For Snehal Shah and his family, their path has eventually
led them to a serene and spacious retreat, which they have lovingly named as
“Ghar”. Sitting idyllically in the landscape and far from the hustle-bustle of
the city, this Modern Bungalow interacts with its surroundings with its
balanced and neutral insertions. It respectfully aligns with nature by using
the rustic charm of natural wood in the design. Given the challenge to come up
with interiors that evoke modern vibes, KNA, carefully infused the calm and
serene setting with restraint and a considered contemporary approach. And this
magic is evident as soon as you step forward at the entrance.
The “Gateway to Ghar” is adorned with Italian stone wall
cladding and brass murals that exude affluence. The Golden streaks at the door
welcome and draw you in towards the holy sanctum. The foyer is made exquisite
with Black Italian marble inlay in Beige Italian marble. A minimal wooden frame
with glass sliding doors and see-through batons separates the foyer &
living area.
The showstopper of this bungalow is surely the Living Room.
This magnanimous space is synonymous with a “darbar” of an emperor. Oozing
class in every square inch, the living room interiors have some of the finest
Italian marble, Italian stone walls, statement-making rugs from Udaipur and
customized paintings by artist Avinash Gondaliya. The regal aura is heightened
by the presence of double-height spaces and the towering chandelier designed by
Kaanch that hangs tall. All in all – “Impress” at first sight kind of vibes in
the living room.
The Family Sitting and Dining is where all the conversations
are meant to brew and laughs to echo. Natural lighting fills up this space to
make it light, airy and soothing. The large wall with wooden panelling
complemented by an azure wall on the opposite makes for a beautiful contrast.
Big glass doors are installed next to the windows creating direct visual access
to the lawn while limiting visual intrusions into the otherwise abstracted
space. The master bedroom has curated veneer panelling and opens up to a lovely
garden with breathtaking views to behold. Up on the first floor is where the
teenagers have their own “space to chill” aka bedrooms. While the daughter’s
bedroom dons the finest Italian marble, handmade rug and wooden niche, the
son’s bedroom opens up to a beautiful terrace garden. Outline Studio
Architects have put their hands up and done a fabulous job with the
landscaping.
Gardens infuse a breath of fresh air in the spaces while
making for a visually stunning backdrop. At "Ghar", we have created
this scintillating space of dry landscape, walkways, stepping stone pathways,
indigenous flora, palm area and a special little promenade along the waterbody
for "Walks to Remember". The landscaping is done keeping in mind the
finer details, including styling, plant selection, grass species and soil
quality among others. Wood is like a fine wine. It simply gets better with age.
For centuries, humans have relied on wood for constructing their homes. Throughout
history and in modern times, one can trace iconic structures made of wood.
From U Beins Bridge in Myanmar and The Great Eastern Temple in Japan to the
Superior Dome in Michigan and the Community Church of Knarvik in Norway, the
brilliance of wood continues to amaze and inspire even after decades.
At “Ghar”, wood plays an indispensable part in the
interiors. The timeless charm, integrity and versatility of wood add warmth and
soothing touch to the space. Enriching the space, the use of wood effortlessly
adds contemporary flair to the interiors. From chairs and cabinets to wall
panelling and bedroom bench, wood is the unsung hero of the interiors. The
growing importance of sustainability has influenced architects as well.
Aligning our working philosophy with sustainable practices, we have
incorporated biophilic design principles in interior design. The use of plants
and wooden accents brings nature right into the living space. Ghar is
intricately designed to offer inner suburban living. It combines functional
design seamlessly with beautiful aesthetics. You can notice details that arouse
visual interest everywhere you look in this scintillating space.
Herringbone-patterned door and foyer, customized rugs by Dhurrie Store,
handpicked rocks in the garden, comfy lounge chairs, custom paintings, bespoke
accessories and other unique elements combine to make the interiors
enthralling.
The Shahs were simply in awe of the space. Expressing his
delight, Mr. Snehal Shah says, “We could not have dreamt of a better home than
‘Ghar’. The space exudes contemporary class and comfort at the same time.
We knew Narendra Joshi would fulfill our expectations. But we were proven
wrong. He, along with his team, went beyond the call of duty and engaged
with us at every stage to deliver a space that is beyond our expectations. We
are over the moon and can’t thank him enough for doing this. Cheers!”
Narendra Joshi reckons that “Ghar” was a challenging
project, He says, while quoting Steve Jobs, that, “Simple can be harder than
complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it
simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move
mountains.” He further adds, “Our team moved mountains to get the finer
details absolutely spot on and it is evident with the outcome. Shahs love their
place and that was our ultimate aim.”
“Ghar” is a very special project and very close to our
hearts. It was a pure joy to design the interiors in collaboration with the
client, who had an eye for detail and our relationship simply blossomed
over time. The natural aesthetics of wood, the calmness of the hushed color
palette, thoughtfully curated lighting and scattered chevron patterns make
for pastoral settings. Just the kind of space our client desired to return to
after a long day of hustle. It is said, “Home is where the Heart is”. However, after this project, for
everyone here at KN Associates, “Heart is where the Ghar is”.