班加罗尔定制家庭住宅丨印度班加罗尔丨Studio Ipsa

Modern minimalism takes over this bespoke family home in Bengaluru

Clean lines, soft colour palette and bespoke furniture make this house, designed by Studio Ipsa, a modern sanctuary.

Inspired by the shape of a temple bell, a pristine crème totem light installation stands like a pillar in the living room, forming the heart of this home. It’s almost like a precursor to the design story, which is soft and organic, serene and artistic. This bespoke Harshita Jhamtani totem light is one in a series of several custom-designed elements within this elegant 4,400 square-foot four-bedroom home in Bengaluru, designed for a family of five by Studio Ipsa.

Situated in the upscale Embassy Lake Terraces apartment complex in the bustling Hebbal area of North Bengaluru, this project is an ode to modern minimalism—with its

clean lines

, soft palette and meticulous personalisation. “What sets this home in Bengaluru apart is that every piece of furniture is bespoke. Collaborations with skilled product designers allowed us to customise lighting, rugs, art pieces and even finer details like curtains,” say Studio Ipsa founder Aniketh Bafna and principal designer Sonal Mutha.

The entrance foyer features a striking console by The Furniture Studio, a bespoke rug by carpet designer Lathika of Loops by LJ, and a custom Om wall art by Prachi Kothari. A sliding pocket door with fabric sandwiched in glass separates the foyer from the main living area.

A circular seating arrangement defines the living room, with a deep blue loveseat and neutral boucle sofas and armchairs from Aykha, tables from The Furniture Studio, and a custom designed round rug from Loops by LJ. The pièce de résistance is a bespoke totem installation, inspired by a temple bell and accentuated by subtle strip lighting, created in collaboration with product designer Harshita Jhamtani.

The house opens into a foyer where a spiritual Om art piece is offset by a chic console. The bespoke rug reflects its architectural language, clean linear spokes interspersed with a soft scalloped circumference that echoes the curved elements woven through the interiors. Sliding pocket doors lead into the living and dining area, complemented by subtle cornice details that tie the various spaces together. Soft curves, rich oak, stains of black and neutral boucle offset by the vibrant blue of the loveseat all come together to render the space some depth while remaining unobtrusive.

Crafted entirely with a palette of neutral white, warm greige and honey toned oak peppered in dashes of sage green, deep blues and delicate brass accents, made-to-measure (and taste) is the anthem here. “After shopping around for a number of design firms, we discovered Studio Ipsa on Instagram and were immediately drawn to their aesthetic,” explain the young homeowners, whose absolute favourite spot is their master bathroom.

The dining area is furnished from The Furniture Studio with an organic-shaped dining table custom-designed with soft curves and finished in rich oak with contrasting black stained wooden dining chairs. The striking brown and black veined marble top is from Marble Italia. The accent wall features delicately hand-painted floral art pieces from Expressions Fine Art.

Potted plants from The Greening Wonders, candle holders and wind chimes along with a delicate handcrafted swing and minimalist outdoor furniture (from Nishi Malakar of Assam Cane Handicrafts, Bengaluru) all infuse the area with warmth and charm.

It was at a casual coffee meeting that they connected instantly with Bafna and Mutha over their mutual interest in interiors (the homeowner is a distributor of interior products), Bengaluru traffic and the year-old baby boys they’d just had. “Their collaborative energy is infectious. Sonal's design sense paired with Aniket's ability to turn vision into reality translated into precisely considered details in every aspect,” they add.

Delicate wind chimes sway in the evening breeze while the sun comes down and the candles light up in the generous balcony that stretches through the living and dining areas. Fitted with a nostalgic swing and a bunch of greens, the balcony is a bit of a sanctuary in its own right. The adjoining kitchen, originally a dimly lit space, is cleverly redesigned as a flexible spot where pocket doors can be drawn shut for privacy. Despite the overwhelmingly modern edge, the homeowners were averse to the idea of incorporating tech components into their lifestyle, which is why there is hardly any automation.

While executing this home was smooth, the builders had several challenging restrictions in place that had to be navigated. “And, like any working relationship, we had our share of differences too,” smiles Bafna. “Our clients differed with us on their opinions on colour schemes for artworks, shutters and carpets, but we fought hard on a middle ground — after much debate, referencing and sampling.” And so this space translated into a labour of love, the forever home for this young family who loves to convene in the intimate family room where backlit CNC-cut panels cast a soft inviting glow across its plush sofas, textured rug, seven-foot art work and memorabilia on display. It is a perfect spot for those warm evenings meant for cards, chatter, games and movies.

The bedrooms remain firmly in sync with the personalities of their occupants, some snug and comforting (like the grandparents’ room) and the others sleek and functional. Custom-designed curved headboards clad in peachy pink or rich blue, shaker style closets with soft green shutters and wallpaper panels of banana fibre and textured grasscloth punctuate the bedrooms with a texture of great visual interest. The bathrooms carry forward the same harmonious colour story, simple grey and white with striking accents of vibrant blue, matte black, brass accents and mosaic strips.