#HauteSpaces: The Brick House That Is Perfect For A Getaway

Who doesn’t love a pretty home/work space? I know the answer to that one. So now, every week I will go in search of the most stunning indoor spaces in our country that will inspire the inner decorator in you. Unique, colourful, or quirky, these photo stories are sure to leave you spellbound, like mouth-hanging-open spellbound. If you know or use a space that fits the description, ping me and we can chat! It can be anything from a home to an office, a studio to a restaurant — if it is fun, I’m game.

It’s that time of the year when most of us pack our bags and leave for a much-deserved holiday. While some of us are lucky enough to get a week off, others have to make do with a quick getaway over the weekend. Now, if you are in Mumbai and you fall under the second category, then I have found the ideal place for your next trip. Some two hours away from the city is a settlement called Wada, and there you will find this quaint-looking farmhouse that is absolutely stunning.

The Brick House, as the architect likes to call it, is an eco-friendly, 3-bedroom, lavish 2,500 sq.ft. bungalow sitting in the middle of a scenic location. Prashant Dupare, the owner of iStudio Architecture and the visionary behind this unique design, has taken the inspiration for this project from the famous architect Laurie Baker, who mostly worked with bricks. You can stay in this property for approx Rs 6,000 per night, and enjoy nature at its best. With the hills — or tekdi, as the locals call it — pretty close, you can go trekking and have a good meal near a bonfire while you are there.

But apart from it being a great camping place, the bungalow itself is a real beauty. The plan is open, allowing ample space for everyone to mingle while still maintaining privacy. As the name suggests, it is built on bricks keeping the raw feel intact. There are trees inside the living room, making the whole living-inside-the-jungle pretty serious. The bed sort of camouflages with the surroundings, with the structure being of the same colour as the walls. The house does have a terrace that will allow you to witness stars in all their glory at night, slowly taking you away from reality.

The best part, however, is a pool right in the center of the living area, with a pebble podium around it. Perfect for a get together with some wine and great music, right? There are cut-outs in the walls at every step, in different shapes and sizes, making a standard window look too mainstream. This is great because there is sufficient sunlight during the day, helping the place look more lively. Plants, bamboo, wood are other natural touches added to this place, surely deeming it to be a nature lover’s paradise. The use of jalis has been done in a beautiful intricate manner, almost making it look like a work of art.

I surely know where I am spending my long weekend, and after looking at these pictures, you will want to too!