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Interior

05-10-2025

Nestled in a cozy neighbourhood of Bangalore, Layam is a 3BHK home spanning across 1,300 square feet that exudes the essence of Kerala.

From the start of the design process, the homeowners, Gayathri and Nikhil, were particular about using natural finishes to achieve an earthy aesthetic. The flooring, furniture, artwork, and decor in the space have been carefully curated to reflect the roots of their homeland, Kerala. The main theme of the home is specifically the Kathakali art form. This was taken as an inspiration, with the planning of the home as well as carefully designed furniture pieces, some loose and some fixed.

The only civil intervention in the home was made to open up the kitchen into the dining and living room to create an interactive setting for entertaining guests. As this counter was a bridge between the common areas and the kitchen, laterite cladding was done to elevate the curved profile and add textural interest to the space. Laterite, as a material, is widely used in South India, especially Kerala. Hence, it was only natural to explore its element in the form of skirting details as well for the home. The home originally came with Builder-grade flooring tiles, which the clients did not want to retain. So, the conscious intention to reduce construction waste was made, which led us to opt for micro-concrete as the main flooring material to reflect the feel of a traditional oxide floor with geometric patterns.

Moving through the home, space by space, one notices the Kathakali theme play into all the different design components, almost resembling that of an orchestrated experience to enjoy all the memories from Kerala.

Bangalore,Karnataka,India

Architects	:	Aanai Design Studio
Area	:	1300 sq. ft.
Year of Completion	:	2024
Website	:	https://www.instagram.com/aanaistudio/

Foyer of Layam by Aanai Design Studio

The foyer features a console table whose legs draw inspiration from the Nilavilakku—the traditional lamp lit at the commencement of performances. Moving into the living area, the TV console unit stands out with its elegant brass inlay and fluted detailing, reminiscent of the rhythmic form of the percussion instrument Mridangam. The centre table carries subtle curved detailing at the base of its legs, evoking the poised stance of a dancer. Anchoring the space is a deep green rug, richly embroidered with motifs of Kerala’s iconic Snake Boat races, a cultural celebration woven into the fabric of the region.

Living Room of Layam by Aanai Design Studio

Living Room TV Unit of Layam by Aanai Design Studio

Dining of Layam by Aanai Design Studio

The dining area is defined by a striking custom-designed pendant light by Oli Lighting, evocative of a banana flower. Crafted in bright pink fabric, the fixture introduces a delicate softness to the space, while its brass stems lend an understated sense of grandeur. Positioned behind the six-seater dining table, bespoke console units take on a distinctive “ruffled” form, achieved through the rhythmic play of wooden flutes. The design subtly recalls the graceful movements of dancers, their flowing costumes in motion, bringing a poetic layer of expression to the setting.

Dining of Layam by Aanai Design Studio

Kitchen of Layam by Aanai Design Studio

Guest Bedroom of Layam by Aanai Design Studio

The guest bedroom at Layam uses banana fibre in a temple-like motif pattern to highlight the background or context of a Kathakali performance. The story ends in the master bedroom with the bed headboard and the side table conceptualized around the ‘Kathakali Thiranottam’ and the ‘Kathakali Costume’, respectively.

The space is a medley of textures, mostly designed in-house or collected antiques over the years. Design components like the “Banana flower” light fixture in the dining, block printed fabric customized to depict the traditional “Kasavu” pattern, hand-knotted banana fibre inlays, and commissioned artworks by renowned Kerala artists spread across the rooms add a layer of richness and warmth to the home.

Every room in the residence carries its own unique charm while continuing to lend to the overarching tropical theme. Surrounded by elements that have been designed with the idea of passing on the heritage and culture that the homeowners cherish, Layam effortlessly translates into a portrait of timeless elegance.