Imagine a home where every line, every pattern, and every detail tells a story of balance, creativity, and unity. That’s exactly what MuseLAB has achieved in their stunning Mumbai apartment, where the humble grid becomes the unsung hero of design. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can a simple geometric pattern truly transform a space into a masterpiece of both order and freedom? Let’s dive in and find out.
Located in the bustling Versova suburb of Mumbai, the 278-square-metre apartment, aptly named Gingham Dreams, is a testament to the power of repetition and variation. Designed by MuseLAB founders Jasem Pirani and Huzefa Rangwala, this multi-generational residence is a visual symphony of mosaic, checkerboard, and pixelated patterns, all inspired by the grid. But why the grid? Pirani and Rangwala explain, ‘The grid is a very simple element. It gives the space a sense of order and calm, yet it also allows the freedom to play and experiment with.’ And this is the part most people miss—the grid isn’t just a background player; it’s the star of the show, taking on ‘many roles’ throughout the home.
From the moment you step through the door, bordered with a dual-toned checkerboard veneer, the grid’s presence is undeniable. It extends onto walls, ceilings, and furniture, shifting in scale and expression. This repetition creates a ‘quiet continuity’ that unifies the home while allowing each space to feel distinct. The foyer opens into an expansive living, dining, and study area, where pastel-hued marble flooring—laid out in a grid, of course—sets the tone. But here’s the twist: the gridded floor is adorned with amoeboid forms and geometric shapes, mirrored on the ceiling in intricate moldings. It’s structure and spontaneity in perfect harmony.
One of the most striking features is the latticed wooden partition near the foyer, inspired by Japanese shoji screens. It separates the study from the living and dining spaces, adding a layer of elegance and functionality. ‘The materiality is a constant kit of parts,’ MuseLAB notes, with four varieties of marble crafted into inlay work. The color palette is equally bold, featuring fiery coral, pale blue, warm beige, and Lake Placid green, which manifest across floors, surfaces, and furniture like a vast canvas.
The kitchen, extending from the dining area, is anchored by a pastel-green quartzite island with a waterfall edge. At its base, a checkerboard pattern spreads onto the surrounding floor, reinforcing the grid’s dominance. This motif continues into the four bedrooms, each with checkerboard-patterned doors. In the primary bedroom, a veneer-clad false ceiling echoes the living room’s geometric flooring, while the kids’ bedroom features a rectangular grid wall from which twin beds appear to emerge. Here, veneer-clad wardrobes are decorated with coral and pastel-green mosaic patterns, a theme that carries into the ensuite with its pixelated vanity and amoeba-shaped mirror.
The guest bedroom doubles as an activity room, with a foldaway bed concealed behind a powder-blue wall. Dual-toned veneer-clad wardrobes and geometric floating shelves wrap the remaining walls, while mosaic wainscoting, latticed lampshades, and pixelated bathroom tiling further emphasize the grid’s versatility. Even the furniture joins the party, with upholstery featuring pixelated patterns in earthy tones.
Artwork plays a key role too, with sculptures by Sycaro and pieces by Hands & Minds, Coffee Stain Designs, and Keph Design Studio scattered throughout the apartment. As Pirani and Rangwala put it, ‘At its heart, this home is about feeling grounded yet free, a warm, playful space where structure quietly gives way to everyday life, memories, and togetherness.’
But here’s the question: Does the grid’s omnipresence risk feeling overly rigid, or does it succeed in creating a sense of harmony? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. And while you ponder that, check out other Indian residences featured on Dezeen, like a weekend retreat in Bengaluru by Taliesyn or a moat-surrounded multi-generational home near Hyderabad by 23 Degrees Design Shift. Photography by Nayan Soni captures every detail of this grid-centric masterpiece.
Read more about residential architecture, pixels, Mumbai, India, grids, multi-generational homes, MuseLAB, and interiors to explore how design can shape our lives in unexpected ways.
