To walk around the sea-salted arrondissement of Colaba in South Mumbai is to long for a glimpse behind the bougainvillea-covered gates and balconies. Lofty, high Gothic palazzi, divided into storied apartments and sporting quaint European names, turn even a stroll into a reverent pilgrimage. The patina and style found nestled in the boulevards and lanes, many of which were once canals flowing between the buildings, conjure a (wholly romanticized) vision of an occidental Venice. Dublin-born interior architect, designer, and advisor Cormac Lynch has made his home here, imbuing his graceful apartment with a style that triumphantly mingles the two cultures he calls home.
In the splendid drawing room, swagged curtains distil the morning light as it falls onto the assembled silks in hues of yellow. “The shape of the room reminded me of Nancy Lancaster’s ‘Butta Yella’ drawing room in Mayfair,” he explains as coffee is brought in. “Whilst I could have lived in a contemporary interior, I was inspired to create a traditional Indian version of that room—in bright, crisp Peking yellow. The unique quality of Lancaster’s room was derived mainly from her bold plan to use as many different shades of yellow as possible. My philosophy here is very similar—lots and lots of yellows, gold, canary, ochre, lemon….” He waves an arm in contagious enthusiasm. “I studied colour psychology and yellow promotes happiness and optimism, as well as fostering strong analytical thinking.” Such a lateral approach is typical of Cormac’s design ethic.
Original text by Cormac Lynch.
Don’t Shy Away From Dark Hues
A custom walnut and brass coffee table by Artless Corporation is layered with Indian antiques from 1st Dibs; a Mughal motif serving tray, an Anglo Indian chessboard from the 1900s, and a tea and coffee service set from the 1800s.
Jenna Peffley
Leading into the entertainment area, the Jaswa’s wedding attire by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla—hangs as art truly imbued with meaning. A 20-foot custom banquette is finished in Perennials Fabric and made by Kroll Furniture.
Jenna Peffley
Hand-painted Phuljari murals by de Gournay, bone inlay tables, and striking copper leaf details—this San Francisco home, designed by Alexis Banks Humiston, reverberates with an Indian spirit. Thoughtful interventions of the clients’ heritage culminate in the pièce de résistance—a dramatic 2,500-square-foot entertainment area that feels like a heady blend of a Mumbai speakeasy and a British members’ club. It features an extensive 20-foot banquette, wet bar, wine display, art display, silk-lined powder room, and media room. A rich indigo hue is swathed across the walls and ceiling in the form of a custom Phuljari silk wallpaper by de Gournay. Bone inlay cocktail tables dot the space, silk paisley fabrics are layered across seating areas, and a striking copper leaf is hand-applied onto the ceiling alcoves. “We added European design elements to reflect the clients’ love of travel,” says Humiston. “We also added a drum set and several pieces of art that reflect their love and practice of music.”