Art is not just an inseparable part of South Indian star Nayanthara and her filmmaker husband Vignesh Shivan’s lives — it is the very air they breathe. And it extends far beyond cinema, as reflected in the interiors of their 7,000-square-foot, colonial-style bungalow-turned-studio in Venus Colony, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Designed to be bathed in ample natural light, the home studio seamlessly blends modern luxury with colonial heritage and is adorned with delicate pottery, traditional artefacts and wooden sculptures. Emphasising local craftsmanship, the interiors are infused with earthy tones, while elements like teak, woven fibre, linen fabric and rattan lend warmth and elegance to the space.
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“I wanted to retain the essence of the bungalow while enhancing it to make it brighter by bringing in lots of natural light,” Nayanthara shared about her happy place. Interestingly, the transformation of the bungalow into a studio — tailored to the couple’s aesthetic — was completed in just 40 days. While the external structure remained intact, some interior walls were removed to create a more open and well-ventilated space.
Now, the studio comprises a conference room, a cosy lounge, a large outdoor landscaped section, an outdoor backyard, a living room, bedrooms and multiple meeting rooms. “My most favourite part is Vignesh’s studio along with the terrace café lounge where we host guests regularly,” Nayanthara added. The lounge in Vignesh’s studio is thoughtfully furnished with a mild coarse rug, Naga chairs, cushions, a brass planter, an old door repurposed into a coffee table and lime-textured walls.
The studio is designed to be bathed in ample natural light. (Screenshot: YouTube/ArchitecturalDigestIndia)
The home studio seamlessly blends modern luxury with colonial heritage. (Screenshot: YouTube/ArchitecturalDigestIndia)
The structure is adorned with delicate pottery, traditional artefacts and wooden sculptures. (Screenshot: YouTube/ArchitecturalDigestIndia)
The studio also comprises a conference room, a cosy lounge, a large outdoor landscaped section and an outdoor backyard. (Screenshot: YouTube/ArchitecturalDigestIndia)
One of South India’s biggest movie stars, Nayanthara tied the knot with Vignesh Shivan in June 2022 after several years of dating. The two first collaborated on his sophomore directorial venture, the blockbuster Tamil romantic action comedy Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015). They are now parents to twin boys, who were born via surrogacy.