unearthing quiet luxury at this apartment in Mumbai where material meets meaning.
Project Name : Earthluxe Living
Project Location : Mumbai, India
Architect/Interior Designer : Sumessh Menon Associates
Principal Architect/Designer : Sumessh Menon, Shreeta Nair
Photographer: Ojes Sonawane (By The Bay Films)
In a quiet corner of Mumbai, overlooking the sea in Juhu, Mumbai, Earthluxe Living by Sumessh Menon Associates unfolds as a refined exploration of materiality and understated luxury. The home belongs to the Bains family, a close knit household with teenage twins, who sought a space that felt elegant and mature while remaining warm and inviting.
Their journey toward this home began within the same building. Impressed by the design sensibility and execution of their neighbour’s residence, also crafted by the studio, the family chose to collaborate with the designers, entrusting them with complete creative freedom. What followed was a transformation of a bare shell duplex into a layered and deeply expressive living environment.
At the heart of the design lies a compelling conceptual narrative inspired by the idea of cultural layers. Drawing from the notion of “Kulturlager”, a term used in archaeology to describe deposits that reveal traces of human activity over time, the design interprets the home as a series of material and emotional imprints. It becomes a space where nature and human identity meet, creating a dialogue between the raw and the refined.
This idea is translated into the interiors through a careful play of textures and surfaces. Walls, floors, and furnishings evoke the stratified beauty of the earth, where grains, veins, and subtle variations in tone create depth and visual intrigue. The palette remains restrained, allowing these textures to speak softly rather than compete for attention. The result is an atmosphere of quiet luxury that feels both grounded and sophisticated.
Each space within the home reveals a sense of discovery. Rather than relying on overt statements, the design encourages a more intimate engagement, where details emerge gradually as one moves through the house. The layering of materials creates a tactile richness, while the overall composition remains calm and composed.
One of the most striking spaces in the home is the powder room, which stands as a sculptural expression of the project’s core idea. Here, exotic Patagonia marble is used extensively across the floor, walls, and vanity. Carefully integrated lighting enhances the natural patterns within the stone, allowing its intricate veining to glow with depth and intensity.
The experience of this space is almost theatrical. As one enters, the lighting responds gently, illuminating the room in a gradual and immersive manner. What unfolds is not just a functional space but an atmospheric retreat, where material and light come together to create a sense of quiet drama. While the studio is known for incorporating statement lighting features, in this instance the entire room becomes the feature itself.
Throughout the home, the balance between elegance and comfort remains consistent. The design responds thoughtfully to the needs of the family, offering spaces that are both functional and emotionally engaging. The teenagers’ desire for a mature yet welcoming environment is reflected in the overall tone of the interiors, which avoid excess while still delivering a sense of luxury.
Earthluxe Living is not about grandeur in the conventional sense. Instead, it finds its strength in nuance, in the careful layering of materials, and in the subtle interplay of light and texture. It is a home that invites its occupants to slow down, to notice, and to experience luxury in a more grounded and meaningful way.
Project Name : Earthluxe Living
Project Location : Mumbai, India
Architect/Interior Designer : Sumessh Menon Associates
Principal Architect/Designer : Sumessh Menon, Shreeta Nair
Photographer: Ojes Sonawane (By The Bay Films)
