Designers Jasem Pirani and Huzefa Rangwala of the Mumbai‑based studio MuseLAB have completed a 3,000‑square‑foot apartment in Thane that demonstrates how a narrow tonal range can still feel layered and engaging. The project was commissioned by a couple with two sons who asked for a light, neutral colour scheme that would feel calm and cohesive without becoming dull.
Design brief and palette development
From the outset, Pirani and Rangwala worked from a brief that emphasized “light, neutral palette that felt calm and cohesive without, however, feeling prosaic.” To meet that challenge, the designers assembled a mood board rich in texture and material, focusing on subtle variation rather than stark contrast. “It was not easy to develop a palette that sits within a narrow tonal range and still feels layered,” they noted. “On a mood board, everything can start to look flat.”
To avoid flatness, the team selected a very light veneer—almost white—to complement a material palette of beiges, warm ivories and soft ecru. The goal was for every surface to appear quiet and refined, with material transitions taking precedence over high‑contrast juxtapositions. This approach allowed visual interest to emerge through texture, light and shadow while staying within the tonal constraints.
Living space and material innovation
The apartment’s living area spans roughly 900 sq ft and is defined by fluid, curving forms rather than sharp angles. A ribbon‑like wall greets visitors at the main entrance, while the ceiling features concentric circles that echo the floor’s geometry. The overall layout follows a sequence of circles set within a square‑like volume, subtly delineating zones for conversation, dining and a coffee hideout.
One of the most distinctive interventions is the marble‑inlay floor. The designers sought a terrazzo‑like appearance without using traditional terrazzo. They turned to Lake Placid Quartzite, a durable stone that was cut into terrazzo‑style chips using water‑jet technology. These chips were then embedded into marble slabs, creating a composite surface that mimics terrazzo while remaining a single stone material. The inlay consists of three concentric rings that align precisely with the ceiling circles above, reinforcing the design’s circular motif.
Because the inlay was fabricated off‑site and installed later, the process demanded a high degree of accuracy in both production and placement. The designers emphasized that “since the inlay was done off‑site and laid on site later, it demanded a high level of accuracy during production and installation.”
A spa‑style pool runs the length of the balcony, reflecting water across the living space and adding a dynamic element of light. In addition, a curved alcove in the living area was transformed into a coffee corner at the clients’ request. The client runs a small‑batch coffee brand, and the partner works in the incense business; both enjoy the ritual of morning coffee, making the nook a functional and personal feature.
Private areas and personal touches
The primary bedroom continues the neutral theme with shades of sandy taupe and dominant curves. An arched headboard crafted from Movingue White veneer is cut into abstract patterns and polished to varying depths, creating a subtle play of light. Scalloped motifs frame the bay window, offering a framed view of the spa pool below.
The designers explained that the colour palette for the bedroom was shaped entirely by the clients’ calm, grounded personalities, observed during early meetings. “That energy was important to reflect in the design,” they said.
The sons’ bedrooms introduce a playful contrast, featuring electric green and steel blue accents while echoing the home’s recurring motifs. The parents’ bedroom retains a more mature aesthetic but still incorporates the signature curves that run throughout the apartment.
Overall, Pirani and Rangwala describe the project as a study in balance. “There is a quiet indulgence to it,” they observed. “It is textural without being heavy, and minimal without being cold.” The apartment demonstrates how disciplined restraint, thoughtful material selection and precise execution can transform a neutral colour scheme into a richly layered living environment.
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