Mumbai moves at a relentless pace, its streets alive with noise, movement and visual intensity. Against this backdrop, Sol, a private residence designed by Aneri Mehta and Khushali Chawda, Founders of ACKM Studio, offers something increasingly rare: a home conceived not as a statement, but as a sanctuary. Located in Santacruz and designed for a young couple and their newborn daughter, the 1,900-square-foot apartment explores how light, materiality and thoughtful spatial planning can cultivate a sense of calm in everyday life.
Named after the sun, Sol takes its inspiration from light as both a physical and emotional presence. Throughout the home, sunlight becomes an active design element, softening surfaces, revealing textures and shaping the atmosphere from morning to evening. Rather than relying on dramatic gestures, the interiors unfold through subtle layers of warmth, creating spaces that feel restorative and deeply personal.
For ACKM Studio founders Aneri Mehta and Khushali Chawda, the ambition was clear from the outset. “Our aim was to design a home that slows you down,” explains Chawda. “In a city like Mumbai, that sense of pause is rare, and we wanted the interiors to offer a completely different rhythm from the world outside.”
Originally configured as a four-bedroom apartment, the residence was reimagined as a more generous three-bedroom home. The redesign allowed the studio to prioritise openness and fluidity, creating larger communal spaces that support both family life and moments of quiet retreat. The clients were equally committed to this vision. Seeking an environment free from visual clutter and excessive digital distractions, they envisioned a home that felt nurturing, easy to maintain and centred around daily rituals rather than constant stimulation.
The living and dining areas form the heart of the project. Terrazzo flooring extends throughout the apartment, bringing durability and a naturally cooling quality underfoot. Instead of introducing a traditional rug, the designers defined the seating area through a custom marble inlay, a restrained intervention that subtly anchors the space while preserving its visual clarity.
Lime-plastered walls add another layer of softness. Their tactile finish absorbs and reflects light differently throughout the day, lending depth to the otherwise understated palette. At the centre of the living room, a custom-designed swing introduces an element of playfulness and pause, inviting moments of reflection while reinforcing the home’s relaxed atmosphere.
Perhaps the most revealing design gesture is what remains hidden. The television is concealed behind a sliding panel, allowing the room to transform instantly from an entertainment space into a place dedicated to conversation, reading or simply being present. Elsewhere, a mirrored cabinet discreetly conceals a compact bar, satisfying both functional requirements and Vastu principles while maintaining the home’s uncluttered aesthetic.
The dining area continues the narrative of quiet sophistication. A combination of custom bench seating, locally sourced furniture and botanical-inspired artwork creates an environment that feels welcoming rather than formal. Throughout the home, the emphasis remains on texture and atmosphere over decoration, allowing each material to speak for itself.
This philosophy reaches its fullest expression in the master suite, conceived as a sequence of interconnected spaces that includes the bedroom, walk-in wardrobe and bathroom. The bedroom is intentionally pared back, free from televisions and unnecessary distractions. Soft tones and delicate wooden mouldings create a sense of enclosure and calm, transforming the room into a true retreat from the outside world.
The adjoining wardrobe introduces a handcrafted dimension through artisanal wallpaper, while the bathroom takes on a more sculptural character. Clad entirely in white marble, the space evokes the atmosphere of a private spa. Brass inlay detailing introduces warmth and rhythm, while a jacuzzi bath and double vanity elevate daily routines into moments of self-care. The effect is luxurious, yet never ostentatious.
The daughter’s bedroom offers a gentle departure from the home’s otherwise restrained palette. Butter-yellow walls, rounded furniture and cane details create a nurturing environment designed to evolve alongside its young occupant. Above, a hand-painted mural by artist Rudrani transforms the ceiling into a whimsical landscape of foliage and flowers, providing visual delight for a child who spends much of her time looking upwards. It is a thoughtful gesture that demonstrates the project’s attention to emotional experience as much as aesthetic composition.
Wrapped in shades of beige, honeyed yellow and warm brown, Sol feels quietly radiant.
