Pinakin Patel not just loves the verdant vistas of Alibaug, he uses them to advantage in his two-acre plot. The vibrant courtyard that is often used for entertaining
Pinakin Patel may do business in bustling Mumbai (his store, Pinakin, is among the swishiest furniture outlets in town), but it's at serene Alibaug that he chooses to live and work. Far from the madding big city crowds, Patel has built himself a home in the scenic environs of a hamlet just 108 km away. A fourhour drive takes him to Mumbai once a month, the rest of his days are spent designing and creating furniture and accessories at his studio, right next to his house.

As you step off the car outside his two-acre estate, you know why Patel has made this his home. Where else would you get such lavish greenery, such a vast land expanse and such wonderful vistas? You enter through a garden and courtyard surrounded by tall trees and a profusion of flowering shrubs. A wooden canopy resting on tall Rajasthani columns arrests the eye as do the ochre and orange boundary walls. From the varied seating arrangements of outdoor furniture on display, it's clear that this is where Patel does his entertaining. The beige and grey living room
"The construction material and design impart a local flavour to the house which reflects a firm relationship and understanding of the environment," says Patel. Indeed, the house has been laid out in a manner that sees the outdoors merging seamlessly with the indoors, giving it the feel of an airy garden house. No matter which part of the house you're in, you're sure to get more than a good glimpse of the greenery outside.

Patel is a firm believer of nurturing one's roots, so ultra modern though the decor may be here, the sensibilities are purely Indian. So, alongside furniture in sleek, straight lines (almost every piece in the house has been designed by Patel), there's a pichhwai in the corridor as well as a Tanjore in the dining area. The main seating space in the living room is all Indian. Patel has designed a low takhtlike wooden base upon which he has placed a large mattress with bolsters and cushions. Old gadda gets a modern twist
Very traditional in style, though the treatment, colours and upholstery give the piece a totally contemporary feel. "This makes a good converging point for indoor games, snoozing or just chatting over cups of tea," says Patel. However, for sofasitters, there are enough teakwood couches and armchairs to go around.

Known to bring alive the smallest of spaces with innovative design, Patel has turned the narrow corridor that connects the living and dining rooms into a mini art gallery. One wall displays works by Jehangir Sabavala, Jogen Chowdhury and Sakti Burman, another showcases the afore-mentioned pichhwai, bought from a market in Rajasthan. The dining room with its dazzling wall mosaic
If the living room is subtle in soft grey and beige tones, the dining room is sheer drama. A spectacular10-seater mirror-table is flanked by white leather chairs. A glass mosaic wall panel from Bisazza grabs the eyeballs, imparting instant glamour to the space. "The coexistence of yoga and bhoga is my signature. The pichhwai brings alive a narrow corridor
I can be a monastic minimal and frugal and, at the same time, luxurious, sensual and indulgent," says Patel. The master bedroom goes back to a subtle pallette, enlivened only by a vibrant Husain. It forms the perfect backdrop for the low bed. The shelves that run alongside the wood-panelled wall behind the bed make for a interesting feature while the French windows provide a great view of the outside. The study has similar windows, again with a garden view. this room is divided into two very specific zones- one meant for toiling at the workstation and the other built for relaxation, with a handsome black couch sitting alongside the windows.

All in all, Patel's home pays obeisance to the past without in any way getting shackled by it.
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