A well-designed home harnesses the potential to become one’s ultimate escape, a retreat of sorts that is grounding and freeing all at once! The Sunshine Project is an endeavour in design that strives to embody this sentiment, encapsulating its essence potently in the heart of the Garden City.   

Based in Bangalore’s Koramangala, the home is located in a premium gated community. The spatial construct of the residence is an amalgamation of two units merged to create one sumptuously-sized apartment with lush views of tree canopies of the neighbouring Army lands.

Project Name, Location – The Sunshine Project, Bangalore

Typology and Square Footage – 3-BHK Residential Apartment, 3,800 Square Feet

Text Credit – Lavanya Chopra

Photography Credit – Nayan Soni  

Design Execution Partners – Tattva Lifespaces

At the outset, the name of the apartment conjures a bright, airy, and vivid visual! This project has witnessed the coming together of many creative forces; we’d consider the space to be the result of the synergy between us as a design studio and our client, Namita Agrawal, the Founder of Sunshine Boulevard. A creative at heart, Namita spearheads a revered boutique in the city that houses an eclectic range of décor and lighting choices. This collaboration becomes apparent in the design process, manifesting as a potpourri of colour, texture, art, and a feeling of inviting warmth.

By extension of her profession, the client finds herself steeply invested in the process of curation of art and décor for a living. Therefore, only pieces and objects that held deep meaning and importance to the family needed to make it to the final cut! Their home is an extension of their lifestyle, love for globe-trotting, and art that dons the cape of inspiration for a family of creative and curious minds!

The couple shares the abode with their young son, Namita’s mother, and their beloved pet Joey. The spaces express an acute sense of intimacy while understanding the needs of each family member with a keen eye for detail. Primary interactions with them revealed their love for hosting loved ones and congregating as a family to unwind in many ways. Their brief also highlighted the need for maximised storage to be made a part of the home, a request the design studio tended to in the form of seamlessly integrated provisions and bespoke pieces of furniture.

The large floorplan of the apartment was derived by combining two units, albeit the resultant layout lacked connection and circulation in nodal zones. To tackle this, the studio’s intervention emerged from the premise of enhancing the configuration, linking functionality to a cohesive flow. As a result, the minor but essential iterations broadened passageways, doorways, and connections amidst spaces, evidencing a reimagined and pragmatic layout filled with light.

Intriguingly, the home doesn’t conform to a stringent or unidimensional design style. Instead, the residence sees the coming together of layered influences like Tropical-Modern, Eclectic, and Mid-Century Modern design languages visualised from a minimal gaze. The bright and airy apartment celebrates the feeling of openness and works on leveraging the daylight that washes over its volume.

We have iterated the importance of creating moments filled with experimentation and expressing who the people of the home are, and not focused on staying limited to a definitive design style. The home is dotted with mementos, bric-a-brac from travels, meaningful art, and views of the context’s verdure that make you feel like you are walking through a gallery of memories and experiences. A personal, tropical sanctuary of sorts.

A generously-sized foyer draws one into the sunny heart of the home and nods approvingly to the union of traditional and modern sensibilities. Comprising shades of dark-stained wood, olive, and black, the three-legged console flanks the foyer and dabbles in the exploration of Channapatna-inspired sculptural forms. A mottled mirror enlarges the visual perception of space, reflecting the light of the gilded vintage chandelier by Sunshine Boulevard.

The living area’s design is evocative of hearty living spaces in roomy tropical abodes, injected with soft, Northern sunlight permeating the home throughout the day. Dreamed with curated pieces of art, potted greens, and an earthy palette, this space reimagines the uninterrupted essence of inside-outside living. With a young child, elderly members of the family, and a pet as inhabitants of the room, the clients desired the open-plan living area to be unobtrusive and versatile in its layout.

With a clean-lined and pared-down aesthetic, this area is dominated by custom pieces imagined by the studio and wonderfully executed bySunshine Boulevard. The deep tan sofa is offset by the wicker and wood accent armchairs, making a statement with its olive-hued upholstery. The vivid ‘Girls In Festive Mood’painting by celebrated Artist G Subramanian presides over this nook, punctuating it with a bold dose of colour. To generously enhance the hosting capacity, a duo of tufted ottomans and a pin-striped wood bench were introduced into the layout.A chunky and artisanal bone inlay coffee table has been positioned over a subtle carpet by Jaipur Rugs, borrowing from the DNA of the space.Botanical inspiration remains apparent within the room, explored through the sprightly choice of soft furnishings by Good Earth and Gulmohar Lane.

Leaning into its proclivity for a cosy, cottage aesthetic, the dining space sees the family come together for occasions and formal gatherings. An 8-foot-long crafted wood table anchors the room staunchly and is paired with a set of 8 wood and wicker chairs that further underscore the sensibilities of the space. In most homes, we see the chairs at the far ends of a table make a statement with their silhouettes or choice of upholstery. Here, we ventured to unveil a fresh spin to that conventional take; Namita wanted to do something diverse with the middle chairs, and we introduced a floral jute fabric variety that sheathed the seats and chair backs.

Another objet d’art in the dining area was the antique panel sourced by Namita; its weathered and vintage persona adds undeniable gravitas to the space! A delicate reeded glass, domed pendant illuminates the area, hinting at the constant conversation between the old and the new. An ebony-coloured classic crockery hutch occupies the backdrop, displaying the client’s cherished collection of table and drinkware. A mighty and flourishing Dracaena draco plant by The Shimmering Seed inhabits a focal spot, abundantly revitalising the dining space!

Masquerading as an interface between the dining and kitchen areas, the informal breakfast counter splices the zones while maintaining a visual connection between them. The family actively uses the space for their daily meals and conversations, composed of three woven rope chairs in monochrome tones. The chairs have been positioned to face the kitchen’s interior, creating an idyllic milieu for dining and interaction. The ochre-hued ceramic planters levitate over the counter in lieu of traditional pendant lights, bringing in a tropical flair.

With the kitchen, the studio had to work with the layout at hand, visualising the inability to make structural changes as a welcome challenge! The clients were not thrilled that the kitchen opened directly into the communal spaces. Closing the kitchen completely was not an option as it lacked natural light and ventilation. Instead, we envisioned the breakfast counter as a functional and seamless membrane between the spaces; this feature also packs ample storage.

A pair of saloon doors introduces privacy into the kitchen’s layout, strategically obscuring the view of the main stove top and cooking area. Diffused light travels into the kitchen through the panels of fluted glass fitted into solid teak frames that stretch over the doors and breakfast counter. The rectilinear volume of the space has been detailed to a T, utilising every wall and surface to pack in optimised function. The long passage is lined with the appliance section, fitted with a double-door refrigerator, microwave/oven, a lengthy pull-out pantry unit, and a coffee station on the other side. The door on the far end of the passage leads into the compact utility area, which houses the washer/dryer, double-bowl sink, and storage for other housekeeping commodities. 

Acutely modern and minimal in its make, the kitchen’s expanse is a collage of colour and pattern moderated to perfection! A pale pink tone in PU takes over the cabinetry, interjected by a textured, deep blue tile in a herringbone configuration. The matrix of patterned, monochrome tiles makes its way across the floors, making for an eclectic and bold addition; this feature tips its hat to the client’s unconventional and experimental palette, which manages to exercise restraint simultaneously! Praveen, the client’s husband, is always looking for opportunities to creatively align with local and homegrown artists. So, we worked with him towards curating a set of four black and white sketches illustrated by an Artist known to him, each finely depicting herbs and vegetables that complemented the kitchen’s look and feel.

The hallway in the home poses as a spatial segue, leading one quietly into the private resting spaces. Making it a noteworthy moment, this transitional area is laden with the same monochrome geometric tiles as the kitchen, establishing visual continuity within the adjacently situated zones.

A snug niche at the beginning of the hallway has been imagined as a pared-down prayer nook fitted in with a console and artisanal Hanuman figurine. The 2-foot-tall figurine sourced from Kanchana Heritage Art is crafted in seasoned Vagai wood, lending it an almost stone-like look kudos to the ivory-hued finish. The trio of glazed glass pendants lead one’s sight across the hallway’s length, branching off into the family room and other bedrooms. Framed greyscale photographs of their son layered over large canvas mounts grace the hallway, embellishing the area with nostalgia. 

The Sunshine Project is blessed with diverse pockets dedicated to the family’s need to unwind and host comfortably. Imagined as an extension of the communal zones, the family room situated off the hallway makes for one of the most charged and loved spaces! The floor plan creates nooks for the family to chat, read, enjoy movie marathons, and carry out music lessons.

The original layout we inherited had two narrow doors leading into this room. We took down the non-load-bearing wall and created an 8-foot-wide opening fitted in with sliding French doors in teak wood with clear glass infills. This instantly opened the room, tying it in with the larger blueprint. The resultant space is filled with light that further suffuses the adjacent hallway. This also facilitates the clients with the opportunity to open this space out completely while hosting larger gatherings, creating a greater internal volume. The attached deck area lining the family room houses an alfresco bar and seating, making it a perfect spot for brunches and sundowners!  

The interiors of the family room are a melange of retro and modern nuances. The unmissable feature is the fiery, red-hued bookshelf which takes centerstage! The unit tastefully displays the family’s treasured collection of books and curios from their travels. The zesty and semi-glossy colour bleeds onto the inset bathroom door, making it a homogeneous part of the wall’s elevation.

The chequered, plaid sofa cum bed in blue and red sits against the bookshelf, riffing off its hues. The ivory linen-upholstered armchairs bring in a feeling of ease, facing the sofa in a conversational layout. The petite, striped coffee table in monochromes contrasts seemingly well against the textured jute rug, which silently defines the zones in the large floor plan. The other end of the room holds the informal television lounge, finished with an oversized sectional sofa in Prussian blue and a black-hued console in metal and wicker. A kilim pattern-printed ottoman sits at the centre of the lounge, doubling up as a coffee table and additional seating.  

Capacious and roomy in its make, the master suite spreads over 900 square feet. The largeness of space can sometimes pose an unexpected challenge; any design interventions need to respond to the extensiveness of the volume without letting the elements feel like they stand suspended in a massive space. Hence, all the pieces of furniture worked into the layout display large, more sumptuous sizes and silhouettes to best complement the expanse of the bedroom.

 Straight out of a vignette from palatial tropical villas tucked into the sleepy by-lanes of Colombo, the resting space is strung together with a wooden four-poster bed, 3-foot-long nightstands in the same grainy wood finish, and a bed-end bench. The opposite side holds a large credenza to stow away bedding and miscellanea. This area rests upon a patterned rug with slivers of taupe and blush pink, tying in with the overarching scheme of hues. 

The choice of materials and soft furnishings in this nook resonate with earthy tactility, celebrating nature-inspired motifs and finishes. The wall behind the bed is finished in a textured London putty paint with a mild cameo of green. The sleek table lamps have glazed ceramic bases and handwoven jute shades to further heighten the inherent warmth of the room. Sequestered to another side is a dreamy reading nook. A French country chair and ottoman in monochromes perch in this corner. The whimsical crystal-clad chandelier levitates over the space. The builder-grade laminate flooring across the bedrooms was retained. Its oak-hued panels tied in well with the design scheme; similarly, the brass hardware in these spaces was also preserved as they were in pristine condition. 

The master bedroom initially flowed into what was structured to be a dual-wardrobe space in the original floor plan. However, the studio converted the forepart of this zone into a private study cum home office for the couple to work out of.

The study felt closed-off and dingy, and we wanted to change that owning to the expanse of the master bedroom and the light that travelled into its core. We culled out an opening in the wall to create a picture window peering into the bedroom. The French window is crafted in wood and clear glass, which offers the end-user a focal view as they remain in the privacy of the study. A dominant forest green hue takes over in the form of cabinetry finishes in unison with woven wicker. The open niches in the built-in bookshelf hold Praveen's collection of reads, mementos, and collectables. A generously-sized desk extends itself across the length of the wall, creating a pragmatic workspace. 

A warm white tone rules the canvas of the walk-in wardrobe, which is further bifurcated into his/her sections. Praveen's wardrobe occupies the right-hand side and has sliding doors with a full-length mirror. His side of the closet ends with a louvred glass door which conceals storage for almost 70 pairs of shoes through an adjustable and angled shelving system. Namita's section assumes an L-form configuration on the opposite end and comes with a wee vanity section. The introduction of glass in this area endows the space with a lighter feel and allows her to visualise her garments and accessories in an accessible manner.

 The bathrooms across the home were spruced up with vanity cabinets, mirrors, and lighting to complement the marble provided by the builder. 

Inhabited by their child and the client's mother, the son's bedroom experienced a few simple yet significantly impactful structural changes, creating a revitalised layout. Another walk-closet space from the primary bedroom was absorbed into the son's room, creating a larger wardrobe zone in the latter; the swing of the bedroom door was also altered to enhance the circulation within the room's passageway. Another wardrobe within the room bears a fluted pattern over its shutters, painted in a bold army green hue. 

A duo of single beds against the window have been positioned to face the wall holding the desk. The slightly inset desk is minimal in its design and can positively function seamlessly over the years of the child's growth. Art prints across the room echo the young boy's love for comics and crafts. A fluted panel flanking the room on one side holds a cloth-crafted mask of a dog's face, reminiscent of their pet Joey's!

 The guest bedroom celebrates the aura of simplicity at its best, creating a serene oasis! The headboard wall was painted in a taupe and salmon pink tone against which a custom wood and woven wicker bed has been placed. A piece of Buddhist-inspired art and an overlapped banana fibre light by Sunshine Boulevard accent the space with rooted character. The wardrobes in teak wood and box weave wicker enunciate the warm materiality of the bedroom. Finishing touches in the form of the textured rug from Imperial Knots and a few plants tie this intimate room together.

The Sunshine Project personifies the fruition of the client’s aspirations for her home. They envisioned the space to establish an ambience packed with character and for it to strike a chord with them and their loved ones in an almost instinctive manner! The designed apartment has managed to make its expanse its strongest ally! The functionality of spaces is tethered to the openness it enjoys, and the design language succeeds in giving the home a coherent identity. As a result, we’ve been able to create a retreat for the family while conserving familial warmth that makes it their home.