A joy-filled first home and a cherished purple wedding-day saree framed as art set the tone for Kondan. Designed by architect Sejal Phale, this 1,200 sq ft residence in Estrella 45, Baner, Pune, is warm, personal, and quietly expressive.
Project Name: Kondan
Studio Name: Architect Sejal Phale
Photographer: Architectural Captures by Abhishek Chavhan
Poised between modernity and tradition, the home expresses simplicity through earthy
materials, traditional elements, and personalised decor. Designed for a modern power couple and their dog, Sasha, the brief prioritised relaxed living and everyday comfort. As Sejal explains, “The duo imagined a home that would help them unwind and recharge after demanding workdays, with nooks and areas that offer moments of pause.”
The floor plan promotes openness through built-in units, softened profiles, and multifunctional furniture, while generous windows invite daylight and cross-ventilation. At the entrance, a maroon kolam motif on a beige wall frames a bronze Ganesha idol, creating a grounding visual anchor that gently draws you inside.
Inside, the living room signals comfort through a striped sofa that bridges eras while serving present needs. Wooden ceiling beams lend architectural weight, discreetly masking the irregular structure above, while arches soften doorways and windows. A handcrafted wooden coffee table reflects mindful living, and traditional wooden columns with ornate bases and capitals flank the TV unit, screening direct views into the kitchen. A dado rail introduces a deliberate colour divide, balancing minimalism, function, and decoration. Adjacent to the living room, the balcony houses Sasha’s corner. “During the execution phase, we noticed that Sasha repeatedly gravitated towards a particular spot, so we transformed it into a dedicated space for her,” notes Sejal.
Flowing out of the living room, the dining area continues the vintage ceiling beams overhead. A solid brown dining table anchors the space, while open shelves of artefacts, arched doorways to the kitchen and bedrooms, and a wall-mounted pendulum clock quietly celebrate craftsmanship. An ornate framed mirror above a fluted sideboard visually doubles the room, while varied seating, from benches to chairs, caters to different modes of comfort.
In the private quarters, the guest room unfolds as a retreat for creativity and leisure. A wooden desk doubles as a music station with a keyboard tucked below, while a timber portal by the window invites reading. A projector provision, paired with soft evening lighting and Roman blinds for the day, allows the room to shift seamlessly from hobbies to movie screenings.
Further in, the master bedroom speaks through texture, with depth-inducing wall panelling, woven sconces, and a floral headboard on the poster bed. Utility corners are carefully composed with a wooden vanity, wardrobes with rattan inserts, ascending shelves, and clean-lined nightstands. A scalloped pelmet and wave-inspired furniture profiles add a final layer of nuance.
Washed in sunlight, the children’s bedroom is shaped by gentle forms that evoke childlike joy. A softly graphic vignette unfolds around the low platform bed, where colour and contour lead the expression. The scalloped headboard, upholstered in a muted grid-patterned fabric, extends across the room. Thoughtfully zoned, the space includes a beige study nook and wardrobes with rounded profiles and minimal hardware, alongside a mirror set slightly below the bed. “Subtle variations in pattern and texture give each room its identity, yet connect seamlessly to the larger narrative,” says Sejal.
Literally, Kondan is named after the Marathi word for the precise encasing of a gemstone into metal where elements are set snugly, with intention and care. Kondan speaks to craftsmanship over display, valuing precision, restraint, and permanence. As for the owners and their dog Sasha, Kondan is the encasing that holds their lives and its moments like the jewel that they are, in a delicate, deliberate frame.
