Enter a Warm Bangalore Home filled with Nostalgic Elements

Nostalgic spaces have a way of peppering their way into hearts and stitching memories in stone. Serving as timeless vessels, these spaces seamlessly intertwine the threads of moments, past recollections, cultural heritage, and aspirations of eras gone by. 

Step into a warm, art-filled home serving as a conduit to a narrative that transcends design and time itself. 

Uniquely dotted with the homeowners’ interests and passions throughout the space, this warm, mystique-filled Bangalore home is impeccably organized, reflecting their passion for pets and nostalgic elements that speak of their roots. Rich, dark tones, and carefully crafted pieces permeate the warm, inviting ambience of the home, where every aspect of being is perfectly in tune with its inherent details. 

“The homeowners – Pooja and Rajiv’s personalities revolve around a distinctive inner element. Their aesthetics subtly influence everything, from the choice of patterns and textures to their preferred colours, as well as the textures they find suitable, appropriate, and comfortable”, explains Afnan. 

Influenced by their clients' eclectic cultural experiences and stories about their childhood in Assam, the designers employed a hand-beaten brass artwork above the master bed, called a ‘Jaapi’ - a cultural symbol worn as an adornment in the Bihu dance, used as a protection against natural elements, offered as a sign of respect in ceremonies, and placed as a decorative item around the house, especially on the walls as a positive symbol.

The interiors are a treasure trove of accents that knock back to the homeowners’ cultural roots, manifested through playful, quirky pieces, and art collected from myriad travels – framed and restyled. A custom made coffee table finished with black Duco paint enhances the living area, while a mannequin-inspired floor lamp by Jimmie Karlsson and Martin Nihlmar sourced during their travels to Europe stands in the corner. Bold-coloured walls are offset with rustic textures to highlight their lime plaster, harkening back to an era that lives through the homeowners’ eclectic taste.

A couch by Sofit takes up the length across the living space, while a leopard stone sculpture, custom designed by Humming Tree, and executed by Kala – Art + Objects, sits pretty as a sentry in the light-dappled vignette. A vintage artwork hangs above the sofa, collected from past travels, framed and restyled. Cherishing intimacy while subtly concealing their identity, these items are treasured stories and encapsulated experiences shared by the homeowners, brought alive by Humming Tree’s unique aesthetic. 

“The biggest challenge was lighting, making sure there's enough lighting while designing deep, dark homes during the day and having it balanced is quite a task to nail down.”

An arresting dining table occupies the living space – a block of solid, un-polished marble sourced from Rajasthan, designed by Humming Tree, and executed by Sofit. The exquisite hanging pendant light above is modified to add character and panache to the setting. The beaten metal hand rails add a certain charm to the staircase, without being too overbearing. With each element so thoughtfully chosen and curated for its own significance - even the handmade stoneware from Objectry adds its own soulful treble to the home.

The powder room features a custom made hand beaten brass mirror, executed by Kala – Art + Objects. Bathware from Kohler offsets the leather finish granite countertop, while the bath tiles have been cut and arranged in a transfixing geometric pattern, breathing the distinct colonial air of the Nilgiris. A beatific console channels a refreshingly Gothic aura, complete with a matte black candelabra adorning its surface.

Of note are the jewel-toned, textured walls that bring alive a sense of magic in the nostalgic home. Modern yet grounded, the deep-toned wooden flooring strikes a balance between warmth and a touch of grandeur, perfectly complementing the colour scheme and introducing a dramatic flair. In the bedroom, a tropical wallpaper by Kaji and a console in the living space in a custom hand-painted design, evoke fresh yet mysterious insignia. 

There is a sense of beautiful fraction and texture to the home – one that embraces the negative space and the offbeat details. Objects are carefully selected and placed alongside each other to create a dialogue in the area where they sit. The result is harmonious, and in harmony, there is calm and stillness.

All images courtesy Jubin Johnson, Hansoga Photography; Interiors; Arun Shekar and Mohammed Afnan, Humming Tree; Homeowners Pooja Dihingia & Rajiv Kakati.