Luxury is often mistaken for fleeting indulgence, but at its truest, it is a dialogue between history, craft, and human experience. In this edition, we celebrate the enduring stories behind objects, spaces, and moments that transcend time, honouring the hands, hearts, and minds that shape them.
Our journey begins in the Maldives, where Helengeli’s barefoot elegance and the oceanic wonder of Ailafushi are more than destinations—they are living expressions of place and tradition, where local craft, nature, and design converge to create experiences that linger in memory. These are spaces shaped by culture, geography, and thoughtful artistry, reminding us that luxury rooted in authenticity resonates deeper than opulence alone.
In architecture and interiors, we uncover the poetry of materials and design. From the meticulously curated duplex in Pune to the Brutalist MS House woven around nine neem trees, and from the serene fusion of Villa Esencia to the minimalist sophistication of Satori House, every line, texture, and detail tells a story. These are homes where craftsmanship meets vision, where every element has been considered, where beauty is inseparable from purpose, and where the human touch is visible in every corner.
Our exploration extends to the objects and expressions of our time. Ferrari’s Daytona SP3 exemplifies precision, heritage, and timeless elegance, while art becomes a medium for truth and memory. Kerry James Marshall’s “The Histories” places the Black narrative at the centre of art history, reclaiming voices long overlooked, and six contemporary women artists at AMCA, Mumbai, weave feminist stories into textile art, blending memory, tradition, and innovation.
At Luxe Code, we are committed to truthful storytelling. Every feature, every photograph, every word reflects the legacy, labour, and life behind what we present. Luxury, we believe, is not just consumed—it is experienced, remembered, and passed on, a celebration of craft, culture, and the people who make it possible.
RINI
MUKKATH rini@luxecode.in
Insta handle: @luxecodemagazine
Printed and Published by YOGITA
RAKESH
AGRAWAL on behalf of WARE INNOVATIONS LLP, RAGHUVANSHI MILL COMPOUND, NEXT TO ADDRESS HOME, SENAPATI BAPAT MARG, LOWER PAREL, MUMBAI 400 013
Editor: RINI MUKKATH
CrEativE HEad: ALOYSIUS DSOUZA
20-23
PEOPLE
20 WHERE LOVE SHAPES LUXURY
A luxury lifestyle atelier where emotion, memory, and craftsmanship converge to create modern heirlooms that celebrate love in its most enduring form.
78-87
ART
80 RECLAIMING HISTORY
24- 77
PLACES
26 CRAFTING CALM
ELE Interior transforms Villa Esencia into a serene fusion of modern luxury and nature.
36 BRUTALIST ODE TO NATURE
MS House, Studio Saransh’s nature-inspired Brutalist home, is woven around nine neem trees in Ahmedabad.
48 ARTISTRY AT ITS FINEST
A duplex residence in Pune where thoughtful design, bespoke interiors, and indulgent details create a home of timeless elegance and comfort
58 HELENGELI: NATURE’S LUXURY PLAYGROUND
Snorkel with turtles, sip cocktails under the stars, or retreat to your private pool—this is indulgence with soul. At OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, every moment is a blend of barefoot luxury, vibrant marine life, soulful dining, and Maldivian magic.
66 LIVING MINIMALISM, LUXURIOUSLY
The Arch studio’s luxe minimalist Satori house in Pune balances art and utility.
72 WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE DREAM
At OBLU Xperience Ailafushi, every moment—whether dining beneath the sea, swimming through coral gardens, or dancing by the lagoon—feels like living inside a postcard.
Experience the Black narrative at the centre of art history through the Kerry James Marshall: The Histories exhibit.
84 REIMAGINING TEXTILE ART
Six contemporary women artists weave memory, tradition, and feminist voices into a powerful exhibition of textile art at AMCA, Mumbai
88-97
THINGS
90 RACING ELEGANCE
Ferrari unveils one-of-a-kind Daytona SP3 for charity auction
PEOPLE
WHERE LOVE SHAPES LUXURY
A luxury lifestyle atelier where emotion, memory, and craftsmanship converge to create modern heirlooms that celebrate love in its most enduring form.
Photo courtesy: Harkaran Boparai (HB)
Harkaran Boparai (HB) is a luxury lifestyle atelier defined by love — its eternal muse — for those who dare to dream, to be bold, and to go beyond. Born from a desire to create objects that endure, HB speaks to a private intensity of love — the kind that deepens with time rather than fading.
Founded by Sukhleen Kaur and Harkaran Singh Boparai, HB is the meeting of two complementary forces. Sukhleen’s serene precision balances Harkaran’s fervent intensity, and together they transform simple materials into vessels of intimacy and reflection. Emotional memory informs every creation, ensur-
ing that each piece resonates with both personal and poetic significance.
At the core of HB’s philosophy is the belief that design should be intentional — created not merely to be owned, but to be remembered. Their debut collection, Young Love, captures the exhilaration and vulnerability of first affection, translating these emotions into objects that are quietly bold yet deeply personal.
The collection spans sculpted leather handbags, handwoven silk goods, bespoke crockery, and carpets, forming a constellation of modern heirlooms — pieces to live with, cherish, and pass on. Every element is thoughtfully sourced, with no short-
cuts, no mimicry, and no overstated gestures. HB is a celebration of enduring beauty, where craft, sentiment, and design coalesce into timeless luxury.
HER SCENT
Paris at four o’clock, her scent on the breeze.
Her scent captures the hush of anticipation in silk. Inspired by a quiet moment at Café de Flore, where the air seemed to announce her presence before she arrived, this design evokes the stillness and sweetness of first love — the kind that arrives softly and lingers in memory.
BOND GIRL
A midsummer glance at 30,000 feet becomes a wearable memory. Inspired by a chance encounter aboard a 1980 flight to Paris, Bond Girl translates that electric moment into pure mulberry silk. Sweeping rococo scrolls collide with jet-age pinstripes, each thread weaving the elegance of fate and the thrill of connection into a single, luxurious textile.
B CARD HOLDER
Elevating your everyday with understated luxury.
The minimalist B Card Holder carries more than essentials; it carries the story of its owner. Embossed with HB’s bold “B” em-
blem, it imbues everyday life with a discreet, confident touch of sophistication.
BILLIONAIRE TRIFOLD CARD HOLDER
A quiet homage to love’s enduring imprint.
This trifold wallet keeps cards and notes in refined order, yet the true charm lies inside: a hand-pressed Ecuadorian rose motif that reveals itself with each opening, transforming a pragmatic accessory into a poetic keepsake of lasting elegance.
CONCAVE CARD HOLDER
For those who carry love and travel light.
The Concave Card Holder cradles essentials in a slim, singlepocket design. A closer look reveals HB’s signature monogram subtly debossed — five interlocking hearts forming a crest of passion and unity — a delicate emblem of the brand’s devotion to intimate storytelling through craft.
HB is a brand where every creation is imbued with emotion, memory, and intention. Each object, from scarves to handbags, from crockery to cards, is a vessel for love — tangible, lasting, and quietly transformative. In a world of fleeting trends, HB offers modern heirlooms: pieces to live with, to treasure, and to pass on.
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CRAFTING CALM
ELE Interior transforms Villa Esencia into a serene fusion of modern luxury and nature.
Photo courtesy: Aasiya Jagadeesh
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Villa Esencia, created by ELE Interior, defines modern living with a sophisticated blend of understated luxury and functional elegance. Nestled in the lush Al Barari enclave, the villa is designed for a family seeking serenity through an intuitive flow, natural materials, and a refined, yet comfortable ambience. The interior architecture integrates seamlessly with nature, featuring a central courtyard that invites light and greenery, reinforcing the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The design of Villa Esencia embraces a neutral colour
palette and natural materials, creating a seamless integration of architecture and nature. This refined atmosphere balances both comfort and luxury, presenting a sophisticated yet inviting environment that caters to modern living.
A central feature of the villa is the kitchen, anchored by a striking Taj Mahal quartzite island and countertops that establish a cohesive visual and tactile narrative. The use of travertine-effect porcelain cladding enhances the prominence of the central courtyard while creating a direct link to the surrounding landscape. The courtyard, an open-air sanctuary,
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infuses the villa with natural light and greenery, blending the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.
A comprehensive reconfiguration of the second floor transformed two standard bedrooms into a bespoke master suite, complete with dual en-suites and a custom walk-in wardrobe. New flooring, luxury fabric-lined wall treatments, and bespoke joinery elevate the sophistication throughout the villa. The use of travertine porcelain extends across key surfaces, reinforcing textural depth. A key structural modification included the
closure of a double-height void, creating a dedicated playroom for the family.
The atmosphere in Villa Esencia exudes understated opulence, combining warmth with contemporary refinement. The careful interplay of natural textures and bespoke finishes creates a luxurious, yet livable environment, ensuring the villa remains both aspirational and deeply personal.
Designing within the constraints of the existing villa layout while achieving a fluid spatial arrangement that met the client’s
needs presented a unique challenge. The integration of distinct zones, without sacrificing the openness of the space, required meticulous planning and execution.
The feature courtyard is the heart of the villa, anchoring the design and offering a visual and experiential connection to the kitchen, living areas, private office, and upper levels. This biophilic design element ensures a constant interaction between architecture and nature. A bespoke travertine dining table elevates the dining experience, complementing the villa’s
material narrative.
Founded by Leali Ezzat in 2017, ELE Interior is a boutique design firm based in Dubai, specialising in luxury residential, commercial, and hospitality interiors. Known for its meticulous attention to detail, the firm combines aesthetics with functionality to create bespoke, elegant spaces. With a focus on precision and creative expression, ELE Interior’s projects reflect the unique vision of its clients, brought to life with impeccable execution.
BRUTALIST ODE TO NATURE
MS House, Studio Saransh’s nature-inspired Brutalist home, is woven around nine neem trees in Ahmedabad.
Photo courtesy: Ishita Sitwala
Can Brutalism embrace nature so completely that it feels shaped by it? Studio Saransh’s MS House responds with a resounding yes. Conceived around nine mature neem trees, the residence demonstrates how architecture can bend to ecological context while retaining a powerful design language. Every decision—from the site layout to the form, material palette, and interior detailing—emerges from the promise of preservation. On approach, the house reveals its ethos immediately. The boundary wall curves to accommodate a tree trunk, while a low-hanging branch frames the entrance. A dramatic passage lined with square punctures filters dappled light across austere
concrete walls, creating a choreography of shifting shadows. This corridor leads to the double-height central bay—the soul of the home—anchored by a neem tree that becomes the family’s gathering point for tea and meals under its canopy.
Two wings extend from this axis: one housing the living room, verandah, and garden; the other containing the guest suite, kitchen, and auxiliary spaces. “Every element of this house is shaped by the site’s natural context and the family’s needs,” explains Malay Doshi, principal architect at Studio Saransh. “It embodies our belief that design must integrate function, individuality, and environment.”
Above, the bay transitions into a study overlooking the din-
ing area, while the bedrooms establish their own relationships with the surrounding trees. The master suite opens to a shaded balcony, the daughters’ rooms frame backyard views, and the rooftop terrace transforms into a social lounge suspended among the neem canopies.
The house wears its Brutalist identity proudly—textured concrete facades, deep chamfers, and bold geometries—yet the presence of foliage tempers its austerity. Wooden-strip textured concrete mirrors the bark of the trees, while square openings invite light, air, and glimpses of greenery. Over time, creepers planted along the parapet will cascade over the sharp geometries, further dissolving boundaries between structure and landscape.
The landscape strategy amplifies this dialogue. A curated mix of tropical and native plantings adds depth to the neem canopy, a reflective water feature near the entrance introduces calm, and the rooftop terrace opens to expansive views beneath the open sky.
Inside, restraint becomes a language of luxury. Concrete, lime plaster, and grey Kota stone unify the spaces, creating a raw yet refined canvas. In the central bay, Kota flooring in a leather finish continues the linearity of concrete planks, while a custom rosewood dining table by TDW, teak-and-wicker chairs by Mistry at Finest, and a parametric lamp from Andlabs lend warmth and tactility.
The living room contrasts smooth plywood-cast concrete with Valsadi teak panelling, framing views of foliage through ribbon windows. Furniture selections blend iconic and custom: an Eames chair and Flos Arco lamp sit alongside a sectional sofa and an abstract Jaipur Rug. Bedrooms reflect their occupants’ personalities, from the master’s terrazzo-detailed calm to the daughters’ graphite and sage green palettes.
Bathrooms become architectural statements. The master ensuite is bathed in daylight from circular and square skylights, while the terrace powder room features floor-to-ceiling glazing that blurs the interior and courtyard, anchored by a sculptural
custom concrete basin.
Beyond aesthetic decisions, sustainability underpins MS House. Orientation maximises light and ventilation; laminated glazing and cavity walls mitigate heat; solar panels power 70–80% of the house’s needs. Lime-plastered walls eliminate the need for synthetic paints, while leftover timber and marble are repurposed into bespoke furniture, ensuring minimal construction waste.
What distinguishes MS House is its balance: Brutalist geometries softened by trees, rigorous materiality paired with intimate customisation. “The level of curation—from the concrete textures and landscape to the smallest junctions—reflects
seamless collaboration between our architecture and interior design teams,” notes Kaveesha Shah, Studio Saransh’s principal interior designer.
For Doshi, the project distills the practice’s ethos: “MS House shows what it takes to turn a Brutalist house into a home. Every choice is a conscious act of transformation, proving that architectural traditions can evolve with time, embracing nature without losing their essence.”
In Ahmedabad, where modernist legacies run deep, MS House emerges as a contemporary testament to Brutalism’s ability to coexist with nature—not in opposition, but in dialogue, where concrete and canopy entwine.
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ARTISTRY AT ITS FINEST
A duplex residence in Pune where thoughtful design, bespoke interiors, and indulgent details create a home of timeless elegance and comfort
Photography - Kuber Shah Architects - Poonam Mehta and Akash Mehta, Poonam Akash
Windermere by Poonam Akash is more than a home — it is a statement of grandeur, a sanctuary where design and indulgence converge. This duplex residence embodies the essence of luxury living, with an architectural presence and interiors that seamlessly balance elegance, opulence, and comfort.
A LIVING ROOM THAT SETS THE STAGE
The journey into Windermere begins in a living room that evokes the timeless drama of a grand salon. Three pristine white bouclé sofas anchor the space, complemented by indigo-blue accent chairs that introduce depth and vibrancy. White marble
flooring, patterned with intricate black motifs, flows across the expanse, soaring towards double-height ceilings. At the centre, a striking black piano becomes both an art piece and a symbol of the home’s cultural spirit. A gold-accented fireplace and a glittering crystal chandelier complete the tableau, casting warmth and brilliance across the room.
REFINED DINING WITH PLAYFUL FLAIR
The dining space continues this narrative of elegance with its palette of beige and white, accented by striped chair backs that bring a graphic edge. An eccentric yet sophisticated bellboy figurine doubles as a hidden bar, infusing whimsy into the otherwise refined setting. Here, classic sophistication meets modern
character, ensuring every meal feels like an occasion.
GRANDEUR IN THE DETAILS
The foyer announces its own sense of drama: a bold black chest of drawers with gold accents sits beneath a gallery wall of photographs and keepsakes. But the pièce de résistance is the sweeping ombré golden staircase — a sculptural ascent that ties together the home’s two levels with unmistakable presence.
The kitchen, dressed in light blue tones and crowned with marble-finished granite, is both serene and functional. A central island with wood-and-beige bar stools invites gatherings,
grounding the heart of the home in quiet elegance.
BEDROOMS OF DISTINCT CHARACTER
Windermere’s bedrooms each tell a different story. The master suite is regal yet modern, its Victorian mouldings framing a soft palette of beige, grey, and brown. Beyond the bed lies a private indulgence: an indoor pool with mosaic flooring, cascading fountain, and a ceiling that mimics a star-studded sky — a daily retreat of pure luxury.
Other bedrooms unfold with equal personality. One is wrapped in warm wood and tropical wallpaper, softened with
vermilion-peach textiles and rose-gold accents. Another channels bachelor-pad modernity with sleek greys, teak, and a single pop of yellow. The fourth bedroom is pure fantasy: a pink-hued, four-poster escape straight out of a dreamscape.
INDULGENT RETREATS
Bathrooms throughout Windermere maintain the same commitment to detail, with each designed as a spa-like sanctuary featuring marble finishes, indulgent fixtures, and distinctive accents.
The home’s entertainment zone, aptly named The Den, embraces maximalist energy. Red sofas, dark stone-effect walls, and a ceiling alive with colour create a cinematic cocoon — immersive, dramatic, unforgettable.
ELEGANCE ABOVE THE CANOPY
The terrace offers a gentler rhythm: light-blue seating arranged among lush planters, a patterned mosaic floor underfoot, and open skies above. It is a space designed not just for leisure, but for reflection and retreat.
A HOUSE OF PURE LUXURY
Every detail of Windermere has been conceived as an expression of artistry — from statement chandeliers to sculptural staircases, from whimsical accents to serene retreats. It is a home that does more than showcase design; it offers its residents a lifestyle defined by comfort, sophistication, and unrestrained luxury. At Windermere, beauty resides in every detail, and luxury truly knows no bounds.
HELENGELI: NATURE’S LUXURY PLAYGROUND
Snorkel with turtles, sip cocktails under the stars, or retreat to your private pool—this is indulgence with soul. At OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, every moment is a blend of barefoot luxury, vibrant marine life, soulful dining, and Maldivian magic.
Text: Aloysius Dsouza
Photo courtesy: OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO
OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO - Water Villas with Pool
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Deluxe Beach Villa with Pool
Lagoon Villa
Private Beach Dinner
2BR Family Villa with Pool
Dolpin trip
Some places calm you from the moment you arrive— where time slows, and life’s noise seems to dissolve into the rhythm of waves. My stay at OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO was exactly that: a delicate balance of indulgence, adventure, and soul-soothing connection with nature.
A VILLA BY THE OCEAN
I began my journey at the Deluxe Beach Villa with Pool, a charming escape tucked just steps from the lagoon. The villa was a sanctuary of privacy—my very own plunge pool opening
out to the ocean, the sea breeze drifting in with whispers of salt and serenity. Days were unhurried: mornings spent lounging by the pool with coffee in hand, afternoons slipping into the turquoise lagoon, and evenings lit by the glow of a fading Maldivian sun.
When I shifted to the Water Suite with Pool, luxury took on a new definition. Suspended above the ocean, this spacious suite offered sweeping views of endless blues. I would slip into the private pool on the sunset deck, watching the horizon blaze in hues of orange and gold. Time felt suspended here, and the Maldives revealed its most enchanting colours.
Just Grill ELE|NA Spa
Raga Route Raa Bandhi Bar
A WORLD BENEATH THE WAVES
Helengeli Island sits on the edge of the North Malé Atoll, flanked by two channels that bring a kaleidoscope of marine life to its reefs. Just steps from shore, the house reef bursts alive— turtles gliding effortlessly, reef sharks darting through coral, and schools of tropical fish painting the waters with colour. With the PADI-certified experts at TGI Dive & Watersports Centre, I explored this aquatic wonderland more deeply. Each dive was a revelation: manta rays sweeping gracefully past, dolphins spotted on the horizon, and the thrill of snorkelling through coral gardens teeming with life. Even on slower days, kayaking across calm waters or paddleboarding at sunrise felt like a meditation.
THE SOUL OF WELLNESS
For quiet renewal, I retreated into ELE|NA The Spa. Rooted in the island’s natural elements, every treatment here seemed designed to restore balance. A soothing massage beneath the canopy of palm leaves left me lighter, my body unwound, my mind unburdened. The therapists used a holistic approach, guided by the five natural elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Walking out, I felt deeply connected to the healing spirit of the island.
A FEAST OF FLAVOURS
Food here was not just a necessity, but an experience. The Spice, the main restaurant, became my daily gathering point— whether breakfast by the lagoon, a long, lazy lunch, or a dinner beneath the stars. Live cooking stations, fresh seafood, and Maldivian specialities created a vibrant celebration of flavours. On Friday nights, “Indian Ocean Night” brought music, boduberu drumming, and an atmosphere that pulsed with island spirit.
At Raga Route, I indulged in progressive Indian cuisine with
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Water villa with pool
the wonderful coral life
Under water snorkelling by Padi
a modern twist—each dish a soulful reinvention of familiar flavours. Dining here was more than just eating; it was a story told through spice, artistry, and creativity. And at Just Grill, Mediterranean flair came alive in the form of charred seafood, crisp pizzas, and easy laughter, all set against the backdrop of a starlit beach.
Evenings often ended at Raa Bandhi Bar, a chic poolside space where hammocks swayed over the water and cocktails flowed freely. Between live bands, DJ sets, and quiet sips under the moonlight, the bar carried the island’s heartbeat.
LIVING THE ISLAND PLAN™
What made the stay seamless was the thoughtfully curated OBLU Island Plan™. Unlimited cocktails, wines, and beverages; non-motorised water sports; excursions like traditional fishing or a sunset dhoni ride—all were woven into my days. For families, the new kids’ club and nature centre opened doors to playful discovery, while couples could retreat to the adult-only infinity pool for child-free tranquillity.
Every corner of the island carried an invitation—to slow down, to savour, to connect. The villas (153 in total) ranged
from cosy beach retreats to expansive over-water sanctuaries, each designed with tropical charm and modern comfort.
A MOMENT TO REMEMBER
Of all the memories I carried home, one stands above the rest. On a sunset dolphin cruise arranged by the resort, I watched pods of dolphins leap across the turquoise waters, their silhouettes dancing against the amber horizon. It was pure joy, a reminder of how small and yet how connected we are to the wild beauty of the natural world.
THE HEART OF HELENGELI
OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO is more than a resort—it’s a rhythm, an experience, a state of being. It invites you to embrace nature’s abundance, to lose yourself in marine wonders, to rediscover wellness, and to celebrate food, culture, and community.
As I left the island, barefoot and sun-kissed, I realised that Helengeli had quietly etched itself into me. It wasn’t just about villas or views, but about a deeper harmony—the serenity of living in sync with sea, sky, and self.
Just Grill
Fitness Center
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LIVING MINIMALISM, LUXURIOUSLY
The Arch studio’s luxe minimalist Satori house in Pune balances art and utility.
Photo courtesy: Inclined Studio
PLACES
In Pune’s bustling heart, a serene home designed by Siddhina Sakla of The Arch Studio stands as a masterclass in quiet luxury. Named The Satori House, this 1,600-square-foot residence harmoniously blends minimalist principles with warmth, resulting in a living environment that feels both elevated and deeply personal.
The brief posed an unusual challenge: the home had to be designed within a short timeframe, while working with many of the apartment’s existing finishes. Rather than perceiving these as limitations, Sakla approached them as opportunities for innovation. The outcome is a seamless interplay of muted tones, organic textures, and bespoke detailing—proof that true design sophistication lies not in excess, but in restraint.
The living room embodies the home’s philosophy: expansive yet intimate, refined yet welcoming. A sculptural,
custom-designed three-seater sofa anchors the space, complemented by character-rich accent chairs. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the room with daylight, while a low-hanging chandelier introduces a soft evening glow. The decision to retain a clean, unembellished ceiling amplifies the sense of calm, allowing the curated furnishings and art to command attention.
Art becomes an essential layer here. A considered mix of textured pieces and vibrant pop art punctuates the walls, adding depth and dialogue. The result is a living room that transcends functionality, offering moments of pause and visual delight in equal measure.
Adjoining the living space, the dining area unfolds with a sense of grandeur. Bronze-tinted mirrors cleverly expand the perceived dimensions of the room, while enhancing its luxe
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atmosphere. At its centre sits a marble-topped table balanced on slender metal legs, surrounded by plush upholstered chairs. A fluted walnut-panelled console doubles as storage and sculpture, grounding the room with linear rhythm and quiet drama.
The home’s lengthy passageway connecting four bedrooms could easily have felt like a constraint. Instead, Sakla reimagined it as a gallery-like corridor, punctuated with mirrors, artwork, and carefully positioned lighting. What could have been a monotonous stretch becomes a journey—warm, expansive, and dynamic.
Each bedroom carries its own identity while honouring the overarching narrative of luxe minimalism. The master bedroom is defined by a tan leather bed and black floor panels, with a textured white wall offering a subtle canvas for bold lighting and wallpaper accents. The effect is both dramatic and inviting.
In one of the standout bedrooms, Sakla introduces an unexpected twist: a deep rust red ceiling. Paired with tonal lighting and upholstery, this bold gesture shifts the eye upwards, expanding the compact space and infusing it with
vibrancy.
A second bedroom takes a playful approach, with a greyand-yellow palette balanced by a large, colourful artwork and a functional study nook—perfect for a young adult. Meanwhile, the parents’ bedroom channels calm restraint, echoing the master suite in its elegance but softened to create a space of repose.
What unites these varied rooms is Sakla’s ability to balance beauty with purpose. Every choice—be it a marble surface, a fluted panel, or a splash of bold colour—is deliberate, designed to enrich the homeowner’s everyday experience.
“The Satori House is about more than aesthetics,” says Sakla. “It’s about creating an instantly liveable home that reveals new layers of warmth and refinement as you spend time in it.”
The result is a residence that feels quietly confident: minimalist at its core, but imbued with richness through thoughtful materiality, bespoke furniture, and artful detail. In The Satori House, Sakla demonstrates that true luxury in design lies in balance—the point where utility meets beauty, and where a house becomes a deeply personal home.
WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE DREAM
At OBLU Xperience Ailafushi, every moment—whether dining beneath the sea, swimming through coral gardens, or dancing by the lagoon—feels like living inside a postcard.
Text: Aloysius Dsouza
Photo courtesy: OBLU Xperience Ailafushi
OBLU XPERIENCE AilafushiArrival Jetty at Sunset
Touching down in the Maldives feels less like a journey and more like a waking dream. The pulse of city life fades instantly, replaced by the gentle rhythm of the tide and the warmth of the sun. My escape began at OBLU Xperience Ailafushi, a resort that combines laidback island living with modern design and playful spirit. Best of all, it’s just a breezy 15-minute speedboat ride from Malé International Airport—seamless and effortless.
From the moment I set foot on the island, the world seemed to narrow to essentials: sun, sea, and serenity. My water villa stretched into the lagoon like a scene from a postcard. Shaped like a traditional Maldivian dhoni boat, it felt intimate and authentic. Each morning, I woke to the sound of waves
brushing against the stilts and couldn’t resist diving straight into the turquoise ocean. The private deck was my sanctuary, perfect for lounging between swims, while a staircase led me directly into the lagoon. For families, the Ocean View Family Rooms offer a different kind of magic—two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a playful kids’ room with bunk beds and storybook décor.
Meals were an adventure in themselves. At Element X, the resort’s all-day dining restaurant, buffets became global feasts with live cooking stations spanning Western, Eastern, and Central cuisines. Salad and dessert bars were as eye-catching as they were indulgent, and self-serve counters with wine, juices, and coffee added to the relaxed, easy vibe. No two
Ariel view of OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi
OBLU Xperience Ailafushi - Pool Side
meals ever felt the same, and the sheer variety kept dining fresh and fun.
Evenings belonged to X360, the island’s hub of energy. With its bohemian décor, lagoon views, and lively beats, it quickly became my favorite hangout. Unlimited pours of house spirits, beers, and wines flowed freely, with one signature cocktail or mocktail each day adding a special touch. Whether lounging by the pool, grabbing a drink, or dancing under the stars to live bands and DJs, X360 struck the perfect balance between chill and fun. On certain nights, The Copper Pot Food Truck added a twist—surf and turf grills savored under the night sky with sand underfoot. And then there was Only BLU, the Maldives’ largest under-ocean restaurant, where
panoramic windows opened onto a marine world alive with color. Paired with fine wines and gourmet plates, it was an experience as surreal as it was delicious.
Days unfolded at an easy pace but were never short on adventure. The overwater gym turned workouts into a scenic ritual, while organized group activities added energy to mornings. Out on the water, kayaking, paddleboarding at sunrise, and snorkeling with PADI-certified experts became the highlights of my stay. Floating among coral gardens alive with fish felt like swimming through a living aquarium, an experience that lingers long after leaving the island.
For families, the Kids Club offered a world of its own— multi-level, complete with a pool, buffet corner, and daily
La Promenade
Kids Club Arcade ELE|NA Spa Lobby
X360 Bar counter
activities. Parents, meanwhile, could slip away to ELE|NA Spa, where Maldivian traditions and international therapies blended into a deeply restorative experience. My massage there went beyond relaxation; it felt like a recalibration of body and spirit, rooted in the rhythm of the island itself.
Between activities, I found joy in wandering La Promenade, a stylish retail and café hub. From buttery croissants and espresso to wine, liquor, and thoughtful souvenirs at The Essence OShop, it offered small indulgences that elevated daily rituals.
What sets OBLU Xperience Ailafushi apart is not just its amenities—though with 268 villas, four dining concepts, the
largest under-ocean restaurant in the country, and an overwater gym, there’s no shortage of them—but its spirit. In Dhivehi, Aila means “family” and Fushi means “island.” True to its name, the resort welcomes everyone, whether couples seeking romance, families chasing fun, or groups of friends looking for adventure.
It’s a place where mornings begin with a plunge into the sea, afternoons hum with water sports and laughter, evenings sparkle with music and cocktails, and nights drift into dreamlike calm. OBLU Xperience Ailafushi is not just a holiday destination—it’s a free-spirited Maldivian escape that lingers in memory long after the tide has carried you home.
Beach Villa
Element X
Only Blu Underocean Restaurant water villa
ART
RECLAIMING HISTORY
Experience the Black narrative at the centre of art history through the Kerry James Marshall: The Histories exhibit.
Photo courtesy: Royal Academy of Arts
From 20 September 2025 to 18 January 2026, the Royal Academy of Arts in London will host Kerry James Marshall: The Histories, the largest survey of the internationally acclaimed artist’s work ever presented in the United Kingdom. Showcasing more than 70 paintings, including the monumental Knowledge and Wonder (1995) from the Chicago Public Library — never before loaned — the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to engage with Marshall’s powerful reimagining of art history.
Kerry James Marshall, born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1955, is widely regarded as one of the most significant painters of his generation. His oeuvre places Black figures front and centre, reclaiming a space from which they have historically been excluded. Drawing upon six centuries of Western representational painting, Marshall constructs what he terms a “counter-archive,” a visual narrative that foregrounds Black experience and identity while engaging with broader themes of memory, civil rights, and contemporary culture.
Marshall’s large-scale, vividly colored paintings are rich with references — from comics and science fiction to personal recollections and historical motifs — allowing him to comment on the past, celebrate the everyday, and imagine optimistic futures. His work is both epic in scale and intimate in focus, offering viewers a complex dialogue between history, identity, and imagination.
This London exhibition, organised in collaboration with Kunsthaus Zürich and Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, represents a landmark moment for UK audiences, many of whom will see his work for the first time. Highlights include Knowledge and Wonder, a monumental library commission that demonstrates Marshall’s mastery of scale and narrative, alongside key works spanning his career, from early explorations to his most recent pieces.
Marshall’s career has been distinguished by numerous solo shows and commissions worldwide, including landmark exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, The Met Breuer, New York, the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, and Vancouver’s Rennie Museum. His site-specific sculpture A Monumental Journey permanently graces Hansen Triangle Park in Des Moines, Iowa, while his stained-glass commission for the Washington National Cathedral, unveiled in 2023, reflects his ongoing engagement with public art and narrative.
The artist’s contributions have been recognised with prestigious awards and honors, from the MacArthur Foundation grant (1997) to the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal (2019), as well as appointments to President Obama’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Marshall’s works are held in major institutions worldwide, including The Met, MoMA, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
REIMAGINING TEXTILE ART
Six contemporary women artists weave memory, tradition, and feminist voices into a powerful exhibition of textile art at AMCA, Mumbai
In the heart of Colaba, Mumbai, Anupa Mehta Contemporary Art (AMCA) has opened its doors to an exhibition that is as much a meditation on memory and ancestry as it is a celebration of contemporary craft. Where the River Meets the Sea brings together six women artists who are reshaping the language of textile and fibre art in India: Alamu Kumaresan, Aparajita Jain Mahajan, Dr. Savia Viegas, Hansika Sharma, Lakshmi Madhavan, and Meenakshi Nihalani.
Curated by Anupa Mehta, with a text by Goa-based historian Lina Vincent, the show places textiles in a broader cultural and feminist context—where the warp and weft of cloth are not merely material but repositories of memory, lineage, and lived experience.
“The river, a symbol of life’s journey, personal growth, memory, transformation, and hybridity, can be read as a metaphor for the creative and artistic impulse flowing through an artist’s work,” Mehta notes. “At the point where it merges with the sea, it becomes part of a larger whole—a more universal truth.”
This duality—the intimate and the expansive—runs through the exhibition. Each artist’s practice is deeply personal, yet together they form a collective narrative that speaks to a larger feminist impulse. The works embrace craft traditions such as embroidery, dyeing, and weaving while breaking away from the hierarchies that long confined textile to the domestic or decorative.
Vincent expands on this legacy: “A glimpse at the textile
Photo courtesy: AMCA
map of the Indian subcontinent reveals an abundant heritage… woven textiles preserve memory in their warp and weft; they represent culture and social evolution, deeply entwined with the histories of politics, trade, and colonialism. Textile and its decoration are coloured by gendered experience, with forms of needlework, embroidery, knitting, and quilting often relegated to the space of craft and feminine domesticity. Today, those boundaries are being blurred.”
Indeed, the exhibition feels timely. Textile and fibre art are enjoying a global resurgence, increasingly recognised as powerful mediums of resistance, activism, and matrilineal storytelling. For these six artists, thread and dye replace brush and pigment, but the results are no less evocative—often more so, given their tactile intimacy and layered references.
From works that honour ancestry and tradition to those that challenge gendered narratives, Where the River Meets the Sea is an exploration of materiality as metaphor. The exhibi-
tion invites viewers to not just look, but to feel: the textures of memory, the pull of histories woven into fabric, the strength of women’s voices stitched into every surface.
For collectors and first-time buyers alike, the show offers a rare opportunity to acquire works by artists redefining the parameters of textile art in India. More importantly, it positions these practices as part of a continuum—threads connecting past to present, individual stories to universal truths.
At a moment when textile art is stepping firmly into the global spotlight, this exhibition underscores the role of women artists at the forefront of this shift: weaving narratives of resilience, beauty, and transformation, where rivers meet seas and personal histories dissolve into collective consciousness.
Where the River Meets the Sea is on view at AMCA, Colaba, until September 11, 2025.
THINGS
RACING ELEGANCE
Ferrari unveils one-of-a-kind Daytona SP3 for charity auction
Photo courtesy: Ferrari
Ferrari is set to offer an extraordinary opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts alike: a unique Ferrari Daytona SP3 Tailor Made will be auctioned for charity at RM Sotheby’s during Monterey Car Week in California, August 2025. This exceptional vehicle is an addition to the already sold-out allocation of 599 Daytona SP3s, numbered 599+1, and represents the pinnacle of Ferrari’s bespoke Tailor Made program.
Designed as a capstone masterpiece, the car features a striking two-tone livery, combining exposed carbon fiber with the vibrant Giallo Modena finish. For the first time in Ferrari’s history, the logo spans the full upper body of the car, making a bold statement of identity and craftsmanship. Inside, the interior is trimmed in an innovative fabric derived from recycled tires, adorned with a unique Prancing Horse motif, while the dashboard and steering column incorporate Formula 1-grade carbon fiber — a direct nod to Ferrari’s racing heritage.
All proceeds from the auction will benefit The Ferrari Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity recognized by the IRS, supporting future educational initiatives. The foundation’s recent projects include a collaboration with Save the Children, contributing to the rebuilding of the Aveson Charter School in Altadena, California, devastated earlier this year by the Eaton Wildfire.
THE FERRARI DAYTONA SP3: A MODERN ICON
The Daytona SP3 is the second model in Ferrari’s limitededition Icona series, paying homage to the mid-rear-engined V12 sports prototypes that cemented the marque’s legendary motorsport legacy. Limited to 599 units, the SP3 is powered by a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12, producing 840 cv and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.85 seconds, and 0 to 200 km/h in just 7.4 seconds. Its design and performance perfectly blend Ferrari’s engineering prowess with timeless Italian elegance.
FERRARI ICONA: CELEBRATING HISTORY, REDEFINING THE FUTURE
Launched in 2018 with the Monza SP1 and SP2, the Icona series draws inspiration from the competition barchettas of the 1950s, iconic vehicles that helped establish Ferrari’s dominance on the track. The series distills the essence of a bygone era while introducing forward-looking design and technological innovation, creating modern classics for the world’s most discerning collectors. Each Icona model showcases exclusive features and craftsmanship, tailored for Ferrari’s top clientele — true ambassadors of the Prancing Horse.
This unique Daytona SP3 is more than a car; it is a work of art, a collector’s dream, and a vehicle with purpose — a rare opportunity to own a bespoke Ferrari while supporting a meaningful cause.
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