AD Small Spaces: This 750-square-foot apartment in Bandra explores the versatility of veneer

Love it or hate it, the meteoric rise of beige homes in the past decade has revealed an irrefutable truth: not everyone resonates with a colourful interior. Amid this proliferation, however, it is worth spotlighting the homes that embody tonal restraint without immediately defaulting to the Pinterest beiges. For this 750-square-foot apartment in Bandra, Neha Sawhney Chadha and Ankita Dabrai of O’Nest Interiors went south of beige and opted instead, for a rich selection of browns, punctuated with the occasional oxblood red and sage green. Their clients were a middle-aged couple, whose office and daughter’s home had been designed by the firm prior to this commission. “They entrusted us with something that they have manifested over many years and is very close to their heart,” Chadha says, “and so the privilege of designing their dream home came with pride as well as a sense of responsibility.”

Spatial Considerations

In the living room, a warm veneer clads the wall, punctuated by a strip of vertical grooves. The centre table is finished in a deep burl veneer, and a carpet from Jaipur Rugs lines the floor.

A contemporary piece from Art by Pritiyashi hangs on the wall, next to a brass wall light by Stem Design.

In the dining area, a decorative brass light by Nivasa Home anchors the space. A marble-topped table is paired with a playful striped bench.

The home’s modest square footage meant that space had to be optimised to the fullest—a challenge that Mumbai-based designers are all too familiar with. Extra storage was created wherever possible, without compromising on style. “We carved out the kitchen wall to fit in a crockery unit on one side and a bar with a bi-fold shutter on the other,” Chadha says. “We teamed it with sliding shutters and introduced monotone stained glass to turn it into a visual talking point.” The selection of furniture too reflected this ethos. In the living area, an assortment of chic yet compact pieces takes hold. The dining area is made complete by a bench set against a wall to save on space, and a set of dining chairs on the other. “The loose furniture is designed such that it is true to its utility without looking overpowering or compromising the breathability.” All throughout, the pieces eschew angularity in favour of soft curves, preventing the interior from feeling boxy.

Another structural challenge came in the form of a load-bearing beam that ran through the main passage into the rest of the house, which cut into the height and felt visually obstructive. “We cleverly played with the beam and, instead of camouflaging it, we softened the edges and added a fluted detail to it, which translated into a design element,” Chadha says.

A Veneer Wonderland

The master bedroom features a single veneered headboard wall that spans across the bed. The bespoke brass sconces are by Shailesh Rajput. The bedding is by Altrove.

A deep charcoal console with a marble top adds a sculptural softness to the space.

The guest bedroom features a sculptural ceiling light from Mother Gone Mad and a handcrafted mirror by Ravneet Gujral in a checker frame. Red side tables in a high-gloss finish add a whimsical pop of colour. The bedding is by Altrove.