Amidst lush gardens and the sounds of crashing waves, designer Krsnaa Mehta’s penthouse in Alibaug is a tropical wonderland that exudes a modern warmth and comfort. Located in Awas, 10 minutes away from Mandwa, it is the perfect haven to pause and nest, away from the chaos of the city. With scenic views of the Arabian Sea on the outside, and a perfectly harmonised interplay of vibrant colours and rich textures on the inside, this home is a distinctive artistic expression of the evolving Indian design aesthetic.
The sprawling property features gazebos, an expansive terrace, and a private pool to maintain the air of luxury and solitude. Built by Rajesh Bhaskaran of Earth Weavers, and spread across 6,000 square-feet, this coastal abode seamlessly brings the outdoors inside. In collaboration with the design firm Hamza Singaporewala and Aditya Ghosalkar of H&A Design + Build, Krsnaa Mehta’s vision was manifested in a record 90 days. “When I decided to make this home, I was looking at something at a height. At Awas, you don’t face the trees, you’re just above them, and that’s the best part; making it the most beautiful neighbourhood in Alibaug. It was a good decision because I wanted something instantly, and not [to] spend years and years building a house. It serves as my private sanctuary, which blends space and time beautifully together!” says Mehta.
The space strikes a tasteful balance of bold tones and clean lines and displays an eclectic mix of modern and classical elements, such as the heritage pattern of the flooring. The unabashed use of colour and wallpapers resonates with Mehta’s signature style. Elaborating on the vision for the property, he adds, “The design objective while doing this house was to make it a space where every element is reflective of my aesthetic yet brings [together] the magic of modern art [. . .] from every angle. As one walks into the house, you realise that one has managed to do justice to the design narrative. For instance the use of wallpapers that reflect the flora and fauna outside, to flowering plants and objects that really matter. What more could I have asked for, to live in a beautiful environment such as this, where I have a sandy beach on one side, the mountains and an oasis of tranquil trees on the other.”
The layout of the house is unique and rests in harmony with its surroundings. As Mehta explains, “The house is built on many levels. It starts off with four gazebos on the rooftop which introduce you to the entire expanse of the countless trees and the sound of the ocean coming from beyond them. It is truly surreal. Then, as you walk into the house, which is just an extension of the front, the flora and fauna continue seamlessly and blend in as the design elements. While walking down to the pool, the plant and flower designs continue. I say it is multi-level because there’s a sense of discovery at every step. All your senses are heightened and at peace when you are there, in the moment!”
Despite the vastness of the structure, there are clearly outlined pockets of peace. Speaking on his sacred spot in the house, Mehta says, “My favourite corner in the house is invariably the smaller living seating area. I prefer a cosy environment, although there is also a large seating area. The smaller one has a two-seater emerald green velvet couch with a couple of more chairs thrown in, which is perfectly suited for an intimate evening. This way it’s more personal, and each emotion, whether laughter or energy, is infectious and more personal.”
Krsnaa Mehta’s design staple is his wall art, which is carefully curated in adherence to spatial dynamics and his individualistic tastes. He decodes the process of selecting art for his unique tropical refuge, “The wall arts in the house are supposed to mesmerise you and take you on a journey. If you see the wallpapers, each of them have elements of nature. They tell a wonderful little story of how one travels from within the house to outside it. It literally communicates how nature plays the most important role in the storytelling through these visual delights. These romantic, magical sort of designs lend a sense of warmth, and you can feel the beauty of the surroundings through every element.”
