Tucked away in the heart of Delhi, RMD House was designed by Studio Hive as a respite from the madding crowds of the bustling city. The design studio was tasked with designing a home that embodies luxury and fosters a profound connection to nature and personal interests. RMD House is a sanctuary that resonates and accommodates the owner’s love for wildlife and hosting social gatherings. Through subtle modifications to the existing layout, the design integrates elements that invite inward connection, reflecting the residents’ appreciation for the finer things in life.
Studio Hive introduced natural elements to the interiors and paid homage to the property’s surrounding landscape as a testament to the client’s unwavering appreciation and adoration for the natural environment. The landscaping has a natural and organic feel, with carefully laid paths and defining spaces around the pool. Meanwhile, the green-tiled pool is a nod in itself to the surroundings. Thoughtfully chosen outdoor furniture and bespoke handmade clay planters, doubling as sculptures, offer a touch of slow luxury. The design approach to RMD House bestowed equal consideration to inward and outward connections and spaces.
The existing framework of the house restricted the designers from changing the size of existing rooms or rearranging the layout of bathrooms. Thus, connecting spaces were added within the existing structure to reconfigure areas to accommodate the homeowner’s desired needs without causing structural damage.
The owners are obscenely social people and entertaining takes primacy in their home. As a result, the semi-private spaces and floorplan were configured to facilitate these needs. From conversation nooks to inviting entertainment areas, every aspect of the design has been curated to foster meaningful interactions and engaging conversations.
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The lounge and formal dining area were designed on two core pillars: precision and functionality, to ensure a cohesive and inviting space.
Lime-based paint unifies the entire space, enveloping walls and ceilings in a single hue. A eucalyptus log wood – weighing a staggering 2 tonnes – used for the bar stands as a testament to the craftsmanship and the centrepiece of the living area, and is finished with the Japanese burning technique of Shou Sugi Ban. Adjacent to the bar, a wall showcases chiselled and exposed sections of the bricks beneath, adding an element of rugged elegance.
Within each of the bedrooms, the spaces are filled with personal treasures and a selection of antiquities. The daughter’s room is designed as a wonderland for the young explorer, with a lime wash technique, and lacquered with a dreamy raspberry-pink hue. In the guest room, emphasis was placed on designing a versatile space, incorporating sculptural lighting and furnishings to adapt to the varying tastes of occupants.
In the main bedroom, a serene retreat awaits, with panoramic views framed by large windows and rustic stone walls harmonising with refined furniture. The parents’ room embraces a subdued elegance with neutral tones and luxurious materials, prioritising comfort and sophistication.
RMD House evokes an aesthetic that melds quintessential Italian and French influences in its choice of furniture, with a subtle infusion of Indian and Japanese influence through curated artworks and sentimental belongings. The positioning of artwork, including Manjunath Kamath’s seminal piece on the staircase landing, invites conversation and engagement, with each step revealing a new facet of the painting. This considered approach to hosting extends to the dining area, where large-scale artworks capture attention and intrigue.
The furniture selection is a harmonious blend of Italian and French brands, seamlessly integrated with custom-designed pieces crafted in collaboration with Alsorg and Solid Bench, reflecting the clients’ discerning tastes. Adding a touch of sculptural elegance are Atelier Vierkant vases and planters from Belgium, renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship, serving as both functional vessels and captivating sculptures throughout the space.
Photography
Abhay Khatri
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