Houzz TV: A Bare Shell is Transformed into a Warm, Glamorous Home
Watch as Houzz designers use rich fabrics, jewel colours and soft lighting to turn an empty flat into a welcoming haven
Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar
1 January 2020
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist. www.mangomonk.com
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist.... More
As an ‘army kid’, Shalini Sekhri’s nomadic upbringing was inspired by adventure. “We were on the move every few years. Wherever we went, we took home with us. Back then, ‘home’ was defined by people, not place,” Sekhri says. As she grew older, however, Sekhri began to feel the need to put down roots. “As a finance professional with a demanding job, I wanted a place with calming vibes to come home to. I was clear that I wanted to customise everything to suit my style and sensibilities, and requested the builder hand over the home bare-shelled,” she says.
Sekhri’s USA-based sister encouraged her to try the Houzz app, which Sekhri used to browse photos and create ideabooks. After scouring design professionals in her area on Houzz and reading a plethora of reviews, Sekhri decided to hire Smit Bhagat and Rajvi Mehta, co-founders, and principal architect and principal interior designer respectively, of deSigneR – Architects and Interior Designers, to harmonise her ideas and help breathe life into her dream home.
Sekhri’s USA-based sister encouraged her to try the Houzz app, which Sekhri used to browse photos and create ideabooks. After scouring design professionals in her area on Houzz and reading a plethora of reviews, Sekhri decided to hire Smit Bhagat and Rajvi Mehta, co-founders, and principal architect and principal interior designer respectively, of deSigneR – Architects and Interior Designers, to harmonise her ideas and help breathe life into her dream home.
House at a Glance
Who lives here? Shalini Sekhri, a finance professional
Location Mumbai, India
Year built 2019
Size One bedroom and one bathroom; 80 sq m (861 sq ft)
Interior designer and architect Smit Bhagat, principal architect, and Rajvi Mehta, principal interior designer, deSigneR – Architects and Interior Designers
Photos by Photographix
The entrance of Sekhri’s home opens into a deep formal living room steeped in a minty blue and monochrome pink-pearl palette, which runs through much of the home, uniting the spaces. A three-seater buttoned sofa and matching ottoman conjure a sumptuous, indulgent vibe, while a high-back grey chair spells classic sophistication.
Lightweight side tables flank the sofa, complementing the four-piece coffee table in the centre. The walls are adorned with intricate Parisian-style mouldings, abstract black-and-white paintings, elegant lights and ornate cornices. The floor is laid with warm-toned Botticino marble. The aesthetic is equally inspired by classic and contemporary French elements.
“The space mirrors my love of colour, brightness and sparkle. I was keen on an aesthetic rooted in visual fluidity, with free-flowing, airy spaces,” Sekhri says.
Paint, Asian Paints. Rugs, Jaipur Rugs. Wall lamps, The White Teak Company. Accessories, Ikea.
Who lives here? Shalini Sekhri, a finance professional
Location Mumbai, India
Year built 2019
Size One bedroom and one bathroom; 80 sq m (861 sq ft)
Interior designer and architect Smit Bhagat, principal architect, and Rajvi Mehta, principal interior designer, deSigneR – Architects and Interior Designers
Photos by Photographix
The entrance of Sekhri’s home opens into a deep formal living room steeped in a minty blue and monochrome pink-pearl palette, which runs through much of the home, uniting the spaces. A three-seater buttoned sofa and matching ottoman conjure a sumptuous, indulgent vibe, while a high-back grey chair spells classic sophistication.
Lightweight side tables flank the sofa, complementing the four-piece coffee table in the centre. The walls are adorned with intricate Parisian-style mouldings, abstract black-and-white paintings, elegant lights and ornate cornices. The floor is laid with warm-toned Botticino marble. The aesthetic is equally inspired by classic and contemporary French elements.
“The space mirrors my love of colour, brightness and sparkle. I was keen on an aesthetic rooted in visual fluidity, with free-flowing, airy spaces,” Sekhri says.
Paint, Asian Paints. Rugs, Jaipur Rugs. Wall lamps, The White Teak Company. Accessories, Ikea.
The original layout hindered sunlight, ventilation and spatial distribution. Bhagat and Mehta remodelled the home entirely, creating a configuration that optimised dormant spaces and focused on maximum utility.
From conceptualisation and design through to development, detailing, prototyping and manufacturing, every piece of furniture was customised to Sekhri’s taste.
Sekhri, Bhagat and Mehta decided at the outset to use Houzz for shared ideas and inspiration. “Shalini came to us with an entire ideabook made on Houzz. She had a vision, but needed some help executing it,” Mehta says.
“We were able to communicate and collaborate with each other through the Houzz app,” Sekhri adds.
In line with Sekhri’s brief, Bhagat and Mehta sought to weave an elegant and dignified shell, and infuse colour through furniture and furnishings. They also took care to conceal all wiring by embedding the distribution board inside a cabinet behind the television.
Find an architect to transform your home.
From conceptualisation and design through to development, detailing, prototyping and manufacturing, every piece of furniture was customised to Sekhri’s taste.
Sekhri, Bhagat and Mehta decided at the outset to use Houzz for shared ideas and inspiration. “Shalini came to us with an entire ideabook made on Houzz. She had a vision, but needed some help executing it,” Mehta says.
“We were able to communicate and collaborate with each other through the Houzz app,” Sekhri adds.
In line with Sekhri’s brief, Bhagat and Mehta sought to weave an elegant and dignified shell, and infuse colour through furniture and furnishings. They also took care to conceal all wiring by embedding the distribution board inside a cabinet behind the television.
Find an architect to transform your home.
Sekhri’s living area is divided into three visually connected zones – a formal living room, an informal lounge, and a knock-back zone composed of a bar and open kitchen. The latter two, which lie to the left of the main entrance, are reflected in the ivory-toned, brass-bordered mirror grid that adorns the wall to the right of the main door.
The informal lounge is dominated by shades of purple. A violet sofa-bed rests against a shallow, backlit wall alcove that bathes the sitting area in a warm glow. A mauve rug, dove-grey wallpaper and plum accent cushions weave a plush aesthetic that exudes a rich, regal air.
Being a social person, Sekhri hosts a lot of family gatherings and parties at home. Bhagat and Mehta decided to make the informal lounge the heart of the living area, with the kitchen and bar on one side and the formal living room on the other.
Watch Now: See how Shalini Sekhri made sure she had her dream home.
Being a social person, Sekhri hosts a lot of family gatherings and parties at home. Bhagat and Mehta decided to make the informal lounge the heart of the living area, with the kitchen and bar on one side and the formal living room on the other.
Watch Now: See how Shalini Sekhri made sure she had her dream home.
The bar is the most distinctive feature of the entire house. An ingenious play of lights, textures and proportions elevates the aesthetic. The bar unit was tailored to host specific-sized spirits bottles and glasses.
Instead of a traditional chandelier, an entire range of globe lights was customised for the space. The dining table doubles as a bar counter, with a table and chairs that channel an upscale lounge appeal.
To the left of the bar lies a slimline kitchen hosting appliances such as a fridge, coffee machine and microwave. The kitchen passage leads to the cloakroom and utility area.
Accessories, The White Teak Company and Ikea.
Instead of a traditional chandelier, an entire range of globe lights was customised for the space. The dining table doubles as a bar counter, with a table and chairs that channel an upscale lounge appeal.
To the left of the bar lies a slimline kitchen hosting appliances such as a fridge, coffee machine and microwave. The kitchen passage leads to the cloakroom and utility area.
Accessories, The White Teak Company and Ikea.
The cloakroom is robed in a soft neutral shell, with dramatic black and gold elements. A classic round mirror is mounted on a panel of black-tinted glass, while brass borders and hardware give the space a luxurious air. The counter is crafted from black Marquina marble.
All the sanitary fixtures and accessories were sourced from the builder’s inventory, which saved Sekhri significant costs.
All the sanitary fixtures and accessories were sourced from the builder’s inventory, which saved Sekhri significant costs.
Sekhri initially wanted a visual disconnection between the lounge and the master bedroom, but this would have obstructed natural light and ventilation to the lounge and kitchen, making them stuffy and light-starved.
After brainstorming, the designers proposed a glass partition with roller blinds. This would filter plenty of natural light into the living areas, and still allow for privacy in the bedroom.
Furnishings and accessories, Ikea. Laminated flooring, Action Tesa.
After brainstorming, the designers proposed a glass partition with roller blinds. This would filter plenty of natural light into the living areas, and still allow for privacy in the bedroom.
Furnishings and accessories, Ikea. Laminated flooring, Action Tesa.
Sekhri’s bedroom takes a cue from the ocean, hosting bold hues and luxe textures. The deep-green headboard is balanced by shimmery peach curtains and a pearl-inspired stone wall backdrop.
The wall opposite the bed (out of view) is painted in a pearl finish and hosts a TV, flanked by a bookshelf on the left and a door to the walk-in wardrobe on the right.
The wall opposite the bed (out of view) is painted in a pearl finish and hosts a TV, flanked by a bookshelf on the left and a door to the walk-in wardrobe on the right.
The sunny walk-in wardrobe is composed of an island display unit, a wardrobe with bifold doors, and a sliding-door wardrobe, the latter two featuring a mirror finish. A dressing table and blush-pink chair occupy one corner of the room. The wall opposite the table features open, backlit shelving.
“I didn’t want to compromise on my dressing area and wardrobe space,” Sekhri says. “I envisioned this as my private oasis where I’d spend a significant amount of time getting ready every morning.”
Bhagat and Mehta tore up the traditional rule book of incorporating the dressing space within the bedroom, and converted the second bedroom into a walk-in wardrobe.
Look at these walk-in wardrobes.
“I didn’t want to compromise on my dressing area and wardrobe space,” Sekhri says. “I envisioned this as my private oasis where I’d spend a significant amount of time getting ready every morning.”
Bhagat and Mehta tore up the traditional rule book of incorporating the dressing space within the bedroom, and converted the second bedroom into a walk-in wardrobe.
Look at these walk-in wardrobes.
The warm wooden flooring complements the subtle mushroom-grey cabinetry. Tinges of peach and pearl echo the colours in the bedroom and tie in with the rest of the home.
The lighting scheme in the dressing room is of special note. There are no spotlights, which minimises shadows. In addition, the dressing table mirror is flanked by lights on both sides to keep the focus on the face while grooming.
The lighting scheme in the dressing room is of special note. There are no spotlights, which minimises shadows. In addition, the dressing table mirror is flanked by lights on both sides to keep the focus on the face while grooming.
Sekhri’s bathroom is aesthetically far removed from the rest of the home. Glossy black, crisp white and warm timber tones highlight the brass accessories, and exude elegance and sophistication.
The wall abutting the basin hosts three backlit mirrors, mounted on a black marbled stone backdrop. The counter is made of the same black Marquina marble as the cloakroom.
The wall abutting the basin hosts three backlit mirrors, mounted on a black marbled stone backdrop. The counter is made of the same black Marquina marble as the cloakroom.
The shower area, divided by a glass partition, is characterised by a black herringbone tile design. Brass hardware takes centre stage against the monochrome backdrop.
For Sekhri, who, for years, yearned for a home to call her own, the apartment is a dream come true.
“Every inch of space was conceived for a particular reason. With the help of Smit and Rajvi, I turned these four walls into a home; one that is unapologetically all about me!” she says. “I enjoy every moment of my day here and I can’t wait to come home every evening.”
Fixtures, Kohler. Stone veneer, Shree Kota Stone. Basin, Sternhagen.
Watch Now: See how Shalini Sekhri made sure she had her dream home.
Tell us…
What did you like most about this home? Let us know in the Comments section.
For Sekhri, who, for years, yearned for a home to call her own, the apartment is a dream come true.
“Every inch of space was conceived for a particular reason. With the help of Smit and Rajvi, I turned these four walls into a home; one that is unapologetically all about me!” she says. “I enjoy every moment of my day here and I can’t wait to come home every evening.”
Fixtures, Kohler. Stone veneer, Shree Kota Stone. Basin, Sternhagen.
Watch Now: See how Shalini Sekhri made sure she had her dream home.
Tell us…
What did you like most about this home? Let us know in the Comments section.
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Hi Naman, the house was executed in 5000 Rs. / Sqft.
Amazing
It's definitely not 860 sq ft. If it is what you claim, it's nothing less than a conjuring magic trick.