Kenneth Cobonpue’s Artistic Furniture Shapes A Mumbai Home

Within a home, furniture has always played a utilitarian role. So, when the designers Hiren and Sonali Ganatra of Colab Company were entrusted with a 1,200 sq. ft. home in Mumbai, the brief was distinct and compelling. The clients coveted a sanctuary that underscored their stunning furniture collection. With influences from nature’s enchanting ambiguity and its abundant offerings, this abode is aptly monikered ‘Casa Fleur’—a name that is a poetic blend of Spanish and French, which translates to ‘House of Flowers’. “This aligns perfectly with the home’s biophilic design, which seeks to integrate natural elements into the living space,” share the designers from Colab Company. With a monastic palette as its canvas, where the unmistakable influence of Filipino industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue unfurls in organic forms, this home evokes a dialogue—one that questions furniture’s role as mere utility versus its emergence as sculptural art.

While a collection is often relegated to the shelves, “The client brief centred around creating a serene and inviting home that embodies biophilic design while showcasing their love for Kenneth Cobonpue’s furniture,” reveal the designers. Subsequently, the foundation of an eternal exhibition was laid within this home, where every piece of furniture transforms into a living artefact—silently narrating stories of nature, craft, and contemplative design in an exquisite choreography of form and feeling. With floral-inspired accents paired with an airy layout, this biophilic home is a breath of fresh air amidst the chaos of a metropolitan city.

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An Ivory Haven

Contrary to its surroundings, Casa Fleur adopts a pristine palette to underscore the quaint sculptural silhouettes of its furniture pieces. As if on cue, a white door materialises—an elegant prelude to the pristine palette within, setting the tone for the home that unfolds. While the monochrome palette often risks veering into the clinical or monotonous, at Casa Fleur, “The lime wash walls throughout the house add a unique texture, creating a beautiful tactile backdrop that reflects light naturally,” share the designers. Lending a sense of expansiveness and serenity, this palette continues within the home, allowing textures, forms, and natural elements to take centre stage. “They (the clients) desired a space that not only reflects modern aesthetics but also fosters a deep connection to nature,” note the designers.

Through The Halls Of Artful Utility

Unlike conventional homes where a curated collection is often confined to a single wall or a solitary console, this residence posed a unique challenge. ” All the furniture from Kenneth Cobonpue, while ensuring that the space didn’t feel like a showroom, was a major challenge,” the designers reveal. They add, “We focused on layering different textures and playing with arrangements to personalise the space, ensuring each piece complemented the other while adding warmth and character.” Beyond the white, the journey of a curated motley of collectable forms continues—each piece a tactile ode to craft, nature, and nuanced design. 

It begins with a Gingko dining table—its design inspired by leaves of the Ginkgo Biloba tree—that pairs exquisitely with the Parchment armchairs that draw influences from the 19th-century art of bookbinding. The dining area shares its space with the living room, which is punctuated by a Cabaret Sofa from Kenneth Cobonpue, underscoring traditional weaving techniques, and is paired with a Kenzo coffee table from Kenneth Cobonpue. “The client had a deep love for the brand and the designer, which meant we needed to be strategic with our selections to create a cohesive and inviting atmosphere,” the designers remark. They add, “While there were moments of disagreement regarding certain design choices, such as furniture selection or layout adjustments, each instance became an opportunity for deeper discussions and collaboration.” 

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In the living room, the Yoda side chair and the Crimson Bloom chair, awash in rich hues, complement each other in palette while also emerging as the pièce de résistance—sculptural statements that anchor the space with a dash of personality. “It serves as both a functional seating option and a captivating piece of art that complements the biophilic elements of a home,” explain the designers. The Chiquita stool and pebble coffee table by Kenneth Cobonpue add a touch of playfulness to the space. This living area spills effortlessly into a balcony that frames the cityscape, filtering a generous amount of natural light through the colossal French windows and drenching the interiors in a golden glow.

A Sanctuary Where Dreams Check In

While the open, airy layout pays homage to nature’s expansiveness, a narrow corridor unfolds like a contemplative passage, guiding one through a sequence of curated vignettes. This intimate corridor opens into three bedrooms, each of which spills effortlessly into whimsical balconies—sun-drenched by day and enchantingly aglow by night—offering sweeping views of the city as it slips into its nocturnal reverie. Within these rooms, “We chose soft fabrics for upholstery, natural woods, and woven elements that echo the biophilic theme,” the designers share, describing the gentle, grounded materiality that anchors these private sanctuaries.

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Here, a pristine palette is offset by cobalt hues courtesy of the Knit Armchair by Kenneth Cobonpue, and wooden accents imbue the space with a sense of warmth. They add, “We focused on layering different textures and playing with arrangements to personalise the space, ensuring each piece complemented the other while adding warmth and character.” While storage hides in plain sight, in one of these bedrooms, it becomes a beacon that struts the walls—equal parts functional and flair, keeping clutter at bay while looking chic. Floor-to-ceiling wardrobes and an overhead cabinet paired with a study table seamlessly align with the monochromatic palette, all coming together to orchestrate a bedroom that radiates harmony.

The designers share, “Ultimately, ‘Casa Fleur’ reflects both the physical beauty of the space and the emotional refuge it offers.” Here, furniture transcends function, blooming into artefacts of nostalgia and personality, radiating calm through floral-inspired accents that bring nature indoors. Much like a blossom unfolding at dawn, the home reveals its layers slowly, inviting stillness and wonder into every nook. With lime-washed walls and biophilia lingering in spaces, this sun-drenched abode transforms into a sanctuary where beauty, nature, and placidity all coexist in perfect harmony.