A MATCH MADE IN DESIGN

This Pune home by AMPM Designs is a beautiful example of artfully balancing contrasts

- VARUNI MOHAN

In the city of Pune, a young couple’s dream home is able to hold space for different cultural backgrounds and contrasting sensibilities. This 6,000 sq ft residence, designed by Poonam and Akash Mehta of AMPM Designs, beautifully marries the contrasting tastes of the young homeowners – a Tamilian husband and a Punjabi wife – to create a space that is both glamorous and comfortable. While the husband has a penchant for sleek lines and a monochrome palette, the wife favours brighter hues and floral patterns. From the moment the couple met with Poonam and Akash, there was an instant connection. Poonam’s childhood in Chennai gave her an understanding of the husband's cultural nuances, which was crucial in designing the home temple. This laid the groundwork for a design process that started with a series of coffee dates where the designers really got to know the homeowners. “We even met with their twin eight-year-old boys, to understand their fascination with outer space. This inspired their bedroom’s astronaut theme, complete with a playful rocket-shaped storage unit,” says Poonam.