The idea of living by the ocean is something many of us aspire to do and, for a family of three and their two dogs, this dream has become a reality. The Beach House is located in Mumbai, India with views of the Arabian Sea, far from the crowded metropolis of the inner city. At 232 square metres (2500 square feet), this home has room to move and every amenity, but it is the interior that makes it a standout design.
Combining a joyful mix of colour, pattern and textures, The Beach House by Shabnam Gupta of The Orange Lane is anything but ordinary, with art and hand-crafted furnishings that provide aesthetic beauty and ultimate comfort. As the client is an artist, there is a cornucopia of paintings, statuary and textiles that all combine to delight both the residents and the visitor. Wall art has been applied in the mandir (Hindu temple), while the child’s room and each mural creates a sense of place and beauty to tell a story of culture and life.
Entering the home, there is a black and white chequered floor with natural stone walls and expansive windows that offer panoramic views of the ocean. Engagement with nature is vital to the design and biophilic principals have been integrated wherever possible. Natural materials have been used throughout with limestone flooring in communal areas, and daylight has been maximised by opening up the interior and removing walls. To bring even more of the outside in, a vertical garden introduces a verdant touch and provides a feature wall of green to enhance life indoors.
The functional layout of The Beach House is tailored to accommodate the family’s lifestyle with distinct zones for sanctuary and functionality. For example, the den becomes a versatile space offering a place for a few people to congregate or a crowd to gather. Adjacent to this is the pooja room, a place for praying and the centre of positive energy, with hand-painted walls created by the resident in collaboration with a local artist. Further along the main bedroom is both elegant and serene with muted tones, natural white timber flooring and a generous walk-in closet.
The colour palette is earthy and reflects the surrounding landscape, with highlights of deep and dusty blues on walls and cabinetry. Timber lintels, cupboards and carved wooden doors add warmth and interest positioned beside striated stone and upholstered furniture. The juxtaposition of hard and soft, rough and smooth, works beautifully whether in a bedroom or public space.
While the interior design is expertly realised, it is the eclectic mix of old and new, much-loved objects and those recently acquired that really defines this home. This is not a modern pared-back interior with little sign of habitation but one that reflects the residents’ lives and journeys through objects of meaning that are cherished and loved.
Designer for The Beach House is Shabnam Gupta and she established her design practice, The Orange Lane, in 2003, in Mumbai, India. Her studio undertakes a variety of commissions from residential to hospitality and retail, along with custom artwork, design and consultation. Gupta embraces culture and tradition but adds her own inimitable touch with colour, materials, art and craftsmanship creating a new iteration that is visually exciting. Public demand saw the creation of Peacock Life which was conceived to offer objects, furniture and lighting to an online following.
As a home by the sea, The Beach House offers all that it should and so much more. The curation of the art, the mix of colours and patterns and the spatial generosity make this a home in which to relax, enjoy the company of family and friends and to simply be one with the natural elements. But most importantly, this is a home in which to live, kick off your shoes, brush the sand from the floor and simply enjoy the view.
