Home tour: a tranquil Japandi-inspired sanctuary in the heart of Ahmedabad, India

Notable pieces strewn throughout the living area include vintage Chandigarh chairs, which add a touch of nostalgia to the space with their woven materials. Meanwhile, the lightweight Pai tables from Josmo Studio play upon a similar material with a more modern frame, creating a confluence of the rustic and the sophisticated. Such elements hearken back to the Japandi style, reflecting playful explorations of materials that highlight their natural origins.  

To further celebrate contemporary craftsmanship, the handmade Longpi pottery totems by Ikai Asai draw one’s eye to the corner of the room, while sheer curtains from Shades of India allow natural light to filter through the space at all hours of the day. Underfoot, the woollen Jaipur Rug selection enhances the neutral palette of the living room while infusing its own dimensions in the space. 

Continuing this design story is the dining room, which remains within easy access of the kitchen. The team behind Workshop Inc avoided using harsh, artificial lighting in the space, favouring subtle pendant lamps that bathe each corner in a diffused, welcoming glow. A nearby console echoes the Japandi emphasis on natural materials, ensuring that all hosting needs are easily stored for future use. 

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Behind the communal areas are the family’s four bedrooms, which create continuity with the entertaining areas while reflecting the family’s unique personalities. In the primary bedroom stands a pale-grey upholstered bed, surrounded by slated and smooth oak veneer walls. The combination of different oak treatments, with some slated to highlight texture and shadows, and others smooth for serene surfaces, creates what Varun describes as “a dialogue between organic forms and rectilinear shells, smooth and textured surfaces alongside light and dark tones.”

Custom back-painted glass storage shutters keep the space feeling light and airy despite substantial storage capacity, reflecting a practical solution that balances visual calmness and the functionality of daily needs. A pair of Aztec-printed armchairs frames a large window with views of the city, inviting the homeowners to indulge in morning coffee without disrupting the bedroom's deep serenity.

Peppered throughout the space are deep blacks and metallic brass accents, which infuse the room with enough contrast to maintain visual interest while maintaining the room’s restraint and sophistication. Natural timber, stone and linen create what the designers characterise as a foundation of authenticity, prioritising materials that age gracefully as the family continues to make memories within their home. 

Returning to the communal space, a cleverly-concealed door integrated within the travertine panelling leads to one of the children’s bedrooms. Workshop Inc’s whimsical ingenuity is similarly reflected inside the room, with a bed that sits atop storage units and a sliding desk system that blends aesthetics and functionality.   

Amid the fast pace of 21st-century living, this Ahmedabad residence reflects the transformative power of intentional design. Carefully crafted by Workshop Inc to reflect the homeowners’ desire for a peaceful and nurturing abode, the home is an invitation to slow down and appreciate the small moments of daily life. 

Working with the constraints of the home, Workshop Inc also demonstrates how contemporary spatial needs are best addressed through thorough, creative planning. Japandi principles can translate effectively to Indian urban contexts, as seen in this project. The fusion of Japanese restraint and Scandinavian warmth, filtered through local craft traditions and materials, creates something that feels both globally informed and authentically rooted in time and space.

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