Tasked with refurbishing an over 20-year-old apartment by totally stripping it down to its bones, A Square Designs has created an artful sanctuary full of thoughtful details, some surprise elements and charming outdoor space. Nestled amid the leafy Alipore, one of Kolkata’s poshest areas, Founder and Principal Designer Ajay Arya injects a cheerful environment into the home by connecting it with its green surroundings.
The owners, Piyush and Vatsala Jalan are a young couple in their early 30s with two small kids, and divide their time between Kolkata and Bengaluru, while Piyush’s mother and sister live in the apartment. They wanted a trendy contemporary home with modern amenities while retaining some of the antique furniture pieces in their possession.
Ajay carves out a delightful contemporary home with classic touches.
Starting out by knocking off a few walls to expand some of the bedrooms and bathrooms, Ajay also extends the kitchen to include a utility area.
A good collection of artworks by some of the established artists and a few antique pieces of furniture decorate the home otherwise furnished with custom-designed furniture by Ochre at Home, a venture of Ajay that boasts its own distinctive aesthetic.
Ajay’s artistic flair is evident right at the entrance as you are invited by a richly crafted wooden door and a stunning Pichwai painting of Srinathji on the adjacent wall. Stepping into the foyer, a cool classic environment welcomes you with a blue feature wall decorated with works by artist Seema Kohli and an elegant flooring of antique beige marble with ivory marble inlay. The console designed by Ochre at Home has malachite accents, while the chair is an antique piece that was refurbished by Ajay.
The design scheme was developed in consultation with the client over Zoom calls during the past year, however, everything fell into place beautifully.
The living room is furnished with lavish sofas in disparate styles and colours resulting in an eclectic appeal. A bright painting adorns the wall and a large mirror enhances the cheerful atmosphere. A coffee table made up of nine components, five of them slightly higher than the other four, are accented with semi-precious stone inlays making a definite style statement. While a lounge chair upholstered in Indian paisley fabric adds a classic touch.
The dining area is warm and cosy with wooden panelling that hides cabinets behind it on one side and Glamora wallpaper in earthy shades on the other. An artwork by Bratin Khan in the alcove and a Thota Vaikuntam painting on the wall adorn the space.
The conservatory-style outdoors space is the highlight of the home to enjoy outdoors all year through surrounded by lush greenery. An open balcony that was not in much use has been covered with glass to provide respite from the elements and furnished like an indoor space. Beautiful patterned tile flooring and outdoor furniture in white dotted with vibrant cushions exude a fresh Mediterranean vibe. The track lights fitted in the ceiling create a charming mood at the night.
The mother’s bedroom is done up in soothing shades with a vintage floral wallpaper adding a hint of colour. An antique two-poster colonial-style bed was given a total revamp to furnish the sister’s room. Tropical foliage curtains complement the palm trees outside.
Piyush and Vatsala’s bedroom is modern with a high headboard. It opens into the glass balcony covered with glass. The bathrooms are done up using marble and tiles in neutral earthy shades, with pendant lights adding a soft glow.
By artfully mixing eclectic elements and colours, Ajay Arya achieves a contemporary home with a cheerful look.
A Square Designs project
Property: A four-bedroom apartment in Alipore, Kolkata
Owners: Piyush and Vatsala Jalan.
Carpet area: 33,000 sqft
Furniture: All furniture except a few antique pieces are
Walls: Painted walls, wooden wall panelling, Glamora wallpapers from Sources Unlimited
Artworks: Seema Kohli, Thota Vaikuntam and Bratin Khan.
