Houzz Tour: Color and Personality in Mumbai
Clean lines, earth tones and a TV ban make this Indian family’s apartment a peaceful retreat
Embellished with carefully chosen colors, earthy textures and lots of plants, this apartment is a cozy sanctuary in Mumbai, India. Its style, realized by Zero9, is equal parts modern and modest. The designers were asked to design a home that was an extension of the owners’ down-to-earth personalities. They had full creative license, with one stipulation: that there be no TVs in the space to allow for maximum family time.
The living room opens to a balcony with faux grass and statement planters. The balcony visually expands the sitting area, making it feel spacious and airy. The decorator also put a park bench on the balcony, enhancing the feel of a picturesque urban garden.
The other side of the living room turns into a petite dining area. Its focal point is a custom-made table for three, which reflects the apartment’s overall woody appeal. The table is paired with industrial-style chairs, just to jazz things up a bit.
The asymmetrical light fixture and the metal wall sculpture behind the table immediately catch the eye without adding bulk or crowding the room.
The wall paneling conceals tall doors that lead to the bedrooms beyond.
Browse metal wall art
The asymmetrical light fixture and the metal wall sculpture behind the table immediately catch the eye without adding bulk or crowding the room.
The wall paneling conceals tall doors that lead to the bedrooms beyond.
Browse metal wall art
Simple and modern, the kitchen features brown back-painted glass cabinets in aluminum frames and a backsplash of customized back-painted glass laid in a geometric pattern.
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The design of the master bedroom evolves from that of the living room, integrating simple furniture and woody elements in a clean, uncluttered space.
The quiet colors and the linear design of the apartment continue to the entry of the second bedroom. The partition on the right doubles as an open shelving unit. Its teal decorations introduce the color scheme of the room beyond.
This bedroom looks very different from the rest of the home — its colors and atmosphere are amped up to suit its occupant, the owners’ 18-year-old daughter. The highlight of the room, drenched in a delicious turquoise tint, is a customized wallpaper map.
Find out more about decorating with turquoise
Find out more about decorating with turquoise
Despite its splash of bright color, the room reflects the minimalist aesthetic of the rest of the house. The teal- and white-finished pine used across the space — including the closets and bed — provides a clean, fresh backdrop. The room’s signature element is a quirky selfie mirror that reflects inverted 3D text on the opposite wall, making for a playful photo op. The pouf fits well into the overall design. Inundated with natural light, the room offers an ideal retreat for a teenage girl.
Browse poufs and floor pillows
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Browse poufs and floor pillows
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Apartment at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their teenage daughter
Location: Mumbai, India
Size: 904 square feet (84 square meters); two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Architectural designer: Zero9
The apartment, built in 2017, has a welcoming open-plan living and dining area. A clean color palette and a minimalist design — key to making the small home look spacious and serene — is enhanced with modern furniture and woody textures. A gray sofa takes center stage in the airy room. Teal and yellow details, such as the pillows, vases and painting, add interest.