In the bustling heart of Four Bungalows, Mumbai, amidst the labyrinth of city life, lies a haven that defies convention. Kanika Dhillon and Himanshu Sharma, celebrated screenwriter-producers of Indian cinema, have fashioned a mesmerizing 7,500-square-foot duplex with the visionary touch of designer Shabnam Gupta. You enter, and everything around you fills with energetic richness: the wall glows, the rug is immersed in molded texture and shades, and the window displays a mosaic of rainbow-like colors. The path of maximalists leads you to the magical place called Writer's Retreat.
(Photo: Kuber Shah)
Embracing Maximalism
For recreating this topsy-turvy world, maximalism seemed to be the best style of Shabnam Gupta, the fabulous designer behind this masterpiece. However, maximalism wasn't just a style; it was the way of life for Gupta. The non-conformist and art were inseparable in her eyes, and it quickly became clear that she shared this spirit of exuberance and discord with her new friends, Dhillon and Sharma. The combination of Ram, a sculptor of Indian descent, and Hagen, a modern fashion designer, resulted in a space that walks the line between cultural and contemporary and brings the two together effortlessly.
(Photo: Kuber Shah)
Entrance and Living Spaces
When you step into this enchanting scenery, you will be salt-greeted by the old oak as the trees make music in the breeze. An artfully designed wooden frame engraved with detailed ornamentation proudly faces a door that mumbles historicity in a door slab. The inner part, which could be seen as a symphony of colors, features daring teal walls with vibrant red accents overshadowing each other, symbolizing their strong roots in India in Modern characteristics.
The grandeur of the space is palpable as you traverse the hallway, guided by a magnificent staircase spiraling towards the heavens. Ivory walls adorned with gold foil trees exude opulence, while vintage temple panels repurposed as wall art infuse a sense of history and mystique. This juxtaposition of the ancient and the contemporary sets the tone for the rest of the home, where every corner tells a story of artistic exploration and personal expression.
For the living room, many insist that the glam coming from the decoration is not needed because the calmness of the decoration is inviting, and the muted tones and natural textures are at the top of the scale. Modern furniture pieces combine with classic accents, creating an area of a different age while embodying current trends. A welcoming dining area adorned by fuchsia pink Suzani textiles alongside a modern mandir takes care of the diner's sensory part while adding a touch of spirituality.
What goes apart is how setting this home in a space area is an open rarity in Mumbai's populated landscape context. By the conservatory, the replaced terrace is molded into a calling place to be together by all amidst lush greenery and the quaint environment. Artwork in different colors creates an emotional cut and is a creative backdrop to the serene environment.
(Photo: Kuber Shah)
Creative Zone and Bedrooms
To reach upstairs, you will find a space called the creative area where the teams from Dhillon and Sharma's creative teams start and finish their creative ideas. Modern motifs fuse gracefully with a modern interior design selection, and the outcome is a multipurpose area that attracts and comfortably welcomes visitors. Bedrooms with vintage elements, such as brassy details and colorful carpets, feel warmth and comfort; glamorous touches like jeweled chairs and ornate lighting are mixed to achieve a high-class essence.
In the midst of this Maximalist country, the usual dissipates, and what undergoes a 'makeover' is a spectrum of vibrant colors and sheer textures that is as bold as it is stunning. It is an area that honors the creative spark, where each corner is a blank canvas that allows the imagination to fill it out with brand new colors from its brush. Dhillon and Sharma love how their new darling has so many characteristics, but most of all, it feels like Dhillon and Sharma are themselves; their soul is the reflection behind the wall.
