There’s a moment when you walk into Gran Carmen and realize this isn’t just another villa in Bangalore. The air feels softer, the light moves slower, and the spaces seem to exhale as if they were designed to breathe. That sense of stillness and balance is the signature of Pankhuri Giridhar and her studio, The KariGhars, who have translated a client’s wish for a “minimal yet cozy” home into a 4,800 sq.ft retreat that is at once grounded and quietly luxurious.
The narrative begins with openness. An uncluttered layout lets the living, dining, and kitchen areas spill into each other with a fluidity that feels natural. Flooring transitions are softened, thresholds are blurred, and the palette is pared back to muted whites, warm browns, and earthy neutrals. It’s the kind of calm that doesn’t call attention to itself, yet you feel it in every corner.
In the dining area, however, restraint makes room for drama. A soaring double-height wall clad in stone carries a pixelated interpretation of Indian motifs – elephants, trees, and florals abstracted into a digital rhythm. It’s a striking gesture, one that bridges cultural memory with contemporary minimalism, and instantly anchors the home.
Craft, too, plays a starring role. Bespoke woodwork with cane inlays threads through the interiors, adding warmth and tactility to the Japandi-inspired design language. In the bedrooms, the handcrafted story continues: a hand-painted floral arch behind the bed, textured wood panelling paired with bold art, and a walk-in wardrobe that conceals as much as it reveals. Every detail has a touch of the human hand; a deliberate choice by The KariGhars to keep the home soulful rather than sterile.
Light is treated not as utility, but as atmosphere. Large windows and curated fixtures in cane and fabric soften the interiors, while an automation system adjusts the lux levels throughout the day. Morning brings in a bright, energising glow, while evenings are hushed in warm pools of light – the kind of subtle orchestration that makes you feel the house has a pulse of its own.
Even utilitarian elements are handled with elegance. At the entrance, a tailor-made shoe closet disappears seamlessly into the wall, setting the tone for concealed storage solutions that let the home remain visually quiet. In the media room, a projector hides behind custom panelling, ready to transform the space into a cinematic cocoon without disturbing its pared-back aesthetic.
Step outside, and the rhythm continues. A glass-wrapped workspace with a jute-lined roof is tucked into the garden, merging thermal comfort with an intimate connection to nature; an office that invites you to look up from your screen and watch the leaves sway. On the terrace, earthy finishes frame a private jacuzzi and bespoke bar, designed not for ostentation but for the simple joys of slow living.
Everywhere you look, the choices feel measured, thoughtful, and human. Non-toxic paints allow the walls to breathe. Terrazzo underfoot adds grain and grounding texture. Handpicked veneers and natural fabrics amplify the sense of touch. And in every room, restraint reveals itself not as austerity, but as a quiet form of luxury.
Gran Carmen doesn’t try to impress with scale or excess. Instead, it wins you over with the small things, the way a dining wall becomes a story in stone, how cane and wood slip quietly into the furniture, or how light is tuned to match the passing hours. It’s these simple gestures, stitched together with care, that make the home feel personal, warm, and genuinely lived in
Why We Love This Project
- The dining wall is a showstopper – pixelated Indian motifs carved in stone, bridging heritage and minimalism in the boldest way.
- Craft lives in the details – cane beds, textured cabinetry, and warm woodwork that make the home feel soulful, not stark.
- Work, play, unwind – from a jute-roofed outdoor office to a private jacuzzi terrace, this home knows how to balance life.
- The whole home breathes easy – open spaces, muted tones, and sun-synced lighting create a flow that feels natural and unhurried.
Photography by – Nayan Soni & Dark Studio
