WaterStone

Evolve Studio

WaterStone: A Modern Homestead Guest Apartment in Colaba

• Architects

Tucked within the leafy heritage district of Colaba, Mumbai—where timeworn facades gaze out to the Arabian Sea—WaterStone emerges as a masterclass in modern restraint and rustic soul. Envisioned by Architect Hormuzd Katrak of Studio Homzstead, this 1,600-square-foot guest apartment was crafted for a leading Tata Group company with a singular purpose: to offer guests an experience of quiet luxury and grounded comfort.

photo_credit Evolve Studio — Evolve Studio

Rather than lean on the expected vocabulary of corporate hospitality, Studio Homzstead envisioned something more poetic—an apartment that feels less like a guest house and more like a private sanctuary. “The brief was simple but evocative,” he recalls. “They wanted it to feel warm, intentional, and emotionally intelligent—a place where guests from across the world could instantly feel at ease.”

From that clarity emerged WaterStone, a residence where warm textures, natural materials, and Scandinavian functionality converge in a space that feels both elevated and deeply lived in. It's not a space that shouts for attention—it draws you in gently, like water smoothing over stone.

The moment you cross the threshold; a profound stillness greets you. Your eye is drawn to a sweeping 20-foot-long stone feature wall by Flexstone, an architectural anchor unifying the living and dining zones. This textured expanse immediately grounds you, setting a tone that is sculptural, luxurious, and undeniably calm. The color palette itself is a soothing melody: ivory, sand, weathered oak, muted greys, and soft taupes. Natural light, abundant from Mumbai's coast, bathes each room, amplified by pale plaster walls and linen drapery that diffuse the sun, creating an ethereal glow.

In the living room, inviting ivory boucle seating forms a central haven, paired effortlessly with a raw-edged oak coffee table—a beautiful collaboration with local artisans. A wavy, neutral-toned rug softens the sand-beige tiled floor, while a matte black open bookshelf rises behind the sofa, displaying curated books and minimal objects. A seamless built-in window seat doubles as clever storage and a serene reading perch, framed by sheer curtains and a tall Birds of Paradise plant. And there, tucked into a corner, a burnt orange boucle armchair with a teakwood frame beckons—a vibrant, inviting flourish. The cohesive palette of greige, clay, flax, and sun-baked beige lends the space its hushed, earthy depth.

The Scandinavian influence here isn't rigid minimalism, but rather a quiet mastery of restraint and clarity. Storage is discreetly concealed, lines are uninterrupted, and every object earns its place with intention. "Minimalism here isn’t about absence, but intention," Katrak emphasizes. "It’s about choosing tactile comfort and functional beauty over visual noise."

The dining area unfolds as a standout piece of spatial storytelling. A black fluted-base dining table paired with cane-seated chairs hints at Japandi influences—a graceful marriage of Asian craftsmanship and Scandinavian simplicity. Overhead, glass-globed chandeliers float like constellations, while a waffle ceiling in rich walnut veneer adds warmth and dimensionality. Vertically paneled textures with tactile relief work subtly define this zone, maintaining an open flow without sacrificing its distinct identity.

Each of the three bedrooms, while connected by the overarching aesthetic, tells a uniquely nuanced story. The green and beige suite offers light and balance, with a fluted arched headboard against a soft olive-green wall, integrated side tables, and delicate pendant lighting. It's a quiet sanctuary designed to restore.

The black bedroom, in striking contrast, evokes a moody luxury. Fluted panels and illuminated dimensional tiles form a dramatic bed-back, with tactile richness heightened by a matte-finished wardrobe and thoughtful lighting—a space crafted for contemplation.

Finally, the rust and cream suite introduces a bolder design vocabulary. A terracotta-toned ceiling wraps into the upper wall, warming the space, while a custom headboard-desk partition cleverly zones the bed from a compact vanity nook. This room feels both invitingly personal and elegantly composed.

The bathrooms continue the narrative with expressive material palettes. The terracotta and terrazzo bathroom is unexpectedly joyous—vivid orange walls meet playful stone-flecked surfaces. The grey and gold ensuite embraces quieter luxury, with vertically ribbed walls and brushed gold fittings. The sage green and beige bathroom offers natural balance, its fluted green panels meeting sandy tiles and minimalist chrome fixtures for a spa-like calm.

Despite its modest footprint, WaterStone never compromises on spatial generosity. Thoughtful zoning, concealed storage, and an expert eye for scale allow each room to breathe, feeling expansive and unburdened. It’s a home that elevates its purpose, reading less like temporary lodging and more like an intentional escape—every detail choreographed to evoke warmth, elegance, and quiet joy.

“Design should never shout,” Katrak muses. “It should whisper—to the senses, to the light, to the rhythm of daily rituals. That’s what we sought with WaterStone: a conversation between materials and meaning.” This project marked the beginning of a lasting relationship with the client, powerfully reaffirming Studio Homzstead's philosophy: to design not just for aesthetics, but to make people truly feel at home, wherever they are. In the relentless pace of Mumbai, WaterStone offers a precious commodity: stillness. It is a homestead in the sky, where modern life meets mindful living, wrapped in texture, grace, and understated luxury.