Inside a petite yet dramatically layered home in Mumbai, “A lot of thought went into how the colours and textures could create variations into the composition yet blend in, as there is less time to transition from one space to another,” says principal designer Tejal Mathur of her eponymous firm, who imagined refined surface treatments and bold vintage elements to dress up this cove in Marine Drive.
Dubbed Reem, the 1,000 sq ft apartment is tailored for a young couple and daughter, who deviated from the grips of a simply refined canvas towards an eclectic space, where every corner speaks of artistic accents and pops of colour.
Ballad of demarcated flooring
Upon entering through the grand midnight blue door, you start to absorb the visual feasts — a fluted terrazzo wall, a chevron marble walkway and a towering teal almirah. And while you are processing this vibrant entrance, the space breaks into a subdued living area that stuns with its low-key glamour.
Tracing the gradients from a monochromatic palette, the living room bathes in gentle light filtering through sheer curtains. The Purnakumbh textile motifs grace the lightweight concrete panels, setting a serene backdrop for the modern bouclé couch and the Art Deco marble. In the dining nook, yellow swivel chairs and tesselated floor introduce a splash of unexpected colour and texture. These floor modifications create separate areas while maintaining a cohesive flow throughout the home.
Bringing in design intelligence
“In my experience the tighter the space, the visual elements need to be large and strongly integrated into the structure as there is less room to add decor fluff” explains Tejal who worked alongside design coordinators Gayatri Shinde and Devashree Mane. Even the palette of neutrals was a deliberate choice, dictated by the natural light cascading in from only one side of the home. But who said neutrals can’t play well with a bit of drama? In the windowless bathroom and bedroom, the designer went bold with deep blue and dark green hues.
A gush of colours
After studying the site, Tejal Mathur deemed very little spatial changes as the bathrooms could not be moved. But he configured two beautiful bedrooms. The sliding doors of the living room reveal the daughter’s windowless bedroom that has its own dollhouse charm, courtesy of the mint-chequered wallpaper and a striking orange bookshelf.
A kind of chic simplicity is present in the master bedroom, evident from the bespoke furniture and natural antique finishes. The dramatic pattern on the in-situ wall behind the bed serves as the room’s singular bold element. The room is tucked away with a bathroom and territorially divided with a walk-in for the couple’s conjugal privacy.
The paucity of home demanded a meticulous approach, where each element stands as a singular marvel that speaks its own vocabulary. With a practical sense of ergonomics and geometry, Tejal Mathur accomplishes to craft a comfortably stylish home.
Read More: Roopali Mashruwala channels theatrics of space to redefine the idea of a Mumbai apartment
