Some homes are not just spaces. They are soft stories made of morning light, conversations around a table and corners that hold your breath for a moment longer than expected. अंtaraa belongs to a Punjabi family of four that moved from Bombay to Ahmedabad a few years back, carrying with them the instinctive intimacy of Bombay homes where every inch has purpose and memory. Their new home was to hold onto that mindful use of space while shifting into something larger, slower, yet deeply personal.
Project Name: Antaraa
Studio Name: Space Karma
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Month & Year of Completion: July 2025
Project Area: 2450 sq ft
Styling credit: Saniya Tadha
Photography Credits: Murtaza Gandhi
At the beginning, as per client’s request the design journey tilted toward the traditional South Indian aesthetic. Rich in wood, layered in detail. But as conversations grew, so did clarity. The family realised they wanted something quieter. Rooted, yes, but not heavy. A language that was Indian in spirit yet modern in rhythm. They gravitated towards a space that didn’t scream tradition but whispered it softly through material, layout and light.
The heart of the brief was simple: clean lines, minimal material palette and spaces that breathe. Wood, in a single uniform tone and polish, became the one constant across the home. Reliable, warm, familiar. It travels across rooms not just as a material but as a sense of visual continuity and comfort. Every room, every corner, was designed to offer more than one use. Bombay’s space-smart mindset came along – so bedrooms became more than just places to sleep. They became micro-worlds within themselves.
In every room, a bay window seating was essential. Not just for aesthetics, but for the quiet things it holds – a morning tea, an unread book or that still moment before the day unfolds. These corners became the emotional pauses. The ones that inspired the name अंtaraa . Each bay seat comes with a personal library shelf. Not a shared one across the house, but intimate collections that reflect the personality of the one who owns that room.
The daughter’s bedroom balances movement and stillness. A dancer and artist, her room holds both an open floor for practice as well as a modular study for her creativity to flow. The poster bed was aligned in a way that it left open space in front of the mirror for her to dance without any distractions. The study table has one section folded into an easel adjusting the height as required. The cabinets in the desk had glass-fronted drawers to display her supplies, while the movable peg shelves above evolve as she does. The cabinet shutters beside her desk feature delicate hand-painted detailing around handles that adds a layer of personality and charm to her creative corner. Her bay seat is accompanied by a library that has both open and close storage to place her favourite reads and her collectables.
The son, an automobile design graduate, wanted clarity and zero fuss. His room is crisp, with custom cabinetry that displays his car models collected over the years with pride. Open as well as closed units with glass shutters and automatic lighting give his collection the place it deserves. His study table curves into an L-shape under a wooden light strip that blends softly into the wall next to it. Beside his bed, a side table with smart side pockets makes space for books and chargers, keeping the room lean and uncluttered. Two of his early hand sketched drawings from design school rest above the bed – a gentle reminder of where it all began.
What was initially imagined as a guest room gradually evolved into a multi-functional family study. The husband wanted a reading corner as well as a workspace of his own, and so an L-shaped wooden desk with adjustable pegs & shelves became the essential space of this room. The Murphy bed hidden behind the sofa wall keeps the space flexible. It doubles up as a relaxed TV room, a peaceful work-from-home nook, quiet reading room or a welcoming guest bedroom. Here too, the bay window holds a shelf for collectibles, while the sofa opens its arms for those moments of retreat.
The master bedroom is designed as a calm space – quiet, warm and comfortably minimal. Wood remains a defining element, with an open bookshelf beside the bed for a growing library and a soft-polished TV unit that adds sheen without demanding attention. Beside the French window, a cozy corner seating invites quiet pauses – a spot for morning tea, evening reflection or just a moment of stillness. The bed, with its woven headboard, anchors the room with gentle texture and warmth. Beside the cupboards an open display unit holds everyday essentials in an understated, personal way. The room finds its balance in restraint – where comfort is layered with quiet, thoughtful detail.
The living room is sunlit through one full wall of French windows. Furniture in beige tones adds softness, while brass accents on it bring a gentle elegance. A large wooden cabinet under the TV keeps tech clutter at bay while giving space for memories to be displayed on the sides. It is a space where the family bonds together and creates memories.
The mandir is hidden beside the TV cabinet of the living room. Wooden pocket doors slide away to reveal the space – quiet and sacred, with a presence that doesn’t announce itself. It rests peacefully, folded into the rhythm of the entire living room.
The dining area flows seamlessly from the living room. A long wooden bench runs along the wall and beyond the table, forming a pocket space of leisure – perfect for coffee, reading or quiet moments. A tribal painting above adds an earthy pulse, while the table combines chairs and a bench, balancing ease with elegance. This is more than just a dining area. It’s a space designed for long, hearty conversations. As a Punjabi household, meals are a cherished ritual, with time taken to savour every delicacy. The extended bench invites family and guests to eat at ease, linger after meals and simply be. Beside it all, a totem reimagined from South Indian wooden columns stands tall, becoming both a sculptural element and a cultural anchor.
The kitchen was envisioned as a space for connection – where cooking becomes a shared ritual rather than a solo task. At its heart are two parallel islands that allow the couple to move, chop, stir, and laugh together. One island hosts the hob and chimney, making it the hub of both cooking and conversation, while the second acts as a generous prep and serving counter.Below it, hidden storage holds easy-access snacks and munchies. Behind it all is a separate wet platform that handles all the heavy-duty tasks – washing, rinsing & cleaning allowing the central area to remain clean and focused.
At the entrance, a custom-designed wooden cabinet acts as the daily pause before stepping in or out. Thoughtfully planned, it includes pegs for umbrellas, closed compartments for newspapers, a tray for keys and open shelves for parcels, making it far more than a simple storage unit. Above it hangs a woollen knotwork artwork that adds warmth and subtly echoes Indian roots. The ceiling features a cluster of earthen pots inspired by traditional South Indian homes, grounded and tactile tone for the entryway.
Just outside the main entrance, a tall totem stands as a quiet sentinel – drawing from traditional forms and setting the tone for what lies within. Beside the door, a natural stone wall anchors the space, holding a handcrafted Tree of Life in metal. Its roots and branches symbolise resilience, continuity and hope turning the entryway into a thoughtful moment of arrival.
