Private residence 2, Mumbai, India

Following on from a successful project in 2007, Chelsea Lighting Design was invited back to Mumbai to look at proposals for an even more challenging undertaking involving the renovation of a spectacular traditional interior and the integration of a modern lighting solution.

The residence had remained unoccupied for some time and an initial visit revealed the enormous potential for transforming the collection of rooms, some of them double height, into a series of splendid living and entertainment spaces, each with their own unique character.

The traditional interior of the double height main reception hall is decorated almost entirely with intricately carved marble and pink sandstone, painstakingly cleaned and restored by hand over a period of six years by a small team of craftsmen from Rajasthan in the north of India.  The relief decoration creates a textural quality throughout and required careful consideration of the lighting to bring out the inherent richness and beauty.

By contrast the area beyond, allocated for dining and relaxation with guests, is a part double height room with beautifully carved timber panels and balustrade to an upper gallery level overlooking the main area.

The striking traditional setting of the interior has been skilfully offset by the owners fine and varied collection of contemporary Indian artwork. The owner's involvement and enthusiasm also provided a clear and personal contribution leading to the final design solution.

The architectural lighting is arranged and controlled to define the spaces and enhance the rich textural qualities. It is supplemented by modern decorative lighting, including hand-dyed silk STAND BY pendants by Aqua Creations in rich colours cascading down into the dining space from the gallery level. An AEROS pendant, by Ross Lovegrove for Louis Poulsen creates a perfect contemporary focal point suspended above a low table centred on the seating area, with references to the traditional forms in the pierced decoration of its shade. A pair of GLOW pendants by Pallucco, finished in burnished brass, introduce a contemporay sculptural element to complement the magnificent brass doors at the far end of the main reception hall.

After two years of involvement the project is nearing completion in 2010.