This Vastu-compliant apartment in Coimbatore draws inspiration from old Tamil homes

An invisible, intangible aspect of home interior design is the ability to conjure a sense of comfort that only the clients can attest to over time. Beyond trends, trimmings, and sleek new interventions—or what looks good on the pages of a magazine—lies the special and often overlooked capability of creating a liveable space that truly resonates with its inhabitants without compromising on style. This skill was key for Pranavi Jaganathan of Kru Architecture and Interiors, whose clients were an elderly couple moving out of their large and difficult-to-maintain ancestral home and into an apartment. Jaganathan was tasked with combining two two-bedroom units into a single three-bedroom Vastu-compliant apartment spanning 1,950-square-feet, ensuring the space felt expansive enough that they wouldn’t miss the scale of their former home.

In an effort to resurrect the comfort of her clients’ ancestral residence, Jaganathan looked to old Tamil homes for inspiration, layering classic details like patterned tiles, Madras terrace roofing, and hardwood furniture in earthy and neutral tones throughout the space. “These elements were thoughtfully brought together to create a timeless aesthetic rooted in modernist principles while remaining deeply contextual,” she says. “While they wanted the interiors to reflect their heritage, they also desired modern conveniences, ensuring a comfortable and practical living experience.”

Jaganathan had her work cut out for her in creating the structure of the new home. In addition to the challenge of merging two apartment units, she had to design in adherence to the principles of Vastu, as well as work around existing plumbing lines. “The pre-determined placement of bathrooms and kitchens restricted flexibility, requiring careful planning to align both functionality and Vastu compliance,” she says. She rose to the challenge, delivering an interior with an uncommonly spacious living area, a veranda-like entrance lined with vibrant floor tiles, and a rafter ceiling in the foyer that evokes the charm of traditional Tamil homes. In addition, a painted wooden panel, cleverly concealing the entrance to the guest bedroom, makes the living area feel more expansive.

Colour and pattern are used throughout the home in a mindful balance that is striking but not overwhelming in the slightest. In the living room, a rich terracotta wall serves as a focal point, lending warmth to the space. , with an intricate portrait of Lord Krishna mounted on it. Jaganathan adds, “The second bedroom pays homage to their ancestral home, with soft blue lime-washed walls reminiscent of their former residence.” Exquisite patterns from Ikat and Kantha fabrics, paired with traditional Indian art, weave a rich cultural narrative throughout the home, as a nod to India's diverse heritage.

Timeless, liveable, and firmly rooted in context, the Vastu-compliant apartment stands as an enduring example of simplicity in design. “The clients were overjoyed with the final outcome,” she adds. “The transition from a large house to an apartment felt effortless.”

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