Wabi Sabi Villa - Aantrik Studio

It’s easy to get pulled into the frenzy of city life, especially in a bustling metropolis like Bengaluru. Breaking away from the din, this 3,500-square-foot villa offers a gentle reprieve – a home shaped by instinct rather than blueprint. For the woman who resides here, a sense of calm and ease was imperative to the design brief. Tasked with translating this sentiment across the home’s two levels were architect duo Vedika Modi and Aman Thakur of Aantrik Studio, who rendered its every corner with quietude.

Vedika recalls her client’s preference for a visual language as subdued and introspective as her own temperament. “It was only fitting that she sought a Wabi Sabi-inspired look”, she shares. “The space had to feel light, open and inherently warm”. True to the ethos, the realised expression is one of tactile charm, where nature’s imperfections and soft geometry guide the narrative, albeit anchored in a contemporary mien.

Central to the spatial experience is a fluid sense of continuity, articulated through a composition of sinuous silhouettes and sculptural recesses that foster a lyrical rhythm. The designers began by working closely with the architecture, “crafting wrapped volumes and consciously keeping the contrast minimal.” With smoothed edges lending the home a hand-shaped quality, the craftsmanship is imperceptible. Earthy neutrals in beige and brown establish an immersive milieu, while natural light glides across lime-plastered walls – a palette aptly touted as Honey & Clay.

The tonal scheme across the communal spaces draws from the beige tint of the marble flooring. Rich teak finishes take precedence, offset by jute rugs that beckon barefoot moments. Steering away from symmetry, the designers embraced variation: live-edge tables, organic forms and textural shifts that align with the Wabi Sabi tenets.

A sense of order underpins the rawness, seen in the wooden rafters overhead and arched thresholds that subtly define zones. In the living area, taupe-toned furniture sits low against carved niches, each cradling cherished keepsakes. “The goal was cohesion – for each space to easily transition into the next,” remarks Vedika. It’s clear to see. Adjoining in seamless stride, the dining area is defined by an ashwood table and cane-backed chairs. But the true showstopper is the crowning trio of bamboo lights, their shape recalling the whorls of sea shells.

The kitchen introduces a measured contrast with sage-toned subway tiles, enlivening a reconfigured layout that now harbours a breakfast island. Ivory cabinets and a quartz counter set a pristine backdrop, punctuated by fluted glass shutters and suspended shelving.

Moving inward, tranquility deepens, with each bedroom crafted as an ode to soft understated luxury, but never bereft of character. A flamingo tapestry complements the deep walnut tones of the master suite. Upstairs, the second bedroom is steeped in beige monotones and bold contours: a vaulted ceiling amplifying the volume, an arched bookshelf that dissolves into the architecture, and a tropical wallpaper whose tones sync with the coral furnishings. The guest room is bright and airy, where streamlined furniture juxtaposes with twilight-toned blues and cane accents become a recurring motif. From self-textured pieces to media arts, curated artworks imbue a layer of storytelling across the home.

In every design gesture, there’s a palpable sensitivity – not just in how it was made, but in whom it was made for. What transpires is an abode that reflects its inhabitant’s inner world – where form yields to feeling, and the essence of nature is allowed to speak freely.

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