Home tour: a multigenerational Art Deco home infused with modern charm in Mumbai, India

The main axial corridor divides the home into public and private zones, while maintaining functionality behind full-height panels. Such clear passageways lead directly to the dining area, where a private lift, an eccentric mid-1980s addition, now opens directly into the home. Far from being a transitional space, its ceramic mosaic floor is lined with oriental patterns to add dynamism. Meanwhile, walls featuring black-and-white photographs of Ahmedabad’s pols further personalise the experience of stepping through the Mumbai home. 

Even the material palette of the space is infused with a quiet dose of nostalgia, with the in-situ marble terrazzo floor echoing Vora’s childhood memories of the original home. Fine brass inlay strips are paired with a skirting detail known locally as ‘vata.’ To complement these floors, marble dust waste sourced from a local stone workshop was mixed into wall paint, creating a soft, textured finish across surfaces and emphasising the unique craftsmanship of Mumbai. 

The living room of the Mumbai home features a Burma teak bench from Phantom Hands, which looks out onto the nearby balcony. Instead of the conventional sofa, a low diwan adds informality to any gathering with family and friends. Laid atop the Naga table in the centre of the room is a brass sculpture prototype by the Studio UF+O team, reflecting their research into indigenous marble, concrete, bronze and teak wood. 

Adjacent to the space is the expansive balcony with its vata skirting, which hearkens back to the building’s original architectural language. One’s eye is drawn to a petal light custom-designed by Studio UF+O and made by Articlad, alongside a remake of Frederick A Kaiser’s chair by Mahendra Doshi, creating a careful balance of historical references with contemporary flair.

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Moving into the more private areas of the home, the master bedroom embraces a muted palette for the homeowners to unwind in after a long day. The ceramic headboard was custom-made by the studio with ceramic mosaics from Belleza Mumbai. Of significance in the space is the removal of a wall, which once separated the bedroom from the curved balcony. This fundamentally altered the experience of being in the room, bringing in more natural light and reconnecting the space with the outdoors. In contrast, the guest bedroom features a simple yet refined design story. For even more vintage flair, the telephone stand that’s been passed from one family member to another finds a space here. 

When working with such a storied place, the temptation is to freeze it in an imagined historical purity. But for Vora and the team of Studio UF+O, a home is constantly evolving to reflect the needs and personalities of its inhabitants. Working with time and space rather than against it, they maintained the key elements of this Art Deco home while introducing the fast-paced, vibrant elegance of 21st-century living. The result is a residence that has come full circle, reconnecting Vora to his grandfather’s vision while creating space for his own family's memories to enhance the home’s enduring tapestry. 

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