Residential

A 12,000 sq ft Bengaluru residence for a C-suite executive of a billion-dollar global company and his wife, a Vice President at a billion-dollar organisation — the home in which Temple Town first gave its design language a name: Heirloom Modernism.

A holiday retreat in the green outskirts of Kochi for a young family based in the US — exposed brick, lime plaster, reclaimed timber and antique Indian pieces, composed into a home that feels one with nature.

A 2,000 sq ft Bengaluru home for a young family, two small boys and a grandmother — built around the heirlooms they brought from Kerala, with European forms and Indian craft in every room.

A four-bedroom Kochi apartment for a family returning from decades in the US — Kerala furniture and classic European style, an heirloom collection in the making, and every modern comfort hidden from sight.

Temple Town's interiors for an 1,800 sq ft apartment — earthy tones, built-in storage and classic pieces, designed to move between family home and adult space.

A meticulous two-year restoration in Thrissur, where 8,000 sq ft of original architecture was brought back and then furnished for modern living.

Temple Town's interiors for a Kochi backwater apartment, designed for a family returning from a decade in London — Notting Hill drama in a Kerala setting.

A US-based couple gets closer to their roots in this evocative Kochi home Pairing ethnic Keralan furniture with classic European styles, interior designer Meera Pyarelal designs a four-bedroom sanctuary for an expat couple to visit, and stay closer to, their parents   13 April 2024 Justin Sebastian When the Pareiras—a couple based in the United States with their three daughters—chanced upon Meera Pyarelal’s work at their friend’s home and later visited her handmade-furniture store, they were drawn to the charming colonial styles that echoed across her designs. “Like many expats, they were constantly yearning being closer to home and their roots; and they bought this place to be closer to both their parents to take more care of them as they grow older. This was tremendously heartwarming to hear and immediately told me a lot about them as a family,” recalls Pyarelal, who chanced upon interior design after designing her own apartment in 1999. This led to starting her bespoke heritage-inspired furniture label, Temple Town, out of her husband’s garage, which today retails in two stores in Thrissur and Kochi. An old wooden ceiling found in Rajasthan hangs above the monotone Fabienne sofa custom-made at Temple Town.  Justin Sebastian “The couple is very house proud, and longed for a home here, especially after their three daughters had grown up and moved out for university and work. They wanted to build a collection of heritage pieces and art in this Kochi home, which could eventually be handed down as heirlooms in the family, or even taken back to their home in the US,” Pyarelal looks back at the Pareiras’ vision for their 5,000-square-foot four-bedroom apartment. While the colonial-style inspired space visually unfolds like an ancestral home with charming and intricate vintage designs in every corner, every form of modern day creature comfort has been quietly tucked away behind clever paneling. A painting by Suneesh, a local artist, depicts sisters which Pyarelal chose as a symbol for the relationship between the couple’s three daughters; an antique door salvaged from a home in Kerala has been repurposed for the top of the living’s room coffee table with legs designed by the firm’s workshop, which have been inspired by traditional Keralan massage beds.  Justin Sebastian A Haven To Grow Old In One of the biggest asks for this Kochi home was a muted, soothing palette for a sense of calm for the couple’s now-ageing parents. Pyarelal, who has a penchant for tastefully playing with colour—adding accent points in her spaces with bright, jewel-toned pieces or textiles—achieved this by keeping the bedroom spaces neutral, and adding hints of colour in the common rooms. “The turquoise console at the entrance is the brightest colour I’ve used to open up the home. From there, you’ll see small bursts through the art or some of the upholstery, but overall, there are far more pared down hues and tones than I’d usually use.”   A collection of antique crystal lights, collected over the years by Pyarelal in Firozabad, have been strung together as a chandelier over the ten-seater Kerala teak dining table paired with Louis XVI chairs; a cast iron mirror hangs over a wooden console held together with repurposed balustrades.  Justin Sebastian Another challenge, “which was the trickiest,” accordingly to Pyarelal, was uniformly continuing the heritage essence of the home while fitting in every modern-day appliance, gadget and technology the family was used to. “After living in the States for so many decades, they were reliant on far more home automation than most homes here, and we had to make sure every room was fitted with it; without a single wire, electric point or device visible in clear sight!” The kitchen across the dining room has been fitted with the latest fittings and automations—all cleverly tucked away behind strategic panelling to retain the home’s heritage charm.  Justin Sebastian To cleverly tackle this, the home entertainment system has been tucked away behind a teak console in the living room, with a projector rolled up behind a panel above. Similarly, strategic panelling in the royal blue kitchen has hidden every functional appliance—from the dishwasher to the chimney. A master bedroom has been designed for an air of serenity with tussar silk cladded mouldings paired with hand-sketched landscapes. “There’s a sense of calm that has been created in this room by using furniture and accessories made only from natural materials which balances the muted colour scheme,” shares Pyarelal.  Justin Sebastian Crafting Heritage “India is always my biggest inspiration,” Pyarelal fondly proclaims, when describing her work and knack for collecting unique pieces across the country. “I have an entire godown of furniture, lights and objects, which I’ve discovered over the years. There’s never any particular reason I buy them—if it has an interesting story or made in an unusual way, I know it will eventually find the perfect home.” An emperor-size bed fits all three daughters, who love to huddle together during vacations; square mouldings on the wall behind pay homage to heritage American homes.  Justin Sebastian Each home she designs unfurls like a story, largely through its furniture, which is either built from scratch with inspiration from historical pieces or restored at Temple Town’s workshop. Pyarelal coins this to her love for heritage styles, with mid-century being the closest to contemporary she’ll ever come to. “I always learn about the client’s history before bringing their home to life, and more often than not, there’s something I’ve collected or built that can echo that in their spaces. A set of flop-down rails on each side of the parent’s bed have been fitted for safety; while a trundle bed removes all ambiguity for accommodating extra guests when needed.  Justin Sebastian And sustainability plays the largest role in her workshop, where each piece is built to be long-lasting and “handed down for generations. That’s the best way to be conscious of our consumption,” she muses, pointing to how all the wood used at her workshop is sourced responsibly within a 50-kilometre radius, with not a single material being imported in the process. “A lot of homeowners ask me how they can add an old or traditional piece in a contemporary space, wondering if it might be a mismatch. I never think that’s true—it is actually quite fascinating to see furniture telling a quiet story of your heritage in your home. This works in any house—from the opulently maximalist to the sleekest and starkly minimal.”

  Homes Temple Town brings together traditional crafts and tropical accents to design a contemporary home in Thrissur MAY 23, 2023 | By Diya Shah Daylight filters into the living room, reflecting off the bright blues and greens; Photography by Justin Sebastian The kitchen and dining room are made with endurable surfaces of wood, marble and metal surfaces and minimal adornment. The botanicals on the bespoke cane buffet table add a touch of luxury; Photography by Justin Sebastian. A lack of obstruction allows daylight to seep into the living room from the foyer, creating a bright and cheery atmosphere. The foyer and living room make use of discount designing styles, materials and textures; Photography by Justin Sebastian The kitchen is a streamlined, all-wood kitchen that is functional and practical; Photography by Justin Sebastian The second daughters’ room is a tropical paradise. A luxuriously upholstered headboard in the background creates a cocooning effect; Photography by Justin Sebastian Unified by traditional wood furniture and tropical accents is a home that lies at the intersection of timeless and modern. Blending classical styles with contemporary demeanour was key for Meera Pyarelal, the founder and interior designer of Temple Town, to envision this family home for five in Thrissur, Kerala. The home is not dictated by a prevalent style or trend, but a reflection of the designer’s ethos, which, as Meera puts it, “Is the ability to stick to our design ethos of sustainable design irrespective of the style of interiors.” The earthy colours and botanicals in the veranda emulate tropical settings and leave one with a sense of calm and tranquillity; Photography by Justin Sebastian   The live edge swing makes the foyer reminiscent of a rustic home in Kerala. Beside it, a long console and seating arrangement are placed in front of an iron mirror; Photography by Justin Sebastian Dichotomies of the old and new This space occupies 4,500 sq ft and comprises four bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, two kitchens and a family room with open terraces that hint at a dichotomy between old world charm and day-to-day practicalities. The foyer hosts a live edge swing made of locally sourced wood that adds a rustic touch to the setting.  Light from large glass windows on the landing of the stairs reflects off the beige walls of the foyer, livening up the atmosphere; Photography by Justin Sebastian   The brightly coloured couch adds a playful splash of colour to the otherwise rustic tropical marked by the use of earthy colours, cane baskets and botanicals. Caricatures by Mario Fernandez are bound to cheer one up on a gloomy day; Photography by Justin Sebastian The morning sun streams into through the glass windows at the top of the stairs and reflects off the beige walls of the foyer. The light spills over to the living room, unobstructed by a door, spreading an air of cheerfulness and warmth across the home. In the living room, the decor transitions to millwork walls that are reminiscent of Western classical traditions. The more experimental wood and metal coffee table adds a sense of modernity to the space.  Cane lamps and geometric China adornment break away from sleek, modern and monochrome appearance, giving the kitchen an Eastern touch; Photography by Justin Sebastian   The dining room maintains a classic appearance through simple designing. The dining table that seats eight people has a wooden surface and brass base; Photography by Justin Sebastian However, the kitchen and dining is where the stakes have been raised. “​​The dining room is cool and classic with an eight-seater dining table with a wooden top and brass base. A bespoke cane buffet table on the side with a line of botanicals that add low key luxe. The kitchen is streamlined, all wood, really functional and practical with no fussy details,” says Meera. A sink is inset into the marble platform, under which there are wooden shelves. A mirror hangs on a backsplash of opaque blue stone over the sink. The sheer variety of materials lend a sense of luxury to the otherwise simple dining room and kitchen; Photography by Justin Sebastian A stylish bar finds space underneath the staircase which has a mix of materials and textures that renders a tropical flourish to the nook. The bedrooms are located on the ground as well as the upper floor. One of these bedrooms has its moment with a dramatic accent chair in Frida Kahlo prints with artworks predominantly by Mario Fernandez. While the eldest daughter’s room is elegantly decked in monochromes, the second daughter’s bedroom is what Meera calls, “A tropical paradise!”  A stylish bar under the stairs with geometric patterned tiles, and custom-made brass and glass ledges are imbibes itself in one’s memory and walk across the house; Photography by Justin Sebastian   The eldest daughter’s bedroom has four posters with iron and wood. This otherwise monochrome room in black and white has a splash of colour from the deep blue chest placed opposite the bed; Photography by Justin Sebastian Furniture for the future Temple Town aims to design and manufacture sophisticated pieces of sustainable wood furniture, echoes of which are evident across the home. Meera explains that wood is responsibly and locally sourced, and used by local craftsmen to create furniture. Keeping with the traditions of inheriting furniture within families in Kerala, these pieces can last three generations, resulting in a limited environmental impact.  A cane study table and comfortable armchair; Photography by Justin Sebastian   A sumptuous four poster bed with a silk headrest, ikat cushions, and artwork that we made by taking palm prints of the entire family; Photography by Justin Sebastian A Splash of Playfulness While Meera uses wood to balance classicism and modernity, she does not overlook the play of light and colour and caters to her client’s request for a comfortable, homely atmosphere. Sober, monochrome black, brown and beige surfaces that offer a sense of atemporality and luxury are regularly interrupted with splashes of colours that display a certain playfulness. Western and Eastern styles function together to create an aesthetic entrance into the home; Photography by Justin Sebastian Designed using various styles, materials and textures, this is a living space that is both elegant and edgy while retaining the warmth of a family home. “We have experimented with different decor ideas from one room to the other, each having a distinct vibe of its own. Yet they flow into each other making sure you’re always inspired when you walk into each room,” concludes Meera.