‘Ethereal Curves’孟买公寓

This Mumbai apartment artfully embraces curvilinear features and the warmth of Japandi

Brought to fruition by Studio Raha, this Mumbai apartment is an urban sanctuary, thoughtfully balancing elegance with comfort.

Ariane Shah

Rohit Mendiratta

Amidst the frenetic energy of Mumbai’s Lalbaug, a sparkling, skyscraping home emerges from the streets below. Primed with

breathtaking vistas

and an abundance of natural light, the 2,184-square-foot apartment—aptly named ‘Ethereal Curves’—embraces the warmth of Japandi, and injects a sliver of serenity into the bustling neighbourhood.

The project was entrusted to interior designers Rashi Lalaji Mehta and Shikha Shah, the co-founders of the dynamic Studio Raha. “Our goal was for each room to personify our clients’ lifestyle—to make them adaptable, elegant, and filled with

quiet luxury

,” says Mehta. “They wanted a home with maximum space and natural light, so we opted for an airy, open-plan layout that smoothly weaved the different areas together,” Shah adds.

The informal living room. The carpets throughout the home were sourced from Jaipur Rugs, while the sofas, dining table and chairs, and the marble coffee tables were crafted locally. The bespoke marble tables were shaped from carefully selected travertine blocks sourced from the quarries, ensuring consistency in the colour palette.

A family of five, the clients loved the idea that their Mumbai apartment would transcend generations, and were adamant on creating a sanctuary-like space that would feel welcome and inviting to all. As a result, both colours and materials were central in realising their vision, perfectly converging in a minimalist and refined fashion. “After many discussions and mood board sessions, our clients decided on a scheme that would radiate sophistication,” Shah details. “Warm, rich tones, and earthy,

organic materials

were selected to enhance depth and add character, without overwhelming the senses.” Carefully infused into every room, surface, and texture, the complementary colour and material palettes allow each corner of the home to speak volumes in terms of comfort.

The formal living area. Earthy tiling evokes the feeling of a sandy seaside, adding rich texture and depth to the open space. The wall mirror and screen in the foyer, and the central GRC table in the formal living room were designed in collaboration with NH48, a furniture design brand based in Baroda.

Upon entry, visitors are greeted with sweeping views of the Mumbai skyline, lifting them up into the clouds. The foyer is framed with a wooden and dimpled, glass screen to the left, and a nebulous, bespoke wall mirror to the right. Otherwise a

spacious configuration

, the grid-like screen maintains privacy by limiting the view of the front door. Yet, from the first peek into the residence’s interior, its comfort is instantly clear—from the curvilinear contours permeating the furniture, ceilings, and walls, to the butter-creamy colour palette.

A neutral, warm base on the walls and ceiling, layered with varying shades and textures, enhances the feeling of openness. Bold walnut wood furniture introduces an element of elegance, perfectly complementing the overall aesthetic. The upholstery colours are kept minimal, complementing the space without overpowering the architectural features.

The formal living area occupies a large section of the free-flowing layout. A fluted sliding screen cleverly conceals a storage room on one side, while revealing a peach-toned shelving space on the other. The TV unit is mounted onto a striated marble wall, forming the perfect spot for family gatherings or quiet nights in. Adjacent to the

formal living area

, and situated alongside the main window, is an informal nook which offers peaceful views of the city. The living areas, both formal and informal, feature boucléd sofa sets and smooth marble coffee tables, alluding to the fundamentals of Japandi design—sleek lines, organic flow, and minimal details.

The kitchen was designed in collaboration with Makwana Modular Kulture, and the appliances were sourced from Siemens.

“We knew that our clients’ prized the wealth of

natural light

that their sky-high apartment afforded,” says Mehta, “So we chose to use materials that further emphasise nature, to create the desired warm and inviting atmosphere.” The earthy brown tiles, the walnut wood furniture, and the off-white walls, blend elegance with comfort and form the perfect backdrop for the highlight of the Mumbai apartment—the sculpted ceilings.

Wood has been used throughout the space in a multitude of ways. From veneer doors and fluted panels to solid chairs, and louvred screens.

Different textures of wood have been layered strategically to create depth and richness in the design.

A result of combining two separate flats, the project inevitably met with numerous structural setbacks during the design process. “Our main challenge was the central beam that ran right through the middle of the living room,” says Shah. “The beam disrupted the openness our clients were searching for, forcing us to think outside the box,” she continues. Despite this being a major design issue, Mehta and Shah approached the beam “not as a hindrance, but as an opportunity to enhance the space.” They chose to assimilate it into the

design language

, rather than masking it completely, resulting in the sculptural curves of the ceilings. “What started as a functional necessity, soon became a defining element of the design,” Mehta remarks. “The curves actually helped us conceal services and resolve alignment issues, resulting in the desired continuity.” The sculpted ceilings reflect nature’s organic flow, adding depth and movement and establishing a unique aesthetic in the residence.

Each bedroom’s furniture were also fabricated in collaboration with NH48, with the wardrobes designed in-house and made on-site.

Reclaimed and recycled wood was used for furniture and wall paneling, while sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, linen, and wool replaced synthetic materials.

Beyond the informal living room, an adaptable room unfolds in the corner. Sometimes an office, other times a guest room, the area enjoys privacy with a hideaway partition that emerges from the arched walls. Opposite lies the open kitchen—designed with the client’s love of cooking in mind—which is seamlessly integrated with the rest of the living space. A marble

island

with wooden flute detailing separates the distance between the kitchen and the dining table, creating an additional niche for intimate conversations. On either side of the spacious living area, are two sets of bedrooms. Each is accompanied by an ensuite bathroom, and the master bedroom also features a lavish walk-in wardrobe. The whimsical waviness of the living area seeps into the kids’ room, adding to the soft ambience.

For a smooth finish, in-situ flooring was used in the walk-in wardrobe and master bathroom, integrating hand-cut marble chips before pouring the final layer.

The master bathroom. The basin was sculpted from an exotic marble block, adding a layer of richness to the master bathroom. Each bathroom’s fittings were sourced from Kohler India, and the tiles and marble basins were sourced locally.

A heavenly retreat grounded by the warmth of wood and earthen tones, ‘Ethereal Curves’ is a tactile experience, playing with

layered textures

and natural light right from the outset. Thoughtfully executed by Studio Raha, and filled with fluid, custom-designed finishings, the home’s adaptability is perfect for its growing family.