Old-World Soul with Contemporary Edge: House of Katha’s Retro Reverie Reimagines a 40-Year-Old Bangalore Home

Tucked into the leafy bylanes of Bangalore, a 40-year-old apartment on Hayes Road has been reimagined as a deeply personal home for a young couple in their twenties. Spanning 1,100 square feet, the space carries the quiet charm of an older Bangalore neighbourhood, one shaped by colonial bungalows and lingering Art Deco influences. To reinterpret this setting without erasing its character, the couple turned to Pratyusha Kethinedi, founder of House of Katha, whose design approach is rooted in storytelling, emotion, and context.

The brief emerged through long conversations rather than fixed references. The homeowners, free-spirited and drawn to jazz, speakeasy bars, and nostalgic atmospheres, wanted a space that felt intimate, layered, and unapologetically expressive. The result, aptly titled Retro Reverie, balances vintage sensibilities with a bold, contemporary attitude.

Context played a defining role from the outset. Inspired by the architectural rhythm of the surrounding neighbourhood, the home opens with a dramatic foyer that immediately signals its personality. An arched entryway, echoing arches visible from the balcony, becomes a recurring motif. This threshold is heightened by a striking tiger-print wallpaper, setting the tone for a home that favours emotion and individuality over restraint.

As a leased property, the design relied on impactful yet reversible interventions. The living room becomes the heart of the home, imagined as an intimate cocktail lounge. Here, dark academia-inspired colour drenching is offset by generous natural light. Plush velvets, rustic wood, Parisian theatre prints, and Indian artefacts coexist in a carefully balanced composition. Maximalism is embraced, but never without intention.

Velvet takes centre stage, most notably through a Sabyasachi jaguar-print suede that became an instant favourite. A custom cane TV unit references vintage furniture traditions, while a deep black rug anchors the space with quiet solidity. Satin drapes complete the room, lending softness and theatricality in equal measure.

The adjoining bar area continues the narrative with wood panelling and a lively, conversation-starting wallpaper. At its centre sits a bespoke table crafted in Indian green marble, wood, and brass, a functional sculptural piece that captures the home’s playful sophistication.

In the bedroom, a deep blue palette anchors the space, fulfilling a long-held wish of the homeowner while remaining aligned with the overall mood. A statement headboard in a subtly feminine fabric introduces contrast and refinement. The study offers a tonal shift, conceived as a calm, neutral retreat. Custom shelving accommodates the couple’s book collection, while a cherished Kashmiri rug adds personal history. Checkered curtains, styled with an unconventional drape, lend a quiet sense of intrigue.

Retro Reverie is ultimately a home shaped by memory, mood, and meaning. Rather than chasing trends, it reflects the lives and sensibilities of its inhabitants, proving that old-world charm and contemporary expression can coexist with confidence and ease.

Fact FileProject Name: Retro Reverie

Location: Hayes Road, Bangalore

Area: 1,100 sq ft

Typology: Residential

Principal Designer: Pratyusha Kethinedi

Design Firm: House of Katha

Photography: Arjun Krishna

Website: https://www.houseofkatha.in/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/house.of.katha/

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