Kerala: This 6,000

By Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar

In Kerala's Kasaragod, the sunsets are quite something, as are the views, the coconut plantations, and the coastlines. Software entrepreneurs Ibrahim Thayath and Noora Ibrahim were familiar with the wonders of the area, having been born and raised nearby. And though they had moved to Dubai in the early aughts, the couple had always felt a calling to build a forever home in their homeland. In 2019, they decided to take the leap. All they needed was some help bringing the interior design to life. Thanks to a mutual acquaintance, they soon found their match in Mohammed Afnan and Arun Shekar of Kozhikode-based AD100 firm Hummingtree, to design their bungalow in Kasaragod.

The foyer makes a bold statement with a console-cum-shoe-cabinet. The candle stands are from Pottery Barn, while the beaten brass mirror is a KALA find. The wall panels and chequered flooring conjure an old-world air.

The Ibrahims had a vision: a home that would deliver statement after statement after statement—something Afnan and Arun achieved by marrying furniture and accents across a spectrum of periods, tones, and textures. To achieve an air of quiet luxury, the designers conjured a medley of patterns by way of chessboard-like floors and curvilinear furniture. The accents are a smorgasbord of shapes and forms.

By Alisha Lad

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By Kasturi Gadge

The crowning glory of the home is the double-height dining room. "The custom net pendant beautifully illuminates the space at night," says Arun. The custom leather dining credenza and chairs are by Desroch. The art was locally sourced. The floor wears a marble finish. Pots and vases are by KALA.

Striking yet subdued, the kitchen features grey and glass cabinets and a central island.

Also read: This courtyard home in Kerala stands out with striking tangerine accents

For example, a freeform steel table with amorphous cut-outs enlivens the living room, while a net chandelier serves as the tour de force of the dining area. Sharp contrasts weave another leitmotif: inside the den in the way of a characterful orange sofa and a dazzling green pendant, and again in the bedrooms with kaleidoscopic furniture.

The den is reserved for knocked-back evenings with friends and family. The orange glass-topped tables are by Desroch. The pendant was purchased by the Ibrahims during their travels overseas.

By Alisha Lad

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By Kasturi Gadge

Each colour was carefully considered, Arun insists, citing the example of the daughter's room. "Noora wanted the perfect shade of blue. Not too pastel, not too Pantone, not too this or that. It was quite the process," he reflects with a laugh.

A zebra-striped lamp by Aura Electric Studio, Calicut adds a dose of whimsy to the daughter's bedroom. The brass nightstand is a bespoke design.

"The guest bedroom was designed to host get-togethers, so no expense was spared," says Arun. From the Ekstrem™ chair by Terje Ekstrøm to the Anthropologie rug, each element serves as a prelude to the next. The bed is a custom design by Desroch. The lights are by Aura Electric Studio, Calicut.

Zara Home, Roberto Cavalli, KALA, West Elm, Pottery Barn, and Louis Vuitton each find a home in the Ibrahims' bungalow in Kasaragod. And yet, the crown jewels of the decor scheme are local finds. Afnan and Arun sourced several pieces from rural artisanal communities in nearby towns and villages, "with the hope of highlighting the work of craftsmen who still honour and uphold centuries-old artisanal traditions."

By Alisha Lad

By AD Staff

By Kasturi Gadge

The guest bedroom scintillates in warm tones. The custom marble flooring adds pattern to the setting. The nightstands are by KALA, while the Ottoman is a SENUFO find.

Also read: A traditional Kerala home designed for free-flowing conversations and family bonding

For the Ibrahims, the home is emblematic of their lives, borrowing from near and afar in equal measure. "It's a postcard to the future that will only get richer with time," concludes Afnan.