Eye in the Sky is a Serene City Apartment

Ali Baldiwala of Baldiwala Edge designed this Mumbai apartment as a clean-lined yet characterful space, defined by a monochromatic palette upon which he’s layered accent pieces and various shades of blue that echo the 360-degree city views

Design Anthology: Can you tell us about the clients and their lifestyle?

Ali Baldiwala: The clients are a young couple in their 30s. Since they were doing up their home for the first time, they were very excited and were involved in the design process from the start. They’re both really easy going and relaxed, and they want to enjoy life with the perfect work-life balance. The house is a reflection of their personalities — simple, sophisticated and free from clutter.

What was their brief to you for the project?

They were very clear on their brief: they wanted a simple, clean-lined design with a minimalist concept, with comfort being of utmost importance, and prioritising functionality over form. Practical use of space was very important and thus our approach was along the same lines. They were very keen on white interiors, hence the entire floor is covered in white Lasa marble. Storage was also a priority, so we designed ample storage solutions but took care to ensure it looks more like an integrated design element. 

What’s the overall size of the house?

The apartment is 140-square-metres big and includes three bedrooms, with a small balcony and lobby area.

What’s unique about the building and the location?

The apartment is in one of South Mumbai’s high-rise buildings, and enjoys unobstructed views of the city skyline and the local neighbourhood. Every opening in the house is framed to take advantage of this view, hence the project’s name: Eye in the Sky.

How did you approach the project — what design references did you try to incorporate into the space?

The 360-degree views really inspired our design of the space. We wanted to merge the interiors with the exteriors and bring that serenity into the home, giving it a plush look and feel. We started with a monochrome theme and then began add shades of blue to give it an airy atmosphere, making one feel almost like they’re a part of the sky that’s visible from all windows. Our references were more along the lines of designing a penthouse, with bold design elements and cosy furniture. The art and accessories play a very important role, and we handpicked them all with the aesthetic goal and style in mind.

We maintained a focus on rich materials and textures that lend tactility and sensuality, and the continuous white marble flooring throughout the home adds a sense of serenity to the space, while also accentuating all the furniture pieces and colours within the home.

A monochrome palette of black and white forms the base of the concept and lends character, whether it’s in the geometric patterns, the shutters, an accent wall or a chevron-patterned rug. The array of blue tones create a sense of space and tie the areas together, at the same time echoing the overall theme of purity in the minimalist black and white home.

We handpicked the artwork and accessories and combined them with statement and bespoke furniture to create what we think is a perfect blend of simplicity, design and textures, while the composition of materials and the play of geometric patterns reflect the home owner’s urbane sensibility but also their need for functionality.

Please tell us more about the material choices for the space.

The refined nature of the white marble flooring is echoed in the gloss or matte lacquered fixed furniture. We used black and white Dalmata marble for accent pieces like the dining table or the TV unit in the master bedroom, to add to the monochromatic theme. Contrasting with the marble used throughout, the fabrics are all organic cottons and linens.

Which of the pieces are custom designed?

All the fixed furniture, as well as many of the loose pieces like the centre table, dining table, consoles and side boards, are all tailormade and executed in-house. The statement pieces we really enjoyed designing include the black-and-white geometric display cabinet in the living room, with its geometric chevron pattern and brass door. We wanted this piece to be a focal point in the home, so we kept it bold. It functions as a useful storage unit that we’ve accessorised with artefacts, books and small curios. We designed the master bedroom wardrobe with concealed handles, a feature we love to use, while the master bedroom TV console cum dresser is the star of the bedroom.

Do you have a favourite element or design detail in the architecture or interiors?

I’d have to go with the custom living room cabinet, but another design element I love is the blue-panelled wall in the den. We’ve hung black-and-white photographs from the couple’s travels, and it really gives the space a sense of warmth that’s more a feeling than a design element.

Images / Talib Chitalwala
Styling / Samir Wadekar