Studio Nilasha crafts a tactile sanctuary in Hyderabad

A quiet 3,000 sq. ft. home in Hyderabad, designed by Nilasha, founder and principal architect at Studio Nilasha, unfolds in soft whites and beiges, where texture tells the story.

Designed for a young couple, the home embraces a muted palette not as a backdrop but a deliberate focus - inviting the eye to focus on the surface, grain and play of light. Wood, sandstone, lime plaster and linen come together in quiet harmony - with nuance, depth and warmth - proving that when colour takes a gentle step back, material can take the lead.

Nilasha explains, “Our clients were drawn to a minimal, Scandinavian aesthetic and shared our love for natural materials. By blending this sensibility with locally sourced materials and craftsmanship, we shaped a layered expression of modern Indian living - one that feels serene, rooted, and tactile.”

This shared sensibility finds expression right at the threshold. A wooden door opens into a serene foyer, where sculptural wicker pieces - a wall-mounted bench and fluid pendant lights by Wicker Story - immediately capture attention. The organic weaving of wicker into these forms adds both texture and artistry to the space. Complemented by lime plastered walls and subtle oak wood panelling, the foyer offers a welcoming atmosphere that gently introduces the home’s refined simplicity. 

From the foyer, the home opens up with quiet confidence - clean lines and no excess, just a measured rhythm of space and surface. The same lime plaster that wraps the walls flows onto the ceiling to create a gentle and seamless shell. Thought is given to every surface; nothing is incidental. Each element - whether wall, floor or ceiling - is composed to contribute to a sense of warmth.

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Underfoot, a sandblasted beige sandstone from Rajasthan sourced by Stonelife grounds the space with its muted grain. On one side, a snug living area takes shape with upholstered sofas; on the other, the dining and bar spaces open up - subdued yet inviting. The dining area feels serene and composed, with a long table anchored under a linear pendant light and sleek chairs that maintain the room’s understated clarity.

A two-toned wood louvered partition offers privacy to the adjacent media room without closing it off entirely. The bar area features a simple wood and stone console, complemented by shelves above that display everyday, personal objects. Between the living and dining zones, the pooja space is enclosed within a louvered fluted glass screen - designed to preserve intimacy while allowing the fragrance of incense to linger gently through the home.

Tucked next to the dining area, the powder room takes on a deeper, more immersive tone. Here, fluted stone with bold veining forms a dramatic backdrop, paired with an organically shaped mirror and a custom-made concrete basin from Nuance Studio. The composition is sculptural and striking, turning the small space into a quiet spectacle.

As we move into the private areas, the design language remains consistent. The master bedroom exudes warmth, with custom fluted wood paneling and flooring paired with an upholstered bed, handwoven rugs, and linen bedding, creating a tranquil, inviting retreat. The guest bedroom is defined by seamless panelling that extends to form the bed and side tables, creating a sense of cohesion and quiet unity. The kid’s room, while aligned with the home’s material language, is infused with a sense of playfulness, highlighted by a ceiling light fixture inspired by the moon. Nilasha recalls, “One of the most interesting details we worked on was in the kid’s room - where we reimagined the idea of lunar craters into a sculptural ceiling light that feels like a seamless extension of the surface.”

This home stands as a quiet testament to the beauty of simplicity and materiality, where every space - be it the communal or private - whispers a serene, tactile story. Studio Nilasha’s design orchestrates a gentle harmony, creating a retreat that feels both grounded and eternal. Here, in the quiet interplay of texture and light, elegance finds form.

Fact file

Project name: Zephyr

Design firm: Studio Nilasha

Area (in sqft): 3,000 sq.ft

Location: Filmnagar, Hyderabad

Principal Designer/s: Nilasha

Photographer: Talib Chitalwala, Styling: Samir Wadekar