Kochi: In this 1,130-square-feet apartment, the balcony is as big as the home – Architectural Digest India

Discover this home that merges the indoors with the outdoors

Framed by lush landscapes and sunlit vistas, this 2-BHK Kochi apartment is a glorious gateway to the outdoors. The design was influenced by the lifestyle of its occupantsa young musician coupleand the sweeping panoramas on the eastern side. The clients wanted the space to sport a dark, subdued palette, with a dominance of grey and monochrome hues. In order to diffuse the darkness, we opened the home up to the east. Thus, we were able to bring in plenty of sunshine and synthesise a chemistry between light and shadow. The balcony is the same size as the interior, a testament to the equal inward- and outward-looking nature of the home, says Avinash Joshy of Studio Nirvana.

The clients sought permission from the society to absorb part of the passage into the home. We knocked down the original entrance and carved out an extended foyer to expand the homes footprint, says Joshy. The foyer is highlighted by a minimalist shelf, pops of verdure and a modish, art-gallery-esque painting. The material schemedominated by wood and egg shell whiteserves as an overture to the rest of the home, adds Joshy.

The living room is an oasis of tactile surfaces, willowy greens and soft slants of sunlight. A casual daybed, meant to accommodate the occasional extra guest, lends to the rooms breezy appeal. A custom floor lamp accents the wood-panelled wall to the right, conjuring a halo of golden light over the muted decor. We took several measures to maximise the light in the roomwe enlarged the window openings, rearranged the layouts, kept the decor to a bare minimum and custom-designed form-fitting furniture, says Joshy.

The open kitchen, designed in a linear layout, sports a striking palette of wood and black. A rugged, cement-textured backdrop cures the matte-finish facades with a dose of unfussy charm, while a window on the far endenlarged for functionalitywelcomes an abundance of natural light.

Situated between the kitchen and living room, the dining nook serves as a whimsical partition between the common and private sections of the home. Olive green chairs and a blow glass-style pendant light comfortably anchor the zone, providing an arresting offset to the Stygian granite tabletop.

The master bedroom is outfitted in deep-toned timber and broad strokes of sable. The black walls are enlivened by the plentiful daylight that pours in through the large windows. We maximised the windows and added a platform bed in a bid to minimise the dead space, notes Joshy.

The balcony, accentuated by statement planter boxes, hanging pots and subtle lighting, is the hero of the home. The fact that the balcony is as big as the rest of the apartment reflects the clients love for the outdoors. It provides the perfect setting to enjoy the surrounding sceneryespecially during the monsoonswith a steaming cup of tea in hand, says Joshy.

Kochi: This cosy home is a perfect blend of modern and traditional dcor

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Kochi: In this 1,130-square-feet apartment, the balcony is as big as the home - Architectural Digest India