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A home beyond walls: Custom Design Stories’ 4,000 sq. ft. penthouse in Gurgaon is a tapestry of textures and warm hues
- Style Essentials Edit Team
- 50 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Unfolding across two serene levels, Mr̥ttikā, a 4,000 sq. ft. penthouse in Gurgaon designed by Custom Design Stories, is imagined as a slow, steady dialogue between material honesty and spatial rhythm. The home opens in a quiet foyer where warm timber flooring sets the tone for a palette that stays true to earth, craft, and subtle tactility. Flanking this entrance is a study-cum-guest bedroom and an enlarged kitchen, both reworked through civil changes that open up the plan and allow light and air to flow more generously.
From here, a continuous stretch of wooden flooring forms the central spine of the home, leading through the dining area, the compact bar, and the living space. Along this axis, the double-height volume containing the redesigned staircase rises with gentle confidence, becoming the sculptural anchor of the home. “Reworking the staircase became a pivotal gesture,” notes Aditya. “We lightened the original form by almost an entire flight, allowing the layout to breathe and feel more fluid and conversational.” This intervention also carved out space for a small yet efficient bar, tying the kitchen and dining into one seamless, social zone. The spine eventually settles into a calm, formal living room that feels like the natural crescendo of the home's layout.
Brick plays a steady, practical role across the common areas. In the living room, its natural texture forms the backdrop for everyday use- the TV wall, the built-in wooden shelves, a couple of reading spots, and smaller corners that naturally slow the room down. The furniture sits against it: pieces in wood, cane, and soft upholstery that feel comfortable and familiar, almost as if they’ve been part of the home for a while rather than added for effect.
The dining and kitchen zone sits comfortably in the middle of the home. A solid-wood table, finished with kohle powder, becomes the practical anchor of the space. Opposite it, the mint-green kitchen framed in white stone and wood keeps the area light and functional. Nothing feels forced; the materials sit together in a straightforward, almost familiar way that comes from lived experience rather than dramatic contrasts.
Upstairs, the staircase leads to a landing where a small family lounge breaks the circulation and provides the upper level a casual pause. The master suite continues the home’s understated mood with soft greens, block-printed fabrics, rattan shutters, and warm timber details. Across the passage is a quieter guest room, and the nursery has a livelier palette suited to a child’s space. Each room feels different in pace and requirement, and the design responds to those needs without showiness.
What stands out in Mr̥ttikā is its restraint. The palette doesn’t try to make statements; instead, brick, wood, and concrete appear in their natural state, and the textiles bring in a sense of comfort without overwhelming the spaces. The plan stays open and easy, making room for both everyday routines and gatherings. Nothing feels staged. It’s a home shaped by use, light, and the straightforward honesty of its materials.
Fact File
Project name: Mr̥ttikā
Design firm: Custom Design Stories
Area: 4,000 sq ft
Location: Gurugram
Principal designers: Ananya Sharma and Aditya Tognatta
Photographer: Lalatendu Nayak
Instagram: @the_cds_diary
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