Stone, Wood, And Nature: A Pune Farmhouse That Blends Craft With Rustic Artistry

Located in the lush terrains of Maharashtra, Graceful Abodes is a spacious 4,500-sq-ft home that celebrates the synthesis of artisanal architecture and green luxury. Created by Roheena Nagpal for the Bhide family, the project was inspired by the need to create a sanctuary that balances modern sensibilities with the unbridled beauty of nature. Far from a farmhouse, it is a living sanctuary, one that interacts with its environment and its inhabitants. Every detail, from the textured richness of indigenous stone to the artisanal detailing that provides a warm welcome, encourages an intimate relationship with the earth while defining a sophisticated yet earthy architectural philosophy.

At its very essence, Graceful Abodes is an ode to relationships between people, materials, and nature. Reflecting on the journey behind its creation, Nagpal describes, “For me, this project was not about architecture or interiors; it was about relationships. What started as a collaboration with the Bhide family turned into a treasured friendship, forged in mutual trust and a shared love for design that is soulful and long-lasting.” This fundamental relationship that exists between the client and the designer and between the house and its residents takes Graceful Abodes beyond its subject, thereby transforming it into a living story that tells of life, love, and legacy.

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Framed by earthy, lime-washed walls, a suspended swing creates a tranquil nook overlooking the valley, while vintage wood accents add rustic charm.(Image Credits: Retiesh Ramaiyah)

A Gateway to Nature That Is Rooted in Materiality and Sustainability

From the moment you step onto the Gokak stone-paved pathway, lined by elegantly swaying palm trees, you step into a setting where every detail has been purposefully crafted. The gigantic, hand-hewn Jodhpur doors, with their charred surfaces that speak of the craftsmanship involved, aren’t just doors but gateways to a story. As you step through the door, there is an immediate sense of the home’s commitment to authenticity, where every detail- from untreated concrete slabs studded with limewash to huge, wind-defying windows- speaks of a deep love for natural beauty and ecology.

In describing her vision for the project, Roheena Nagpal encapsulates the essence of the design as “Graceful Abodes is a living, breathing entity—where design and nature move in a seamless dance of harmony and evolution. Just as the wind reshapes the landscape and the seasons paint new hues, this home, too, will transform—growing, adapting, and embracing change, yet always remaining a sanctuary of warmth, peace, and quiet luxury.” 

This statement further sets the tone of a home that is both transformative and stable. The design strategy is not only reactive to present demands but also predictive of future needs, evolving effortlessly as the seasons change and time passes. For instance, the open-plan living space optimises natural light and encourages effortless interaction between interior and exterior spaces. Large windows offer breathtaking vistas of the valley, and the strategic placement of the home allows for natural cooling—an ode to green architecture that reduces reliance on mechanical climate control.

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A closer inspection shows a profound respect for materiality and the narratives each holds. The slab ceilings, left bare and coated with a breathable limewash, preserve the home’s raw, organic essence. Each surface is deliberately left to reveal its natural essence, a choice that speaks to the designer’s dedication to allowing materials to speak for themselves. Here, the haptic quality of the home is as significant as its aesthetic. Nagpal’s passion for design is evident in the way she works on the project, stressing that every home she creates is an emotional journey, where every detail, from the materials sourced locally to spatial planning, is chosen with a deep awareness for the people who will be inhabiting it.

A Living Canvas Where Timeworn Craft Meets Contemporary Comfort

Set amidst nature, the bedroom is a serene sanctuary where rustic charm and modern comfort coexist effortlessly. Earth-toned walls provide a muted canvas, allowing the distressed wooden doors and timeworn beams to take center stage. A thoughtfully curated bed, flanked by side tables, is enveloped in soft furnishings adorned with delicate botanical prints. Expansive glass walls dissolve the boundary between indoors and out, offering sweeping valley views while flooding the space with natural light. Warmth is further enhanced by custom lighting like woven pendant lamps and track fixtures along the ceiling beams, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and retreat.

While the living room is undoubtedly the heart of the home, it serves as a seamless blend of history and modernity. Based around a two-century-old Naga table from Ralph Moretti Kitchen, the room is a model of enduring craftsmanship and the stories contained within weathered wood. Within this setting, modern furniture interacts with antique decor, creating an environment that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking. Suspended above, intricately crafted custom cane lights hanging from lime-washed beams cast soft, mottled shadows that add to the room’s overall atmosphere. This intentional blending of old and new elements reflects a design philosophy that values continuity and change simultaneously.

The design style also celebrates the free flow between interior and exterior space. Instead of compartmentalising nature as a background, large glass walls take the place of traditional walls, thereby minimising barriers and creating an easy integration of the home into its green environment. From the immaculate lawns approaching a reflecting pool to the utilitarian vegetable garden that symbolises ecological initiatives, every element is integrated into the gestalt of the home. A weathered wood staircase, accompanied by a minimalist yet evocative bamboo balustrade, rises elegantly to the lower lawns, where an olive-green accent wall offers a striking contrast to the warm colour of natural wood.

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Born of Heritage, Built for Evolution

Graceful Abodes is a home where personal narratives and native craftsmanship meet elegantly, forming a space that is firmly embedded in its cultural and environmental setting. Roheena Nagpal’s vision was to create an environment that evokes feeling, be it from the warmth of cane lights intricately braided in Nagaland, the muted history of a repurposed trunk, or the serenity of a swing over the valley. All aspects of design, from distressed wood furniture to area-quarried stone and antique copperware, are a testament to native ingenuity and enduring tradition.

In addition to its material integrity, the house is designed to evolve—responsive to time and the natural world. Skylights allow natural light to filter in during the day, casting changing shadows on textured walls, while basalt stone and weathered wood, chosen for their longevity, develop a rich patina with age. More than a mere house, Graceful Abodes is a living, breathing sanctuary—one that honors imperfection, pays homage to heritage, and fosters an intimate relationship between people, place, and the passage of time.