Colab Company’s Casa Blanc in Powai harmonises sculptural architecture, natural light, and refined interiors into a calm and inviting family sanctuary.
Mumbai is hardly known for being quiet. Maximalist on all fronts, the city excels in crowds, traffic, and mismatched architecture. Yet somehow, small slices of heaven peek through the mayhem—pockets of calm like Casa Blanc, a 2,200-square-foot home in Powai.
Serene and sculptural, the home in Powai was expertly brought to life by Saloni and Hiren Ganatra, founders of the multi-disciplinary interior design and architecture studio Colab Company. “Our signature aesthetic typically leans toward bolder design, where layers, textures, and expressive detailing take centre stage,” says Saloni. “So, when we were approached with the vision for Casa Blanc, it felt like an exciting challenge…one that required us to dial back the drama without losing our design voice,” she continues.
Designed for a family of four, the apartment needed to embrace peace and quiet of daily life, while remaining flexible enough to host intimate gatherings. “The vision was clear: restraint, considered detail, and emotional resonance over exaggeration,” Hiren explains. “The home had to feel intentional, warm, and full of personality.” A far cry from the stark, increasingly popular minimalist aesthetic dominating the interior design scene.
While Saloni and Hiren dialed back the drama in terms of colour, they leaned into materiality, form, and texture. “We were inspired by the concept of quiet luxury, where design is felt more than seen,” notes Saloni. The language of the home draws from sculptural architecture, the interplay of shadow and light, and the tactile richness of hand-finished surfaces. The team also sought to harness the abundance of natural light, using it to its fullest potential. “The goal was to blur the line between architecture and furniture, so that every curve, plane, and junction contributed to a harmonious whole,” she continues.
Casa Blanc may be defined by restraint, but every room carries its own “hero moment.” A statement artwork, a sculptural corner, or an unexpected pop of detail—each is carefully composed to punctuate the calm. Rather than disrupt the serenity, these moments layer in depth and personality, ensuring the home feels refined yet unmistakably alive.
The expansive, open-format living area captures this philosophy at its peak. A suite of cream sofas anchors one corner, grounded by a clay-toned rug, while overhead the apartment’s defining element comes into view: the Umbra. “The Umbra was a true labour of love,” admits Saloni. Crafted over 300 man-hours using hand-beaten techniques, the Umbra is a sleek steel sculpture, designed to embody the home’s vision of refined modernity. “It wasn’t a simple feat,” she continues, “Its execution demanded multiple iterations and close collaboration across teams to achieve the precision we envisioned.”
Generously spacious, the main living area balances openness with intimacy, equally at ease hosting company or cocooning the family. Flowing seamlessly from the lounge, the dining space gathers around an amorphous marble-topped table, paired with ochre-hued chairs and a plush beige leather bench. Beneath it all, striated marble floors ground the palette, while the yellow accents of the dining area and the soft burnt-peach tones of the living space lend a gentle warmth that carries through the home. In the far corner, a green-gold bar credenza draws the eye, its gentle curves set in contrast against a crisp geometric backdrop. Positioned beside the breezy balcony, it carves out a nook perfectly suited for winding down the day.
Adjacent to the living room, the den unfolds—bridging intimacy with versatility. It doubles as a refined entertainment lounge and a secondary TV room for the daughters. “The clients envisioned it as a warm, inviting zone for hosting, but with a touch of drama,” notes Hiren. In response, the design leans into richer textures and statement layered lighting, infusing the space with depth and character.
An undulating ceiling, cast in plaster of Paris and finished in warm metallic paint to match the walls, adds fluidity while visually unifying the room. In contrast, geometric patterns emerge across the sectional, carpet, coffee table, and integrated bar, grounding the scheme with structure. Accentuated by a sculptural hanging light, a compact coffee bar, and curated wall art, the den strikes a delicate balance between cosy retreat and spirited gathering spot.
Beyond the den, the sense of warmth and comfort extends into Casa Blanc’s three spacious bedrooms. The master suite is a lesson in minimalistic elegance, where a creamy palette and warm wood tones create quiet sophistication while framing the sweeping view. “With such beautiful light, the design was intentionally pared back and serene, allowing the natural surroundings to become an integral part of the room’s calm, luxurious atmosphere,” explains Saloni.
By contrast, the daughters’ bedrooms emerge as vivid expressions of personality, each designed to capture its occupant’s individuality while remaining in harmony with the home’s overarching aesthetic. Playful yet refined, the elder daughter’s room bursts with colour, from lavender bedding to a pair of maroon chairs placed at the foot of the bed. A curved wooden bed back anchors the space, echoing the gentle waves of the drapes and the sculptural light fixture above.
The younger daughter’s room takes a cooler, more tranquil approach. Light olive-green walls and sleek marble floors form a soothing backdrop, seamlessly blending with mauve accents across the window seat, bed, and rug. The palette strikes a balance of softness and sophistication, shaping an escape that feels both grounded and removed from the city’s constant bustle.
https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/this-2200-square-foot-home-in-powai-is-a-sculptural-retreat-of-quiet-sophistication-colab-company/
