Embracing Imperfection: How This Surat Home Celebrates Natural Materials And Indian Craftsmanship

Interior designers Rachana and Ashish Chovatiya of studiorachana369 transformed a 1,575-square-foot apartment in Surat, Gujarat, into a warm and inviting home for a family with two young daughters. The three-bedroom apartment, known as ‘Koze Minka,’ embodies a wabi-sabi aesthetic, drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese Minka houses. The design showcases simplicity and natural imperfections, creating an earthy and airy atmosphere. A layered, neutral colour palette punctuated by warm hues crafting a sense of calm and sophistication. Textured lime-coated walls and thoughtfully integrated art pieces add depth and visual interest. The designers prioritised comfort and elegance, selecting locally sourced, reclaimed, and handcrafted furniture, all conceptualised by studiorachana369, to complete the space.

“Our client is a diamond merchant. His family has been in the business for generations. To our delight, the family had a shared vision, prioritising imperfection and authenticity over glossy perfection. Their brief was to make their home cosy, unpolished, and a bit imperfect—just like life. Their lifestyle is inherently luxurious, but for this home, they desired a comfortable space that felt unfinished. Inspired by the Japandi aesthetic, we proposed a contemporary interpretation, blending the wabi-sabi philosophy with the family’s lifestyle,” mentions Rachana Chovatiya, interior designer and co-founder of studiorachana369.

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Free-flowing Interconnected Spaces

This apartment’s interiors focus on natural materials and handcrafted details. The living room’s walls, clad in delicately checkered wood veneer panels, offer a warm and tactile experience, contrasting beautifully with the cool serenity of the lotus artworks. Handcrafted furniture, with its clean lines and natural finishes, creates an inviting atmosphere. The open-plan layout allows the rich wood veneer to flow effortlessly from the TV unit to the dining area, fostering a sense of connection and spaciousness. The lime-washed walls, with their subtle texture and organic variations, are the perfect backdrop for eight carefully chosen handcrafted wooden plates, displayed as a celebration of artistry and craftsmanship.

“Enhancing the beauty of wood’s natural grain with a series of gouged dots, line carvings, and smooth curves, these small circular sculptures reveal the texture and subtle gradients of carbonised mahogany wood through etched patterns, shares Ashish Chovatiya, interior designer and co-founder of studiorachana369. “We always like to highlight the potential of raw materials and the hand-crafting of local artisans, showcasing their work as art pieces on the blank wall.”

A dynamic, undulating centre table anchors the living space, while a muted rug with understated patterns grounds the room in the tactile essence of Japandi living. The living room opens into an expansive balcony featuring a custom-designed rattan swing offering panoramic vistas of the city’s skyline. Additionally, the living area is connected to a contemporary modular kitchen in an open layout, making it a perfect space for hosting and socialising. 

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Local Artworks And One-of-a-kind Craftsmanship

The intimate dining area exudes warmth and understated elegance. A circular marble table, its smooth surface gleaming softly, is supported by handcrafted Sheesham wood legs, an exhibit of artistry and natural beauty. Complementary Sheesham chairs, each showcasing the wood’s rich, unique grain, surround the table, promising comfortable and stylish dining. Above, a gracefully curved false ceiling subtly conceals a structural beam, creating a clean, uncluttered aesthetic. The room’s focal point is an arresting floral mosaic mural by Palladio Glass Mosaic, seamlessly integrated into the design. This vibrant artwork showcases the studio’s philosophy: art isn’t merely decorative, it’s an intrinsic part of the lived experience.

The open dining area naturally leads into the passageway, where the focus shifts to a carefully curated arrangement of six personalized artwork frames. These pieces, chosen to reflect the client’s unique story, transform the transitional space into a personal gallery.  The artwork adds depth and intrigue, inviting exploration and conversation as one moves through the home. Within this journey, a discreet mandir area seamlessly integrates into the passage, offering a tranquil corner for reflection. The flooring of the passageway introduces a playful element with a hopscotch-style pattern. This whimsical design adds a touch of lightheartedness, inviting the client’s young daughters to play, learn shapes, and transform the passage into more than just a walkway. “Using black marble inlay with various shapes, the flooring resembles a classic hopscotch game,” adds Rachana Chovatiya.

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Geometric Motifs And Earthy Materials

Moving on, the parents’ bedroom embraces geometric patterns as its focal point. A striking fabric artwork adorns the headboard wall, transforming the space into an intimate art gallery. A black and white colour scheme fulfils the client’s desire for a touch of darkness while a light wood veneer panelling subtly frames the room.

The primary bedroom’s wardrobe features a unique blend of natural materials – pure linen sandwiched between glass panels and framed with red oak wood  – adding warmth and texture. Rattan planters and ceramic pottery further enhance the organic, wabi-sabi aesthetic. This bathroom exudes luxury with travertine walls in rich black, brown, and beige tones. A handcrafted cane drawer introduces an artistic touch, perfectly complementing the sleek design.

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A Celebration Of Imperfection And Natural Forms

The guest room evokes a serene Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetic. This room’s headboard wall showcases artwork reminiscent of rammed earth, embodying the rustic beauty of Japanese wabi-sabi. Wavy patterns gracefully flow throughout the space, from the wardrobe to the dressing mirror, celebrating the beauty of imperfection and natural variation. This celebration of imperfection and inconsistency creates an organic charm, where each element tells a story. The design harmonises with the essence of Japanese aesthetics, inviting guests into a space that embraces imperfections as part of its charm.

The daughters’ shared bedroom is a delightful combination of whimsy and functionality. Arched headboards, adorned with playful black spheres, create a focal point, while quirky line drawings by Rogán Designs capture the sisters’ unique personalities. Cane cone pendant lights cast a warm glow, and the wardrobe’s geometric square pattern of wood and cane adds a touch of understated elegance. A clever sliding panel transforms the study area into a dressing corner with a mirrored surface, maximizing space and adaptability. This vibrant yet serene space, with its use of natural materials like wood and textured lime plaster, fosters creativity and comfort for the young occupants.

“This bedroom is designed for two daughters to share. To create a warm and inviting atmosphere, we’ve incorporated natural materials. To ensure comfort and a soft touch, we’ve used linen and pure cotton fabrics for the bedding and accents. The Japandi design ethos is brought to life with delicate wood-veneer panelling featuring seamless small square checks, adding a touch of understated elegance,” concludes the designers.

This Surat apartment celebrates natural materials and local craftsmanship, seamlessly blending form and function. With a focus on wabi-sabi, bespoke furniture, and locally sourced elements, it proves that thoughtful design can create elegant and enduring spaces that evolve with time.