We can’t help but adore the beautiful ambience of southern India. The traditional interior design from this region is making appearances in the most popular design and architecture magazines. In this article, we are featuring three stunning Tamil Nadu homes that will satiate your thirst for an elegant and vernacular design.

South Indian interior design is famous for the use of local, earthy materials, exquisite handicraft, spiritual lamps and lighting decor and the kolam artwork at the foyer. However, these Tamil Nadu homes see beyond gorgeous art and aesthetics and incorporate convenience and functionality in the scheme. With a modern touch, these homes present a timeless appeal that never goes out of style!

Grab your notepad and a pen and jot down the inspiring ideas for your projects.

1. Vacation Villa in Ooty from WhiteSpace

Tamil Nadu Homes

Photo courtesy: Shamanth Patil/ WhiteSpace

This sweet vacation spot for the Dubai based client is located intimately 20 kilometres away from the chaos of Ooty’s city centre. The surrounding landscape, with lush scenery and majestic mountains, embrace the property.

Functionality was of prime concern for the people involved in this project. The home had to utilise spaces strategically without doing injustice to the glorious landscape outside.

Tamil Nadu Homes

Photo courtesy: Shamanth Patil/ WhiteSpace

Interestingly enough, the 2000 sq ft villa features two distinct interior design styles. The ground floor comes with the contemporary interior design scheme. In contrast, the upper floor carries the scent of a country cottage.

The home takes immense inspiration from modern European design and incorporates the taste of rustic to just about everything! The result: an elegant cosy home with tremendous functionality and convenience.

2. STO.M.P’s Celebration of Vernacular design

Tamil Nadu Homes

Photo courtesy: Prithivi M Samy/ STO.M.P

Located in Thiruppathur, Tamil Nadu, this house doesn’t impress a lot of vernacular design enthusiasts in the first glance. The sleek and modern outlook appears to be a classic modernist interior. However, once you look closely, you’ll notice the traditional soul of this design.

Tamil Nadu Homes

Photo courtesy: Prithivi M Samy/ STO.M.P

The client had a cosy, typical Chettinad home with modern amenities in mind.  With a rich cuisine, distinct architectural style and stunning textiles, Chettinad is a significant place for vernacular design lovers.

Vignesh Sekar, the principal architect at STO.M.P (Studio for Modernism and Practical Aesthetics), admits to creating a structure that has a sweet scent of nostalgia instead of creating a replica of the past.

3. Rustic finishes, green decor and Courtyards: WeBe Design Lab’s creation from Tuticorin

Tamil Nadu Homes

Photo courtesy: Karthikeyan/ WeBe Design Lab

Keeping the concept of a family home in mind, the professionals at WeBe design Lab crafted this beautiful home in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu.

Taking care of the landscape, the correct strategies for tree management worked like a charm. The house has a quirky design with several courtyards leading to the interiors. The 6800 sq ft home creates intrigue and curiosity with an elegant use of open and closed spaces. The private balcony on the first floor gives a warm contrast to the open concrete and wood foyer.

Tamil Nadu Homes

Photo courtesy: Karthikeyan/ WeBe Design Lab

The copper facade at the entry grabs the attention of the visitor. With beautiful organic patterns and perforations, this element blends neatly with the landscape. Both the rear and front copper facade contains the design inspired by the landscape. This blending into the landscape provides order to the predominantly fluid vernacular design.

The exteriors possess the rustic and rugged finishes. At the same time, the interiors calmly contrast with a more muted colour palette and softer finishes.

These Tamil Nadu homes present the opportunity for experimentation for the designers of this era. Celebrating vernacular design, incorporating modern assets and crafting compelling interiors is the highlight of these homes.

In the end, design can be a tremendous tool to bring people together and incite a feeling of inclusivity and identity in the hearts of people.


Featured Image: Karthikeyan/ WeBe Design Lab