Cover The living room in a Mumbai, India home by Pill Design Studio
The living room in a Mumbai, India home by Pill Design Studio
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Balancing functionality and serenity, the O’Runa home by Pill Design Studio creates a soothing sanctuary in the middle of Mumbai, India
In the leafy lanes of Bandra, Mumbai, the city’s frenetic energy gives way to a gentler rhythm with the O’Runa Residence. Designed by Pill Design Studio, this apartment captures the neighbourhood's essential character, weaving in influences from Japanese design principles and the family’s own travel experiences.
“What immediately stood out to us was the balance of the sea breeze and natural light,” shared the design team. With the apartment sitting slightly above the street, it maintains a sense of privacy while allowing natural light to permeate each room, filtering across rooms and catching textures in ways that add warmth and invitation to each corner.
The family’s travels, particularly to Japan, left what the designers describe as ‘a quiet imprint’ on the design. In particular, they were impressed by the simplicity and craftsmanship of Japanese interiors, implementing the details through subtle forms. The home features sliding doors, finely gridded woodwork and a focus on atmosphere over ornament, creating a sanctuary in the heart of Mumbai. “The idea was never to copy a particular style,” shared the team. “Instead, we wanted to create a sanctuary that reflects the ease of their own experiences and the patience of handcraft.”
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Details of the living room in a Mumbai, India home by Pill Design Studio
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The entrance establishes the home’s character through a distressed veneer console and bone-inlay mirror. This leads to a seamless integration of the living and dining areas, where formal seating juxtaposes with lounge-like arrangements. An oversized armchair corner, cushioned niche and distinctive reversible swing create flexible gathering zones that adapt to different moods and occasions. The reversible swing is one of the designers’ favourite pieces in the home, balancing the playful with the practical in this soothing space.
Instead of hiding the structure of the Mumbai home, the designers embraced it, turning the column into a frame for collected objects. These personal details infuse the home with more of the homeowners’ personality, with geometric candles and lamps adding visual interest to the otherwise empty wall.
Above The living room in a Mumbai, India home by Pill Design Studio
Above The hallway in a Mumbai, India home by Pill Design Studio
The living room in a Mumbai, India home by Pill Design Studio
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Sustainability manifests not through technological systems, but through fundamental material choices. The designers were interested in items that would patinate over time, from dense wood finishes and natural stone to handmade veneers.
For Mumbai's challenging coastal climate, finishes were carefully sealed, while the cross-ventilated plan encourages a continuous airflow. Stone floors and solid wood joinery were carefully selected to weather gracefully, enabling the home to adapt to both family routines and environmental conditions without compromising its essential character. “The design anticipates layers of life—art, books, collected objects—without ever feeling crowded,” the designers note. At the same time, they anticipated the family’s need for storage, creating opportunities for built-in shelves and hidden cabinets to maintain a clean, harmonious environment.
Adjacent rooms also demonstrate sophisticated spatial planning. The den functions as a cocoon with a fold-down desk and L-shaped sofa, while the kitchen employs flexible partitions that allow it to open for entertaining or close for focused cooking. “The layout encourages cross-ventilation, drawing the coastal breeze through the home and reducing reliance on mechanical cooling,” the designers explained. “Flexible partitions allow the kitchen and communal areas to open or close, limiting the need for constant climate control.”
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The primary bedroom in a Mumbai, India home by Pill Design Studio
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Moving into the more personal areas of the home, the master suite flows seamlessly from bedroom to bath to walk-in wardrobe. Meanwhile, the children’s and guest rooms introduce playfulness through adaptable storage solutions that accommodate evolving needs without requiring renovation.
No space better encapsulates the Mumbai home’s essential character than the powder bathroom. Despite its compact size, it reflects the designers’ love of complementary textures. The continuous mosaic floor curving into the wall, while the terra cotta paint infuses the room with theatrical flair. The designers were particularly fond of the pixelated veneer door, calling it an opportunity to “turn function into a tactile moment.”
Above The powder room in a Mumbai, India home by Pill Design Studio
The powder room in a Mumbai, India home by Pill Design Studio
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Altogether, the Mumbai home is a reflection of the family’s evolving needs, encouraging them to pause amid their busy lives to soak in moments of gratitude and serenity at every turn. “Placement was never decorative for its own sake; each object was positioned to support how the family moves, rests, and gathers, so that beauty emerges from use rather than display,” the team said. This attention to even the smallest detail reflects the larger intent: “Every corner, however small, holds thought and craft, inviting touch and quiet discovery.”
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Credits
Photography: Ar. Sagar Mandal of Studio Colourblind
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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.
