DESIGN
INTERIOR DESIGN
INTERIOR STYLING
FURNITURE DESIGN
FARMHOUSE
FURNITURE
OLIVES, LEMONS & GREYS
HOUSE OF
COLORS
THE CALCUTTA COLLECTION
SARAN
ART & ARCHITECTURE
FARMHOUSE FURNITURE
FURNITURE DESIGN
Hyderabad, India
―
We were commissioned to design furniture for a farmhouse/weekend getaway located on the outskirts of Hyderabad, India. Nestled in a mango grove, this farmhouse was built in a modern Chettinad style around a courtyard, sloping roofs with terracotta tiles, and a floor laid in colorful, patterned cement tiles. The exterior walls are painted a beautiful mustard yellow. And as if it wasn’t colourful enough, the client had chosen a warm coral for the interior walls.
We proposed a monochromatic mood board in teak browns and creams for the furniture, to complement this extremely colorful interior.
However, that’s not what the client wanted. She wanted a colorful abode, with no hints of mundane city life.
So, we went back to the drawing board, and added greens and reds, touches of teal blue and grey in cushions, red and yellow motifs, and shiny brass.
We added more patterns and prints – yet maintained a fine balance of organised abundance. This project was executed under Kaava The Design Studio, and proved to be one of the most challenging, yet satisfying projects that we did.
OLIVES, LEMONS & GRAYS
INTERIOR DESIGN & STYLING
Hyderabad, India
Residential Apartment
―
This apartment belongs to a senior couple. A key element that we focused on in this project was for the interiors to be as maintenance-free as possible. This meant we avoided cove lighting or heavily carved surfaces that collect dust and grime. It also meant that we selected easy to clean surfaces like stone and ceramic tiles, used premium lead-free wall paints and spent a considerable size of the interior budget on good quality hardware for the kitchen and wardrobes.
Design standards were challenged and spaces were rethought - instead of a regular 6-seater dining set, we designed a table with 4 comfortable chairs. All furniture was specifically designed for the couple, making the furniture ergonomically suitable for them.
Considering Hyderabad’s hot weather, natural and breathable materials were preferred, such as cotton upholstery for the sofas, cane weaving for cabinet shutters, banana fibre window blinds, treated sandstone for the dining table and engineered stones for kitchen and bathrooms.
Fulfilling functional requirements does not mean that one has to compromise on the aesthetics. We selected a color palette of lemons and greens, tied together with greys and a natural Indian Teak stain. This muted, almost Scandinavian color scheme makes the space look bigger than it really is.
Floral and chevron printed fabrics, “hazaar buti” wallpaper from Sabyasachi collection from Nilaya, family pictures on walls, framed arts and crafts and strategically located hanging lamps create a relaxed and luxurious space.
HOUSE OF COLORS
INTERIOR DESIGN & STYLING
Hyderabad, India
Residential Apartment
―
2014: IIID-HRC Hafele for Excellence in Interior Design – Commendation Award, Residential Apartment Category
―
Home to a family of 5 and a Labrador, this family loved colors, needed space for a growing toddler, and had to suit the needs of 3 generations of residents. So we got down to work and came up with a palette revolving around blues.
The woods and veneers were stained a dark shade of blue, with white and greys as supporting tones. Locally sourced black cudappah stone, rattan armchairs and hand-painted walls in lilac completed the living space.
The kid’s room is a delight in pastel blues and yellows, with the furniture tucked against the wall, so that the center space is open for play. The client’s room is a symphony of ocean blues while the parents’ room is done in creams.
Photo Credits: Sanjay Raichuria
THE CALCUTTA COLLECTION
FURNITURE DESIGN
Kolkata, India
―
2016: IIID-HRC Hafele for Excellence in Interior Design – Commendation Award, Special Jury Category
―
This fully bespoke furniture collection was commissioned for a family home in Kolkata, India, earlier known as Calcutta.
Modern times, yet this collection has the sensibility of erstwhile Calcutta, with high raised furniture, a hint of colonial style and a lot of traditional craftsmanship. Using seasoned Indian teak wood with various elements such as metal jaalis, antique carved wooden panels, bevelled glass, patterned stone and wood inlay. The upholstery consisted of bright, woven, rich cottons and linens.
This project was done under the Kaava umbrella, in conjunction with the interior designer Md. Ahmad of the project. His space, our pieces, client’s requirements, blend in perfectly to create a beautiful haven.
Photo Credits:
Munaf Siddiqui
SARAN
INTERIOR DESIGN
Hyderabad, India
Retail Design
―
2015: IIID-HRC Hafele for Excellence in Interior Design – 2nd Runner-Up, Commercial Spaces Small
―
We were commissioned to design a store that sells exquisite, hand-woven silk and zari (gold thread) saris, sourced from all over India, such as the Benaras and Kaanchi silks, the Pochampally and Patola Ikats.
The client’s brief was to design a store that resembled a traditional South Indian home. To do this, we used locally available yellow slate stone for the floor. The door consisted of a reclaimed carved wooden panel. The wooden furniture was stained in a deep rich walnut brown. The ceiling is high (16 feet) and lit up with hand-made leather lamps. Ikat fabric, discarded wooden printing blocks were used as functional props.
ART & ARCHITECTURE
FURNITURE DESIGN
Hyderabad, India
―
The Art and Architecture Collection was a project close to our hearts. With this collection, we launched custom designed, hand-crafted furniture under Kaava, The Design Studio.
We based our first collection, as obvious from the title, on art and architecture, two themes that all of us at Kaava loved. It married the brush of an artist with the straight lines and forms of architecture to create usable art.
Photo Credits: Lakshmi Prabhala
