Every project I have ever worked on has always come with some challenges that compelled me to discover a new side to my creativity & to create interiors that feel fun and inviting. This particular project is a demonstration of that statement.
Project Name: Hemant Ruprell
Designed by: A+A Design Studio
Address: Samadhan, 2nd floor, plot no 65, lane no 1, Abhinav Nagar, Borivali (East) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India 400066
Architect: Amrita and Ankit Mehta
Team: Ranjeet Kumbhar and Sana Naik
Photo Credits: Photographix | Sebastian Zacharia
I still remember my preliminary meeting with Hemant Ruprell, the Co-Founder of Frames Production Company, & his mom Sudha Ruprell who was amiable and organized.
They had one existing flat and recently brought an adjacent 3 BHK flat. The brief was to merge them in such a way that at times they can be used as two different flats, and during festivals like Ganpati, and Diwali, they can be opened & used as a large living space.
One side of the flat will be used by Sudha Mam and the other side by Hemant sir. Their personalities are different, and so does their design preferences. Hence, the biggest challenge we had in this project was merging these two different personalities & designs into a space that looks like one while maintaining its individuality.
Hemant sir, with his nearly 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, had a creative mind & unique taste in interiors. It was fun & a learning process for me & my team while working with him. He strives to bring the best in you. He gives you the freedom to do what you want to design, and how you want to design while ensuring that you have achieved the best results. So, it motivates you to do better & think differently.
The intent for Hemant sir’s adobe was to create a cozy, homely vibe yet look modern & reflect their personality. His love for antique & Indian heritage was the driving force for the design of the house.
As you enter, you see a grand opening. We have used a haveli door from Haryana as a main door to the house to give a distinctive architectural element to their decor. The glimpse of the golden chakra panel in the foyer and their unique combination makes you curious to see what’s next!
Using the right partition was tricky as we wanted to make it soundproof so that the daily activity doesn’t get disturbed.
We have used Dorma Variflex acoustic panels as our partition system to divide two living rooms into both sides. This way, we successfully created two different areas with different designs. Now, when the panels fold, these disparate sections flow into each other and feel like one cohesive unit, all while maintaining their distinct functionality and purpose.
We combined three colors – the same palette of décor around to create specific patterns throughout the living room – this mix of tiles brings a fresh new look to the entire space giving an ultra-glam look.
The other side of the living room had lots of wooden elements, and we had to be sure that, when the partition folded, the overall area appear balanced, and the wood elements don’t get overpowered. So, we used a combination of grey, brown and white pastel colors to create a calming feel. Pastel colors can blend with natural materials like wood and still look unified.
The leather sofa, old relaxing chair & Acacia finish accent furniture uplifts the entire look. The indoor plants add a hint of color of the outer world and bring a breath of fresh air into these indoor spaces. The living room has a fantastic sunset view of the creek – a favorite spot for them to enjoy a cup of chai and soak in the creek view.
Wall arts play an essential part in the final touches on any project. They are not just for aesthetics, but it depicts their personality. It connects with their soul. In this case, the artworks like a beautifully woven carpet of a tiger or the journey of their 40 days Mumbai-London road trip, or the old Hindustan map have a story to tell & are a part of their who they are.
This home is a fine example of using space both effectively and efficiently. For instance, the kitchen is a tiny space, but we have tried to fit all their daily needs to make it optimally functional and productive. The fresh green color creates a contrast to the white-gray ambiance.
Two bedrooms are combined into one, separating two zones, one like a bedroom area with a small private seating place and the other as a small study plus exercising area. Hemant Sir had a collection of old Bhutanese-style panels, so we made a replica of those and added that as a background to the bed. It gives a surreal effect to the entire room.
To lend privacy to the study and maintain the individual charm of the space, we repurposed an old door from Jaipur as a background for the study area. As the adjacent building overlooks this area, this beautiful door acts as a barrier to provide the necessary privacy.
The two contrasting tones, fresh green, and rich brown make this corner warm and cozy. We used two huge mirrors in a very unconventional way with lots of wall art to make the small area look bigger. These both areas open into a nice huge bathroom and with the continuation of similar flooring like bedrooms they merge.
