Home Tour: A Colourful House Inspired By Pop Art And The Memphis Design Movement

Interior designer Jannat Vasi took inspiration from the Memphis movement to create this striking family home in Mumbai

Jannat Vasi’s design hallmarks are hard to miss. “My signature style is a modern aesthetic with a balance of bold colours, embossed textures and unique surface treatments,” explains the Mumbai-based interior designer. Vasi founded her eponymous firm, Jannat Vasi Interior Design, in 2013 after working with various acclaimed architects. “I personally love to create eclectic and textural interior spaces with a provocative vibe.”

Above Interior designer Jannat Vasi

Above The Capitello chaise longue and Attica stools from Gufram put a surreal spin on its architectural influence

The owners of this three-storey dwelling in Mumbai’s Peddar Road suburb—an area filled with beautiful gothic and neo-classical heritage buildings—could have easily chosen a more traditional look. What these clients requested, however, was a unique and colourful home that reflected their needs and personalities. They were happy to grant Vasi the freedom to make unconventional decisions and leverage her entire range of skills.

Above The wall mural is the focal point of this master bedroom

The clients are three brothers from a reputed family of mill owners in Mumbai. Following the local practice of joint family living—common in large industrial houses in India—the brothers decided to live together in the same property with their wives and children, with each family occupying their own floor.

While the structural elements and facade of the building were retained, the internal layout and walls were completely rejigged to suit the new design. “The windows are all intact and the services were concealed in ducts to maintain the existing old-world charm,” says Vasi. The new layout features seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, two kitchens, living and dining areas, balconies, and walk-in wardrobes.

The minimalist kitchen is kept deliberately austere, in contrast to the vibrant setting in the living area

The family’s collection of pop art and decorative pieces add a playful touch to this living room

Zig-zag motifs on the wall and bedlinen inject dynamism to this bedroom

Patterns found on the bed linen and upholstery echo the gridwork design of the headboard

Photo 1 of 4 The minimalist kitchen is kept deliberately austere, in contrast to the vibrant setting in the living area

Photo 2 of 4 The family’s collection of pop art and decorative pieces add a playful touch to this living room

Photo 3 of 4 Zig-zag motifs on the wall and bedlinen inject dynamism to this bedroom

Photo 4 of 4 Patterns found on the bed linen and upholstery echo the gridwork design of the headboard

For the interior scheme, Vasi proposed a combination of chromatic patterns and colour blocking. “I believe that a space should be a true reflection of the client and their personality, so this project was driven by the iconic pop art and rare collectibles that the clients own,” says Vasi.

Above The rounded form of the Vanilla Noir Playhouse cabinet from Scarlet Splendour echoes the sinuous shapes found in this bedroom

Above The Gufram Bocca sofa and the Pierre Frey wallpaper create an eye-catching corner within the monochromatic bedroom

She took inspiration from the Memphis design movement as well as the work of Italian architect Ettore Sottsass. “The family is fond of collecting limited-edition art and books. Many of their collectibles have been accumulated over the years from their travels,” she adds. “In this project, we have several sculptural display systems weaved into the design to showcase their beautiful pieces.”

Vasi’s studio often takes cues from the fashion runway; this project was no different. “The use of bold colours is prevalent in today’s luxury fashion brands such as Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Off-White,” says Vasi.

Above Colourful chairs liven up this minimalist room

Above The colour-shaped lamps and the colourful Pierre Frey wallpaper bring a sense of whimsy to this bedroom

Above Colour blocking in this bedroom celebrates the Memphis movement

The Memphis influence is palpable throughout the home and is conveyed through the use of colour, geometric forms and pop art

Although the home features plenty of colour and pattern, neutrals still have their pride of place. “Balance is key when designing any interior space,” elaborates Vasi. “I have a particular fondness for white in my designs, as it forms a clean palette for incorporating bold elements. It also draws light into a room, which visually maximises the space.”

There’s no better place to see this interplay in action than in the main living room, where a colourful sofa upholstered in Pierre Frey fabric mingles with wall art by American painter David Kracov against a bright blue wall. The colours are offset by a grey marble floor, gold wall panels, and a white dining table set.

Other artistic elements include a butterfly-themed installation by David Kracov placed next to a feature wall that takes cues from the work of Dutch painter Piet Mondrian

Green marble is applied to vanity and shower area of this bathroom

The graffiti design on the ceiling creates an element of surprise in this bathroom

Photo 1 of 3 Other artistic elements include a butterfly-themed installation by David Kracov placed next to a feature wall that takes cues from the work of Dutch painter Piet Mondrian

Photo 2 of 3 Green marble is applied to vanity and shower area of this bathroom

Photo 3 of 3 The graffiti design on the ceiling creates an element of surprise in this bathroom

For decor, she selected pieces from some of her favourite brands: surfaces from De Castelli and Pierre Frey, lighting from Moooi and Seletti, furniture from Christopher Guy, Edra and Kartell, and accessories from Tom Dixon and Jonathan Adler. The designer also picked out several Scarlet Splendour pieces, including the Animagic Ciuco cabinet in the garage and games room.

The living areas are among the many spaces where the family likes to gather with friends. “This family is very social and they love entertaining,” says Vasi. “And having a home of this scale in a dense city like Mumbai makes it a perfect place to have guests over at.”

In addition to the living rooms, the garage also doubles as a games room, gym and bar. “The garage is an ideal space for the clients to host their frequent parties and to display their prized collection of cars. It’s also used to show movies and hold group workout sessions,” explains Vasi.

The garage features a multitude of playful elements that include Pac-Man shelves, the Game Over neon signage, a Super Mario figurine and the Scarlet Splendour Animagic Ciuco cabinet

Photo 1 of 3 The garage features a multitude of playful elements that include Pac-Man shelves, the Game Over neon signage, a Super Mario figurine and the Scarlet Splendour Animagic Ciuco cabinet

Photo 2 of 3 The garage and game room features the Donkey cabinet by Matteo Cibic for Scarlet Splendour

Photo 3 of 3 The entrance of the garage and game room

The work of Italian designer Matteo Cibic, the donkey cabinet features buttons as knobs that open up to spacious compartments. Another statement piece is the Vanilla Noir Playhouse cabinet in the master bedroom, also designed by Cibic. “It’s an iconic piece that’s part of the Vanilla Noir collection, my favourite line from Scarlet Splendour,” adds Vasi.

Above A blue-themed bedroom with geometric motifs on the rug and ceiling

Above The colour-shaped lamps and the colourful Pierre Frey wallpaper bring a sense of whimsy to this bedroom

The end result is a whimsical abode that the family was happily surprised by and eager to move into. “The entire project is like a unique journey; each space is a new experience ready to be explored. We developed a coherent and authentic interior, based on a thorough understanding of the occupants,” says the designer with pride.

The June-July 2020 issue of Tatler Homes Singapore is available with our compliments on Magzter

Credits

Photography

Suleiman Merchant

Topics

home design decor jannat vasi interior design memphis pop art art colour trends

Tatler Asia

Home Tour: A Colourful House Inspired By Pop Art And The Memphis Design Movement