Wabi-Sabi Warmth Meets Neoclassical Luxury in This 1,800 Sq.Ft. Pune Resale Flat Transformation
- Team Aakaar
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
A 13-year-old resale flat in Wakad, Pune, has been completely reimagined into Verdant House, a layered, character-rich sanctuary designed by Atelier NOUA for a young family of three. Moving away from stark, clinical minimalism, the home leans heavily into textural depth, intentional structural vibrancy, and a nature-inspired palette to craft a timeless, future-ready environment built to adapt to its owners over the next two decades.
The Narrative: Restraint and Richness
The design intent centers on balancing modern tropical design with understated wabi-sabi warmth and subtle contemporary luxury. Rather than relying on loud, decorative statements or excessive décor, the design weaves character through natural light, tactile finishes, curved details, and a soft, earthy palette of sage greens, warm wood tones, and layered neutrals, aligning beautifully with the studio’s signature focus on material honesty, emotional depth, and balancing spatial discipline with tactile richness.
The extensive renovation called for deep, programmatic updates, including complete plumbing overalls, civil modifications, wall quality corrections, and structural refinements, ensuring the home functions flawlessly across life stages and remains relevant for the next 15 to 18 years.
A Walkthrough of the Spaces
1. The Entrance Foyer: A Transitional Threshold
The design narrative begins right at the doorstep, where a narrow entry corridor has been artfully structured to transition from the external world into the calm sanctuary of the home. Framed by a sweeping, curved wooden archway, the entryway establishes a sense of containment and rhythm from the very first glance.
The Entry Door: The main door features a rich, textured terracotta-hued finish that mirrors the monotone earthy tones celebrated throughout the home.
Architectural Window Sills and Light Play: Flanking the narrow passage, structural vertical cutouts with window sills slice through the walls, functioning as architectural frames. These intentional openings house a pivoting partition treated with a unique double-sided wallpaper, improving light flow while screening an undesirable external view.
2. Living and Dining Areas
The entrance flows effortlessly into a spacious, open-plan living and dining area designed as a flexible, breathable space that supports both everyday family life and entertaining.
The Living Space: A minimal furniture layout keeps the area open and easy to navigate. A plush, light textured sofa stands against an intricate, tropical-patterned accent wall, while tiered wooden coffee tables anchor the seating group.
The Threshold and Mirror Details: An organic, teardrop-shaped mirror framed in dark wood beautifully reflects the warm illumination of the main tier chandelier.
Nearby, a dedicated indoor swing balcony zone defined by clean, black-and-white patterned tiles and vertical wooden fluting creates a cozy niche for relaxation.
The Dining Area: The dining table is surrounded by sage green upholstered chairs underneath a striking, woven organic-fiber linear pendant light. An elegant arched mandir niche featuring golden patterned motifs is smoothly integrated into the cabinetry corner.
3. The Private Sanctuaries
Each bedroom carries its own visual identity while staying connected to the larger design story of tactile warmth:
The Master Bedroom: Embracing a neoclassical luxury aesthetic, the master suite layers molding details over an olive green accent wall flanked by fluted wood panels and mirror inserts.
A low-slung, textured bouclé bed frame is styled with deep terracotta linens, creating a boutique, hotel-like ambiance.
The Rattan Guest Bedroom: This room showcases an atmospheric, misty forest-themed wallpaper mural framed beautifully within a rounded plaster archway. A matching cane-and-black-wood headboard pairs with identical woven details on the wardrobe shutters and bedside drawers.
The Children’s Room: Bright, playful, and generous on open space, the children's room brings in jungle-themed animal wallpaper, a custom swing with vibrant red and white beaded ropes, curved edges, and earthy green wardrobes.
The Guest Bathroom: The tropical theme extends into the guest bath, where sage green kit-kat finger tiles wrap the walls, providing a crisp backdrop to a contemporary terrazzo washbasin and clean white floating vanity.
Fact File
Project Name: Verdant House
Design Firm: Atelier NOUA
Firm Leadership / Co-founders:
Ar. Ojas Kulkarni (Principal Architect)
ID. Nikhilesh Garud (Principal Interior Designer)
Ar. Akanksha Mishra (Principal Architect)
ID. Utkarsha Mahajan (Principal Interior Designer)
Lead Project Designer: ID. Utkarsha Mahajan
Design Team: Aditi Gupta, Shivraj Choure
Project Location: Wakad, Pune, Maharashtra
Project Typology: Residential Interior (Renovation)
Project Area: 1,800 sq.ft.
Date of Completion: January 2026
Photography Credits: PHX India
Stylist: The Sole Concept
Vendor Credits:
Sofa: Trezure Casa
Outdoor Furniture: Minimal Stroke
Indoor Furniture: Comfort Living Furniture
Kitchen: Shambhala Home
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