When space meets elegance

The decor elements in the home of Rajnesh and Urmila Maskara quietly complement each other without being overwhelming.Sudha Jain explores the condo to see what makes it unique.

Elegant interiors bathed in light characterises the 3BHK condo of Rajnesh and Urmila Maskara on Bannerghatta Road.

What is also instantly noticeable is the palette of white and brown that prevails throughout most of the apartment, making it look more spacious than it actually is.

The off-white marbled floor running across the living and the dining areas with dark brown horizontal pattern sets a lively tone, adding to the illusion of space, while also giving it movement and texture.

The living room is hidden from direct view by a ceiling high partition made of wood and steel with a little patterned mirror work.

The stunning floor to wall partition gives an impression of height thus incorporating the ingenuity and creativity of its owners.

On the left wall was a hideous looking electrical board which is now camouflaged by a beautiful white MDF cutwork board. Another niche was created diagonally to complement the appealing cutwork.

As is must in most Indian homes, the pooja room here finds its pride of place in the kitchen. Urmila adds, “We were clear that we did not want to compromise on the pooja room.

The back drop is made of onyx illuminated from behind to bring our pooja room alive. The wooden carving around the room of Ashtha Ganesha and Ashtha Laxmi was specially designed to match our needs.” The kitchen, tastefully done in sunflower yellow and white, is replete with modern gadgets yet remains uncluttered.

They played around with loose pieces of furniture and artifacts remembering that they can be replaced and changed as their tastes change. The piece de resistance in their living room is the coffee table with its inlay of mother of pearl nestled amidst the elegant sofa and a side bench.

Though visually stunning, it does not distract, but adds elegance and charm which is subtle and beautiful. Proudly resting atop the coffee table are two fish, one with an ivory finish and the other made of crystal, quirky, yet adding calm chutzpah to the place.

Subtle style

The end table has a steel table lamp, a one of its kind masterpiece, sourced from a famous Delhi designer. All elements in the living room quietly complement one another without being overwhelming. A low, white camouflaged bar separates the living room from the dining room.

The warm and subdued tones are given a vibrance from the splashes of deep maroon in the dining chairs. Livening up the understated decor are contemporary objects and art work – a glass vase with purple orchids, a ceramic one with beige flowers, colourful artwork making its presence felt on the wooden wall, a touch of greenery with unusual tall steel dragonflies which can easily be the conversation starter among guests and a glass Buddha on an Italian marble topped console table.

Facing the dining room is a balcony which provides plenty of illumination. It is brought alive with many green plants and garden décor artifacts. The space is ideal for a home where one wants to incorporate greenery as well as have natural light flowing in. The presence of garden chairs creates a warm and cozy environment.

Creating a home like this one was not easy in the beginning. A few areas here and there had threatened to diminish the quality of their home – a fact they fortunately realised while the house was still under construction.

They brought a halt to the proceedings, began to reconfigure and redefine the space to make it their own. They found that the passage used up a lot of space thus wasting crucial area while extra space was always welcome. They erected a wall in the passage to create a larger master bedroom. In addition, they used a mirror to give the passage suitable impact.

The master bedroom has an understated style, ruled by earthly hues and is dominated by wood. The extra space created was wisely used for storage. It houses a hidden floor to ceiling shoe rack (to accommodate their love for footwear) and a spacious wardrobe.

The lofts for extra storage are done in white so the room is not cluttered with too much furniture. Against one side of the wall is an onyx topped chest of drawers which can hold a TV on top. The no-fuss bed with a leatherette headboard and a dresser with a wooden arch for some privacy complete the picture.

The look is subdued chic with no attention seeking furniture. Their daughter’s room is kept simple, accessorised by soft toys and dolls to bring in the colour. What’s very striking is the use of their daughter’s pictures on the cupboard doors, giving it a very personal and intimate touch.

Larger spaces

The trump card in their apartment is the ingenious use of the third bedroom which is integrated into the living and dining space yet giving privacy to the guests if need be. The usual bedroom door is replaced by a collapsible glass door thus creating a new flow and sense of intimacy in the apartment.

A low bed with wooden panels in the background, a TV unit and a tall frosted glassed cupboard make for a perfect family room for relaxation and long chatty evenings.

“A typical 3 BHK flat looks compartmentalised and heavy. We wanted to break that monotony and make our condo look more spacious. Also I wanted a more open area to entertain friends and relatives without feeling cramped. This room also serves as our den to sit and watch TV and be comfortable,” says Urmila.

Their abode is a meshing of class and quality, all wrapped in comfort and subtlety. As Urmila puts it, “We wanted to create a stylish look without compromising on class and comfort.”