Sakura / Ikigai Studio

Where marble meets memory, a Pune home for new beginnings.

Project Name : Sakura
Project Location : Pune, India
Architect/Interior Designer : Ikigai Studio
Principal Architect/Designer : Anuja Marudgan

Photographer: Sagar Mandal (Studio Colourblind)

A first home often marks the beginning of a shared life. For this young couple in Pune, it became more than a residence. It became a reflection of who they are and who they are becoming. Designed by Ikigai Studio, Sakura captures that delicate balance between freshness and calm, energy and restraint. It is a home that feels young without being restless, expressive without losing its composure.

Architect Anuja Marudgan began with a quiet foundation. Neutral surfaces form the canvas, allowing the architecture to breathe before layers of personality are introduced. Cream toned walls finished with soft panel mouldings establish a gentle rhythm at the entry. The experience is composed from the first step inside. A black console anchors the foyer, framed by warm sconces that cast an intimate glow. Abstract artworks hover above, aligned precisely to create a sense of visual harmony.

The living room unfolds with quiet drama. A book matched marble wall commands attention, its veining almost painterly in effect. Walnut shelves cut across the surface, displaying curated objects that temper the stone’s boldness with warmth and familiarity. Opposite, a curved panel softens the room’s geometry, introducing intimacy and flow. Custom sofas in boucle and linen gather around, their rounded edges inviting conversation and ease. Sheer curtains filter daylight across marble floors traced with delicate inlay patterns, guiding movement through the space.

A few steps ahead, the dining area emerges as the signature heart of the home. Sculptural chandeliers arc gracefully above the table, their forms reminiscent of strings of pearls suspended in mid-air. Beneath them, a white marble tabletop glows softly, punctuated by black accents that echo throughout the otherwise serene palette. The composition feels both celebratory and composed, designed as much for everyday meals as for moments of gathering.

The media room introduces a shift in mood. Wrapped in a deep navy hue, the walls are detailed with vertical grooves that lend subtle texture. Overhead, patterned wallpaper crowns the ceiling, its cornice detailing bridging classic craftsmanship with contemporary expression. A cognac sofa grounds the room, complemented by a brass arc lamp that casts warm pools of light. Conceived also as a home office, a timber desk sits comfortably within this cocooned setting, supporting both focus and reflection.

The first of the two master bedrooms serves as a retreat for the parents. Understated and calm, it relies on white walls with delicate mouldings to maintain simplicity. The bed is framed with panels that define the space without overwhelming it. A compact study table is positioned beside the side table, creating a quiet corner for work. Painted vertical battens, floating ledges, and arched walnut niches introduce rhythm to the walls, breaking linearity with subtle curves. A panelled television unit finished in PU and veneer completes the room’s balanced composition.

The second master bedroom carries a more personal narrative. Referred to by Anuja as the Ikigai Room, it feels deeply reflective. Cherry blossom motifs bloom across the walls, their branches drawing the eye gently across the space. Open timber shelving framed within a semi circular arch displays objects gathered from travels, turning memory into design. The bed back aligns with the television wall, which extends seamlessly to the window and doubles as a study ledge. Twin ribbed pendant lights hang above, offering focused illumination while maintaining softness.

The guest bedroom offers its own quiet charm. A sepia toned mural of a village scene stretches across the wall behind the bed, drawing the viewer inward. Timber wainscoting anchors the room, adding warmth and depth. Pendant lights hover gently overhead, their glow shifting subtly through the day. Neutral upholstered furnishings complete the setting, creating a tactile and welcoming environment for visitors.

Throughout Sakura, details are deliberate yet never overpowering. Every corner feels considered, every material chosen with intention. The home balances youthful energy with serenity, allowing moments of vibrancy to sit comfortably within a calm envelope. It lingers in memory not for grand gestures, but for its quiet confidence.

For this young couple, Sakura is more than a design project. It is a space where stories will unfold, where routines will settle into rituals, and where the promise of a shared future feels tangible in every carefully crafted detail.