California Dreamin’ – This Belgaum Home Draws Inspiration From America’s Golden State
Phrases like ‘international design’ and ‘global style’ now form an intrinsic part of every interior designer’s lexicon. They’re used often (and sometimes indiscriminately) by clients that lean towards contemporary aesthetics. Fortunately for Vinithra Amarnathan of Weespaces, her clients were a tad more specific. They were young professionals from Bangalore who had previously lived in the United States. In the early days of the pandemic, they decided to move to Belgaum and wholly embrace the slow life. Wanting to bring a slice of the relaxed American aesthetic to their new home, they commissioned Amarnathan to turn their bare shell into what she conclusively describes as Cali Chic!
The 3500 sq ft apartment displays a distinct West Coast sensibility. A neutral palette of brown, beige, white, and blue runs through the space, interjected with accent hues of mustard, olive, and black. Natural materials like wood, jute, and linen add to the coastal aesthetic of the interior, framed by lush greens that peek through every window.
“All elements in the home come together to create a simple, unfussed, and organic space,” says Amarnathan.
In the expansive living room, the essence of an American beach home manifests itself through elements like wooden rafters, a rattan pendant from Bamboopecker, and bohemian furnishings from brands like Altrove and Amber Stitch. An airy shade of white takes over the walls, and concrete-inspired ceramic tiles from Nexion Tiles line the floor, allowing the richness of the earth tones to shine through. Furniture from West Elm India is used alongside custom-made pieces including two windowpane-checked poufs and a set of chic leather chairs. Accessorized generously with contemporary coastal decor elements and finished with a textured rug from Jaipur Rugs, the living room sets the tone for the rest of the home.
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The dining area lies alongside the living, in an open-plan concept. The highlight of the space is a striking natural wood table spanning 9 feet, accompanied by a mix of rustic leather and black spindle-back chairs. A curved, recessed alcove clad in glossy beige subway tiles serves as an interesting detail – adding a hint of glamour to an otherwise matte, organic interior. A set of burnished black chandeliers hang over the table, and soft linen furnishings complete the look.
In the kitchen, the coastal American ethos comes alive with a cool shade of country blue that takes center stage. The space is bathed in the sunlight that streams through a wide window. “Breaking down a wall to create this eight-foot window was one of our favorite decisions – the payoff is ample light and a rather pretty sink situation,” says Amarnathan. Grainy wooden details and marbled finishes bring textural nuance while offsetting the white walls. In the center, a large island houses the cooktop and is fringed by rattan bar chairs from Freedom Tree. The floor-to-ceiling storage neatly accommodates the pantry and the puja.
Timeless and pared down, the bedrooms carry forward the narrative of raw materiality and earth tones. Furnishings in jute, hemp, and cotton are layered artfully across the space, adding softness to the interior. In the master bedroom, a sliding metal and frosted glass door gives way to the walk-in wardrobe, cutting through the warm wooden aesthetic. Custom art pieces, tasteful curios, and keen attention to the smaller details ultimately give this Cali Chic house in Belgaum a name worthy of the space.
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