Shabnam Gupta’s Mumbai Duplex Redefines Maximalist Luxury With A Literary Twist

Commissioned by Kanika Dhillon and Himanshu Sharma, both prominent Indian screenwriters and producers, the brief was clear: compose a vibrant space blending deeply rooted tradition with their modern lifestyle. Fittingly titled ‘The Writers’ Retreat’, a mesmerising fable of crystal chandeliers, intricately carved archways and chequered flooring plays out from the entrance itself. This 7,500 sq ft duplex in Four Bungalows, Mumbai is imbued with a hue-heavy, intoxicating vocabulary of maximalism. In light of the homeowners’ esteemed literary acclaim, it felt apropos to embrace an eclectic style, conceiving an idyllic haven for their artistic reflections. The principal designer Shabnam Gupta leaves a distinct mark on every space she designs. Her firm, The Orange Lane, is recognized for drawing inspiration from around the globe while consistently grounding their work in the rich traditions of Indian craftsmanship.

Conducting A Visual Opera

Awash in the soothing presence of teal, offset by an audacious red art piece, the interiors seem to cast a spell with their mind-numbing diversity of influences. The ground floor of this sprawling abode is composed of an open layout, encapsulating the family bedrooms, dining and living spaces. 

The living room’s dramatic black-and-white palette is elevated by unique artworks and vintage curios that bring life to the space. Here, a 14-foot-high ceiling amplifies the grandeur with a sublimely helical staircase that rises in a crescendo to the upper level, exuding a sense of timeless elegance. Wooden flooring, Neoclassical wainscoting on the walls and magnificently framed scroll paintings intersect together in a tableau that is as eye-catching as it is serene.

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Stirring Notes Of Antiquity

The design language of Writer’s Retreat is elegantly infused with a tincture of vernacular nostalgia; picking up treasure chests, brass accents, and lush indoor plants along the way. Around the helical staircase, Gupta applied a foliate wall covering embossed with gold vines to tap into a mystical threnody of bygone decadence, complemented by a constellation of showstopping lights from Peacock Life. 

The focal point is a coterie of temple panels, sensitively hand-beaten and distressed, to be reincarnated as eloquent wall art. Shabnam Gupta reflects on how a harmonious visual rhythm is spurred into existence, with the panels now hosting mirrors and their metallic accents emulated in the hand-painted walls girdling the staircase.

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In contrast to the single-tone living area, the dining room blossoms with colour. Testament to the broadly travelled sensibilities of the designer, a series of geometric Suzani embroiderers from Central Asia are framed into art panels adorning the walls. This multicultural backdrop makes a romantic setting for the dark-washed dining table with stately turned legs and exquisite chairs moulded out of old Burma teakwood with the pendant velvet lights strumming an overture of hedonism. Nearby, a black-and-white contemporary mandir offers an intimate cocoon for becoming one with spirituality

A Tryst With Elegance

The resting chambers in this duplex are sanctuaries of comfort and style, where mid-century sentiments meld seamlessly with heritage aesthetics. Traditional motifs are impressed upon the walls and headboards while louvred wardrobes, trunk-like side tables and evocatively dyed rugs lend a weathered beauty to each space. The master bedroom, with rattan flourishes and Warli art, is offset by a delightfully opulent dressing area. Black and white panelled furniture complements jewel-toned chairs and loungers, illuminated by ornate fixtures from Peacock Life in a tableau of unrivalled glamour. 

In the children’s bedroom, an enchanted canopy ripples around the bed, creating a snug, imaginative hideaway. The ensuite bathroom, with its pink and blue palette and aquatic-themed walls, uplifts the space to an oasis of escapism and wonder. 

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An Intervention By Nature

Outdoor spaces are essential for punctuating our stressful, fast-paced lifestyle with moments of calm and connection to nature. In this home, the ground-level terrace exemplifies this ideology beautifully. This versatile space transforms into an inviting glass conservatory, effortlessly blurring the inner-outer divide. It features a bar, Prohibition Era-style seating and a meditative water feature–all of which conjure up a divine sanctum amidst the rigmarole of grimy suburbia. 

Where Inspiration Finds Its Muse

Ascending to the upper level, one discovers a study, a gentleman’s den and an informal meeting area — dedicated spaces where the couple’s next screenplay can be conceptualised and etched into cinematic history. Here, we also find the guest bedrooms, where meticulously chosen wallpapers, muted bedlinen and captivating installations converge to create an experience that is both texturally diverse and richly personal. “This welcoming home is more than just a place to reside; it’s an everlasting source of joy where time is cherished and memories are moulded,” Gupta sums it up succinctly. Although the justly designated Writer’s Retreat features earmarked symbols of affluence such as lavish textiles, elaborately carved wooden doors and sensitively curated arts d’objet; its unique character truly shines through in the generous application of exquisite craftsmanship, which stands as a luxury in its own right.