GRECIAN GETAWAY

Escape to a Greek-inspired oasis in Hyderabad by Ameet Mirpuri, who has transformed a cramped apartment into a plush weekend home

- VARUNI MOHAN

There is something special when a project takes shape through word-of-mouth recommendations and that was how principal designer of Design Studio, Ameet Mirpuri was approached to craft this pied-à-terre in Hyderabad. The starting point for this weekend home was a cramped three-bedroom apartment, devoid of natural light, but homeowners Y. Gopi Rao, a businessman in the horse racing industry, and his wife, Anjali Rao, envisioned a one-bedroom getaway, bathed in light and vitality. Ameet reflects, “Take us to Greece! That was the only brief. Now we had to re-invent and make that our own. I was always sure I wanted to instill a sense of luxury into this concept.” The design process was a harmonious collaboration with the homeowners, who sought a second home for entertainment and relaxation. Ameet fondly recalls, “The client and I were all on the same page from day one about the design. The beauty of this ground floor apartment is its direct access to the greenery outside.” Gopi Rao shares, “We live in Hyderabad and stay elsewhere, but when we feel like travelling abroad, we move in here for a few days, especially on weekends.”