Renowned fashion designer Mrunalini Rao honours India’s rich textile heritage through a distinctly modern lens—a philosophy that extends beyond her atelier into her parents’ Hyderabad home. Hyderabad-based interior practice Beyond Spaces Design Studio, founded by architect Mounika Kodali, creates a residence tailored to this new chapter of the couple’s lives. Perched high above the city’s financial district with sweeping views across the urban skyline, this 4,000-square-foot apartment embodies the same thoughtful balance that defines Rao’s aesthetic: a place where cultural identity rooted in heritage quietly coalesces with contemporary living.
Starting from a bare shell, the studio found its muse in traditional Indian architecture—the grandeur of heritage homes and havelis, with their layered ceilings, open courtyards, and masterful balance of scale and intimacy. “My role was translating that sensibility through a contemporary lens, creating spaces that feel rooted, modern, and timeless,” explains principal designer Mounika Kodali.
The home opens into a dramatic 50-foot-long living area that forms the spine of the residence, cleverly divided into three distinct spaces: a drawing room, a bar area, and a living area spilling onto a balcony. Throughout the day, natural light streams through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows and the spaces maintain an inherent connection to the outdoors.
