This Serene Apartment In Ahmedabad Is Proof Of Japandi’s Enduring Popularity

Japandi-style interiors are showing no signs of bowing out. It has understandably evolved into a design style that will emphatically endure our complex times by the functionality-focussed, serenity-bestowing and clutter-free ambience it imparts. When Studio Poche was invited to design the home of an industrial businessman, the studio pitched references to Japandi styles at the very outset. The client had expressed nothing more than a desire for simplicity and minimalism with a preference for oak and walnut wood and a disinclination towards wall panelling. What resulted was the Oak House, a tranquil dwelling for a bachelor reflective of their personality and inspired by elements of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian elegance.

The apartment on the eighth storey looks out onto the skyline of Ahmedabad’s busy S.G. Highway. Inside, a mindful and minimal approach to design permeates every nook and corner. The hallmarks of Japandi were meticulously brought into play across the 2,500-sq-ft apartment where a sense of openness pervades; colour choices are decidedly neutral; clean lines and organic shapes complement each other; cosy furnishings in jute and linen ensure comfort and warmth; and materials like wood and rattan add touches of natural beauty. “The profound sense of calm and mindfulness that permeates the space is one of the most rewarding aspects of this home,” Larsen Christian and Keithy Gandhi, co-founders of Studio Poche and principal designers on the project, explain. 

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Open-Flow At Its Core

One sets foot into the living room flanked by a lounge area and dining room. The three social areas flow into each other by way of an open-flow layout and the application of coherent aesthetics. The chalky old-world charm of lime-washed walls sits in perfect harmony with the creamy richness of Travertine marble flooring. Further, with all openings facing north, the open layout of the living area allows for light to permeate into all social spaces throughout the day without the need for artificial lighting. 

“We found the process of designing the living room and kitchen particularly enjoyable as these areas needed to be crafted as open, inviting spaces conducive to social gatherings. This concept not only enhances the perceived spaciousness of the space but also allows for accommodating a larger number of people comfortably,” the designers explain.

Bespoke By Design

There is a clear emphasis on a neutral palette of soft muted tones like whites, creams, greys, browns, and other earthy hues. The use of lime plaster ensures a cool respite from Gujarat’s scorching summers. The most demanding aspect of this project, the designers admit, was to craft each piece of furniture from scratch with a focus on simplicity and minimalism.

In the living room, curved bean sofas in a creamy bouclé fabric by Asian Paints and brass inlaid wooden centre tables were bespoke creations by Pocho Living. A pair of wooden low seaters furnished with brown-striped fabric, also by Asian Paints, and a customised silk dome lamp by Atelier Lumys are characterful additions that infuse the space with a characterful touch. 

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A Touch of Scandinavian Cosiness

Every space in this home is softened using cosy textiles like jute rugs, cushions in muted tones, and linen curtains that add warmth, lightness and comfort without overwhelming the simplicity of the design. In the sun-drenched lounge adjacent to the living room, comfort and cosiness continue to reign supreme. A bespoke earthy-toned chaise longue by Pocho Living is where basking in the early hours of the day takes place. 

A fluid TV unit console decked in veneer from Decowood and topped with leather-finish granite by Jayantilal & Co. meanders through a circular column that allows light to filter in unhindered. A baggy sofa with a detachable backrest paired with a centre table atop a carved wooden tray was also customised by Pocho Living to suit the neutral mood of this home. 

Indelibly Illuminated

At the other end, well within access to both the living room and casual lounge, is a dining room starring rattan in all its earthiness as the material of choice. A set of six rattan-backed chairs was crafted by Pocho Living, as was a wooden dining table frame with a stone tabletop by STONYC. By day, a pair of Atelier Lumys poplin lamps wrapped in Assam cane lends a natural touch to the sunlit dining area; after dark, the dining room is enveloped in a warm glow.  

At its northern façade, a long granite bar emerging gracefully from a circular column sits under a pair of cork pendant lamps from Oorjaa. Right across the dining area, the open kitchen stays true to the Japandi aesthetic.  Glossy white Bianco Statuario Venato ceramic from Stonelam makes a clean fit on the kitchen island and countertops against the warmth of walnut-toned cabinet shutters. 

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Harmoniously Balanced

Clean, tidy lines meet muted greys and the warmth of wood to create a clutter-free atmosphere to reflect the client’s personality in the master bedroom. A minimal bed with cane detailing crafted to suit the space by Pocho Living finds a harmonious home against limewash walls. Objectry’s chic matte black Trapeze bedside table lends a sense of lightness to this private space even as it conceals a lot more than just the essentials in its drawer. 

Length Breadth Height’s Kanso pendant lamp, now a mainstay with Indian designers, makes for a light and delicate composition that frames the bed and side table. Inspired by Japanese lanterns and true to the principles of Japandi, this pendant is handcrafted using metal and handmade paper. The focal point of the room is decidedly subtle—an accent wall with tiles in a light brown gradient beautifully soothes and adds visual tactility to the space without standing out in contrast. 

Purposeful Infusions

Every room in this home, be it the living area or the kitchen, the master or the guest bedrooms, is infused and designed with a sense of purpose. Every piece of furniture was designed to serve its purpose and every object was handpicked to adhere to the ‘less is more’ philosophy of Japandi aesthetics. In one of the guest rooms along the passage, a simple metal bed with a pale grey velvet cushion backrest manufactured by Pocho Living is set against veneer and limewash walls. 

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To enhance the multifunctionality of this room, the designers at Studio Poche went so far as to bring down a partition wall to accommodate a cantilever study table. Supported by metal rods, it’s a sleek and minimal addition to the guest room. A wardrobe featuring back-painted glass seamlessly integrates with the design rather than highlighting it. 

A third guest room integrates two single beds crafted from polished black wood and cane web. A wardrobe, also custom-made by Pocho Living, complements the room with its textured cane finish. Detailed by Studio Poche and crafted by Pocho Living, the beds are designed to be combined into a double bed when needed. The fourth and final room of the apartment was converted into a study for the client, serving as a dedicated office and reading area. Here, a display unit was crafted from scratch to hold books, souvenirs and all manner of curiosities, accommodating the client’s penchant for collecting objects from their travels around the world.

With an emphasis on minimalism, simplicity and the mindful usage of space, this Ahmedabad apartment goes beyond visual appeal; it encourages a less-is-more mindset and reinforces the ideology behind the Japandi style’s impact on wellbeing.