A fusion of styles outlines the journey of spaces in an abode designed for a modern, nuclear family with a work-driven lifestyle.
Warm backdrop with a white and grey palette, cosy and comforting corners, rich jewel tones of the furniture which enhance the luxe of the interiors. In a gist this is what The Contemporary Vilas is all about. Based in Gurugram, this project was designed by RSDA, a multidisciplinary design firm based in Haryana.
The home owners who deal with an international clientele wanted the best of both worlds; they felt the design of their abode needs to reflect the essence of Indian royalty in a contemporary way. Inspiration was to be sought from the “havelis” of Rajasthan but at the same time the aesthetics needed to be modern day. Conceivably akin to a beautiful maiden or a bride who makes heads turn, draped in a well-designed patola silk saree, holding a Luis Vuitton handbag. In a way the clients were always welcome to an experimental approach to design through detailing.
Unlike other projects, it was quite easy for the designers to execute this project owing to the client’s consistent engagement. Rakhee Bedi Kumar, Founding Principal, RSDA says “The clients were involved throughout the design process and open to experimentation. They had aspirations for each space which were developed through design and the formal and private spaces were detailed out keeping in mind the maintenance of such spaces on a day-to-day basis. This also helped us as designers to maintain a design connectivity between the different spaces.”
The property encloses living, dining and a lounge room apart from three bedrooms. The segregation aimed at addressing the distinction between formal and private spaces. The use of similar flooring and colour palette helped in achieving this separation in the two. The living and dining areas were treated as a single space, offering the feel of being in a larger one. An attempt was made to achieve a free- flowing space, from one to another. While the rest were differentiated through color palette and choice of material.
A light neutral colour palette with dark accessories was adopted for the overall approach. The background and flooring were kept neutral, contrast was reigned in by using the jewel tone fabric on the furniture and the accessories which were adorned with a brass and gold finish.
The daughter’s room was enveloped in pastels and whites tones throughout. In the master bedroom the neutral tone was offset with the use of multicolour bright soft furnishings, the home office/media room brought out the modern and rustic side of the home with the use of reclaimed cement peat and grey tones offset by bright furniture.
Lighting played an important role to augment the various moods through the spaces. Being an apartment, light differs from time to time during the day. The best time is in the morning or afternoon, when sunlight streams through the formal areas. The light floods the whole house through the large openings that have been provided keeping the liveliness of the space intact.
For artificial lighting concealed dimmable lights in the ceiling, hanging lanterns were utilized. The use of track lights to focus on the artwork and specific areas has been imbibed to create drama. The artworks are a reflection of the client’s travelogue. To ensure the precision of the design narrative, the interior accessories were custom designed. From the brass table, to the mirror-panelled wall at the entry, to the lights next to the bar, inspiration was derived from various art deco elements.
The project served as an element of great professional gratification for RSDA. “The marriage between the neutral palette and the jewel tone accents in the furniture are tied down to form luxurious spaces, without making them lose their functionality,” says Ritu. “The project in one of truest sense,” she concludes, “is an immersion of art into architecture.”
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