Cover The exterior of a summer home in Hyderabad, India
The exterior of a summer home in Hyderabad, India
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Explore this serene lakeside sanctuary by Sona Reddy Studio that redefines contemporary living in Hyderabad, India
“There is something profoundly poetic about a home that does not seek to impress but instead chooses to unfold itself, layer by layer,” muses the Sona Reddy team. For them, this summer home is more than an architectural achievement. Nestled in the historic city of Hyderabad, India, this farmhouse honours the land it’s built on while creating a new haven for the homeowners to thrive in.
Approaching the property, one is immediately struck by its pink lime-plastered façade—a warm blush against the verdant backdrop of a mango orchard. The architecture reveals itself not as an imposition upon the landscape but as an extension of it, blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. “The home intends to draw one closer to a slower pace of life,” explains Sona Reddy, “to allow nature to truly host you as you gather in a space that lets you forget what awaits you in the city, even if momentarily.”
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Above The living room and sunken television area of a Hyderabad, India home and contrasts muted jewel tones with natural materials
The living room and sunken television area of a Hyderabad, India home and contrasts muted jewel tones with natural materials
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Step inside, and the formal living space greets you with understated sophistication. Here, pink lime plaster walls and oxide flooring create a canvas of subtle warmth. Bean-shaped grey sofas by Studio Chisel form an intimate conversation nook, while textures do the talking: knotted jute, aged metals and deep-toned wood add layers to a tactile conversation.
The heart of this home unfolds as a fluid triad of spaces through the lounge, dining area and dry kitchen that flow seamlessly into each other. The lounge commands attention with its double-height volume adorned with wood ceiling panels and a sculptural pendant luminaire. Below, a jewel-toned purple sofa by Ray Barn creates a striking focal point.
The kitchen in a summer home in Hyderabad, India, pairing red travertine and black-stained wood for the island with densely fluted black cabinetry behind
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Beyond the lounge, a sunken television area takes inspiration from traditional baithak seating. Guests are immediately taken with the black granite and white Banswara marble floors, making a dramatic chessboard pattern underfoot. This space leads into the dining area, where a long wooden table is surrounded by Pierre Jeanneret Chandigarh Chairs reimagined in stained wood and scarlet fabric.
The kitchen stands as a bold counterpoint, pairing red travertine and black-stained wood for the island. Meanwhile, densely fluted black cabinetry adds sculptural intrigue to everyday functionality. It is here that one begins to understand the design philosophy at work: each space possesses its own character while participating in a larger narrative of crafted elegance.
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Above The outdoor terrace and swimming pool at a Hyderabad, India home, with views of the Himayat Sagar Lake
The outdoor terrace and swimming pool at a Hyderabad, India home, with views of the Himayat Sagar Lake
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Stepping out of the home, one explores the quintessential pool to take a dip in. With crystalline waters reflecting Hyderabad’s dramatic skies, the pool appears to merge seamlessly with Himayat Sagar Lake. Pink terrazzo cladding surrounds this aquatic feature, its warm hue intensifying at sunset when it captures the day’s final golden rays. The expansive deck offers multiple zones for both solitude and socialising—some dappled by the shadows cast by overhead wooden pergolas, others open to the vast canvas of sky above. Lounge chairs in muted earth tones invite languid afternoons, while custom outdoor seating nooks create intimate conversation spaces.
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A bedroom with a moody colour palette in a summer home in Hyderabad, India
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Apart from the spaces for gathering, this home in Hyderabad, India features a wide range of bedrooms that balance traditional design with modern flair. The primary suite envelops the homeowners in sage hues, contrasting with a polished Kota stone mosaic that feels cool to the touch. A fabric and cane bed in muted pink serves as a gentle focal point to unwind in after a long day. Beyond dark-stained accordion doors, the bathing chambers unfold in a symphony of stone and marble, complemented by a mezzanine wardrobe that adds vertical dimension to the space.
The second bedroom embraces a moodier persona, featuring slate-green plaster walls. A bold black-accented cane bed anchors the room, while the ensuite bathroom surprises with its vibrant cyan tadelakt finish—a secret chromatic world hidden within the home’s otherwise earthy palette.
Even the guest bedroom, with its neutral foundation and X-frame bed, holds moments of surprise to delight family and friends. The ensuite features slivers of deep salmon. The attention to detail in each space allows the home’s true character to unfold gradually, rewarding those who linger and observe.
Above A bathroom in a summer home in Hyderabad, India
A bathroom in a summer home in Hyderabad, India
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Above The dynamic textures and colours bringing this living space to life in Hyderabad, India
Above The entryway of a summer home in Hyderabad, India
The dynamic textures and colours bringing this living space to life in Hyderabad, India
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In crafting this home, Sona Reddy Studio has created more than a structure—they have distilled an essence of nostalgia and harmony with nature. Locally sourced lime plaster contributes to thermal comfort, while the home’s orientation maximises daylight and natural ventilation, reducing dependence on artificial climate control. Sona Reddy’s team also utilised reclaimed wood, natural stone and oxide flooring not only for their visual appeal but for their minimal environmental impact and longevity.
“We designed Summer House to evolve with the homeowners, allowing the space to age gracefully,” says Sona Reddy. The lime-plastered walls will develop a natural patina over time, the native landscaping will flourish, and the family’s interactions will further shape the space, turning it into a canvas for their memories with every passing season.
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Credits
Photography: Pankaj Anand
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.
