LIVING LARGE

FROM THE REVIVAL OF 80’S AESTHETICS TO A GROWING APPRECIATION FOR LOCALLY SOURCED FURNITURE AND CRAFTS, LIVING ROOMS TODAY ARE INFLUENCED BY MORE THAN ONE DESIGN LANGUAGE

- CAROL FERRAO

Designed to impress, modern living rooms seamlessly integrate comfort, aesthetics and functionality by relying on the most exquisite line of furniture, lights, furnishings and more. Experimenting with materials and textures has become a norm in this space, with the high-quality material palette and finishes playing a significant role in creating a statement decor. From rustic, earthy elements to refined, neo-classical features, living rooms are designed with a certain nostalgic character too. Either the space exudes the charm and relaxed ambience of a country life or seeks to resurrect Art Deco styles and classical features for elegant living. “Indians being fond of decorative features and details, the classic style is coming back in several ways,” points out architect Aparna Kaushik.

One of the most social zones in the house, it is essential that the space fosters interaction while also being a representation of the family, their beliefs and aesthetical leanings. The design language could be contemporary or classic, but the personalized quality of these spaces results in a design that transcends style. “Now-a-days, living rooms have ascended beyond being just a gathering zone to becoming a representation of the collective likeness, interests and attributes of its inhabitants,” confirm Rudraksha Charan & Priyanka Khanna, principals, 42MM.

In terms of style, more and more designers are taking the ‘maximalism’ route to fashion interiors that are bold and explorative in their use of materials, colors and schematics. Nitin Kohli, founder, Nitin Kohli Home, highlights, “The perfect trending materials doing the rounds are semiprecious marbles, stones and metals of finishes like brass and copper. Also, materials with gloss and sheen for fabrics as well.” These bold choices are complemented with soft pastel shades such as powder blue, sky blue and greens like mint and sage, according to the designer.