Cover The living room in a Calcutta, India family home created by Spaces and Design
The living room in a Calcutta, India family home created by Spaces and Design
1 / 1
Explore how Spaces and Design transforms this Calcutta, India home into a sanctuary that celebrates an interplay of wood and marble
Amid the lush lawns and towering trees of southeastern Calcutta, Spaces & Design has transformed a 5,000-square-foot residence into an exploration of Indian craftsmanship. Designed for a young family of three, the home adds a modern twist to traditional woodcraft, honouring Calcutta’s rich artisanal heritage through the lens of a soulful, enduring design story. “To me, craft is about intention,” mused Pooja Bihani, the principal architect of the studio. This particular Calcutta celebrates the grain, texture and finish of wood, setting the stage for the family’s evolution through the years.
As a resident of Calcutta herself, Bihani is no stranger to the city’s exquisite woodworking heritage, from West Bengal’s Chandraketugarh site dating back to the year 2 AD to the colonial-era halls of Victoria Memorial. This deeply entrenched history informed Spaces & Design's approach to such a project, creating a home rooted in “care, storytelling and memory” while overturning the notion that craftsmanship was an outdated, challenging process.
Instead of chasing design trends often seen in Calcutta, which features a glass and concrete landscape, the homeowners wanted a more reflective, grounding atmosphere to grow their family in. “They envisioned a space that felt bohemian and colourful, focusing on materials in a fresh way,” shared Bihani. “We had to ensure each room showcased wood uniquely, without repeating forms or finishes.”
More from Tatler: Home tour: a young entrepreneur’s art-filled apartment in Los Angeles, California
Above The outdoor terrace in a Calcutta, India family home created by Spaces and Design
Above Details of the entryway in a Calcutta, India family home created by Spaces and Design
The outdoor terrace in a Calcutta, India family home created by Spaces and Design
1 / 2
The journey into the home begins with the charred front door, burnished with the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique. This carbonised timber, which represents the resilience and visual intrigue of the material, simultaneously protects against pests, moisture, and decay. The blackened surface creates a dramatic threshold for homeowners and guests alike, signalling an undeniable transition from Calcutta’s urban intensity to a domestic sanctuary.
Surrounding the entrance, ribbed wall panels in muted terracotta, jade, and teal evoke the city's vibrancy while flowing indoors to blend with traditional artwork. These colours are drawn from Kolkata’s street life, with its verdant gardens and grand buildings, creating a colour palette that will recur throughout the home in various intensities and applications.
The living room in a Calcutta, India family home created by Spaces and Design
1 / 3
Similar to older homes, the Calcutta abode has a layout that unfolds slowly. In the living room, a standout wooden totem transforms raw timber into sculptural forms, creating a conversation-starter among family and friends during their memorable gatherings. Such an unexpected detail is paired with a neutral palette, from the checkerboard marble flooring to the organic forms of the sprawling sofa.
Behind the living room is the dining area, which has an eye-catching ombré credenza that took artisans three days to polish and stain. For Bihani, this piece became “a recurring hallmark of the home’s design,” representing a balance of playfulness and appreciation for the versatility of wood throughout the home.
Above The dining area in a Calcutta, India family home created by Spaces and Design
The dining area in a Calcutta, India family home created by Spaces and Design
1 / 1
The wooden totem delineating the dining area also incorporates the soft lighting for the space. Such an integration minimises visual interruptions on the ceiling of the space, bringing emphasis back to the fluted walls with vertical grooves. Such areas of visual interest create rhythm in the space, juxtaposing wood’s substantial presence with lighter materials like leather and marble. Whimsical pops of colour are added through colourful plates and artworks lining the wall, infusing the space with the homeowners’ distinctive personalities.
In case you missed it: Home tour: a quiet luxury interior in Kuala Lumpur defined by dark wood and bronze
The kitchen in a Calcutta, India family home created by Spaces and Design
1 / 2
Functional areas of the home, like the kitchen, similarly celebrate the union of different textures. The kitchen is clad in a blend of marble and wood, creating a more muted palette that transforms cooking from a chore into an opportunity for unwinding. The light-washed wood ensures continuity with the space, while keeping tools within easy access. A nearby bar continues the unique blend of marble shards with patterned wooden squares, tying everything together with high ochre seats that add a touch of dynamism to the space. The bar then opens onto a terrace, with a minimalist design story that creates a seamless flow between the outdoors and the indoors.
Above The den in a Calcutta, India family home created by Spaces and Design
The den in a Calcutta, India family home created by Spaces and Design
1 / 1
Moving into the home’s private areas, the den creates a more moody, reflective atmosphere with its use of darker materials and dramatic silhouettes. The striped woven walls create an expansive space for monochromatic art and sinuous furniture in darker shades. Still, the room maintains a cosy atmosphere reminiscent of the Danish ‘hygge,’ balancing intimate comforts with Calcutta’s traditional crafts.
The primary bedroom in a Calcutta, India family home created by Spaces and Design
1 / 7
The primary bedroom takes on a similar colour palette, with an interplay of muted browns, greys and blacks setting the stage for a tranquil night. Meanwhile, the primary bathroom features brecciated marble to soften the space and ensure a flow of natural light at all hours of the day.
In addition, the daughter’s bedroom takes an unconventional approach by opting for soft pastels accented with bold artwork and textured walls. The space is easily divided into zones for studying, playing and sleeping, ensuring that the bedroom can adapt to the daughter’s needs as she grows up in the space. A wooden desk sits backed by mint-green shelves, while polka-dotted walls introduce a charming pattern into the room. Clever hidden elements include a study behind the bed and a reading hammock beneath cabinetry, surprises that reward exploration.
Altogether, the Calcutta, India home is an homage to “the trees that once stood tall, the hands that carved them, and a city that continuously celebrates its crafts,” according to Bihani. For a young family creating a new life together, the home is a reflection of their desire to create a soulful, memorable home. Whether the room is utilising charred, fluted, polished or etched wood, each piece reflects Spaces And Design’s intuitive attention to detail and preservation of cultural heritage.
NOW READ
Home tour: a tranquil Japandi-inspired sanctuary in the heart of Ahmedabad, India
Beyond the runway: 7 architectural masterpieces created for fashion’s biggest names
Home tour: a renovated ski chalet in the heart of Quebec, Canada
Credits
Photography: Ishita Sitwala
About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
