This 2-BHK apartment converted into a stylish office space has the curious distinction of transforming into a dazzling party pad by the night. And Architect and Designer Karan Desai had a great time envisioning the two diverse roles this space has to play and executing it perfectly. The task at hand became even more exciting as Karan got a free hand to conceive the design from his client who is a realty developer. Of course, it meant that Karan let the design plan instinctually resonate with the personality of the owners – the father and three sons. The result is a relaxed office space by the day that embodies chicness and refinement, and a scintillating party space by the night.
The office has been fashioned as a monolithic space where rhombus tiles from Marca Carona, Italy, in three different shades have been used with a pink grouting that keeps the continuity, while the stucco walls and ceiling are painted in the base colours taken from the respective flooring creating a cosy seamlessness.
You enter the office through the living room, which serves as the visitors’ lounge that exudes an inviting vibe with sofas with soft curves and rounded edges. The grey stucco walls complement the luminous rhombus tile flooring from Marca Carona, Italy, which bleeds into all the common areas like the pantry and den. Its reflective surface, along with the mirror-finish stucco walls, echoes the sophisticated surroundings and is a reminder to the gleaming Arabian sea view beyond the large windows.
The backlit barrisol false ceiling is fitted with the option of changing colours, which can be monitored through automation. In fact, the entire office space is on smart automation enabling remote control of the AC, lighting and curtains. Come evening, with its thoughtfully planned lights and moody ambience, the lounge becomes a cool venue for intimate get-togethers and parties.
On the left side of the visitors’ lounge is the kitchen remodeled into a pantry with a round dining table and chairs, which is used for informal meetings with clients. The numeral “24” on display here is the client's lucky number.
One of the bedrooms has been converted into a cabin for the owner with an attached bathroom. The stucco walls and ceiling match the brown colour of the rhombus tiles used here, creating a shell-like environment. The same palette continues in the bathroom as well. Natural light flowing from the large window and the fluted glass door keeps the cabin looking airy and bright. The Floss lights add a touch of transparency.
Karan pays creative tribute to the iconic Erasmo executive desk by Giorgetti through his own rendition using marble that captures the elegance of the original design. The executive and visitors’ chairs in the cabin have also been created by Karan, taking cues from Giorgetti designs.
The visitors’ lounge furniture comprising the sofas and armchairs upholstered in gold and floral print have also been designed and manufactured in-house. A clean fluidity is evident in all furniture pieces across the spaces imparting finesse to the interiors. All rugs for the project too have been designed by Karan.
The powder room is chicly designed using blue rhombus tiling.
The second bedroom on the right side of the visitors’ lounge has been transformed into a bar and sleeping pad for the young owner of the space. The grey stucco wall treatment from the visitors’ lounge extends into this space, covering the ceiling as well, evoking a den-like vibe. The micro concrete coated bar is in the same pastel pink as the grout used for the tiles. It is paired with Moooi container bar stools. The concave mirror above works like an art installation.
Vondom furniture placed towards the window is a light and stylish addition to the space. Caricatures of the family members have been used to adorn the wall above bringing a sense of personalisation to the room.
The beautifully curved balconies of the visitors’ lounge and bar room are connected, thus linking the two rooms from outside as well. They become great spill-out areas whenever the owners entertain friends and family. A Murphy bed fitted opposite the Vondom seating comes in handy for a sleepover.
And that sums up the essence of this unique space. It, in fact, becomes a showcase of the realtor owner’s sensibilities – what they can offer to their clients in terms of aesthetics and style.
Team:
Architect: KARAN DESAI Studio Architecture + Design
Photography: Pulkit Sehgal
