Coonoor, Tamil NaduResidential

Home in the Hills

Set amidst eleven acres of tea plantation in the Nilgiris, this old family bungalow was carefully restored while being subtly reworked for contemporary living.

Location: Coonoor, Tamil Nadu
Type: Residential
Area: 5,000 sq ft
Completed: 2021
Design consultant: Elsie Nanji

The project

Set amidst eleven acres of tea plantation in the Nilgiris, this old family bungalow was carefully restored while being subtly reworked for contemporary living. The original load-bearing stone structure remained largely untouched, with the interventions focused on opening the house to its extraordinary setting.

The roof was reconfigured to create a new master suite and private balcony overlooking the blue mountains. At ground level, the existing patio was extended into a long verandah, its black-and-white marble chequerboard floor and slender cast-iron columns giving the new addition a quiet, period character. The verandah leads to a pergola at the edge of the house, creating an informal outdoor room that brings the landscape right into daily life.

Elsewhere, new openings were introduced to capture the valley views and changing mountain light, while original details such as the sloping roof, barge boards and deep eaves were carefully retained.

Inside, vintage pieces, whimsical chandeliers, colour and fresh flowers from the estate gardens bring a sense of ease and personality. The result is a home that feels rooted in its history, yet entirely at home in the present.

The Coonoor bungalow seen across the tea gardens

The living room opening onto the verandah at the Coonoor bungalow

The checkerboard pergola laid for lunch — The pergola: an outdoor breakfast room, or somewhere to read and paint.

The staircase and wrought-iron chandelier at the Coonoor bungalow

An antique armchair against panelled walls, tea gardens through the window

Terrace seating under a cantilevered umbrella, the Nilgiris beyond

Floor seating and a striped rug in the gadda room

Hanging baskets over the pergola table at the Coonoor bungalow

The dining room and its white pedestal table

A window seat on the checkerboard landing, valley beyond — Splendid views from every part of the house.

The blue guest bedroom with a bay window seat — A window by the clouds.

The terracotta guest bedroom with a bay window — Tucked at the back of the property, the terracotta makes it cosy.

A guest room under the eaves at the Coonoor bungalow

The green guest bedroom at the Coonoor bungalow

A desk and shelves in the pale blue room

A bed in late afternoon light at the Coonoor bungalow

The louvred wardrobe in the terracotta room

A powder room with a navy vanity and patterned tiles

A wooden vanity between two pendant lights

The verandah and its cane seating at the Coonoor bungalow

A white vanity with an orange splashback

The green-tiled bathroom at the Coonoor bungalow

A carved wooden table in the living room at the Coonoor bungalow

The powder room with a checkerboard floor — The littlest room with a view.

The reading corner by the window at the Coonoor bungalow

A lamp and framed print against panelled walls at the Coonoor bungalow

The fireplace wall in the living room at the Coonoor bungalow

A detail of the wrought-iron chandelier at the Coonoor bungalow

Sunlight through the louvred shutters at the Coonoor bungalow

A cane chair and side table on the verandah at the Coonoor bungalow

The kitchen garden and stone path at the Coonoor bungalow

The sitting room fireplace at the Coonoor bungalow

A guest bedroom with floral curtains at the Coonoor bungalow

The hallway and its tiled floor at the Coonoor bungalow

A writing desk under the eaves at the Coonoor bungalow

A dressed bed with a quilted throw at the Coonoor bungalow

The blue bathroom with patterned floor tiles at the Coonoor bungalow

A brass mirror and wooden shelf at the Coonoor bungalow

The pantry shelves and jars at the Coonoor bungalow

An arched doorway and planted courtyard at the Coonoor bungalow

A window seat with cushions at the Coonoor bungalow

The garden gate and stone wall at the Coonoor bungalow

A cane daybed on the upper verandah at the Coonoor bungalow

The dressing area with a wooden mirror at the Coonoor bungalow

A bedroom corner with a reading lamp at the Coonoor bungalow

The bungalow facade at dusk, lights on inside

The terracotta-tiled landing at the Coonoor bungalow

The tea garden view from the upper floor at the Coonoor bungalow

A white washbasin with brass fittings at the Coonoor bungalow

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