Scandinavian Retreat

Photography by Manthan Yadav

Studio Tilt has recently completed a luxurious 3-bedroom holiday villa, functionally and attractively furnished in Scandinavian style with subtle connections to the tropical surroundings in North Goa, India.

Through large, white, arched double doors you enter directly into the living room flooded with natural light. Furniture is mostly all custom made and minimal, a central jute chevron rug ties the pieces together. As the design style suggests, the palette throughout consists majorly of shades of whites and beige, with subtle highlights in peach/ orange. Striped upholstery, patterned, geometric tiles and some quirky arts are some experimental elements that bring about a certain freshness into the space. Both the living and dining area have slim, wooden rafters on the ceiling. The central cluster of hanging lights on a sloping roof brings some warmth into the space. The cane lights are from Clay Mango while the lotus, cane floor lamp with an orange rim is from Jaypore. The designers wanted to have more inclusive spaces: hence the bench seating came about at the dining area, such that people can be a part of both sides of conversation. The black metal light is from Jainsons. A decor corner near the sofa houses ceramic decor accents, some pampas grass, and a bamboo table lamp.

The living and dining space has an open kitchen. There wasn't a dedicated kitchen space actually and the space given was really tiny, but the design team managed to extend it, providing for all appliances required for a premium rental. A matching Kalinga stone was used for the kitchen countertop as well as the dining tabletop. Separating the sand-colored kitchen cabinets from Livspace is a monochrome, patterned backsplash in black and white. The designers wanted the design elements to really stand out as the highlights, so in a deliberate attempt, the designers didn't add too many eye-catching art forms and stuck to simple frames, albeit with some fun, colored art in spots. The lighting throughout the villa is also very minimal, mainly accentuated by accent lighting: hanging or floor lamps. The art has been largely sourced from Calcuttan Gallery & the Kulture shop.

Teak wood rafters add to the feeling of warmth and perfectly compliment the elegant pitch of the roof. The soft, warm lighting scheme chosen is an extension of the overall tone - on-tone aesthetic and sets the right mood for the villa.

Folding wooden louvered doors lead from the dining space to the ground floor bedroom. A leafy wallpaper in black & white greets you upon entry. The furniture is entirely in wood and rattan, in soft curves. An interesting element used here is the open wardrobe, where a large, middle section is kept open for hanging clothes, flanked by a closed section on either side. This perfect balance of open and closed portions flows within the minimalistic Scandinavian compass. The space has been accessorized with some décor accents, small plants, books and a few knick-knacks. The bench set up in the balcony outside makes for a perfect, cosy spot to enjoy your morning coffee amidst lush greens. The bathroom was re done totally, using grey terrazzo tiles.

We wanted a very open, inclusive space in a very subtle, Scandinavian sort of design style, with a neutral, color palette. We also tried to bring about a beautiful blend of form and function, such that the spaces would reflect being true to the design style.

The sophistication of the aesthetic comes from its warm, earthy color tones and soft lighting that highlights the 'less is more' ideology.

The primary bedroom on the upper floor is a delight, with gorgeous, terrazzo floor tiles, locally sourced and black-stained furniture, the stark contrast really making the space come alive. A rattan bed flanked on both sides by minimalistic side tables in curves, stands in the centre of this double heighted bedroom with floating, wooden rafters on the ceiling. The lamps are from Akway and the gorgeous art in black and pink from Calcuttan Gallery. The focal point in the room, however, is the wooden, arched wardrobe designed in cane weaving, with a black, metal clothes rack next to it, as the open hanging space for clothes. Opposite, stands a small work desk, perfect for those who wish to work when away and overlooks the expanse outdoors.