Suffused In Understated Luxury Villa Cardo Is A Refreshing Take On Old Goan Homes
Rooted in Indo-Portugese design aesthetics, Villa Cardo transports holiday seekers into a sea of neutrals, organic forms and warm textures, evoking the essence of a modern-day leisure home.
In a sleepy quarter of Assagao, sits Villa Cardo, an unmissable, elegant white villa sprawling into a gorgeous, lush landscape. Designed by Naina Nagpal of Vianaar Homes and rented by The Blue Kite this 4-BHK holiday villa spans an impressive 4,500 sq. ft that emulates the plush sophistication of a manor house, suffused with the classic charm of old Goan homes. Villa Cardo perfectly captures the spirit of a holiday home with its open floor plan, intimate rooms that maximize views of the lush greenery, a luxurious front porch and a charming pool shaded by a century-old banyan tree. It’s a place where you can truly connect with nature.
The design scheme emphasizes the fundamental elements to enhance well-being. The neutral and earthy material palette of the indoors complements the shades of green in the outdoors inviting peace and serenity. A home that welcomes quiet introspection while also making way for intimate gatherings.
Also read: Dharana At Shillim: A Sanctuary Where Mind, Body, And Spirit Meld
In Commune With Nature
With the concept of a holiday home evolving to merge indoor and outdoor spaces, this Goan retreat exemplifies that shift. Rooted in Indo-Portuguese architecture, this villa immediately teleports residents into a stunning visual of interconnected spaces offering serene glimpses of the verdant surroundings. Villa Cardo greets visitors with a double-height overhead bridge that connects its two wings; while the front porch flows into a light-filled lobby. Of the two wings, one boasts an expansive living and dining adorned with a captivating blend of locally sourced modern furnishings, and the other side houses expansive rooms with a touch of sophistication—all oriented towards the green scapes
Old Goan Design Sensibilities Meet Gothic Elegance
Stepping inside, the residents are greeted by a vast open floor plan that enhances the feeling of expansiveness and connection to nature. The entrance flanked by pillars, teakwood segmented arched doors, the ceilings clad in wooden rafters, layered with Mangalorean tiled roofs and the overhang balconies frame uninterrupted views of treetops are all a reflection of the architectural heritage of traditional Goan homes. The main living space seamlessly merges with the back garden and can be dubbed the beating heart of the villa, blurring the boundaries between inside and outside.
Also read: Discover North Goa’s Emerging Design Scene Through These 5 Bars And Restaurants
The powder washroom is draped in light grey IPS or Indian patent Stone and hand-poured cement tiles. The handcrafted marble counter basin and vintage lights add to the Gothic allure. (Image Credit: Vianaar Homes)
A modern indigenous aesthetic permeates the interiors of the sprawling master bedroom that overlooks the garden pool. The expansive windows flood an abundance of natural light where one gets to soak up the idyllic slow mornings of Goa. The light fixtures and chandeliers in the villa add understated elegance drawn from the Gothic style found in many Goan churches. Nagpal adds, “When working with a Gothic theme, there’s always a risk of the space feeling heavy and dark and so careful attention was paid to ensure the walls and floors were kept in lighter shades of grey, with the flooring that plays with earthy colours and patterns.”
A Comforting Interplay of Materiality
Indigenous stones like Banswara marble, laterite, green Shabad and Kota stones are reminiscent of the traditional floors in historic Portuguese homes. The bedrooms are adorned with hand-poured cement tiles crafted in beautiful patterns resulting in a unique design where no two tiles are alike. The floor palette, replete with grey and neutral tones, complements the earthy hues of the furnishings. Aided with thoughtfully placed skylights the wall and the flooring dazzle with its play of colours and patterns. The powder rooms feature a rugged elegance of IPS (Indian patent stone) infusing a raw earthy look to the space. A contrasting palette of deep grey extends to the staircase, leading up to the first-floor rooms where soft fluid forms, warmth of teakwood, and the glam of metallic brass accents, beckons one to venture indoors.
In Tandem With The Landscape
The master bedroom overlooks the pool while a laterite staircase connects it with the top-floor rooms. Impelled from the Art Nouveau ‘piscina,’ the garden pool is deliberately designed to be situated under the banyan tree, its foliage cascading down at multiple levels, creating a tranquil oasis within the precinct. Carving a pool on a steep gradient posed its own design challenge to which Nagpal says “instead of leveling up the sight and disrupting the foliage, we made multiple exit points with steps and levels resulting in a multi-layer garden.” Villa Cardo’s architecture complements the surrounding landscape perfectly. Combining tranquility with modern style, it captures the essence of Susegad, offering a respite from the humdrum routine of our daily lives.
