Located in Wadala, Mumbai, the 2 BHK apartment is conceptualized as a resting place of Lord Krishna and the house has been named Krishna Nilaya, since the clients wanted it to be representative of their inner world; comprising of delicately treated and thoughtful spaces. But practicality and comfort are the cornerstones on which the residence stands. The residence housing a couple and their son, is conceptualized as a three-lettered word – JOY; which becomes a medium of expression of thoughts of its inhabitants. The architect envisioned this apartment to be palpable, such that it breathes and has a life of its own. The design was practicality curated and comfort was the primary aim of the interiors.

 This project won the International A’design Iron Award in the Residential Interiors category. Fathomed as a resting place of Lord Krishna, the house has been named Krishna Nilaya. The word ‘Nilaya’ stands for ideals, knowledge, spirituality, altruism, selflessness, sensitivity, compassion and generosity. Equally it is able to be a symbol of reflection and austerity, representing intuition and spirituality. In the spiritual sense, the abode of Krishna is described as the eternal sky, which is illuminated by the Brahmajyoti, the rays emanating from the Supreme Lord. Along these lines, the esoteric meaning leads to the divine spirit. 

The clients devised the house to be a representation of their inner world, thus comprising delicately treated and thoughtful spaces. Since nature is favourable to mental health, the entire design scheme has been influenced by flowers and their colors in sync with the overall décor. Design elements are used as accents through the house against the backdrop of stunning décor through a design language that mixes and matches different genres to achieve timeless design. 

Designed as a lovely escape from the chaos of the city outside, the spatial planning brings the beauty of nature indoors, while transporting comfort to all spaces by means of a simplistic, minimal approach. The plan comprises a living room, a small kitchen adjacent to it, a master bedroom and a room for the kid, with balconies adjoining all rooms. The key element that ties the décor scheme together is the floral theme that has the ability to instantly bring a sophisticated and glamorous touch to any space. Each piece of furniture has a color combination that is inspired by a flower. Pops of colors are used with elegant furniture that comes together in an aesthetically pleasing composition. 

The vibrant colors of the landscape are manifested in the interiors, and get reflected in the décor through layered textures and playful art that sits against the rustic backdrop. A carefully chosen square ornamental handle in wood makes a statement right at the entrance of the apartment. The entrance lobby leads onto the living area, where one finds a beautifully painted Radha- Krishna mural against the brick wall. 

Addressing the client’s urge for 3 components– romance, faces, and parijat; the mural elegantly renders the love of Radha and Krishna which is symbolic of the eternal love. The artist has represented a state of devotion- Radha’s yearning for union with her beloved Krishna is the soul’s longing for spiritual awakening to be united with the one source of peace and bliss. In this sense, Krishna is beheld as the fulfillment of all desires. 

Inspired by the remnants of colors on a wall on the festival of Holi, there are plenty of colors in the painting which are soft yet vibrant. These colors also depict the versatile personality of Lord Krishna. The ever-smiling, lotus-eyed Krishna with a garland of flowers around His neck is shown as being blue in color and wearing yellow clothes. Blue is the color of the infinite and whatever is immeasurable can appear to the mortal eyes only as blue. Vast expanses in nature, such as the sky at midday or the ocean at its depths, appears blue to human perception. Hence, a deep blue backdrop was chosen for the painting. The blue form of Krishna is clothed in yellow, representing the earth. Anything buried in the earth gathers a yellowish hue; and in fire, earth emits a yellow hue; suggesting purity, infinite consciousness come down to earth to play in His finite form. A reflection of Lord Krishna is shown in the mirror that Radha is holding, adding to the beauty of the composition. 

The flowers shown here are Parijat which are considered to be divine and bloom occasionally. Also known as God’s beloved flowers, they symbolize purity. The origin of this flower is believed to be in the sea churn between the demons and the gods. It is also believed that whenever one touches it, its fatigue disappears within a few minutes, and the body recovers. 

The composition of this mural has been done deftly taking into consideration the subtle- sensitivity of a poet, the ruthless intellect of an artist, and the soft heart of the beloved in order to enter into the enchanted realm of mysticism. 

The living area is cozy and inviting, featuring a minimalist décor theme, with a combination of modern and vintage elements. A wall cladded in wood instantly catches the eye. Set behind a grey sofa, the wall flaunts wooden ribs inclined at an angle of 45 degrees. The wall at the opposite end, is finished in white to balance the scheme and add vibrancy, with a specially designed moulding. 

The living room does not have a provision for entertainment as the space was intended to be calm and peaceful. Sliding folding windows opening into the balcony make this space brighter and airy. A vertical green wall has been installed in the balcony adjacent to this space. A wall unit sits in one corner of the living area. Crafted in mild steel, the frame weighs about 800 kilograms and showcases an assortment of books, collections and other treasured items. This floor-to-ceiling bookcase in orange color raises the ceiling visually and becomes a star element in the interiors. Since this space is infused with daylight, it was decided to bring in color with major pieces of furniture instead of painting or adding wallpapers. The furnishings do an excellent job of balancing textures and colors. The furniture is light, colorful and modern with exclusively designed flooring. Taking off from the floral theme, it has a combination of different floral patterns put together to form a signature element. 

Separating the living area, a dining counter in elegant white serves an extension to the kitchen. Different forms of the black pendant light are creatively combined together above this classic dining set. Statement chairs in black metal become accents. 

A great deal of creativity and artistry in the master bedroom is brought in through customised furniture and furnishings. The color in the master bedroom is inspired from the Krishna kamal flower, flaunting a subtle blue with yellowish wooden veneer. An elaborate walking closet also adjoins this room. The bedroom is specially treated, thoughtfully providing space for entertainment, leisure and work. Since the couple are from a corporate background, the study is exclusively designed according to their need. The space has a rich vivid design as well as a good choice of furnishings too. 

The bedroom for the children has been designed as a flexible, rather than an elaborate space. The bed can be collapsed and folded into the wall unit, in order to have ample space to play during daytime. The flooring is done in wood and the room boasts a powerful combination of yellow and grey that is ideal for the kids’ room. The floral printed curtains add an accent to the space, and so does the powder room which has a very cosy feel. It sports a stand- alone, floor-mounted wash basin which becomes a statement piece. 

The transition in the design has been boundless; from the first option to the final outcome, it has been an evolution in time. The entire house is perceived as a creative space, spawning a spring-like atmosphere. A complex mix of beautiful floral patterns and rich color accents, emphasizing cozy and romantic décor create a relaxing atmosphere. Unique decorative details in the design enable the apartment to burst with character