Modern, Rooted, Serene: Studio MG Crafts a Home That Feels Like Home

Studio MG’s latest project in Bangalore is a warm, grounded expression of design that bridges two worlds — the fast-paced rhythm of an urban city and the quiet soul of Kerala. Spread across 1,900 square feet, this three-bedroom home belongs to a client who wanted something personal — not flashy, not overly styled, just something that felt familiar, calm, and rooted. Originally from Kerala but now living in the heart of Bangalore, he reached out to Manisha Gandhi, principal designer at Studio MG, with a brief that was simple but full of feeling: bring a piece of home into the city.

For Manisha, that meant more than just adding a few regional touches. It meant building a story through material, detail, and layout — something tactile and textural that could capture the spirit of Kerala, while still being fully functional for a contemporary family of three (plus their dog). The result is a home that walks the line between modern and traditional with grace. Everything — from the arches to the furniture — feels like it belongs.

The layout includes three bedrooms and three bathrooms, a living room, dining space, open kitchen, foyer, and powder room. There’s a visual lightness to the space, even though every detail is intentional. Furniture and furnishings are selected for their form and feeling — nothing too ornate, nothing overly minimal. The mood is warm, relaxed, and tactile.

Step into the home, and the first thing you notice is the gentle presence of wood and cane. In the foyer, arched doorways and natural textures immediately set the tone. These arched entries are a reinterpretation of traditional Kerala homes — adapted here with cleaner lines and a more modern finish. Wood-panelled curves don’t just serve a decorative purpose; they’re part of how the home connects emotionally to its inspiration.

The living room continues the story. The palette leans into soft browns, beiges, and warm neutrals — supported by a mix of cane, wood, and fabric. The vintage atmosphere comes not from aged finishes, but from the honest use of natural materials. Arches make a return here too — this time sourced from antique furniture and traditional South Indian homes, then lovingly restored and brought into a new context.

The dining area flows easily from the living room. Arched cabinetry adds a sense of continuity, while a rustic dining table introduces a quiet Wabi-Sabi quality — the kind of beauty that’s found in age, imperfection, and simplicity. A hand-carved wooden pillar stands nearby, inspired by South Indian temple architecture. It doesn’t dominate the space but adds a sculptural touch that deepens the design story. The adjacent kitchen, designed in an open-plan layout, takes a more contemporary turn with asymmetric ceiling lamps, soft-toned cabinetry, and integrated warm lighting. The whole area feels current but never clinical — grounded by wood, layered lighting, and clean finishes.

Each bedroom carries the same tone — simple, calming, and functional. The master bedroom strikes a thoughtful balance between modern minimalism and regional detailing. It doesn’t try too hard, and that’s its strength. The children's bedroom is more open, with space for movement and play, and the guest room continues the blend of traditional and contemporary, keeping the material palette consistent throughout the home.

There’s something intuitive about how this space comes together. Every detail seems to serve a purpose — whether visual or emotional. Cane, terrazzo, sage-green finishes, reclaimed wood, and natural fabrics all work quietly in the background, creating a layered experience rather than a styled set. The project doesn’t rely on statement pieces. Instead, it celebrates the kind of everyday beauty that often gets overlooked — the way light hits a carved pillar, the grain of aged wood, or the soft dip of a handmade chair.

As Manisha Gandhi puts it, the home is “a confluence of natural materials, heritage details, and a clean modern aesthetic, shaped by a unique client-designer synergy.” And it shows. What could have been a theme-based home becomes something far more personal — a space that gently carries its heritage while making room for a present-day lifestyle. The home manages to feel fresh but rooted, tactile but uncluttered, expressive but not loud. It’s not a statement. It’s a feeling.

Located in the heart of Bangalore but echoing the slower rhythms of Kerala, this home is a quiet success story — a reminder that good design doesn’t always need to shout. Sometimes, it just needs to listen.

Fact File

Project name: Varnam

Design firm: Studio MG

Area (in sqft): 1900 Sqft

Location: Bangalore, India

Principal Designer: Manisha Gandhi

Photographer: Justin Sebastian

Instagram: @_studio_m.g