When Remo D’Souza moved into his apartment, there was just one major requirement that the director-choreographer wanted. “My main thing was that when I walk into the house, it should be home. It should not be a film set.” He’s focused on the warm tones and cool vibes of his Mumbai house. Using that as a design lodestar, he and his wife went about creating a house that is a pretty perfect expression of that vision. Light walls, warm wooden flooring, comfortable furniture and appropriately restrained splashes of colour, everything has been chosen to make his house into a home.
“Everything in this house, the decor, furniture, detailing has all been done by Lizelle,” says Remo. This space is just what they wanted out of a home—a place of comfort, work, play, exercise, rest. “There are elements of me, elements of her, and everything together is this home,” says Remo. And if the inviting vibe and rather prominent pool table is anything to go by, then it is also a great place to entertain. “I love playing outdoor games, and we have a lot of friends and acquaintances who come over who challenge me to a game of pool.” RemoD’Souza’s sprawling apartment is a complete dream home. With stunning views, this quintessential Mumbai home is symbolic of their journey and success. “Over the last two years, the one thing we learned was that home truly was every place: office, gym, sanctuary. What it wasn’t was a place of entertainment. Now, as we slowly come out of the pandemic and its isolating consequences, and open our doors to friends, this home offers up some great tips to decorate your space as the go-to home for get-togethers.”
An open-concept living area that moves uninterrupted into the dining space — the casual, friendly vibe you are going for as a host. “It’s about making my guests feel comfortable and welcome and move around easily. It also ensures that as a host, you are not isolated if you pop into the kitchen for host duties. The wooden flooring that runs through the living area further ensures that sense of free-flowing space as well, which is a good tip to keep in mind.” Their bar cart is one of the most useful pieces of furniture to invest in if you enjoy hosting parties. “Our bar cart takes up little space, so if you have a compact home, it is a better option than a bar counter.
More importantly, it allows for a casual vibe where guests can prepare their drinks and you don’t have to be stuck behind a counter. Half the battle is won when you go with an open-plan living area.” Why, we ask? “The lack of walls ensures you have more floor space for furniture. But do ensure that the furniture pieces you choose aren’t heavy. That could end up eating up all that free floor space you covet, which allows guests to move about comfortably. Instead, bring in lighter, moveable furniture pieces, apart from the occasional accent chairs that make the right statement. You can pick out a three-seater sofa instead of a two-seater one that’s visually light with slim legs and doesn’t overwhelm the space.” He feels try and create smaller group seating arrangements too around the dining table, a corner of the sofa and a couple of chairs, even thrown in some large-sized pillows and bolsters on the floor if it’s a casual gathering. The options are numerous! ”
Apart from good food and great company, we throw a lot of house parties and to us it’s all about setting the right mood, and key to getting that perfect is the lighting. We chose a mixture of cove and spotlights along with decorative table lamps, floor lamps and wall sconces. We indulge in a little relaxing aromatherapy by placing pretty-looking, slow-burning scented candles on open shelves because to my wife they add to the decor even as they set the mood.” Making the most of their balcony too, the couple did is what, “Added in some comfortable seating there which is a cane chair and some upholstered stools. This creates yet another group seating. And if you have plants decorating it, then there’s nothing like some vibrant greens to add a refreshing vibe. You can even string some fairy lights across your balcony railing to enhance the mood.”
Basically for the popular choreographer, a minimal aesthetic is the go-to route to take. Too much clutter will just end up getting in the way for him! At the same time, he’s interested in bold artworks, statues and figures that can be conversation starters, souvenirs from trips, even a statement chair or coffee table to enhance the space. “Make use of any vintage pieces you might have to lend interest to the space. If quirky is your thing, then don’t hesitate to let it come through in your décor choices. Lastly, if you have some room and interest, a foosball table will ensure there’s never a dull moment. A dartboard in one corner of a room is also a good idea but make sure the backdrop is resilient enough to bare marks from stray darts. We have a pool table.”
