A majestic and colourful home in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, where excess was not seen as such. This maximalist space embodies every bit of grandeur from the moment you walk through the front door. You are immediately transported to a different world filled with bold colours and rich textiles, making this a luxuriously tactile home as you take in the Indian, Moroccan and Persian influences that surround you.
Interior designer Sashya Thind worked with the homeowner and entrepreneur Krishna Gupta to create a grand experience with visual references that masterfully mix and match the imperial styles of these different cultures.
‘Krishna had some pretty audacious ideas and thought our Indian backgrounds, along with my usually minimalist aesthetic, would balance out his ideas,’ remembers Sashya. ‘He wanted me to create a palatial experience. Krishna was also specific about wanting to entertain his friends, family and business alliances within the home.’ says Sashya.
‘He is deeply inspired by Napoleon, and thus we created a Napoleonic living room. He also spent considerable time in Morocco and lived with a Moroccan room mate, leading us to create a tea room inspired by the country. Krishna’s home is a direct result of all his travels, the architectural cues being drawn from palaces, mosques and his heritage.’
This home has quite a history of its own, having been designed back in 1865 by William R. Jones, with photos of it placed in the Metropolitan Museum. It is only one of around 40 single-family homes in Cambridge on the National Register of Historic Places. While Sashya and Krishna therefore maintained the exterior to hold on to its existing heritage, they updated the interiors in every way they could, while retaining the existing flooring, walls and the overall structure of the home.
The walls are painted in rich jewel tones, such as emerald green and deep navy blue, while the floors are covered in intricately patterned tiles that draw the eye. The bold interiors are also filled with an immersive collection of artworks and hand-crafted pieces, reflecting a sense of heritage throughout the space. The furniture is a perfect mix of styles, with plush velvets and ornately carved wooden chairs that have been upholstered in Indian fabrics. One of the most striking features of this home is the use of tapestries and rugs to add texture and warmth to the space.
Persian rugs adorn the floors, while Indian tapestries have been hung on the walls to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. The bright colours and intricate patterns of these textiles add a sense of playfulness to the space that is hard to resist.
A careful look throughout the home showcases the peacock motif, a beloved symbol of many Eastern empires, and a representation of the Hindu deity Krishna (the God of protection, compassion and tenderness). The living room displays a beautiful mural across the ceiling, designed by Sashya in collaboration with local artist Tasha Cough, while at the front entrance, ornate wall decor with little nods to this gracious bird can be seen.
‘The project took two years to complete from start to finish, and I had to break out of my minimalist thinking to meet Krishna where he was,’ mentions Sashya. ‘ I come from a culture where we embrace colour, texture and textiles and it drove that decision-making process. But there was plenty of back and forth between us, pushing the design further and further. I wouldn’t have been able to create this design on my own and am grateful for the involvement of Krishna and his voice throughout.
We designed the space together and it turned out beautifully.’ Overall, this maximalist design with a minimalist touch is a feast for the senses, with its bold colours, intricate patterns, and playful textures. It’s a space that celebrates different cultures and traditions with heritage at its heart.
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