DP Curates: These 5 Homes In India Perfect The Art Of Hosting

For many, the home is more than just a place of rest. It can be a haven for connection and a reason for celebration. Those who love to host at home will know that several factors contribute to a truly memorable gathering—from mood lighting and pick-me-up playlists, to a well-designed drinks and food menu. But it is, undoubtedly, the setting that sits at the heart of hosting. 

After all, hosting is all about how you make your guests feel in your space. How do you encourage conversation (drinks and snacks included) to flow? How do you make your guests feel at ease? Hosting goes beyond functionality. The art of hosting a party is about channelling a feeling, shaping an experience, and crafting an atmosphere. From pockets that encourage a sense of intimacy, to lights, rugs and décor that anchor a space, right up to crafting a sensory experience (think beyond the taste of food to include scents, sounds and textures), intentional design plays a crucial role in the making of a successful party. Here are five homes in India that perfect the art of hosting at home.  

1. A Celebration Of Life At The Idyll Home

In this 10,000-sq-ft home in Coimbatore, the individuality of the homeowners meets bold creative choices in mindfully crafted fluid spaces. Designed by Farah Agarwal of the Chennai-based interior design studio Chestnut Storeys, the home finds equilibrium between modernity and Indian tradition. Timeless pieces of art, striking wallpapers and bespoke furniture become talking points in the Idyll Home, setting the scene for gatherings of all sizes. 

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Graceful social occasions come alive in the earthy-toned formal living room amid chandeliers by Klove, artworks from KYNKYNY Gallery and Pinakin Studios, a DeMuro Das sofa, furniture by K2, a rug by Jaipur Rugs, and a minimal Rooshad Shroff vase. The inclusion of a curious mix of artefacts extends to the outdoor courtyard with its chequered flooring that seamlessly extends the living room space. “These spaces, rich in texture, light and cultural detail, create an ambience that’s both warm and conversation-worthy,” says Agarwal. 

2. High Spirits Amid Endless Pours At The House Of Merriment

With not just one, but three beautifully crafted bars, this 7,000-sq-ft home in Gurgaon was quite literally designed to host. Upon setting foot inside the House of Merriment, designed by Storey Tellers Design Studio, the word “Shenanigans” draws the eye to the first of three bespoke bars crafted in the Storey Teller Factory. “I think the word came about quite naturally while talking to the client about the design for his home and what he intended for the spaces. He had used the word casually while describing the kinds of fun parties he throws, and this word felt like a very fitting banner to add to the place where such activities would begin,” say the designers at the New Delhi-based Storey Tellers Design Studio. 

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The home’s layout facilitates seamless movement between the living, dining and kitchen areas, encouraging interaction and engagement. Larger gatherings spill out onto the multi-levelled terrace fitted with a bespoke circular fireplace, custom-made monochrome bar, jacuzzi, and seating that faces the setting sun. A few steps away, nestled on the terrace, is a family lounge that doubles as a glamorous nook for parties. Here, the glimmering geometric backdrop of a bespoke bar beckons those who linger into the wee hours of the night. 

3. Airy Accents Meet Moody Undertones At The Grove Residence 

The Grove Residence, a 3,500-sq-ft villa in Bengaluru, has all the trimmings of a home built to host. Spread across two levels, every space is bathed in sunshine all day long and defined by soaring heights. Designed by Roshni Ramnane for a client bent on the colour black, the rented villament came with beige marble flooring. This was soon turned around by harnessing material, texture and an assortment of furniture styles all stained black. 

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The outdoor space, far from the clamour of Bengaluru’s grid-locked roads, is the ultimate retreat for hosting brunches, sunset cocktails or intimate dinners. Set under a glass pergola and enclosed by black SHERA board panelling and WPC flooring, the space feels anything but boxed in; instead, there is a sense of lightness that pervades, thanks to the delicate nature of the pergola structure and the perfect pairing of light tones against a rich, dark canvas. The client’s penchant for the void of colour extends even to the landscaping, where plants with shorter flowering periods were intentionally selected. “This outdoor area transitions beautifully from a sun-drenched space during the day to a warmly lit, intimate retreat at night. By day, natural light streams through the glass roof, accentuating the textures of the materials and the vibrant greenery. As evening falls, lanterns and candles cast a soft glow, creating an inviting ambience,” says Ramnane. 

4. A Lush Escape At The Zen Den

Tasked with a brief for an airy abode for the client’s parents, the designers at the Nufail Shabana Architects opted for a tropical modern approach for the Zen Den in Mahé, Kerala. Using an open-plan layout, architects Shabana Rasheed and Nufail Moidoo did justice to the concept by crafting well-ventilated and well-lit spaces that incorporate skylights in the two-storey home. Moreover, to align with the inhabitants’ love for hosting, the Zen Den has several social spaces that open out into each other. White walls, concrete floors, wooden accents and a clutter-free atmosphere allow for interesting pieces of furniture from Homework Living and lighting from Carlee to shine. “The hall that combines the dining and living room adds volume to the Zen Den and is a visual treat upon entering,” say the designers at the Calicut-based design house. 

An outdoor sit-out enshrouded in creepers and vines serves as the perfect breakout area during parties. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the garden with trees as old as time and looking out onto a water body, it makes for a cosy set-up for intimate gatherings by day or night. “The koi pond abutting the sit out seamlessly blends the design with natural beauty around, creating an atmospheric serenity,” the designers add. 

5. The Home Serves As A Keeper Of Memories At HIRA

Hosting at HIRA is akin to crafting a sensory dialogue between past and present. Husna Rahaman of Fulcrum Studio describes her Bengaluru residence, where she resided with her grandmother before the latter’s demise, as “a new beginning on a slice of land with immense history.” Immense in scale and detail, the home, composed of four vertically stacked layers, is dotted with both metaphorical and physical memories of her grandmother. This residence features a tactile palette of contrasting materials: raw, untreated metal and rugged concrete balanced by polished stone and marble, while clean architectural lines are softened with heirloom textiles. A statement bar with a checkerboard inlay of tiger’s eye and black marble was imagined as a quiet nod to opulence with restraint. Here, a tactile duet is set in motion against the backdrop of cabinets and counters forged from raw metal. 

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The outdoor space, says Rahaman, is an architectural exhale that opens up not just visually but also emotionally. Angular ledges interlace with perforated mesh to become quiet moments of reflection by day, transforming into surfaces for connection and conversation over food after dusk. A pair of metallic Imperfettolab chairs sits in this “urban desert” beneath a mirrored ceiling, transforming the otherwise minimal space into a sensorial meditation on perspective. “HIRA was never meant to be just a home. It’s a feeling. It’s a layering of material and memory, shadow and silence, warmth and edge. Every detail carries the imprint of something lived, something loved. You can feel her presence in the silences, in the corners, in the way people instantly feel at home. The space does that. It embraces and remembers for you,” says Rahaman.