Spaces We Love: Best Interior Design Projects On Our Radar

From rustic charm to modern Art Deco, interior designers across India are using spaces as their canvas for creative expression. The Style List shines a spotlight on standout projects. 

As the legendary David Hicks once said, “The best rooms have something to say about the people who live in them.” And the most memorable spaces do just that—they speak. Not through grand gestures, but through the quiet confidence of a well-placed piece, a thoughtful corner, or a palette that evokes emotion.

In Harmony With Nature

Nestled within the serene embrace of Prakriti Farms, this stunning residence by Nivasa champions rustic luxury, where organic textures, natural materials, and biophilic principles come together to create a serene space. The home embraces a nature-inspired colour scheme, blending warm neutrals like beige, white, cream, and black.

This space breaks away from the polished, hyper-modern aesthetic of today’s interiors, and instead leans into something deeper, quieter, and more connected to the natural world.  Walls bathed in soft grey tones set a calm foundation, gently offset by rich wooden details and raw, organic textures. There are plush couches, soft boucle fabric, and simple, clean furniture that let the materials do all the talking. The pièce de résistance? A floating dining table suspended from the ceiling, designed in a deep brown metal with soft rusting effects. There’s a deliberate restraint at play. No unnecessary embellishments, just pure materiality — a celebration of textures, tones, and thoughtful details. This home reminds you to slow down, take a deep breath, and reconnect with the elements.

Curved Perfectly 

Mumbai-based designer Sarah Sham, Founder of Essajees Atelier, is known for creating homes that feel timeless but still have their own unique personality. Her latest project, a grand 18,000 sq ft home in Jumeirah Island Mansions, Dubai, is a perfect example of that. It brings together modern design with earthy, natural touches in a way that feels both luxurious and grounded. The clients wanted a home that is a contemporary yet earthy home. 

"Designing this home in Dubai was an incredibly rewarding experience," says Sarah Sham, Founder & Principal Designer — Essajees Atelier. "Our aim was to create a space that felt both luxurious and also very liveable, with a contemporary yet earthy aesthetic that truly resonated with the clients," she adds. 

Instead of sharp corners and hard lines, Sham brought in soft, flowing curves and gentle forms, making sure every space felt safe and welcoming. The home’s colour palette is calm and muted, with subtle shades of beige and cream, brought to life with hints of olive green and pastel blue. Texture plays a big role too—from plush custom rugs by Hatsu to natural finishes across walls and furniture. In the upstairs seating area, a playful Mahjong sofa by Roche Bobois adds a touch of fun to the otherwise serene setting. 

Throughout the project, Sham created a lot of extensions in the house. From staircase areas to archways that led to the dining space, they ensured the home had a considerable scope for movement. Adding to it, they brought in some unique pieces of furniture and used plants throughout the house to bring in a sense of serene luxury into the mansion. The use of plants not only brings a vibrant touch of green but also creates a calming and inviting atmosphere. This is especially true in the master bathroom, which feels like a private spa.

A Design Paradox

Mumbai’s Bar Paradox, designed by architect Ashiesh Shah, marks a striking shift from his minimal, wabi-sabi style to unapologetic Art Deco maximalism. What could have been drawbacks—low ceilings, awkward beams, and dim lighting—are turned into dramatic features.

Set within a 2,500-square-foot space in Shakti Mills, it’s a moody, cinematic escape that channels old Bombay glamour. Curved vitrives, deco wood panelling, and a narrow entry open into a soaring double-height room. Rich layers of emerald velvet, mocha marble, burnished metals, and deep woods create a space that’s both intimate and grand.

The lower level houses an open kitchen, a Jamavar-inspired dining room, and a leather-wrapped lounge with hidden mother-of-pearl drawers. Hand-embroidered silk panels depict a midnight Indian forest, while The Fumoir—a private tent—features Peter D’Ascoli textiles and vintage embroidery. Upstairs, a black marble and brass bar anchors the space, flanked by private booths with octagonal windows. A glowing LED ceiling shifts colours like the night sky beneath a floating crystal chandelier.

HIRA, An Ode to Someone Special 

Designed by Architect Husna Rahaman's FULCRUM Studio, HIRA is Husna's latest project. Holding a special place in the architect's heart, the project is an ode to her grandmother. 

Transforming an ancestral home into a contemporary space, the space spans an immersive 20,000 square feet spread across four floors. HIRA combines a residential space and a workspace, linked by elegant bridges that float above a sunny central courtyard. From the moment you step inside, the home feels peaceful yet powerful. It’s full of natural light, open spaces, and thoughtful design elements that make it feel both welcoming and impressive. While the layout is modern, it doesn’t feel cold or distant. 

Within the home, contemporary geometric lines are juxtaposed with heirloom fabrics, while earthy tones are punctuated with modern-day inlay textures, adding colour to the space.  Smooth marble floors sit beside rough concrete walls, and raw metal beams frame soft heirloom fabrics. But while the design is contemporary in allure, artefacts carried over generations are artistically placed around the house— from aged paintings and antique lamps to delicate glass pieces and objects passed down through generations. These pieces add a timeless, vintage narrative to the otherwise modern canvas.

Traditions of South India With A Modern Lens

Imagine a balcony sit-out with a sleek mini bar overlooking the Mumbai skyline, or stepping into a modern city home that quietly carries whispers of South Indian heritage. That’s the charm of Prana, designed by visionary Rohini Bagla, Founder and Principal Designer at Studio Rohini Bagla. Inspired by deep-rooted South Indian traditions, the space feels grounded yet full of life.

The home comes alive with fresh mogra, South India-inspired art, shimmering brassware, and delicate sitara motifs, all balanced with a modern palette. Traditional silhouettes meet thoughtful materials—cupboards in classic forms, sustainable fabrics, and bathrooms with a clean, contemporary edge. The master bedroom is serene with soft woods, neat furniture, and custom storage. The grandparents’ room feels warm with teak, fabric panels, a Jhoola, and a colourful headboard with Indian prints. Their bathroom combines terrazzo and subway tiles for a timeless feel.

A standout feature is the kitchen’s small vintage-style window, perfect for conversation. The living room blends modern design with layered wooden tables, brass curios, and statement chandeliers. Large sit-outs, tropical wallpaper, and abundant light bring the outdoors in, while a palette of beige, olive green, brown, and cream lends calm sophistication. Prana is rich in tradition yet alive with contemporary energy.

Floating Away 

Inspired by the concept of a boundless office where ideas levitate, The Cloud Office by The Fulcrum Studio reimagines the modern workplace as a light, airy, and inspiring space. Drawing from the ever-changing, weightless nature of clouds, the 7,000-square-foot office offers a fresh take on how a workspace can feel. With a moody colour palette of greys, blacks, and rust tones, the design takes cues from the peaceful views of the nearby lake. It’s a setting where ideas are free to flow, take shape, and grow.

One of the most striking parts of the design is its use of organic forms and floating walls—angled panels that appear to hover just above the ground. This creates a sense of movement and lightness, echoing the softness of clouds while still keeping the space open and connected. Adding to this dream-like feel are frosted glass panels, which blur the lines between spaces. They allow light to pass through gently, adding a soft glow and an element of mystery, almost like looking down at clouds from above. The materials used reflect this balance of grounded and light. Matte finishes, subtle metallics, and translucent glass bring in the softness and glow of clouds, while the dark floors give weight and stability. As natural light shifts throughout the day, it plays beautifully with the textures and surfaces, making the space feel like it’s constantly evolving.

Let It Flow

There’s something undeniably calming about homes that feel both grounded and fluid, and this one by The Concreate Story gets the balance just right. Designed for a couple who appreciate the ease of international living and the joy of hosting, the space feels warm, inviting, and ever-adaptable. The palette leans into earthy tones and soft pastels, creating a space that flows gently from one mood to another.

The architects Nishtha Duggal and Rohan Gera focused on fluidity. Open layouts allow rooms to merge into each other while sculptural lights and modern furniture blend beautifully with traditional art and antique-style pieces. There’s a quiet rhythm to the home. Stone tables sit next to soft fabrics. Lamps that recall another era rest on old-style consoles. Wallpapers with delicate patterns tie the spaces together without shouting for attention.

One of the most striking features is the use of three rotating structures. These sculptural forms sit between the living, dining and lounging areas. They shift as needed, changing the energy of the space without needing any major movement. This flexibility is at the heart of the home. It keeps things from ever feeling static.

While the rest of the home flows, the kitchen is neatly enclosed. Honey-colored glass panels bring in a soft golden light, turning it into a glowing nook rather than a closed-off space.

In the bedrooms, the same mood continues. The parents’ room feels like a space built for conversation. Two chairs are placed thoughtfully, inviting slow moments and cups of tea. Altogether, this home feels adaptable, effortless, thoughtful, and visually beautiful.