The home of art aficionado and lifestyle entrepreneur Sunita Namjoshi had to be elegant, eclectic, and capable of supporting plenty of conviviality. RDa Workshop, led by architect Rubel Dhuna, has created just such an abode.
This elegant apartment belongs to Sunita Namjoshi, founder of Synergy Lifestyles and owner of The Bandit Queen home textile collection. Namjoshi is an ardent collector of art and artefacts, and her residence had to be designed to look no less than an art gallery. “The space has a neutral palette, allowing her art to speak,” states the design team from RDa Workshop, led by architect Rubel Dhuna.
Previously existing 5 spaces were redesigned and consolidated into 3 larger ones. Terrace walls were pulled down to expand and combine the living spaces with the outdoor. The expansive verandah contains the dining area and sit-out, overlooking the cityscape. Large windows let the ocean breeze in while the open plan allows it to flow around the house.
Natural gradation of the grey slate floor is anchored by the warmth of carefully hand-picked wooden furniture along with custom-made pieces. In the living room, the beige distressed wall finish was commissioned to artist Meera Dabir, and the vintage Javanese puppets were installed on this.
The Long Plush Sofa was custom-made by RDa Workshop, next to which stands a recliner sourced from the Chor Bazaar. The living room, otherwise left open, has sliding doors and curtains that make ample provision for privacy. The timber centre-table, originally a massage board, was sourced from Kerala. Mismatched seaters in the living space together create a soulful appeal.
The study sofa is lined by a library that holds all of Sunita’s cookbooks, along with her collection of curios. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the study and the bedroom overlook the stunning sea view. An antique bookcase has been fitted well into the nook of the bedroom. The bedroom walls are adorned with beautiful works of art.
The expansive verandah is the heart of the house, and contains a dining area and a sit-out at the far end. Namjoshi loves to cook and entertain, so the kitchen window overlooking the dining table works perfectly. On the wall here, cooking vessels bought from Kerala have been turned into art pieces.
The aesthetics are a culmination of Namjoshi’s collection of furniture and objects, gathered over a period of 25 years. Each piece has been strategically placed to draw one’s attention. “We have also designed and brought in a lot of clean line contemporary pieces of furniture,” adds the team.
