Enhancing the essence of the space, Ar. Smriti Raheja celebrates the sumptuousness of this 2900 sq. ft. suburban house with an extraordinary style statement. Located in Gurgaon, this house merges organic environment with interior spaces where the interiors have been curated in alignment with the overall architectural grammar of the space. Inspired from her travels, the urban façade endeavored to inculcate versatility in range of material making it one of a kind. The material palette was mostly Indian, instilling an indigenous character to the house; also bestowing the warmth and comfort anticipated from it.
Being the designer’s own space, it is blended with collective idea of natural luminosity, consistency and candidness. Smriti wanted to incorporate her family’s desires evoking their personalities through their respective spaces.
The raw purchase from the builder was hence transformed to a plush appeal with use of brilliant design scheme.
At the onset of space design, we stumble upon the entrance door that is framed with backlit portal of gold finish aluminum members providing a subtle glow to the entrance. The door itself is reminiscent of the sun rays. At the inception, a large Belgian mirror imparts an illusion of twice the actual space, widening up the narrowness and granting the space depth and an apt entrance aura dipped in a modernist approach. The console at entrance provides an impeccable transition arena before one delves into the primary zones.
This space then opens up to a large living cum dining room and offers an uninterrupted view of the setting sun over the southwest horizon. The height of furniture in this area is consciously kept below eye level to amplify spaciousness. A solid wood, router cut silhouette of Buddha sits on the right wall against a backdrop of Indian forest inculcated in marble. The pattern on marble impersonates branches conferring the look of a Bodhi tree in all its glory. Profound emphasis has been laid on the contemporary style furniture where the center table is a design inspired from the Koln Messe in Germany, the dining table, from Jaipur that contrives of 3 different types of mother of pearl inlaid in makrana white marble. The dining table is flanked by two crystal chandelier floor lamps made with Belgian glass and crystals supplementing an exuberant ambiance to the area.
An intricately cut brass jaali screens the kitchen with lotus CNC cutwork. This Pattern can be seen throughout the house lending a common thread through which the architect tends to weave peace in every room. Opposite the kitchen is a guest room, which serves as their ‘family lounge’. A grey Christopher sofa cum bed perched here adds up to the spirit of the room, highlighting the color scheme of the area.
The design, then, meanders one’s way to where a wooden wall marks the entrance to the kids’ rooms. This wall has been designed with inspirational quotes in router cut within solid wood to award positive energy to the children’s impressionable minds. The kids’ rooms were primarily outlined with the notion of fulfilling the aspirations of her 7 and 13-year olds who wanted a bedroom cum tent house and smart room with a computer desk, respectively. The teenager’s room roots in an industrial look with wrought iron and pine wood slats flourishing intensity. His passion is underlined with two guitars on the wall embellishing the schema of the room. The 9-year-old has a tent shaped bed and lots of storage to house his ever-changing interests in art, football, nerf guns etc. The washrooms are designed with lavish mirror frames and opulent lighting elements, infusing an affluent character to the space.
The narrow corridor with an array of photo art leads to the master bedroom which is introduced with a prayer area. Depicting the traditional values of the family, a narrow brass jaali separates a compact Mandir from the bedroom space.
A two-poster teakwood bed flanked by ceiling hung inverted lotus lights add a touch of quaint luxury to the bedroom. An extensive cupboard concealed with an antique brown mirror paneling aids to the profusion of the extent. The closet area is a simple walk-in with a retro dresser table wholy done in mirror providing an interminable look to the diminutive space.
The balcony is lined with series of stepped planters housing a small herb garden and aromatic flora portraying an alfresco persona. The 85-year-old antique Jhoola from a ‘Haveli in Rajasthan’ makes a perfect setting for sipping the evening cup of tea watching the beautiful sunset adding up to the core concept of the expanse.
The color scheme is a subtle grey interspersed with matt gold. Mirror is used extensively to manifest an infinite semblance and the furnishings are in light airy colors to enhance the spatial experience.
This house is an amalgamation of the designer’s sense of practicality and years of scouring and understanding design. It has an understated splendor essence that follows clean lines and simple finishes.” The Home is my sanctity. It defines who I perceive myself to be as a person. Simple, functional with a touch of class!” says Smriti Raheja Sawhney, the creator of this appealing built form.
