Details of the living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Jhanvi Thakkar)
Cover Details of the living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Jhanvi Thakkar)
Details of the living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Jhanvi Thakkar)

Explore how Aum Architects infused this home in Mumbai, India with modern minimalism and Hausmannian elements

A happy medium: that is what the Aram House, owned by AUM Architects’ principal Manish Dikshit, represents. Aram is a Tamil word that translates to “not too good, not too bad.” Thus, this apartment sits at the intersection of design, function and personal expression to create a haven amid the bustling city of Mumbai, India. 

“The home mirrors the depths of me, layered in stories,” he muses. “This house expresses who we are and how we live. It is designed for us to enjoy while reflecting our tastes, memories and aspirations.” 

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The foyer of a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Arjun Kalwankar)
Above The foyer of a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Arjun Kalwankar)
The foyer of a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Arjun Kalwankar)

In contrast with the vibrant, modern neighbourhood, Manish Dikshit followed the Haussmannian style to imbue the space with elegance and serenity. “One of my greatest passions is travel, especially my recent explorations in Europe. The beauty and inspiration I encountered on those journeys subtly influenced the aesthetic and spatial decisions for our home,” explains the architect.

Upon entering the foyer, guests are given a glimpse of the home’s neoclassical style through its traditional chequered flooring paired with a double-leaf glass door featuring cast-iron grill detailing underneath. The house then opens into a sleek, white environment, with an open floor plan leading from the living room to the dining and kitchen areas. 

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The living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Haranish Mehta)
Above The living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Haranish Mehta)
The living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Haranish Mehta)
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The living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Prashant Bhatt)
Above The living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Prashant Bhatt)
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Details of the living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Jhanvi Thakkar)
Above Details of the living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Jhanvi Thakkar)
The living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Prashant Bhatt)
Details of the living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Jhanvi Thakkar)

The comfortable sofa and armchair are complemented by a pure silk rug in the formal seating area. A mango-yellow glass table adds a pop of colour, especially when the afternoon light filters in through the nearby windows. 

The other seating area in the room takes more direct inspiration from Parisian houses, with a coffee table and chairs that flow seamlessly into the balcony. With its large, collapsible windows, the family enjoys an immersion in the indoor and outdoor spaces. 

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The kitchen with a distinctive marble backsplash in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Prashant Bhatt)
Above The kitchen with a distinctive marble backsplash in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Prashant Bhatt)
The kitchen with a distinctive marble backsplash in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Prashant Bhatt)

What sets this home apart is the architect’s love for intricately detailed doors, using rugged natural wood elevated by artisanal, hand-carved details. Separating the living room from the modern kitchen is a 150-year-old solid cast iron pillar sourced from a British home in Calcutta. 

This fascinating fixture is juxtaposed with the nearby kitchen. Here, the kitchen features muted shades of grey contrasting with a marble backsplash on the countertops. The green details of the marble add verdancy and dynamism to the space, pulling scenes from nearby nature inwards. 

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Details of the living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Jhanvi Thakkar)
Above Details of the living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Jhanvi Thakkar)
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Details of the dining room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Jhanvi Thakkar)
Above Details of the dining room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Jhanvi Thakkar)
Details of the living room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Jhanvi Thakkar)
Details of the dining room in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Jhanvi Thakkar)

Perhaps the most eye-catching room in the home is the dining room, with an organic, bespoke chandelier flowing above the dining table. Its undulating form adds playfulness to the space, especially when paired with the sculptural glass basin nearby. Behind the dining table is a row of vibrant paintings, adding even more character. “The personalised wall is adorned with six hand-painted artworks by my father, an architect and artist,” shares Dikshit. “These paintings reflect a spiritual theme, adding a touch of timeless elegance.” 

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Photo 1 of 4 A bedroom in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Prashant Bhatt)
Photo 2 of 4 Exploring the handcrafted furniture in a bedroom in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Prashant Bhatt)
Photo 3 of 4 A bedroom in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Arjun Kalwankar)
Photo 4 of 4 Earth-toned details of a bedroom in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Prashant Bhatt)
A bedroom in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Prashant Bhatt)
Exploring the handcrafted furniture in a bedroom in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Prashant Bhatt)
A bedroom in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Arjun Kalwankar)
Earth-toned details of a bedroom in a Mumbai, India family home (Photo: Prashant Bhatt)

The private rooms of the home also work in harmony with the neoclassical design outside. “Each family member’s space reflects their personality,” says the architect. “My daughter, who loves the colour white, inspired a room with a monochromatic palette enriched by textures rather than colours.” Meanwhile, Dikshit designed his parents’ room with ease of movement and comfort in mind. The furniture in the bedrooms echoes the craftsmanship in the doors, contrasting the neutral hues with rich, dark wood. 

In this Mumbai family home, Aum Architects created pockets of serenity where the family can continue to create memories over time. “The experience of Aram is holistic as well as granular,” says the team. “One can appreciate the space as a whole while appreciating the design of each part, from the tactile materials to the interplay of light and shadows.” The result is an unforgettable blend of Hausmannian and modern design.

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Credits

Photography: Prashant Bhatt
Photography: Arjun Kalwankar
Photography: Jhanvi Thakkar
Photography: Haranish Mehta

Topics

Celine Dabao
Associate Editor for Tatler Homes, Tatler Philippines
Tatler Asia
Celine Dabao

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.