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Japandi homes—a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design elements—have been on an upward style trend for some time now. Loved for their minimalistic, functional, and grounded feel, these Japandi homes, straight from the AD archives, transport their residents away from the chaos of everyday life.
A Minimalist Home in Mumbai
Architect Priyank Mehta of Studio PM calls the 800-square-foot, Mumbai home he designed for himself “luxurious” because it helps him escape the urban chaos that is Mumbai. “The senses are free and not a slave of the surrounding noise. The mind can be calm, body relaxed and the soul fulfilled,” he says poetically. “All the design elements come together to orchestrate that stillness into the space.”
Stylistically, the direction is a mix of the Japandi and wabi-sabi styles but with generous amounts of modern elements. Colour plays a significant role in instilling the desired “stillness” as well as seamlessness in the narrative. A mixture of beige with hints of grey and brown forms an all-pervasive chromatic foundation, with little contrast to distract from the sense of singularity. “Tiles, veneer, wood, fabric… all surfaces are finished in a non-reflective manner,” says Mehta. “Once the colours start blending, the textures start getting noticed and felt: the roughness of the floor, the smoothness of the walls, the ruggedness of the carpet and the knotty fabric of the sofa.” Planning, too, facilitates a sense of well-being, both physical and mental, by enabling free movement—achieved by aligning all storage to the walls. “I wanted to have all services integrated within the walls and ceilings itself to leave the space clutter free,” says the architect.
Original Text by Rupali Sebastian, Edited by Ariane Shah
A Calm Oasis In Bengaluru
Palak and Gaurav, a young couple residing in the Silicon Valley of India, both working in diverse fields—a chemistry teacher and a product manager—dreamed of a simple, clutter-free home in Bengaluru. Their vision was a space that reflected their taste, emanating a natural warmth and serving as a cosy haven for their child. To turn this dream into reality, they enlisted the expertise of Rajesh Kudlu and Supriya Suriyanarayanan, the founders of Tesor Designs. Together, they embarked on transforming their 2,600-square-foot apartment into what they affectionately call The Zen Home.
Japandi served as the main inspiration for achieving the desired result. Emphasising minimalism, soft hues, and simple yet elegant designs, the team developed the colour palette and overall scheme. Entering this three-bedroom apartment feels like stepping into a calm oasis of simplicity. Basic decor like a mirror and pendant light blend seamlessly with the overall design, complemented by wooden rafters on the ceiling. It’s a cozy and inviting space where every detail serves a practical and visual function. The mix of flutes and semi-circular arches with the grey and terracotta sofa adds simplicity and visual appeal, enhancing the overall palette. Thanks to Tesor World’s furnishings, sheer curtains, and furnishings, the space feels calming and easy on the eyes.
Original Text by Aishwarya Khurana, Edited by Ariane Shah
A Timeless Bungalow In Kozhikode
“Designing interiors for a home that reaches us post-construction requires a meticulous and thoughtful approach. At the core of our process is a dedication to enhancing what already exists, introducing subtle yet impactful adjustments that improve functionality, optimize circulation, and bring a renewed sense of openness to the space,” says Fairoos VK, principal architect of Zen Studio Architects. With interventions which have improved the quality of the spaces, the design of this bungalow in Kozhikode ekes out the fullest potential possible. Without a heady mix of periods and aesthetics, this quietly contemporary home goes about its business of creating a comfortable, timeless ambience for the family it houses.
Working with the small footprint and structural limitations was a challenge. “Detailing would have simply added clutter, so we restricted ourselves to clean lines,” says Fairoos. Fluted surfaces contribute to detailing; the colour palette is a neutral one with Italian marble flooring and wood, repeatedly uplifted by a peaceful green in the laminates and soft furnishings. The wood is Kumizh—Kerala’s answer to teak, except that its tone resembles ash wood. Artwork is abstract, neutral in colour, putty-based and almost recedes into the background. There are no pops of colour. Furniture has largely been made by local carpenters. “The hybrid of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics makes for a muted, timeless design,” says Fairoos.
Original Text by Devyani Jayakar, Edited by Ariane Shah
A Serene Abode In Pune
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The Rungtas, a dynamic entrepreneurial couple in their 50s, spent years immersed in the cultures of Japan and Scandinavia before settling in the cultural capital of Maharashtra. To honour their life abroad while keeping a connection to India, they entrusted Pranav Gandhi of Pranav Design Studio to craft their 2,100-square-foot home in Pune. The result is a serene abode that masterfully blends Japandi and Mediterranean design influences within an Indian context.
Stepping into the house through the entrance lobby feels like entering a European art gallery, showcasing stunning artwork crafted by the client, Seema Rungta. The space exudes a harmonious blend of traditional and modern elements, brought to life by stone-clad walls, neutral tones, and raw textures. The walls, adorned with 35mm thick pear-white limestone sourced from Jaipur, create a striking visual appeal. The same limestone, hand-tumbled for the wall blocks, introduces a subtle yet distinct texture that adds depth to the design. Out of the three bedrooms in the apartment, one is exclusively designed as a home office, while the other two serve as the master bedroom for the couple and a guest room.
Original Text by Aishwarya Khurana, Edited by Ariane Shah
A Greige Retreat In Dadar East
“When Karan asked if we were up for designing his new family home in Dadar East, Mumbai, we didn’t have to think about it. It was an instant yes,” recalls Katsuri Wagh, who founded Mumbai-based multidisciplinary practice kaviar:collaborative with Vineet Hingorani in 2020, and whose team for this project also included designer Ananya Sawant. The Shahs—comprising father Kirti, mother Kanan, brother Meet and Karan himself—didn’t want anything ostentatious. “The hope was to create something comfortable, minimal, sustainable and low-maintenance,” says Kirti. “We saw it as an opportunity to experiment with timber and celebrate natural wood grains,” avers Wagh.
Inspired equally by Japanese and Scandinavian design cultures, Wagh and Hingorani embraced a spirit of soft minimalism, christening their pursuit ‘Kanso’ after the Japanese principle of simplicity. “It was an interesting exercise,” reflects Hingorani. “Japanese and Scandinavian design ideologies have many similarities in terms of craftsmanship, functionality and attention to detail. But they’re also very different. Kanso was an attempt to find common ground between the two.” And so it did. By opting for a palette of natural birch wood, metal, and polished greige marble, the architects were able to highlight each material independently while having them work together as a cohesive whole. Concrete too was a defining element: light grey textures brought to life a mural wall in the living room, while soft sage applications were used to enliven the master bedroom wall.
Original Text by Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar, Edited by Ariane Shah
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