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After living in multiple homes in different cities (nine, to be exact), Anushri and Gopal Bhutda eventually settled on Mumbai, India. Because what Mumbai homes lack in square footage and balconies, they make up for in stunning views of the city skyline against the shimmering Arabian Sea. After looking at hundreds of options, the couple settled on a 1,600-square-foot apartment on the 33rd floor of a new building in Malad, a densely populated neighborhood with no shortage of markets, restaurants, temples, and even a creek nearby. “Being in the space at sunset is downright intoxicating,” they rave.
The pandemic confined the couple to the bare space for two years, which was a blessing in disguise. They figured out what wasn’t working, identified must-haves, and with a baby on the way, added childproofing to the mix. The Bhutdas longed for a serene, nest-like oasis that would shut out the hustle and bustle of the city and allow them to embrace the slow pace of life. At one point, Anushri saw a photo on Instagram of a slim wooden chest of drawers with impeccably organized drawers, which made her want to stock it right away. “I was impressed by the storage details: the designers had thought of everything a woman could possibly need or want!” she says.
When it came to hiring a design studio to help with the entire apartment, a gut feeling brought her back to Tanvi Gandhi and Pooja Gadhia, the duo behind the Mumbai-based design firm Studio GaGa (and the aforementioned dresser). Anushri slid into their DMs and before she knew it, they were standing in her living room.
Despite strict building codes that limited major renovations, Gandhi and Gadhia restructured the layout to maximize the sun-filled living and dining rooms. Down a narrow hallway, they tucked the kitchen, master and guest bedrooms, and a nursery for the Bhutdas’ son. At the end of the hall, an art-adorned door conceals golf equipment and 55 pairs of sneakers.
Central to Studio GaGa’s design process is a “discovery session”: they spend a few days shadowing the Bhutdas, observing their daily routines, preferences and idiosyncrasies. “Anushri’s love of the color orange was evident from the moment she walked into our first meeting. It was her midnight orange bag (and the beautiful sunsets) that inspired the entire palette,” says Gandhi.
The hue fills the living room, which features a plush daybed and a handwoven rug that doubles as wall art. Soft edges, curved furniture and lush plants keep the bold colour in check. In the kitchen, a matte terracotta hue breathes life into the flat-panel cabinetry. And swapping a traditional dining nook for a custom-made bench around a sculptural marble dining table turned out to be a great decision. “There’s nothing better than looking up at the orange skies every night with a cocktail in hand,” says Anushri.
Warm white walls and airy, sheer curtains enhance the glow of the space. After experimenting with different materials, Studio GaGa chose a softly treated black riverstone tile for the floors. Although unconventional, it offers a calming, cool feeling underfoot – a perfect antidote to the hot, sticky Mumbai weather. Solid oak bookshelves, cabinets and doors complement the flooring, creating that “warm, earthy and cocooning” atmosphere that the couple had envisioned from the start.
The real cuddles, though, happen in their toddler’s room. “We love to curl up in bed with our son and tell him stories about all the characters in the mural,” Gopal notes with a laugh. The designers incorporated cheerful illustrations, ranging from an ice cream truck to a boy on his bike to a father and son sitting on a garden bench. “Listening to him tell stories about the characters has become our favorite family ritual,” Gopal says.
