A HOUSE THAT BREATHES

At the Reddy House in Hyderabad, Mita Mehta Studio transforms scale into soul through art-led styling and quiet luxury.

Photo courtesy: Arjun Krishna

In an era where luxury homes often lean toward spectacle, the Reddy House in Hyderabad offers something far more compelling: a deeply personal narrative expressed through art, memory and restrained elegance. Spanning 18,000 square feet across three storeys, this expansive family home is not defined by scale alone. Styled by Mita Mehta and her studio, the residence demonstrates how thoughtful styling can transform architecture into a living, breathing environment.

This project also reflects the ethos of a studio widely recog nised in publications such as Architectural Digest, The Hindu and Society Interiors and Design, and recently named to the prestigious AD List 2025. But beyond accolades, the Reddy House reveals what truly sets the studio apart: the belief that styling is not a finishing touch—it is the soul of a home.

The relationship between the homeowners and Mita Mehta spans more than two decades. That familiarity shaped the project in a meaningful way. There was no rigid brief, no prescriptive mood board dictating the outcome. Instead, the homeowners invited the studio to guide the final leg of the design journey, trusting them to bring cohesion, emotion and personality to the already expansive residence.

This sense of trust allowed the process to evolve organically. Rather than beginning with furniture or finishes, the design story started with the family itself—its memories, travels and cher ished collection of art and artefacts. From there, each space was allowed to grow into its own narrative.

The result is a home that feels composed rather than decorated, layered rather than staged.

At the heart of the home lies an open courtyard that floods the interiors with natural light and greenery. This architectural feature became the emotional anchor of the project. It intro duced a feeling of openness that guided the styling throughout the house, influencing both the material palette and the overall mood.

Rooms radiate outward from this central space, each treated as an individual story yet tied together by a quiet rhythm. The home never feels repetitive, yet it remains cohesive—a delicate balance that defines the studio’s curatorial approach.

What makes the Reddy House particularly distinctive is the role art plays in shaping each room. The homeowners’ collection, amassed over years of travel and connoisseurship, became the starting point for the design process.

Instead of treating artworks as decorative additions, the studio allowed them to lead the narrative. Colour palettes, textures and materials were drawn directly from these pieces, ensuring every room feels rooted in meaning.

The home reflects an appreciation for both Indian and global artistic heritage. Works by masters such as M. F. Husain and S. H. Raza forms part of the broader design dialogue, reinforcing the idea that art can shape the emotional tone of a space as power fully as architecture. Walking through the house feels like moving through chap ters of a book.

The formal dining room introduces warmth and history through framed textiles sourced from Central Asia. Paired with carved wood and cascading lighting, the room balances intimacy with grandeur.

Upstairs, a quieter moment unfolds. Antique hand-carved panels from Burma sit beside a restored Persian carpet and a piano, creating a contemplative space steeped in heritage. It is a corner designed for pause—a place where the past gently meets the present.

In contrast, the colonial-style bar introduces a more playful energy. Emerald green leather, weathered brass and sculptural accents create a setting that feels lively yet refined, revealing the home’s more relaxed personality.

A defining feature of the Reddy House is its seamless blending of traditional Indian craftsmanship with global design influences.

A 90-year-old Pichwai artwork shares space with a console sourced in Europe. Burmese lacquerware, Southeast Asian arte facts and handmade ceramics sit comfortably alongside contem porary upholstery and clean-lined furniture.

Despite the diversity of objects and origins, nothing feels out of place. The home is united by a strong curatorial eye that ensures each element contributes to the larger story.

This layered approach reflects the studio’s philosophy of sourcing with intention—drawing on global influences while remaining rooted in Indian craft traditions.

For a home of this scale, the styling is remarkably restrained. The design avoids excess, favouring nuance and layering over overt opulence.

Neutral tones form the foundation of most rooms, allowing occasional bursts of colour—plum velvet, burnt orange and antique gold—to provide contrast and visual interest. Natural materials such as oakwood, silk, brass and stone recur through out the house, quietly linking one space to another.

This restraint is deliberate. It ensures the home feels timeless rather than trend-driven.

Furniture was designed for comfort and longevity. Many pieces were custom-made or carefully restored, reinforcing the idea that a home should evolve with its inhabitants rather than chase fleeting aesthetics.

Lighting was approached with the same sensitivity as furniture and art. Sculptural fixtures double as focal points, while softer lighting introduces warmth and intimacy.

The balance between function and emotion is carefully calibrated. Each room feels inviting at any time of day, shifting seamlessly from bright and airy to warm and cocooning as the sun sets.

For Mita Mehta, this project encapsulates a philosophy shaped by more than three decades of experience: styling is not the final flourish. It is the element that gives a home its heart beat.

Her process is rooted in listening—to people, to architecture and to the objects that inhabit a space. This attentiveness is evident throughout the Reddy House, where every detail feels intentional and deeply personal.

The home does not shout its beauty. Instead, it reveals itself slowly, through thoughtful compositions, tactile materials and meaningful objects.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the Reddy House is its sense of life. The interiors feel dynamic rather than fixed, designed to grow and change alongside the family.

Every room offers something different, yet all are united by a quiet rhythm. It is a house that prioritises comfort as much as beauty, memory as much as aesthetics.

In a world where luxury often equates to excess, this home offers a refreshing perspective. Here, luxury lies in intention—in the art placed with care, the textures chosen with thought and the stories embedded in every corner.

The Reddy House stands as a testament to the power of styling to transform a residence into a home. It is a space that inspires, comforts and connects—an environment that truly breathes.