Japandi Style and Midcentury Vibes Meet in This India Apartment

By Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar

Photography by Nayan Soni

When Sumi Bose and Vivin Pai bought an apartment in Bangalore, they were sure about one thing: the kitchen wall had to go. "Well, two things, if you count the aesthetic we were going for," says the couple, whose days are currently governed by the uproarious antics of their six-month-old baby and their two-year-old pup. For the young parents, the aesthetic of their future home had been dreamed up long before they had finalized—or found—an interior designer. "So when we landed on Aishwarya, we had a brief ready." This would be Aishwarya Govind, founder and principal architect of Bengaluru-based House of Ruya, for whom said brief—which called for equal parts midcentury modern and Japandi style (a portmanteau of Japanese and Scandi)—was a curious departure from the norm.

The foyer plays host to a tall shoe cabinet with a built-in seat. Colored cane baskets adorn the wall, nodding to the rattan pendant from Claymango.

"We spent a lot of time understanding the two different styles they were going for," says Aishwarya. "Given that they were completely distinct, and belonged to different eras, we had to figure out a common thread." Several material experiments later, Aishwarya had her answer. Colors and finishes that married both styles were chosen, oak and walnut were used to create a contrast of dark and light; nordic-inspired paint colors were used for the walls; and prints were used sparingly à la midcentury mores. Wicker was also a material of choice, for its aesthetic ability to bridge the two styles. As for the art, everything was handpicked by Sumi and Vivin. "Many of the artworks speak to my wife's background of classical dance, and tie the place together beautifully," says Vivin.

It was a joint decision to knock down the wall between the living room and kitchen. "We brought the kitchen into the living area to create a larger communal space," says Aishwarya. A rattan-fronted console adds a rustic touch to the room. The sofa is custom-made, while the cane floor lamp and pouf are from Akway and Rug Republic respectively. The wall sconce above the TV and the center table are both from Orange Tree.

Another view of the living area.

With an open-plan layout, the kitchen serves as the home's focal point. Aishwarya paired bold green uppers with oak-toned, Japandi-style lowers. The crowning glory is the black-and-white floor tile, custom-made by Osaanj. "As the clients love to cook and entertain, we introduced an island counter that doubles as a breakfast bar," says Aishwarya, who sourced the bar stools from IKEA.

Of course, there were practical considerations too, and Aishwarya was mindful of designing the home in a way that would grow with the family. All the rattan and wicker panels, for example, were sandwiched between glass sheets to save them from little fingers and paws. And layouts were left clean and uncluttered to ensure low maintenance.

The dining room features a repurposed dining table and oak-toned wooden flooring that nods to the home's half-Japandi style. The painting behind the dining table—a considered rendition of a Kathak dancer—reflects Bose's background in classical dance. The bench is custom-made while the pendants are from Orange Tree.

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The main bedroom is characterized by a dark grey floor and a pale pink wardrobe scheme. Bose and Pai's existing bed was refreshed with light oak panels and black frames. The layout of the room was altered by moving the door a little to the left and adding a niche for storage. A functional dresser with a rattan shutter was introduced in one corner. The bedside lamp and wall sconces are from Orange Tree.

For Sumi and Vivin, the home is as they had always envisioned it—a place where they can return for some peace and calm. "We wanted it to be our sanctuary, and that's exactly how it turned out," Sumi concludes.

The guest bedroom is a pared-back haven dominated by shades of blue, black, and white. The pendant is from The Black Steel.