Architectural Digest • 3rd December 2022

This seafront apartment in Mumbai is an ode to the magnificence of the ocean

On the 19th floor of a Mumbai high-rise, within striking distance of the ocean, is an apartment that could have been born from the sea. "Well, that is what inspired it," says Kunal Barve, founder and principal architect of Interface by Ar. Kunal and Mihir—who was enlisted to turn the bare shell into an ocean-inspired oasis for a family of five. The bonus, admittedly for the architect, was that he was well-acquainted with the family. "I had done a home for them 15 years prior, which had even land

Architectural Digest • 2nd December 2022

Inside an East Hampton Farmhouse That Marries Old and New

When Jordan Carlyle and Mario Margelist first moved in together seven years ago, the thrill of being in the same city and, importantly, the same house was too great to risk jinxing. “We had been in a long-distance relationship for some time, and Mario was shuttling between Zurich and New York every month or so, working from here when he could. That is, until we realized there was no reason for him not to work from here full time,” recalls Carlyle, founder and principal of New York–based Carlyle

Yellowtrace • 1st December 2022

Warm and Familiar: Little Cat Lodge in the Hudson Valley by LOVEISENOUGH.

Little Cat Lodge isn’t little, nor is it for cats (although you can bring them along if you so wish). What it is, is an alpine retreat with a tavern and a bar and twelve guest rooms that could have popped out of twelve different postcards. Nestled at the foothills of Catamount Mountain, the Hudson Valley property, as its designer Loren Daye—founder and principal of LOVEISENOUGH—aptly puts it, “merges the rustic charm of an alpine lodge with the magic of mid-century Berkshires.” The design borro

Architectural Digest • 28th November 2022

A Tiny London Bathroom Gets a Forest-Like Makeover

Naomi Smart has always had a thing for matchbox living. After all, having spent a year in New York during her early 20s, she had aced the art of surviving—and thriving—in small spaces. “I was especially intrigued by the impossibly tiny bathrooms,” says the bona fide Londoner and commerce director at British Vogue. “Because somehow, I had an inkling that I might one day put my observations to good use.” The inkling, as it turned out, proved serendipitous for Naomi. Many years later, when she chan

Architectural Digest • 28th November 2022

This seafront beach house in Maharashtra’s Ratnagiri is an optical illusion

The architecture quietly nods to Charles Correa, under whose aegis Agshikar worked for almost eight years, and whose style continues to inform his designs today. Mind you, the interventions are all Agshikar's own. When he took the architectural reins, for example, the plot posed a conundrum. A mere 40 feet in width, there was no room for any additions, and so the structure had to be built on the plinth of the original house, which now lay dilapidated. "There was also a space issue," recalls the

Yellowtrace • 24th November 2022

Curiosity Central: Capital Kitchen in Amsterdam by Maarten Spruyt.

There are many things to love about Amsterdam: its great canals, the bike culture, the gorgeous cityscape and the adorable houseboats. Not to forget, the friendly locals and the stroopwafels that melt in your mouth like little spots of sunshine. If the city had a resumé, there wouldn’t be space to fit anymore. Not that that would stop it from adding to its already stellar list of attractions. One of the latest in said list is Capital Kitchen, a new restaurant conceived by multi-talented artist a

Architectural Digest • 24th November 2022

This 867-Square-Foot Parisian Pad Is at Once Zen and Zany

On Paris’s Avenue Mozart, where Haussmannian apartments appear almost frozen in time, there’s one that breathes an impossibly modern air—at least on the inside. “That’s what we were going for—equal parts considered and chic,” says Léa Levy, who purchased the two-bedroom apartment a few years ago with her husband, Alexandre Murciano. “We had been looking for an apartment in Paris for a long time. And when I saw the shape of these windows, I knew we’d struck gold,” says Levy, adding that at the ti

Architectural Digest • 23rd November 2022

Ritu Kumar's home in Goa is designed around a 400-year-old Banyan tree

“Goa is a place where we like to let our hair down and relax with family and friends. The home, styled by Prateeksha Kacker Tholia, had to be spacious enough for lots of people, but still have intimate corners. And so, we decided to follow the natural slope of the land to achieve an atypical layout with many private nooks. These allow you to remain completely undisturbed even when the rest of the house is full of guests.” Airy, welcoming, warm, bright: these are the descriptors that Ashvin offe

Yellowtrace • 22nd November 2022

The Red House in Barcelona by Aramé Studio.

Interior courtyards have long been a hallmark of Mediterranean architecture, stretching all the way from the Iberian Peninsula to the Persian Gulf as far back as 2000 BC. In fact, in the ancient town of Ur, by the Euphrates River, each home had a courtyard at its heart. Likewise, in ancient Greece, the courtyard was the home’s nucleus, serving as a central sanctuary and illuminating the rooms that skirted it. The architectural style took on various other avatars: in Rome, it emerged as the domus

Vogue • 20th November 2022

This California couple’s seafront Mumbai nest is a sweet ode to their life story

As a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and a channel sales operation consultant, Devavarapu and Bandyopadhyay enjoy the luxury of defining their own schedules. “We like to call ourselves urban nomads because we enjoy travelling and exploring the world. It's one of the perks of running your own business,” says Bandyopadhyay. “Travel has shaped our personalities, broadened our perspective and enriched our minds. These factors reflect clearly in all our homes across the U.S., London and India.” By the s

Yellowtrace • 15th November 2022

Casa Aire in Medellin by Cinco Solidos.

In Medellín, Colombia, atop a bluff that overlooks the valley, is a house that kisses the clouds. Aptly named Casa Aire, or House of Air, it moves you along with the breeze, quietly, weightlessly, towards a handkerchief balcony that appears to somewhere meet the mountains. With a spirit so zen, you’d imagine it to belong to a retired couple. Or a quiet family looking to escape city life. Anyone really, but a best-selling mega artist with over 35 million records. But for Colombian music sensation

Livingetc • 15th November 2022

[Print] Meet the Makers: Khanoom

Priyamvada Golcha was raised with a deep respect for craftsmanship. After all, her family had been in the business of clay and particle technology for the better half of a century, and she had grown up around artisans and makers breathing life into the most beautiful ceramic objects. "And yet, it took the pandemic to prompt me to venture out on my own. Well, that and Simon," she laughs. This would be British-born, Jaipur-based designer Simon Marks (who has dedicated the last two decades to working with artisans in India and Indonesia), whom Priyamvada met through a mutual friend. "He was designing tiles for a commercial kitchen project at the time, and was looking for someone to make them. We kept brainstorming, experimenting, and the ideas kept flowing. At one point, we realised we were remarkably compatible, so why not set up a studio together?" says Priyamvada.

Livingetc • 15th November 2022

[Print] Bangalore: Sunshine in the City

It was the summer of 2021 when Nain Belliappa received an unexpected call—from a fellow designer with whom she had previously collaborated. "She resonated with our work and was keen on exploring a working collaboration," she recalls. But this time, the home in question was the designer's own, and she was particular about the process. "For the first time in many years, I was required to submit a pitch. I initially told her we don’t pitch for projects, but a week later, I called her back with a design proposal. She loved it and the rest, as they say, is history!" "She" would be Namita Agrawal, founder and creative director of Bangalore-based boutique home decor store Sunshine Boulevard, who tapped Nain and her team—which included design lead Ritushree Belur and execution partners Tattva Lifespaces—to imagine a Goa-style bolthole with cheery colour and lots of light.

Livingetc • 15th November 2022

[Print] Mumbai: A Homemade Holiday

Like many young couples, Himani Agrawal and Krishna Khandelwal had long dreamed of owning their own home in Mumbai. Having met as students at IIT Bombay, and married soon after, there was something utterly magical about forging their next chapter in the Maximum City. So when it came time to make—and design—their maiden home, they knew they had to pick someone special. "The nature of their work requires them to be flexible in terms of location. So one of their prerequisites was that they be able to pick up and move easily, at minimum cost, if and when the scenario arose," says Deshna Kasliwal, founder and principal designer of her eponymous Mumbai-based design firm—and the “someone special” that the couple picked to give their new home a sunny facelift.

Architectural Digest • 13th November 2022

This Bengaluru home is a cosy French-country nest for a family of three

Nain Belliappa knows only too well the effort it takes to clinch a new project. So when a prospective client threw in an extra one as part of the deal, it was as if Christmas (and all the festivals before it) had come early for the interior designer and founder of Bangalore-based Houseof9Design. "She insisted that we take on two homes—hers and her business partner's—situated one below the other in the same building. Both homeowners were wonderfully easy-going, so saying yes was a no-brainer," sa

Yellowtrace • 9th November 2022

Biiird Yakitori in Guangdong by bigER club design.

During festivals, or just on regular weekday evenings, the main streets of Japan buzz with small carts and stalls known as yatai. These yatai are where people flock to get their hands on yakitori, a Japanese style of skewered chicken. There’s something magical about the experience. Standing roadside, skewer in hand, unperturbed by the cars that swish past or the busy passersby. Over time, yakitori stalls evolved into yakitori restaurants, but what remained unchanged was their knocked-back, fril

Architectural Digest • 9th November 2022

In Chennai, an architect builds a peaceful home for her parents, inspired by her memories

Much like the light in Bawa's architecture, the home flows like sunshine. "We created a close arrangement of rooms, with one leading into the next. The intention was to minimise the use of corridors in favour of a more informal and intimate environment," says Ramanathan. As for the architectural placement, she chose to situate the house at the heart of the plot, adding a garden on either side. "We used materials that were largely sourced from the region: bricks made outside Pondicherry, stone fr

The Local Project • 8th November 2022

For the Love of Linen – Carlotta + Gee

Since its inception just over four years ago, Carlotta + Gee has developed a versatile and growing repertoire. The bedding collection, which can be found in luxury accommodation like The Barn Tas, includes duvet covers and sets, flat and fitted sheets, pillowcases, quilt covers and a mini flat sheet. This bedding collection is available in 17 earthy colours and has recently expanded to include not only king and queen sizes but single, king single and super king too. The flat sheets’ built-in 20-

Effect Magazine • 7th November 2022

Legeard Studio on their compelling yin-yang partnership

The designer and architect duo of New York-based Legeard Studio are known to create magic with their complementary design styles She grew up in Kosovo and left the country as a war refugee. He hails from the Loire Valley in France where he grew up appreciating its architectural marvels. And yet, Valmira Gashi and Julien Legeard’s paths were destined to cross in a country that belonged to neither. “Growing up in Kosovo, architecture wasn’t exactly on my radar. I was always drawn to maths and art

Architectural Digest • 5th November 2022

Kozhikode: In this riverside bungalow, nature is the nearest neighbour

Feroke in North Kerala is a rich heritage zone famous for its history, the Chaliyar River, the railway bridge, the lush mangroves, and the numerous tile factories on the river bank. So naturally, when Aadil Salim first set eyes on the site that was to be his next project, he couldn't help but admire the view that lay before him. "The river bank was festooned with fishing boats that were once of cultural significance to the area. We wanted to reimagine all these hallmarks inside the house, but in

Architectural Digest • 13th September 2022

AD Visits: Actor Aahana Kumra’s Mumbai apartment is a pretty-in-pink princess pad

In a building full of identical brown doors, Aahana Kumra's entrance is the only non-brown curiosity. "I absolutely love pink. It's my all-time favourite colour—that's why it's right at the front," she laughs, holding open the candyfloss-coloured opuscule as she ushers me inside. For Kumra, the home is a manifestation twenty years in the making, and one that nods equally to her Lucknowi roots and her life in Mumbai. "There are whiffs of Kashmir, London and Delhi too. It's a collection of all my

Architectural Digest • 19th August 2022

AD Visits: Actor Aparshakti Khurana’s Mumbai home displays drama in the details

Even before they had finalised their house, or decided who would design it, actor Aparshakti Khurana and his wife, events entrepreneur Aakriti Ahuja, had a chandelier picked out and stowed away in storage. "I had spotted it some years ago in Delhi and just knew I had to buy it," laughs Aakriti, and Aparshakti chimes in, "We had no idea what our future house would look like. Nothing was set in stone, except this big, blue bhaisahab." The bhaisahab in question now occupies a corner of their living

Architectural Digest • 25th May 2022

AD Visits: Singer Armaan Malik’s Mumbai home is halfway between London and Los Angeles

At 10 AM on a Sunday, the last thing you'd expect is for Armaan Malik to be crisping the edges of a frittata. And yet, that's exactly the sight that greets me as I step into his kitchen, a California-cool bolthole with a London-esque edge. "I love making breakfast and treating myself to a good spread," he says, drizzling butter on bruschettas. Dressed in a casual button-up and chinos, he looks like a laid-back version of his on-screen alter ego, who, as fans of The Voice (on which Armaan appears

Architectural Digest • 18th March 2022

AD Visits: Actors Aditya Seal and Anushka Ranjan’s newlywed nest is a storybook come to life

At the door of actors (and newlyweds) Aditya Seal and Anushka Ranjan Seal's new Mumbai duplex, the nameplate is conspicuous by its absence. What is not is the cheery (LED) baby seal that takes its place, animating the wall and nodding to its namesake owners. “It's fun to watch people guess," says Anushka. "Those who get it, get it. And it makes for a great conversation-starter." But the unlikely sea creature isn’t the only thing setting the entryway apart—because if the peach-toned front door (a

Azure Magazine • 27th August 2022

[Print] Hong Kong: Carbon Brews, A Taproom by Brevity

A Hong Kong taproom lives up to playful personality of its drinks.

Architectural Digest • 27th August 2022

Step inside Tahir Sultan's bold and brooding Jaipur apartment

Tahir is a maverick entrepreneur who owns multiple businesses including Makaan, a concept store in Jaipur for artefacts and objets d’art. He is also known in the right circles for his pan-India gourmet catering business, specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine, which was born out of the much-loved dinners he would routinely host for India Art Fair’s collector circle at his apartment in Delhi. His community of friends in India is an eclectic mix of movers and shakers, who, he says, do a great job

Vogue • 29th July 2022

This Parisian-chic apartment in Bangalore is the ultimate his-and-hers loft

The home is a modish time capsule of mid-century modern chairs, Victorian moulding and foliated surfaces that whisper of faraway lands. There are textures everywhere you look: pinstriped fluting defines the living room, fluted wainscoting skirts the dining area, and cement tiles and geometric mosaics enliven the walls all around. And yet, on closer look, it’s evident that the drama is in the details—sheeny metallic upholstery, two-toned cornices, marble countertops, and a pair of gooseneck wall

Design Anthology • 28th July 2022

Mumbai: A Desert-Inspired Home in the Mangroves

Situated amid Mumbai’s historic mangroves this apartment both reflects and resists its surroundings. The interior holds a mirror to the desert, with earthy shades, jute and linen textiles and oak and teak grains dominating the palette. ‘The home nods to the shifting nature of sand, suggesting a space that can evolve along with its inhabitants,’ says Nishita Kamdar, founder and principal architect of her eponymous studio, whose team was tasked with designing a minimalist home for a mother and dau

Architectural Digest • 11th July 2022

This 768-Square-Foot Austin Bungalow Got a Cool and Classic Refresh

Charlie Rice is the sort of person you’d want for a neighbor. Not only because his bungalow is always brimming with joyful gatherings, freshly cut flowers, and the occasional swing band on the front porch, but also because—if you’re lucky—you might even clinch an invite to one of his famous five-course dinner parties. “A true-blue Renaissance man, he is a consummate host, entertainer, and bon vivant with impeccable personal style... Having a place to celebrate community and host dear friends was

Design Anthology • 26th June 2022

Mumbai: A Celestial Apartment in the City

In Mumbai's upscale Hiranandani neighbourhood, this apartment is far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. 'The client wanted a modern, minimalist aesthetic rooted in high function and low maintenance,' say Raj and Roshan Tatia, co-founders and principal designers of White Luxury Studio, who were brought on board by the homeowners to help give the property a facelift. With moon-inspired forms and artworks and pearlescent finishes, the home is characterised by cosmic references. 'The

Yellowtrace • 26th May 2022

Casa Cody, a 1900s Hotel in Palm Springs by Casetta Group and Electric Bowery.

Casa Cody has quite a history. Not only has it hosted legends like Charlie Chaplin, American opera singer Lawrence Tibbett and French-born novelist Anaïs Nin, but, as the oldest operating hotel in Palm Springs, its spirit has remained stupendously intact. Established by Harriet and Harold Bryant Cody (the former, a cousin of the famous William “Buffalo Bill” Cody) in the early 1900s, it became quite the hotspot amongst members of the arts community in its early years. Cut to today, and the hote

Architectural Digest • 25th May 2022

AD Visits: Singer Armaan Malik’s Mumbai home is halfway between London and Los Angeles

At 10 AM on a Sunday, the last thing you'd expect is for Armaan Malik to be crisping the edges of a frittata. And yet, that's exactly the sight that greets me as I step into his kitchen, a California-cool bolthole with a London-esque edge. "I love making breakfast and treating myself to a good spread," he says, drizzling butter on bruschettas. Dressed in a casual button-up and chinos, he looks like a laid-back version of his on-screen alter ego, who, as fans of The Voice (on which Armaan appears

Yellowtrace • 22nd May 2022

Dream Weaver: A Spanish-style Casita in Darlinghurst by YSG Studio.

Perhaps it was the pandemic-induced isolation, or their newly minted status as empty nesters, but when one Sydney couple acquired a penthouse overlooking Rushcutters Bay, they were mainly enthusiastic about one thing—dialling up the pizzazz and making up for lost time. And dial it up they did, thanks to Yasmine Saleh Ghoniem of YSG Studio, whom they tapped to give the home a Spanish tapas bar-inspired spin. With larger-than-life landings, glass walls, deep pile bespoke rugs and hypnotic stone s

Design Anthology • 15th May 2022

Taiwan: A Sanctuary-like Villa Near the Highway

Situated just off the thoroughfare in Tainan City, this home — named Eden Oasis — is well connected to arterial roads yet cocooned in luxurious nature. ‘The home is held in by a U-shaped glass enclosure, making nature a neighbour and offering the illusion of living in a forest as opposed to just off an urban highway,’ says Keng-Fu Lo, founder and managing director of Chain10 Architecture & Interior Design Institute, who was enlisted by the homeowner, a young professional, to give the villa a san

Architectural Digest • 20th April 2022

Actor Sakshi Malik's Mumbai home is full of picture-postcard backdrops

With a smorgasbord of picture-postcard backdrops and multipurpose zones, Sakshi Malik's Mumbai home in Worli looks like an Instagram handle come to life. "That's the way we designed it," says Nikita Dhoble, founder and principal designer of her eponymous design firm, who, along with Meghna Kakar of Behold Design, was tapped by Malik for a comprehensive redesign. "For social media content creators, good backgrounds are par for the course. So we created distinct zones where she could film various

Architectural Digest • 13th April 2022

Content creator Kusha Kapila’s apartment in Gurugram is full of secret contraptions

Effusive and spunky, and famed for her disarmingly satirical Instagram reels, it's hard to imagine that Kusha Kapila could be scared of anything. "It's the dark," she declares. "That’s what terrifies me.” In the swell of morning light that fills her bedroom, I almost miss the sensor-triggered spotlights that flick on as she hops off the bed. “Those keep me excellent company when I decide I need a trip to the bathroom in the dead of the night.” Much like the lights, the rest of the house seems cu

Yellowtrace • 3rd April 2022

Rooftop Glass Apartment in Berlin by Gisbert Pöppler.

If you were to fly over the heart of Berlin, more specifically over the borough of Mitte, you’d spy a 1930s apartment entirely enveloped by glass. From the sky, “you’d see a large glass cube with three rooms distributed like little boxes,” says interior designer Gisbert Pöppler, who was luckily on earth when he took up the task of renovating the property. For Gisbert, the project was a top-to-bottom job. “Only the glass shell remained,” he recalls. “Even the floor plan was completely revised.”

Yellowtrace • 31st March 2022

10AM Lofts: A Multi-faceted Creative Destination in Downtown Athens.

Five years ago, Eva Papadaki chanced upon a rarity—four apartments, one on top of the other, in a 1970s former industrial warehouse—all available for sale. Immediately, the Athens-based designer spotted an opportunity: To turn the apartments into creative boltholes, to be used as photography studios, film locations, event spaces or creative offices—either as individual units, or together as a whole. Recognising that it would take a village, Eva swiftly roped in two other design talents—Andrew T

Houzz • 22nd March 2022

Actor Alia Bhatt’s Mumbai Pad Is an Eclectic & Whimsical Wonderland

The aesthetic is muted, the decor minimalist, and within its restful confines, the homeowners far removed from the fanfare and footlights of showbiz. Inspired by the classic New York loft, this pad owned and shared by actor Alia Bhatt and her sister Shaheen is steeped in neutral hues and imbued with a charming old-world air. “Given that Alia travels a lot, hotels are a mainstay of her lifestyle. Thus, I envisaged a cosy home that would bring her back to her roots, yet be high on style and luxury. The house is designed for entertaining and spending time with family and friends,” says Richa Bahl, founder and chief interior designer of her eponymous design firm Richa Bahl Design Studio.

Architectural Digest • 18th March 2022

AD Visits: Actors Aditya Seal and Anushka Ranjan’s newlywed nest is a storybook come to life

At the door of actors (and newlyweds) Aditya Seal and Anushka Ranjan Seal's new Mumbai duplex, the nameplate is conspicuous by its absence. What is not is the cheery (LED) baby seal that takes its place, animating the wall and nodding to its namesake owners. “It's fun to watch people guess," says Anushka. "Those who get it, get it. And it makes for a great conversation-starter." But the unlikely sea creature isn’t the only thing setting the entryway apart—because if the peach-toned front door (a

Yellowtrace • 10th March 2022

Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel by Kelly Wearstler.

The corner of LA’s 11th and Broadway is a glittering pastiche of fashion boutiques, sports complexes and Deco architecture. So the fact that the Downtown LA Proper Hotel still manages to take pride of place here, is a bit of a minor miracle. Or not. After all, with design maven Kelly Wearstler at the helm, the 148-room destination hotel’s pizzazz hardly comes as a surprise. Still, the American designer has done justice to the building’s colourful legacy—from its state-of-the-art private club in

Yellowtrace • 3rd March 2022

Barefoot Luxury Jackpot: Kisawa Sanctuary Mozambique by NJF Design.

Benguerra Island in Mozambique harbours many rare gems: Virgin shorelines, freshwater lakes, savannah and forest, tropical flora and fauna, and spectacular dive sites, to name a few. So when you find them all in one place, as in the case of the Kisawa Sanctuary, you know you’ve hit scenic jackpot. The 300-hectare beachfront resort, designed and owned by Nina Flohr of NJF Designs, is scalloped into the island’s coastal forest, with 22 bungalows spread across 12 cove-side and oceanside residences

Yellowtrace • 6th December 2021

Arctic Monkeys Drummer Matt Helders’ Home in LA by Corinne Mathern.

When Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders purchased this 1950s house in Los Angeles, it was nothing like the home he had dreamed up in his head. The mid-century architectural hallmarks were charming. The natural light, not so much. And so, to help achieve his vision—and some extra sunlight—Matt roped in Los Angeles-based interior designer Corinne Mathern (who subcontracted the project to Landmark Building), known for her balanced, collected aesthetic. For a property that would swing between stud

Houzz • 20th July 2020

This Multi-Pavilion Celebrity Home Fits Together Like a Jigsaw

Gently enveloped between the Sahyadri mountain range and undulating open land, lies this earth-rooted family abode. “The structure is reminiscent of the forts on the horizon, and revels in its ability to become one with the land,” says Puran Kumar, founder and principal architect of Studio PKA. “It was designed as a weekend retreat for a well-known film industry personality and his family, to serve as a reprieve from their bustling city life. In this vein, we ventured out in search of a tract of land that would not only capture the essence of the place but also inspire, delight and satiate their creative endeavours.”

Yellowtrace • 26th May 2022

Casa Cody, a 1900s Hotel in Palm Springs by Casetta Group and Electric Bowery.

Casa Cody has quite a history. Not only has it hosted legends like Charlie Chaplin, American opera singer Lawrence Tibbett and French-born novelist Anaïs Nin, but, as the oldest operating hotel in Palm Springs, its spirit has remained stupendously intact. Established by Harriet and Harold Bryant Cody (the former, a cousin of the famous William “Buffalo Bill” Cody) in the early 1900s, it became quite the hotspot amongst members of the arts community in its early years. Cut to today, and the hote

Design Anthology • 15th May 2022

Taiwan: A Sanctuary-like Villa Near the Highway

Situated just off the thoroughfare in Tainan City, this home — named Eden Oasis — is well connected to arterial roads yet cocooned in luxurious nature. ‘The home is held in by a U-shaped glass enclosure, making nature a neighbour and offering the illusion of living in a forest as opposed to just off an urban highway,’ says Keng-Fu Lo, founder and managing director of Chain10 Architecture & Interior Design Institute, who was enlisted by the homeowner, a young professional, to give the villa a san

Frame • 6th April 2022

The home of the future may be hands-free. Here's how

We explore developments in the smart home industry that will fundamentally shape a new era of residential design. If you've experienced the joy of a bag of Cheetos®, it's likely you're familiar with the telltale orange dust it leaves behind on your fingers, rendering you temporarily handless until you take a trip to the sink. But what if the dust never left? What would it take to live a productive life hands-free? The answer, evidently, lies in a marketing experiment by parent company PepsiCo i

Architectural Digest • 28th January 2022

Goa: This heritage bed-and-breakfast enlivens a century-old family legacy

Like most old Goan homes, Casa Gracia has architectural features that nod to its colonial heritage. Its 2-feet-thick walls, built in laterite stone and mud and finished in lime plaster, are an unmistakable emblem of pre-independence Goa; as are the pitched roof profile and colonial-style red oxide flooring. So naturally for Santimano, retaining them was non-negotiable. "Lime plaster is a material that allows the home's mud-stone walls to breathe. And its imperfect finish only adds to the wabi-sa

Yellowtrace • 10th December 2021

Architectural Rebirth: Castle-Turned-Convent in Corsica by Amelia Tavella Architects.

The Convent Saint-François, located on the French island of Corsica, looks like a modern-day, Mediterranean version of The Sound of Music—with everything besides Maria and the von Trapp pack in attendance. Old it might be, but there’s absolutely nothing old-fashioned about this 1,000-square-metre castle-turned-convent that dates back to 1480. So much so, that a copper honeycomb veil sits over the structure like a second skin, channelling a fantastically outré flair. “It had lain partially ruine

Architectural Digest • 5th October 2021

In Hyderabad, an eco-friendly weekend home that defies conventional rules of architecture

In the backwoods of Hyderabad, on a downland of rolling grass, rests an A-frame farmhouse that appears to have risen from the depths of the earth. And yet, it's far from down-to-earth. Its contemporary arrowhead roof and triangular proportions could easily have you mistaking it for a tee-pee-style cabin in the Californian outback. “The most striking feature of this house is the roof,” says Simeen Quraishi, one-half of Hyderabad-based design studio Moriq, adding, "It is composed of two triangular

Houzz UK • 6th July 2021

Houzz Tour: A Stylish Flat Designed for People and Pets Alike

When architect Jude D’Souza – founder and principal architect of JDAP Design – and his wife graduated from being long-time renters to proud homeowners, they knew their new apartment had to be tailored to canine needs as much as human ones.

Houzz Australia • 17th April 2021

India Houzz Tour: A Home of Endless Windows and an Earthy Palette

With a decidedly earthy palette, plentiful greenery and free-flowing spaces, this home in Bangalore, India, designed by Greyscale Design Studio, embraces modern design while paying homage to its natural surroundings. “The couple wanted their home to be inclusive, with each space capable of being a gathering point. They were keen for the home to be open to greenery and that each material [should] have a unique significance,” says Ninu Ahluwalia, one of the principal architects who worked on this project.

Architectural Digest Middle East • 2nd March 2021

In This Kerala Bungalow, Almost Everything Is Upcycled

In the heart of Trivandrum, the capital of the southern Indian state of Kerala, there is a small site that breathes fresh air. “It was being suffocated by other residential projects from all four sides,” says Vinu Daniel, whose firm, Wallmakers, inverted the home’s layout to funnel the interior flow into a central courtyard. Airy and luminous it may be, but those aren’t the only hallmarks that separate this curious home from its cookie-cutter surroundings. Its Rat Trap bond masonry and upcycled

Architectural Digest • 15th June 2020

Take a trip to the moon in this serene, celestial bungalow in Goa

A central double courtyard with a crescent-shaped pool acts as an arterial gateway to the various sections of the home, and presents a dramatic interplay of sunlight and shadows. “The house is divided in half by the pool; with the living room, kitchen and guest spaces on one side, and the bedrooms on the other,” says Kulkarni. Semi-open, louvred walkways fill the courtyard, subtly parlaying into the common and private spaces. “The layout of the home is inward-looking, since it was built on a tig

1stDibs • 25th June 2022

To Make This Bronze Sculpture, Huang Yulong Completely Lost Himself

Huang Yulong’s “Be My Side” series (2015–20) puts a whole new spin on the term benchwarmer. Each sculpture, available in a limited edition of eight, features a faceless bronze figure seated in a distinctive pose on an aluminum park-style bench. “I took half a year to ‘shape’ the concept,” puns the well-known Chinese sculptor, who uses a blend of bronze and crystals to conjure his anonymous marvels, speaking on a video call. “I was sitting alone on a bench one day, struggling with the idea of ​​

Yellowtrace • 1st June 2022

Maison Intègre's Debut Collection of Bronze Works Revives the Lost Wax Technique of West Africa.

Gleaming bronze finishes, gentle curves and a bygone quality that whispers of ancient traditions—Maison Intègre‘s maiden collection could easily belong in a museum. The Burkina Faso-based company’s limited-edition bronze work line—designed by founder Ambre Jarno in collaboration with French designer Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, and handcrafted by West African master artisans—revives the country’s lost wax bronze technique. And now, for the first time, design lovers have a chance to get up close and

The Local Project • 28th May 2022

Ergonomic and Eco-Conscious – Sofas by Monde

Starting as a feel-good project during lockdown, Tilly Barber’s bespoke furniture brand Monde is rewriting the rulebook for modular furniture with a sustainable edge. Made locally in Melbourne with recyclable materials, each sofa is tailored to the needs of each customer. For Tilly, the lockdowns heralded a new chapter in more ways than one. Not only did it present a wellspring of new ideas, but it also freewheeled her – rather serendipitously – into a new career in product design. Her furnitur

1stDibs • 28th May 2022

These Soft Sculptures Are Childhood Imaginary Friends Come to Life

With her “Transitional Objects” series of soft sculptures, Gabriela Noelle has reconceived childhood imaginary friends as zany, swish avatars. She took their name from English psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott’s term for the comfort objects held dear by young children. But unlike the companions he was describing, quickly outgrown by their juvenile inventors, Noelle’s creations have no expiration date. “They exist in an alternate dimension where they can only be seen and felt when liberated from th

Effect Magazine • 12th April 2022

Sanjyt Syngh, New Delhi's immersive interior designer

The New Delhi-based designer takes cues from darkness to create playful and immersive meta-luxury spaces As I sit across from him in his New Delhi studio, it’s hard to differentiate between Sanjyt Syngh the person and Sanjyt Syngh the designer. “It’s not a job for me. It’s a way of life. Even when I’m in bed, I have a sketchbook and my laptop at arm’s length. I am constantly designing. The best ideas come to me at 3am when I am curled up in bed and it’s all dark,” says the New-Delhi based desig

Architectural Digest • 18th April 2021

A designer creates the most close-to-reality dollhouse for her alter ego

The dollhouse was fashioned out of MDF; with individual pieces precisely laser-cut to size, primed, painted and assembled. The walls and floors were hand-painted to channel exposed cement and Jaisalmer flooring, and the wooden herringbone floors and bathroom tiles were printed and hand-embossed to mimic real tile patterns. In designing the furniture, Nambiar adopted a scaled-down, real-life approach. "All the couches and chairs were made like real furniture; they had wooden inner frames which we

Architectural Digest • 10th February 2020

This London-based studio’s product range is made out of marble waste

Mia Castenskjold, Klaus Weiskopf and Stefan Zschernitz never intended to start a marble product company. Yet, what started off as a passion project—a dining table made from salvaged marble offcuts—parlayed into an opportunity to discover and create more. “The table got some attention, and we received a considerable number of requests. In that vein, we decided to team up and start the company as a side project. Our main objective was to experiment and build well-crafted, unique objects, and most

Architectural Digest • 7th February 2020

London: This designer built a children’s dreamland by using Lego Dots

Walala's stylistic references are emblems of bold architecture, unbridled colour and flamboyant expressions. South Indian architecture, in particular, has deeply influenced her design ethos. “Some postmodern houses in South India are not designed by architects; the people there just like strong shapes and colourful facades. This type of architecture was one of the inspirations for the Memphis movement, which, in turn, has been the strongest reference point for HOUSE OF DOTS,” says Walala. Works

Architectural Digest • 10th November 2019

Eyes-Wide-Open: A Seoul-based designer creates furniture that is invisible

Seoul-based designer Hyukjoon Choi's invisible furniture range is an architectural feat that could comfortably masquerade as a magic trick. The series features shelving and storage units that seek to elude the mind's eye, coalescing into the background and providing its contents with a curious illusion of levitation. Choi's designs hold a mirror to the question, ‘what if furniture was invisible?' Characterised by indiscernible outlines and gossamer shapes, Choi's creations have a diaphanous qua

Architectural Digest • 29th June 2019

These products are rewriting the rulebook for ones with special needs

Envision a folding, wall-mounted contraption that masquerades as an on-demand shower seat to fill in for your wheelchair. Or a cup—bolstered by a base, coaster and lid—to guide your shaky arthritic hand from table to tongue. In a world geared towards conventional ability and accessibility, a clutch of emerging, innovative designers are catalysing a gentle revolution in inclusive design, introducing adaptive furniture, product and interior design concepts for the ones with special needs. Here are

Sotheby's • 10th July 2022

Inside the Fantastical World of Izumi Kato

“The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity,” Alberto Giacometti once said. There is something about Japanese artist Izumi Kato's oeuvre that perfectly exemplifies Giacometti's quote, leading the observer into a neverland full of humanoid creatures with alien features, who, even, and especially, with their distorted guises, exude a fantastical spirit that is equal parts terrestrial and celestial. The artist’s largest-ever single canvas at auctio

Yellowtrace • 11th April 2022

French Ceramicist Grégoire Scalabre’s Latest Masterpiece Is Inspired by a Greek Goddess.

Gregoire making the miniature porcelain pieces for his sculptures. Photo by Fabien Jallot. Glazed and ready to be added to the larger sculptural form. Photo by Charles De Borggraef. The Final Metamorphosis Of Thetis by Gregoire Scalabre, presented at Homo Faber 2022 in Venice. Photo by Charles De Borggraef. Made up of over 70,ooo of miniature porcelain pieces turned individually by hand, L’Ultime Métamorphose de Thétis (The Final Metamorphosis Of Thetis) by Gregoire Scalabre is a labour-in

Sotheby's • 8th April 2022

Modern Muses, Enduring Icons of Beauty

In advance of Sotheby’s Modern Evening Auction (27 April, Hong Kong), we take a look at a selection of paintings by modern art masters that celebrate the muses who have been the source of their artistic inspiration. Through these works, we sense the resonance and emotional response from the artists’ relationships to their subjects, expressed in a powerful statement of enduring beauty. The women of Pablo Picasso’s life were the fulcrum of his genius, essential to his creative and intellectual pr

Sotheby's • 6th April 2022

Emerging Artists Who Will Shape the Contemporary Art World

Noted for her kaleidoscopic abstractions of floating moons, knobbly trees and effulgent sunlight, Shara Hughes's brushstrokes freewheel across the canvas in a smorgasbord of colour. The New York-based artist, who earned a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2004 and attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in 2011, has a bold signature that riffs on dramatic tones and dreamlike manifestations. Hughes's oeuvre nods in equal spirit to the deeply saturated palettes of the e

Yellowtrace • 17th February 2022

Hôtel des Académies et des Arts in Paris by Lizée-Hugot

In the time capsule that is Montparnasse, art can be seen everywhere. On buildings. Inside them. On walls and ceilings and doors and windows. As frescoes and as freestanding displays. And in the case of The Hôtel des Académies et des Arts, in its past, present and future (you see, the building has served as a hotel for well over a century). The Parisian hotel’s cool new avatar is courtesy of architects Stéphanie Lizée of Lizée-Hugot, an architecture firm she co-founded with Raphael Hugot. Stéph

Architectural Digest • 22nd January 2021

Delhi: An all-women show makes a splash at Vadehra Art Gallery

An ode to female artistry, with interdisciplinary conversations around the nature of self-building, will soon assume a novel avatar, in the way of an all-women group show christened (ME)(MORY). The exhibition, curated by Dipti Anand, is available for viewing at Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi, and features an eclectic collection of artworks by nine leading artists with a subcontinental presence. These include Faiza Butt, Ruby Chishti, Anoli Perera, Bakula Nayak, Apnavi Makanji, Rakhi Peswani, Him

Architectural Digest • 6th December 2020

COVID-19 Relief: Artists create artwork plates for homeless New Yorkers

This year, the COVID-19 pandemic inspired the Coalition for the Homeless to eschew their annual traditional gala and auction in favour of new, innovative ways of fundraising. On 16th November, they launched a first-of-its-kind collaboration with 50 distinguished artists to create limited-edition plates; the proceeds from the sale will help homeless New Yorkers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative titled ‘The Artist Plate Project' mirrors the non-profit's time-honoured legacy of c

Architectural Digest • 29th January 2020

London: Get your hands on a Picasso original at Sotheby’s

Most art lovers covet a Picasso original, but bona fide artworks by the grand master are few. Soon, art collectors can look forward to a spectacular selection of Pablo Picasso's works from the private collection of his granddaughter, Marina Picasso. The auction, titled ‘Sotheby's Impressionist & Modern Art Day Sale', was unveiled at Sotheby's Impressionist & Modern Art Department, London, on January 5, 2020. Pieces will be available for public viewing from January 29, 2020. Pablo Picasso is one

Architectural Digest • 9th January 2020

Mumbai: Jamaat’s exhibition unfolds a sacred geometric language

Witness a sacred language of form and sound unfold on canvas. An art extravaganza christened ‘Yantra and Mantra' will be unveiled by Jamaat today, in commemoration of their 21st anniversary. The show is slated to run until 28th February 2020. The exhibition is an introspection into geometric shapes and proportions and their architectural symbolism in sacred worship and spiritual practices across civilisations. “There exists a belief that God created the universe according to a geometric plan. T

Architectural Digest • 3rd January 2020

Make a date with Frida Kahlo in the Windy City of Chicago this summer

If you're an art aficionado, the summer of 2020 promises to be a season to remember. Frida Kahlo 2020, a one-of-a-kind, multifaceted exhibition hosting one of the largest private collections of original artworks by Frida Kahlo, is opening in Chicago between March and August 2020. Go on and satiate your soul with an art-filled summer. Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist whose stylistic ethos seeded a powerful visual metamorphosis in 20th century art and culture. Kahlo was noted for her self-portrai