Design Ethos – Designer Luxury

Layered panelling, curated art from travels, and quiet luxury for a well-read, well-travelled family.

Project Name:
Aparna One, Shaikpet, Hyderabad
Builder:
Aparna
Area:
4155 sq.ft.
Project type:
Exclusive Luxury Apartment

Click to see A video of the space.

 

Perched in one of Hyderabad’s most coveted luxury addresses, Aparna One in Shaikpet is known for its panoramic views, intelligent planning, and ultra-luxury amenities – from temperature-controlled pools and a grand clubhouse to private lobbies and expansive marble-clad living spaces. Within this iconic development, we had the opportunity to design a residence that feels both richly sophisticated and deeply personal.​

 

A grand first impression: entrance and library wall

 

The experience begins right at the entrance. The first thing you see is a beautifully detailed wall panelling treatment, designed to create an elegant, welcoming arrival that immediately sets the tone for the rest of the home. Against the backdrop of Aparna One’s imported marble lobbies and premium finishes, this panelled feature wall feels like a quiet statement – refined, timeless, and warm.​

 

Our clients are avid readers, and one of the earliest briefs was clear: books should not be an afterthought. Responding to that, we designed an entire wall as a seamless combination of paneling and custom bookshelves ensconced in dark glass paneling with dark gold finish. Instead of a typical “library unit,” the shelves are integrated into the wall, creating a continuous, refined surface that holds books, art, and objects without disturbing the clean aesthetic of the space. The result is a reading-focused living area that still feels calm, uncluttered, and luxurious.

 

Art, travel, and storytelling on the walls

 

The couple are also passionate travellers and love bringing back art from their journeys. From Dubai to Thailand and Bali, each trip offered pieces that could easily have remained beautiful souvenirs – but here, they became an integral part of the design language of the home.

We worked closely with them to shortlist artworks during their travels, choosing each piece with the apartment’s aesthetic in mind – not just in terms of colour, but also structure, scale, shape, and contrast. Every artwork was matched to a specific wall so that the composition of art and architecture felt intentional: a particular canvas to balance a long corridor, a textured piece to soften a strong panelled surface, a bold artwork to anchor a quieter corner.

 

Lighting was then layered carefully around these selections. At night, focused accent lighting and warm washes highlight the art without overwhelming the room, turning them into focal points that draw the eye. By day, the placement of each piece and its relationship to natural light was planned so that the artwork still holds its presence, rather than being washed out by the sun. The result is a home where travel memories are not just displayed, but curated into the spatial experience.

 

Opening up the living layout: partition, marble, and seating

Aparna One apartments are generously sized and intelligently planned, but like most builder-fitted homes, some partitions can limit how the living room flows. In this flat, we chose to extend a builder-provided partition wall to reimagine the seating layout. This extension allowed us to carve out a more comfortable and connected living arrangement – the room now feels larger, with better visual continuity between zones.​

To elevate the partition from a purely functional element to a design feature, we wrapped both sides with Italian marble detailing. The stone adds depth, light play, and a rich tactile quality that complements the project’s existing imported finishes, while visually anchoring the living area. It’s no longer “just a wall”; it becomes a subtle, sculptural backdrop for conversations, art, and everyday living.

 

A playful, colorful world for the kids

In contrast to the serene main spaces, the kids’ room is an explosion of joy and colour – carefully controlled so it still feels considered rather than chaotic. We brought in:

 

Vibrant accent colours that reflect the children’s energy.

A custom bookshelf in the shape of a tree, turning storage into a whimsical focal point.

A writing/creative wall with a triangular pattern, giving the children a dedicated place to draw, write, and dream.

Every element here is designed to evolve with them – playful today, adaptable for a more grown-up aesthetic tomorrow with minimal changes.

 

A pristine, functional kitchen with a social heart

Aparna One kitchens come with high-end specifications and a well-planned wet zone. Our client wanted to retain that sense of order and precision, but with an even more pristine, calm look. The palette stays light and clean, with careful attention to hardware, finishes, and storage so visual clutter is minimized.​

 

One specific lifestyle request shaped the heart of this space: a comfortable spot for quick breakfasts, especially for the kids in the morning rush. Instead of a typical linear breakfast ledge, we introduced a circular breakfast table within the kitchen zone. The round form softens the geometry of the cabinetry, encourages face-to-face interaction, and turns everyday moments – a hurried school-morning breakfast, a coffee break, a midnight snack – into something a bit more special and intimate.

 

Living luxury as a feeling, not just a finish

Aparna One, as a development, already brings the infrastructure of luxury – spectacular views, generous balconies, imported materials, smart home features, and an amenity-rich clubhouse. Our role in this apartment was to stitch that framework into a home that feels:​

 

Elegant at first glance, through crafted details like entrance panelling and Italian marble inserts.

Deeply personal, through the library wall, kids’ world, and breakfast corner that speak directly to how this family lives.

Quietly functional, with layouts and joinery that make daily routines smoother rather than more demanding.

 

In the end, this Aparna One residence is not just about high-end finishes; it’s about creating a calm, character-filled home in the heart of a high-rise luxury community – a place where every space reflects the family’s stories, habits, and future memories.