This apartment showcases an amalgamation of subtle materials with bold geometries

XO Atelier weaves a narrative by marrying clean lines and an honest material palette in this Mumbai apartment.

Curated by: Rupali Sebastian
Photographs: Aspire Studios; courtesy XO Atelier

The brief

This 1,800-sq-ft space for a couple often visited by their two daughters is located right in the centre of Mumbai. It is an expansive 3-BHK with floor-to-ceiling windows which open up to spacious balconies overlooking the city skyline. “When the client got in touch with me, the brief was extremely simple,” reveals designer Jai Shah of XO Atelier. “He wanted a contemporary, low-maintenance space with white marble flooring. That sounded exactly like every designer’s dream project. With all design decisions left to us, we took things ultra-contemporary.”

The design intent

XO Atelier believes there is profound beauty in simplicity. Indeed, their design philosophy is built on the pillars of function, clarity and efficiency. “At its core, simplicity or minimalism is not just an absence of clutter or ornamentation; it is about assigning purpose to each element of design, it is about inducing order within complexity,” says Jai. “Keeping this in mind, we work towards marrying clean lines, minimal maintenance and an honest material palette with soundness of function and the thoughtfulness of utility.” This project illustrates this belief clearly.

The visual expression

The home has been designed with a strong sense of geometric minimalism. Following a monochromatic theme with a touch of gold, glass, and marble, the material choices were honest and simple. From the charcoal grey veneer headboard in the master bedroom to the bespoke grey fito marble washbasin in the powder washroom, each element draws from the basics of geometry. Different forms chosen as panels, light fixtures, art, and even artefacts have their lines, curves, and grids that all come together seamlessly.