A simple message on Instagram set the ball rolling for this home. Architect Anuja Marudgan met the Bhoite family more than a year ago to design their first home as a nuclear family. “This has been one of my longest-running projects,” says Anuja, reflecting on the journey.
Project Name: Walnut Grove
Studio Name: Ikigai Studio
Completion Year: 2025
Principal Architect: Ar. Anuja Marudgan
Photographer: Sagar mandal, Studio colourblind
Possession delays stretched the project by nearly two years, but the silver lining was a deep, heartwarming architect-client relationship. The result? A home designed entirely around the nuances of its inhabitants—a young couple and their three-year-old daughter—who sought a space that would evolve with them.
For Anuja, this project was an opportunity to craft a childhood home for the couple’s daughter – a warm inviting space filled with laughter and comfort. The overarching design brief was simple: a contemporary home with a muted colour palette, yet one that felt homely, bright, and cosy.
“It was an exciting project because we had a blank canvas. The 3BHK is actually two 2BHKs
combined. Since we took over the project at the start, we were able to explore layout options and tailor them to the client’s needs,” explains Anuja.
Structural modifications helped optimize the space. The living room balcony was enclosed, half of the daughter’s balcony was converted into wardrobe space, and the kitchen was significantly expanded by merging a bedroom with the original kitchen area. However, along with the boon of a bare-shell apartment came the bane of integrating two separate structures. Concealing structural beams was a major design hurdle, but instead of masking them, Anuja embraced them as part of the home’s layered aesthetic. In the living room, the balcony beam was left untreated to retain ceiling height, while in the dining area, a necessary ceiling treatment accommodated two prominent beams.
The first design intervention was the creation of a small entrance lobby, adding a subtle layer of privacy to the home. This lobby opens into a spacious living room accented with beautifully curved sofas. A striking walnut veneer backdrop runs along the length of the room, complemented by a lush Rosina plant in one corner and a stainless steel bench in another, adding a touch of brutalist contrast to the soft interiors.
A travertine dining table, paired with sculptural pendant lighting, anchors the dining zone, while a concealed black bar provides a striking contrast against the warm wood tones. The flooring, a combination of white and black marble, serves as the perfect canvas for this inviting space. The open-concept kitchen flows from the dining area, finished in a creamy palette with black accents for contrast. A spacious island with elegant pendant lights and a custom-built pantry unit enhances both function and character.
An archway in the living room leads to the daughter’s bedroom, a whimsical retreat featuring bespoke wallpaper adorned with baby animals. “The Bhoites’ daughter loves animals, so we customized an animal-themed wallpaper for her bed backdrop,” says Anuja. The furniture, designed with soft curves, ensures both playfulness and safety, from her study table to her side tables and storage units.
