My Studio: A Restored Mumbai Heritage Haven
I found this 80-year-old house forgotten and silent. Restoring it wasn't about perfect lines, but about keeping its soul intact. Here is where my team and I create, dream, and find our daily inspiration.
When I first stepped into this 80-year-old structure, I saw a quiet soul beneath the rubble. This staircase and entryway, with its original tiled floor and restored wooden details, is a glimpse into the journey of bringing our studio back to life.
My personal cabin in the studio. I kept the exposed brick and stone walls and paired them with a bold green accent wall and a zebra-print rug. It’s a space that feels creative and inspiring, blending raw, historical textures with eclectic, modern touches.
The main lounge area in our studio is where we gather as a team. The vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, whitewashed brick walls, and cozy furniture create a space that feels open and collaborative. It’s where our ideas, doubts, and dreams come to life.
A view from the studio hallway into the garden. The original jaali work on the wall casts beautiful shadows as the light changes throughout the day. It’s these small, preserved details that give the space its unique character and charm.
Our studio's outdoor patio is a quiet corner for a cup of coffee or a quick break. We used rustic pink walls and patterned floor tiles to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a small oasis in the middle of the city.
The conference room in our studio features a long wooden table set against an exposed brick wall. The industrial-style pendant lights and vaulted ceiling maintain the building's original character while creating a functional space for team meetings and client presentations.
Light is a mood changer. Here, the winter sun streams through an old doorway in the studio, casting long shadows on the original patterned floor tiles. It’s moments like these that remind me of the quiet, soulful energy of this restored space.
A view through the main doors of the studio, where our team member Sumina stands in a ray of sunlight. The space feels open and welcoming, with its original floors and high ceilings, a true reflection of the collaborative spirit we foster here.
About My Studio: A Restored Haven
When I work on a space, I look for the bones first. Notice the original cement flooring and exposed brickwork in our studio; these were not added, they were discovered and honored. If you have an old property or a room that feels cold, we do not need to strip it clean. Sometimes the most character comes from revealing what has been hidden for years.
The journey began with an 80-year-old structure in Mumbai, left silent for four decades. My studio is a living testament to the belief that buildings have memories. We kept the original wooden beams and mitti walls, allowing the history of the house to dictate the design rather than forcing a modern template onto it.
It is not just about preserving walls, it is about creating a space where creativity breathes. The main lounge, with its vaulted ceiling, acts as a collaborative hub, while the private cabin—with its bold green accent—shows how modern color theory can coexist with raw, aged textures. This approach extends to all my client work, whether we are restoring a century-old bungalow or renovating a modern apartment.
Our Restoration Philosophy
- Honor the History: We identify original features like cement tiles, stone, or reclaimed wood before starting the layout.
- Work with Light: Our studio design relies on the natural movement of the sun, allowing shadows to define the mood throughout the day.
- Collaborative Energy: A home should reflect the people living in it. We avoid standard formulas, preferring to work with craftspeople who can bring authenticity to the project.
Whether you are looking for heritage restoration or a home styling makeover, the goal is to create a sanctuary. We look for paths to transform clinical rooms into homes that feel like an embrace, blending vintage finds with your personal narrative.
Richa Bahl
I do not believe in design manuals or rigid rules. I treat every project as a conversation, listening to what the house wants to be and what you need it to feel like. If you want a space that has lived a thousand stories and feels like it belongs to you, let us talk.
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