Shilpa and Nithin from Aarthaa Design Studio embraced this challenge with precision, crafting The Austere Abode to reflect the family’s distinct style. Spanning 892 square feet, the home is an epitome of minimalism and functionality, tailored to the personalities of its inhabitants. Subdued tones harmonise with vibrant accents and colour pops, creating a serene yet lively atmosphere.
Only opulence in sight
Guests are welcomed into the home through a compact foyer that creates an illusion of spaciousness with a wall-mounted mirror. The wall is elegantly divided, with the lower half adorned in oak beading and white-painted MDF slats, extending into the dining area. The living area, a generously sized zone, is subtly partitioned by arches adorned with tropical wallpapers, complemented by an ornate orange pendant light. The other section of the living space features fluted panels, offering a minimalist backdrop to the understated furniture. The media unit is designed with a sleek appearance, featuring storage drawers at the base and oak-finished MS pipe ledges for displaying décor, ensuring an airy feel. All television wires are discreetly concealed behind MDF wall panelling, seamlessly integrated into the overall design.
A comforting colour palette
The dining area is elegantly decorated in soft peach and white hues. A dual-purpose crockery and pooja unit serves as a focal point, featuring an arched door that complements the console area’s arches. The unit is adorned with Pichwai elements and fluted glass shutters.
The kitchen portal was panelled to facilitate a seamless transition, concealing the fire water sprinkler with oak veneer panelling on the false ceiling that spans the foyer, living, and dining areas. A dwarf wall originally dividing the kitchen and utility was removed to create a continuous countertop, achieving a parallel kitchen layout. The clients opted for a black granite countertop for its easy maintenance. Adjacent to the hob, a ladder unit was installed to discreetly house the washing machine and sink, while also providing storage for the gas cylinder. Due to insufficient natural light from the kitchen window, we used oak laminate for the lower cabinets and white laminates for the upper cabinets and loft, ensuring a cohesive colour theme that harmonises with the rest of the house.
Adorned with playful charm
The master bedroom is decorated in soothing green tones, chosen by the wife. It blends walnut accents with green hues, offering a contrast to the oak laminate used elsewhere, which adds a touch of elegance. A deep maroon shade highlights the headboard of the platform bed against a subtle grey wallpaper. Floating side tables ensure easy cleaning, and a vertical fluted wall panel above them continues the headboard’s pattern. Walnut beading runs from the bed panel to the bedroom entrance, complementing the pinstriped wallpaper on the lower half of the room. Interestingly, custom-designed blinds feature a leaf-patterned border with a solid beige colour. The wardrobe shutter is adorned in green with a textured walnut laminate and custom-made long handles, while black knobs adorn the loft shutter. A single shutter with beautiful rattan facia is dedicated to storing used clothes only. The study area seamlessly extends from the wardrobe, maximising space efficiency. Its adjacent storage shutter showcases an Indian flower-themed wallpaper that harmonises with an arched design on part of the wardrobe, ideal for storing laptop bags, books, and chargers.
Moving on to Asmi’s room, the design theme transitions from minimal to playful. To create ample space for her to play, the bed is placed in the corner of the room with movable side tables. The bed’s headboard is detailed with an oak panel and beige scallop cushions. The room features rounded edges and charming blinds adorned with pom-poms. A dual laminate shutter wardrobe with one side open for toy display is provided. The other end of the wardrobe includes a fluted glass dresser storage unit, complemented by a wall-hung mirror in an arch design.
The home features sleek furniture that enhances its spaciousness within a pastel, clutter-free environment. The Austere Abode prioritises user-friendly, low-maintenance, sustainable, and budget-friendly materials and design.
Fact file:
Name of the project: Austere Abode
Location: Bengaluru
Area: 900 sq ft
Type: Residential Interior Design
Design firm: Aarthaa Design Studio
Lead Designer: Shilpa & Nithin
Photography Credits: Shine Prasana
About Aarthaa Design Studio:
Aarthaa Design Studio was founded in 2019. The studio handles both residential and commercial projects. They view each client as unique, with a distinctive brief to address. The team is committed to pushing beyond their existing knowledge, aiming to execute something novel in every project. They continuously step out of their comfort zone, embracing new concepts and techniques, and strive to create spaces with a true sense of soul.
