Before & After Houzz: Concrete & Glass Create a Warm Ahmedabad Home
See how an unwieldy, rabbit-warren of an apartment is transformed by Studio Patternmaker into an expansive dream home
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A young couple who relocated from London to India, and their dog
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Year built: 2014
Size: 176.5 square metres (1900 square feet); 4 bedrooms converted into 2 bedrooms, and 3 bathrooms
Interior designer: Parthavi Patel, founder of Studio Patternmaker
("After") Photos by: PHX India | Sebastian + Ira
The 1900-square-foot apartment that originally comprised four bedrooms and three bathrooms, was converted into a spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom home, reflecting the young owner-couple’s hectic travel lifestyle and fun-loving personalities. Parthavi Patel, founder and principal designer of Studio Patternmaker, built them a house based on her philosophy that “since life is about evolving and growing, a home should have the scope to grow with them”. The clients had also requested for their home to have the “essence of their past life in London, in terms of feel and function and ease of living, while at the same time not being hotel-like”.
This translated into a loft-style apartment with grey and charcoal tones, replete with typical characteristics such as textured red brick walls, exposed concrete, glass partitions and mild steel (MS) used as structural components. A lot of the furniture and accessories were custom made, which not only kept costs within control but also supported the talent of local carpenters and artisans by using their services.
Who lives here: A young couple who relocated from London to India, and their dog
Location: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Year built: 2014
Size: 176.5 square metres (1900 square feet); 4 bedrooms converted into 2 bedrooms, and 3 bathrooms
Interior designer: Parthavi Patel, founder of Studio Patternmaker
("After") Photos by: PHX India | Sebastian + Ira
The 1900-square-foot apartment that originally comprised four bedrooms and three bathrooms, was converted into a spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom home, reflecting the young owner-couple’s hectic travel lifestyle and fun-loving personalities. Parthavi Patel, founder and principal designer of Studio Patternmaker, built them a house based on her philosophy that “since life is about evolving and growing, a home should have the scope to grow with them”. The clients had also requested for their home to have the “essence of their past life in London, in terms of feel and function and ease of living, while at the same time not being hotel-like”.
This translated into a loft-style apartment with grey and charcoal tones, replete with typical characteristics such as textured red brick walls, exposed concrete, glass partitions and mild steel (MS) used as structural components. A lot of the furniture and accessories were custom made, which not only kept costs within control but also supported the talent of local carpenters and artisans by using their services.
After
The first bay to the right, as one enters, was converted into a home office, delicately partitioned by a modernist black MS grid fitted with glass. This rendered the rest of the room into a more intimately proportioned living space.
The owners’ den is awash with light coming in from French windows, lighting up a dark-grey wall adorned with quirky hand-crafted frames, all locally made – as is the deeply-upholstered and very inviting-looking day bed.
Browse through photos of home offices on Houzz
The first bay to the right, as one enters, was converted into a home office, delicately partitioned by a modernist black MS grid fitted with glass. This rendered the rest of the room into a more intimately proportioned living space.
The owners’ den is awash with light coming in from French windows, lighting up a dark-grey wall adorned with quirky hand-crafted frames, all locally made – as is the deeply-upholstered and very inviting-looking day bed.
Browse through photos of home offices on Houzz
The second bay forms the main living room. A wall in red brick creates a striking feature, while the concrete ceiling with track lights is a continuation from the home office. The love seat (in the foreground) was bought online and reupholstered.
Living room (turquoise) sofa: BO Concept
Discover other ways to fit industrial lights in all types of decor
Living room (turquoise) sofa: BO Concept
Discover other ways to fit industrial lights in all types of decor
Before
This space constituted the third bay of the huge hall – the dining room, which was an extension of the living area. It featured a washbasin bang in plain sight, standing out as somewhat of an eyesore.
This space constituted the third bay of the huge hall – the dining room, which was an extension of the living area. It featured a washbasin bang in plain sight, standing out as somewhat of an eyesore.
After
This bay was turned into an extended living room. The washbasin was blocked off and the wall became the focal point with custom-designed wallpaper in black and white, with a trompe l’oeil effect.
Wallpaper custom designed by: Parthavi Patel
Check out wallpaper designs that trick the eye
This bay was turned into an extended living room. The washbasin was blocked off and the wall became the focal point with custom-designed wallpaper in black and white, with a trompe l’oeil effect.
Wallpaper custom designed by: Parthavi Patel
Check out wallpaper designs that trick the eye
The balcony that abuts the extended living room is quaint but versatile enough to wear several hats. “It functions as a pleasant breakfast spot for two, a quiet green corner for some reading or quiet contemplation, or a spill-out area for parties at night,” says Patel.
Before
The space adjoining the now extended living room was initially the kitchen. It was a gloomy space because of the wall obstructing the light streaming in from the balcony.
The space adjoining the now extended living room was initially the kitchen. It was a gloomy space because of the wall obstructing the light streaming in from the balcony.
After
The old kitchen was turned into the dining room. The area is now separated by a customised bar counter built in mild steel (MS). “Using mild steel as a structural component to complement the rawness of exposed concrete and the softness of brick is an attempt to not just superficially apply this detail but to make it viable. Use these materials for what they are meant to do and be,” Patel says.
The old kitchen was turned into the dining room. The area is now separated by a customised bar counter built in mild steel (MS). “Using mild steel as a structural component to complement the rawness of exposed concrete and the softness of brick is an attempt to not just superficially apply this detail but to make it viable. Use these materials for what they are meant to do and be,” Patel says.
The ceiling is exposed concrete, on which copper-painted PVC electrical conduits create a fun graphical element. The walls are clad in a grey metallic texture, keeping the tonality consistent. The custom-made dining table has a neem log top and the legs are made of hollow MS pipes. The metal rack at the far end is an interesting storage detail, adding bold character to the room, as does the framed (and famed) Banksy print.
Browse kitchen images for more ideas
Browse kitchen images for more ideas
Moving inwards, along the passage to the right of the kitchen-turned-dining-room, what was once a bedroom right behind the trompe l’oeil wall was converted into the kitchen. Back-painted black glass on kitchen cabinets pairs beautifully with the backsplash of 4x4-inch tiles with an engraved geometric pattern, creating a look that is sleek and compact, with an ultra-modern feel.
“Additionally, two of the four bedrooms were merged to create an expansive master suite with a TV-viewing space, two wardrobe areas and his-and-her bathrooms,” explains Patel. The main wall is made of textured white brick with burnt patches to give it a weathered charm. The wall art was specially created by a local artist, keeping in mind the clients’ love of travel.
Textured wardrobes with a dark matte polish are balanced by lighter-hued wood floors. The bed with a PU-finished headboard, is suspended off the floor, creating the illusion that it is floating in air.
Textured wardrobes with a dark matte polish are balanced by lighter-hued wood floors. The bed with a PU-finished headboard, is suspended off the floor, creating the illusion that it is floating in air.
The guest room is rendered in shades of beige and brown tying it to the original beige floor (not seen). The textured wall was arrived at after painstakingly blending various shades of paints, mixing pigments with concrete and even going to the extent of mixing adhesives with colours.
Bedroom furnishings: Neptune House, Ahmedabad
Read more:
Mumbai Houzz: A Fusion of Vintage, Industrial & Eclectic Decor
Steampunk Décor: Where Victorian Vintage Meets Industrial Chic
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
Bedroom furnishings: Neptune House, Ahmedabad
Read more:
Mumbai Houzz: A Fusion of Vintage, Industrial & Eclectic Decor
Steampunk Décor: Where Victorian Vintage Meets Industrial Chic
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
The huge main hall, which in its earlier avatar may have been a too-large-for-comfort living-cum-dining room, was re-created into a three-bay layout. “The 4-BHK apartment was re-structured and the programme realigned on how I ‘sensed and felt’ the space and on its functionality and space efficiency,” says Patel.
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