Richa Bahl’s foray into the world of interior design began with the renovation of her own residence. Growing up as an army child who spent a lot of time in her grandparents’ rustic home, she was exposed to classic, homely elements like kitchen gardens, mosaic floors, cane chairs, open verandahs and cement jaali. Her aesthetic as an interior designer was developed from this upbringing, as she strives to create homes for her clients that they feel intrinsically connected with.

The brief given to her for this project on Pali Hill, Mumbai, was challenging, to say the least. The clients had been residing in Kinara, a bungalow by the sea for the last 8 years, and now wanted to move into a tight three-bedroom apartment! Her job was to make the transition seamless, and help them forget about their previous abode.

Sunset is a combination of diverse styles that reflects the owner’s culture and travels. Richa chose to refurbish and reuse old pieces of furniture along with new ones, as well as mosaic flooring, and paintings by the likes of Rekha Rodwititya, Jyotsna Bhatt and Rini Dhumal (which the client’s family had collected over the years). She lent a contemporary touch to the apartment with salmon pink and white walls that complement the surrounding greenery and continue into the master bathroom. The kitchen features white tiles with green shutters. For an earthy feel, Richa sourced ikat fabrics from Cottons and Satins. The centerpiece of this apartment, a large bookshelf, adds character and vibrancy when viewed from various parts of the house. Another interesting element is a cozy nook, with an L shaped seating space in the living room, opposite the bar.

Despite the fact that it was an old structure and she had a tight timeline, Richa successfully created a contemporary space that easily adapts to the client’s lifestyle.