, mutes peach colored sofa with wooden legs that adds a sense of ease and coziness to the space. The natural wood tones of the furniture, including the round coffee table and sideboard, ground the room, while the woven rattan details introduce an organic, textural element. The pale walls, featuring subtle vertical grooved paneling, add dimension and depth without overwhelming the senses.
The media unit incorporates the rattan details on its drawer fronts and the TV is flanked by a vertical unit with arched cubbies in terracotta hue, subtly breaking the monotony of straight lines while introducing a hint of color to the neutral palette. This room is adorned with minimalist architectural artwork framed in black, balancing the softer tones of the furnishings with a touch of contrast. It’s a delicate play between simplicity and refined detailing that keeps the space feeling calm and uncluttered.
The dining area is a part of the living space and we wanted to keep the transition smooth while maintaining a cohesive design language. The dining chairs are upholstered in a light peach with a backdrop of pine trees on the wallpaper. The mirror paneling on the side, helps in giving an illusion of expanse while reflecting the light throughout the room. The pendant lamps from Tossa with woven rattan detail reinforces the natural earthy textures found elsewhere in the interiors.
The natural light that floods the space enhances the warm tones and softens the sharp lines of the furniture, making the room feel open and airy. The thoughtful interplay of textures—whether it’s the smooth velvet of the sofa, the woven rattan details, or the clean wooden surfaces—creates a layered aesthetic that is both visually appealing and comfortable.
Kitchen
This kitchen perfectly illustrates how luxury can be integrated into even the most compact spaces without sacrificing functionality. The design is a harmonious blend of sleek finishes, practical storage solutions, and sophisticated aesthetics, making it both highly functional and pleasing.
The kitchen platform is a dark grey composite stone with a marble design backsplash which makes it easy to maintain while continuing the neutral palette. The cabinetry has a high gloss deep blush colored finish with black profile handles that maintains a sleek visual line.
Despite the kitchen’s compact size, storage is clearly optimized. The overhead cabinets, with their ribbed surface detail, provide ample storage while also serving as a focal point. The use of textured paneling in the cabinetry adds subtle visual contrast to the otherwise smooth finishes, enhancing the overall design with tactile interest.
Master Bedroom
The color scheme dominated by soft beige, cream, and blush tones plays a crucial role in establishing the room’s tranquil atmosphere. The light beige wardrobe cabinets framing the bed offers a neutral base that allows the bed and its textures to shine. The bed’s blush-pink upholstered headboard extends across the width of the bed and the soft pink is carried into the bedding and throw, unifying the room’s color story. The delicate, speckled wallpaper behind the bed adds subtle interest without competing for attention, providing a soft texture that enriches the overall ambiance.
To maximize space, we have incorporated the side tables within the wardrobes and kept the space opposite the bed to have a bespoke console unit with the dresser integrated. This unit is designed to be a work of art in itself with its sculptural geometric shapes creating a play of light and shadow. The natural oak wood veneer top creates a balance with the solid shutters. The dresser / study unit has a huge mirror integrated with a veneer surface for both working and grooming and storage beside. The huge windows allow in ample amount of light for working and makes the pink of the chair even softer.
The art with serene landscapes in hues of blues and yellows contrasts beautifully against the muted palette of the furniture and the walls introducing a lively burst of colors. The design, while sophisticated, retains a sense of calm and simplicity, ensuring that the space feels open, inviting, and deeply personal.
Daughter’s room
This room is a lesson in how thoughtful design can merge aesthetics with functionality. The room is designed with flexibility in mind, providing a murphy bed which can be easily tucked away to reveal a functional desk, allowing the space to transition from a sleeping area to a study or play area within minutes.
The highlight of the room is the cheerful wallpaper behind the bed, featuring an adorable koala design in soft shades of blue, beige, and white. The wallpaper sets the tone for the rest of the room’s color palette, which incorporates soft blues, and grays complement the vibrant pattern without clashing.
The room’s design is highly efficient, with built-in storage seamlessly integrated around the bed. Overhead cabinets offer ample space for toys, clothes, and books, ensuring that everything has its place and is enough for the needs of a growing child. The cabinets are sleek and minimal in design, blending into the walls to maintain a clean, uncluttered look. The bedside table is compact but functional, featuring a mix of closed and open storage. The pop of fluted teal on the lower drawer adds a playful touch to the otherwise neutral cabinetry.
The study unit with a veneer top adds warmth while the peg board offers easy access to stationery and other small items, encouraging organization and tidiness. Ample storage is again integrated within this unit with a lattice designed door for the temple unit.
We all want to return at the close of the day to a home which can assist us in the commemoration of our genuine selves. What is a home if not a refuge to store up the positive states of our mind, because so much of the world is opposed to our allegiances. We at The Design Chapel try exactly this and hope that we have been victorious in achieving this.
FACT FILE
Project Name : House 403
Design Studio : The Design Chapel
Principal Designer : Preshita Shah Gupta
Design Team : Kajal Kamath, Anjali Khandelwal and Tanvi Kirve
Client’s Name : Salil and Asmita Pawar
Project Location : Mumbai, India
Carpet Area : 700 sq. ft.
Photography Credits : Anuja Kambli
Text Credits : Preshita Shah Gupta
