The homeowners asked Pooja Gupta, founder and principal designer, I-Design Studios, to design a comfortable and inviting home with country decor à la français. “The homeowners wanted personal touches in the form of objects and furniture with fascinating backstories. They didn’t want a space that was overtly classical or stuffy. To give the house soul, we displayed their treasure trove of cherished pieces collected over the years from their travels. These are curios and artefacts full of sentiment and nostalgia, which add substance to the overarching theme,” says Gupta.

Houzz at a Glance

Who lives here:  A family of three

Location: Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Year built: 2019

Size: 280 square metres (3000 square feet); 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms

Interior and design firm: I-Design Studios

The main door opens into an entryway flanked by an eclectic golden-faceted console that stands against the backdrop of a mirrored wall with panel moulding. Displayed on the console are curios and artefacts. The space sets the tone for the French countryside decor, which merges classic elegance with au naturel aesthetics, creating a balance between glamour and comfort.

Next to the console is the waiting area with a pair of wingback chairs, complemented by artwork in painted baroque frames on the wall. The furniture throughout the house is custom made.

The waiting area leads to an L-shaped living room. “Recognisable signifiers of the timeless French style were incorporated in the living area – be it the inviting turquoise Chesterfield sofa with embroidered patterns, gracefully rendered architectural details, Grecian sculptures, or the antique Girandole-style chandelier,” says Gupta. Panel moulding frames the wall behind the sofa and lends an embellished look.

The living room opens into the dining area that provides continuity to the design narrative with muted egg-shell hued walls, mid-century modern dining table and chairs, and vintage artefacts.

Adjacent to the dining table is an intricately carved bar with an onyx countertop. The bar is backlit to create a warm and inviting space.

“The master bedroom is steeped in a calm colour palette, has clean lines and is unfussy to maintain. It also opens up to the terrace garden,” says Gupta. “The material palette and accessories were cherry-picked from both local and international brands to dovetail with the design scheme.”

White distressed-finish texture on the wall behind the bed lends a hint of shabby chic.

A media room was designed especially for the man of the house. It features top-of-the-line equipment, including a karaoke system and recliners for a cosy ambience.

“The terrace garden adjoining the living room and the bedroom is the spot of which we are the most proud. It is here that a charming farmhouse narrative unspools with a beautiful pergola, airy wicker furniture, mirrors framed in rings sliced from a hollow tree trunk, oodles of potted plants, and a menagerie of ceramic animals. This is a place where the family comes together to cuddle, to catch up – while taking in the sweeping views of the green expanse of garden,” says Gupta.

A vertical plant garden and an upholstered peacock-hued settee add to the verdant surroundings.