A stunning 3,500-square-foot penthouse in Chennai, eastern India, has been transformed into a luminous sanctuary that masterfully blends mid-century modern design with natural textures and Indian craftsmanship. Architect Gowri Adappa, co-founder of A Design Co., completely reimagined the two-bedroom apartment for a couple and their two dogs, creating a harmonious space that prioritizes spatial clarity, warmth, and timeless appeal over fleeting trends.
The original four-bedroom layout was rigid and compartmentalized, lacking the flow and character the homeowners desired. Adappa's primary design decision involved stripping the apartment of its existing structure and reconfiguring it according to a new spatial logic that emphasizes fluidity, natural light, and material depth. The new open-plan arrangement introduces visual porosity and layered thresholds between public and private areas, drawing inspiration from modernist sensibilities while incorporating mid-century forms, industrial details, and subtle Indian references.
The apartment's restrained yet highly tactile color palette features warm walnut wood, brushed stainless steel, fluted details, and matte concrete, all connected by hand-finished stone. The predominantly monochromatic scheme of charcoal, beige, and muted browns allows the materials themselves to express their natural textures. Most finishes are handmade or hand-polished, creating a subtle nod to Indian craftsmanship within a thoroughly modern framework.
Rugs play a significant role in the home's design narrative, with flat-weave and short-pile pieces sourced primarily from Jaipur Rugs scattered throughout the space. The living room features a century-old Persian rug dyed with natural pigments from Carpet Cellar, which contrasts beautifully with a Le Corbusier steel and leather chaise lounge. An ochre sofa, armchairs, and long curtains create an environment conducive to both intimate gatherings and quiet solitude, while a full-height warm wood bookshelf adds depth and visual interest.
Adappa's selection of mid-century furniture reflects her attraction to the period's proportions and clarity, which she believes integrate particularly well in Indian environments due to their low profiles, solid wood frames, and sculptural silhouettes. Rather than recreating a specific era, the design freely mixes periods – a vintage Le Corbusier chaise in one corner, custom walnut millwork in another, and Indian-made consoles with hand-polished finishes elsewhere. This approach ensures that furniture complements rather than competes with the architecture.
A distinctive glass block wall serves as a subtle textural element, introducing light modulation while gently separating the living room from breakfast and cocktail areas. This 1980s design classic bathes the apartment in soft, changing light throughout the day and transforms into a glowing lantern at sunset when illuminated from within. The wall projects beautiful, constantly evolving patterns on surrounding surfaces, achieving both nostalgic and modern qualities.
The industrial-style stainless steel kitchen presents a thoughtful juxtaposition within the otherwise naturally textured apartment. The compact but highly efficient pantry is entirely clad in stainless steel with a finish that harmonizes with metallic accents used throughout the home. Open shelving maintains an airy feeling while adding practical charm to the space.
The master bedroom prioritizes natural materials and calming simplicity, created by combining two original bedrooms to achieve both grandeur and tranquility. A custom California King bed sits low to the ground with a specially designed mid-century tiled headboard as the room's centerpiece. Opposite the bed, a walk-in closet exemplifies both functionality and understated elegance, while double glass doors open to a spa-like ensuite bathroom connected through a gently arched threshold that echoes curves found elsewhere in the home.
Throughout the apartment, tiny sculptures, potted plants, and wooden blinds further emphasize the space's raw, textured beauty. The design demonstrates that when materials, proportions, and spatial flow are trusted, excessive articulation becomes unnecessary. This project reaffirms the principle that old and new elements need not be opposing forces, but can coexist harmoniously to create spaces that are both contemporary and deeply rooted in craftsmanship traditions.
