Some homes are roughly sketched on a piece of paper, some are even meticulously laid out in blueprints, however, there are a few brought to life through earnest conversations. Casa Conversazione, a small-scale yet exceptional Mumbai residence spread across 940 sq ft belongs to the latter category. Brainchild of Shailesh Iyer, an expert in residential interiors, architecture, all things design and founder of his eponymous practice, this home did not emerge from a single eureka moment. “The entire design process was lived upon each meeting,” explains Shailesh. It grew naturally over the span of two years, shaped by countless conversations between him and a family who dared to reimagine what their small space could become.
Dialogue in design
The client’s brief was simple yet a little complex: simple because he wanted a “dream house that serves his kids, wife and himself”, and a little intricate as he envisioned a technologically proficient home with just a touch of antique. Iyer sprung into action, thrilled to execute a thoughtful dialogue that can mold spaces with contemporary sleekness with antique echoes. The journey begins at the entrance where a sleek wallpapered space with capsule-panelled walls quietly conceals utility, transforming the DB board and kitchen access into details of gentle intrigue. The rooms open out, revealing a living and dining area designed to “feel bigger and to hold your attention,” in the words of Iyer. Here, Italian marble with a rough finish curves into warm veneer, framing open shelves and low drawers. The sofa wraps around a bespoke marble-topped centre table, its composition deliberate. “The space had two goals,” Iyer explains, “to feel bigger and to hold your attention.”
Material magic and illusions
Inspiration is everywhere, but who knew a cafe downstairs can provide the outline for Casa Conversazione’s temple! A wooden-clad cafe column became the inspiration for the family’s place of worship, which now acts as a pillar-shaped shrine anchoring the room. What actually makes this home special is the judicious and intelligent play of materials and illusions. To amplify the sense of space, a mirror panels the side of the dining unit, reflecting light and movement to double the perceived volume. Adjacent, a crockery-cum-bar area features fluted wooden shutters that slide open or closed, allowing the space to adapt effortlessly—bar revealed for entertaining, crockery displayed for everyday grace. A chandelier cascades illumination across the dining table, crafted on-site with extreme precision, while the sofa backdrop layers fluted wooden pattis in a minimalist design, punctuated by a highlighter circle for a clock.
The passage area stays seamless as the bedroom and bathroom entrances disappear into the overall composition. The handles were chosen after a serendipitous moment: a flower-shaped wardrobe handle, discovered mid-selection, became a motif repeated subtly throughout. Moving on, the design language extends to the master bedroom with rough Italian black marble paired alongside fluted and plain veneer, all unified by a particular shade of blue chosen for its “soothing and chill effect.” The wardrobe ingeniously incorporates open spaces for artifacts while the TV unit extends into a study area, creating a bay-like workspace.
Evolving elegance
The most dramatic transformation belongs to the kids’ room. When asked whether they preferred two rooms or one, the elder sister’s idea to merge spaces unlocked some very unique possibilities. The result is a single, expansive room separated by a walk-in wardrobe, possibly one of the project’s most innovative solutions! The room’s crown jewel, a drop-down projector system with integrated 5.1 sound, transforms the space into a private cinema, while the dark ceiling provides the dramatic punch that ties everything together.
Throughout this residence, technology slips quietly into the background: automation, integrated AV, and clever circulation serve the rhythms of modern family life without sacrificing warmth or context. Everywhere, a dialogue persists between the tactile and the technological, antique and modern, openness and retreat. “The idea was to feel the natural form of elements and experience the senses with technology, but always with simplicity,” elaborates Iyer.
Casa Conversazione’s favorite element, as per Iyer, “Marble integrated with veneer showcasing and highlighting the applied paint (PU finish),” reveals the project’s core: a celebration of textures that feel alive. It also is a gentle reminder that the best homes, like Rome, aren’t built in a day—they are nurtured through constructive conversations and allowed to evolve organically from the dreams of those who will call them their home, their safe space.
Fact file:
Project Name: Casa Conversazione
Design Firm: Shailesh Iyer Designs
Contracting: Royal Enterprises (Akmal Sayyed)
Location: Mumbai, India
Area: 940 sq ft
Principal Designer: Shailesh Iyer
Photography: Abhishek Sawant
Styling Credits: Ar. Sajal Bane