Home tour: a multigenerational family home in Mumbai, India infused with neoclassical design elements

From this threshold, the home splits into two distinct narrative paths. Turn left, and one enters the living room, a quiet retreat where a pair of sinuous, cocoon-like Baxter sofas in white and green anchor the space with their organic curves. Tables from Daaz Furniture complete the arrangement, whilst patterns flowing across soft furnishings harmonise with organic ceramic lamps and wall-mounted artworks. Along the other wall, a low console in dark sucupira veneer provides visual grounding, its deep tones a counterpoint to the room’s prevailing lightness.

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In a niche beside the pooja space, a bespoke sofa and mushroom-shaped floor lamp by Studio Aurawala create an intimate corner for contemplation. “The bolder, artisanal expression of the furniture and décor didn't mean the walls had to fade away,” Nayan explained. To create more balance within the Mumbai home, the Palindrome Space team introduced elements like bullnose detailing in skirting and cornice mouldings “to ensure that every layer, even the quietest, could hold its place in the design’s narrative.” 

The pooja space itself deserves a moment of exploration for its year-long labour of devotional craft. Black stone flooring was inlaid with mother-of-pearl, featuring intricate patterns inspired by Jain temples. Above, a brass Tarkashi ceiling gleams with intricate detail. At the centre stands a brass idol pedestal adorned with the Ashta Mangala and other auspicious symbols, its surface echoing the elaborate carvings of ancient Indian temples.  

Flanking the living room on either side, two master suites offer different but harmonious interpretations of contemporary luxury. The primary master bedroom anchors itself around a semi-circular, fabric-clad headboard in vibrant green, softened by textured bedding and warm veneer-clad side tables. A terracotta-hued armchair and console on the opposite wall further soften the space. The walk-in wardrobe opts for clean, modular white cabinetry, whilst the ensuite bathroom envelops every surface in white and brown veined Michelangelo marble, creating an atmosphere of spa-like indulgence.

The secondary bedroom takes a more playful approach. Here, a terracotta-upholstered headboard loops and curves with whimsical charm, reflecting its inhabitant’s personality. Georgian-style sliding metal-and-glass doors, echoing the same mullioned rhythm seen throughout the home, lead to the walk-in wardrobe and bathroom beyond. Where the primary ensuite chose luminosity, the secondary bathroom is encased in dramatic flair, wrapped entirely in black marble that evokes images of unexpectedly immersive depth.  

Stepping back into the foyer, turning right changes the atmosphere entirely. The dining space marks a subtle but significant tonal transition, where the home’s monochrome palette evolves from white-led brightness to a moodier and more intimate sight. At its heart sits an extraordinary dining table inspired by neoclassical columns, crafted in black Indian basalt with half-round Makrana marble profiles along its edges. Above the table, a cluster of orb-shaped pendants punctuates the space, whilst wooden rafters introduce warmth to temper the stone’s coolness. A totemic floor lamp by White Domus and a monolithic marble basin nearby further enhance the theatricality of the dining area.

The kitchen, positioned strategically nearby, reprises the black-and-white chequered flooring from the terrace garden to create a subtle visual rhyme that ties these distinctive zones together. Minimal white cabinetry pairs with antique brass handles that catch the light like small treasures, whilst a vibrant Verdante granite from The Quarry Marble Company defines both countertop and dado with saturated green tones.

This wing also mediates access to two bedrooms and the media room. Both bedrooms express their peaceful invitation through soft white, beige and brown tones, creating an opportunity for rest while creating the particular kind of privacy that makes multigenerational living seamless.

Altogether, the Mumbai home uniquely blends elements of neoclassical design with contemporary Indian living, creating a soothing yet sophisticated space. With the Palindrome Space team’s balance of restraint and reflection in mind, the home resonates across generations. All at once, it accommodates the shifting needs of multigenerational living while reflecting the family’s evolution over time, grounding the entire design philosophy in a celebration of craftsmanship and exquisite materiality.

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