Gita Hari takes you to the pristine home of this celebrated couple, captured on camera by Prashant Bhateaching the apartment of popular TV and film actor Rohit Roy, we find him busy fixing two Ganesha idols back to back at the entrance door. Wife and actor Manasi offers the explaination, “You must not have Ganesha showing his back to the inside of the house,” hence another idol behind it!

Good light and minimalist but classy interiors prove the ‘less is more’ theory in this 4th floor, sea facing, 1,800 sq. ft. apartment. The couple has given it a clean look with white floors and walls and high cross windows that let in natural light and make it airy. The French windows overlook a part of the Arabian Sea. Rohit says indulgently, “That was Manasi’s condition. She has lived in Juhu all her life and insisted on a sea view.” This meant going through nearly a 100 properties before settling for this one because, “when we saw the sea straight from the living room and then found that every room looks on to the sea, we fell in love.”

Clean white, Zen space in light colours and dark veneer wood furniture marks the abode. “It has three-and-a-half bedrooms,” informs Rohit, “The original kitchen is converted into our daughter Kiara’s room and the bedroom opposite it has been divided into the kitchen and powder room.” The entire furniture is made of oak veneer with wenge polish.

Designers Bhavesh and Daryl, who have worked with Pinakin Patel, were briefed by the couple for a “no clutter, roomy and airy decor.” The couple believes in Feng Shui, “We consulted Feng Shui master Archana Vichare. To clear out negativity, crystal quartz stones have been placed under the flooring, French windows at opposite sides of the hall for cross-ventilation, etc.” explains Manasi. The living room is spacious with no clutter, nothing to perturb the mind and offers the liberty to walk around.

An interesting combination of black veneer and white leather with a punch of beige in the cushions on the lounge and dining chairs lend a soothing yet interesting tone to the living room. Beige cushions are used on box-type sofas in dark wood; yellow and orange flowers are the only colours that break the monotony of pristine white. Displays are elegant and minimal that include a mounted Buddha head and Rohit’s awards on the side table illuminated by a 5-cube lampshade with Japanese inscriptions.

At the other end, a metal Ganesha sits below a square, white lamp while a floating lounge seating and a square centre table complete the living area. The bar (flanked by dark wood) and dining table with a stone hand from China and a Buddha head from Hong Kong take up the other side of the room. Niche for the bar has been created from Rohit’s mother’s bedroom. The unusual thing about the dining is that there are three chairs on one side and a bench on the other to veer away from the stereotype.

The bar has a simple, clean look with glass shelves to hold wine glasses and opaque glass door cabinet for the liquor bottles. Four-year-old Kiara’s room faces the kitchen, and is the only room in the entire house which is colourful. Ikea bed from Dubai that houses a playpen below, wooden flooring, crescent moon and flower-shaped lights, colourful butterflies on white drapes and a baby chair and table to study. One notices a pair of hands and feet, framed on a black background on the wall. Manasi explains, “These are models of Kiara’s hands and feet by Bhavna Jasra.” The child’s toilet, too, is colourful with lot of stickers. Zen-like interiors that are the perfect antidote to stress and hurry. Casual and contemporary chic emanate positive vibes with stylish interiors. “Anything good is high maintenance and we have already got the house painted twice,” reveals Manasi.

The couple’s bedroom is sparse and roomy with only a cabinet at the foot of their king-size bed, holding the music system and a plasma screen above which is a wall clock in black and white. There is a ledge on the window sill which overlooks the mangroves and Manasi gushes, “I have my cuppa here in the mornings and the evenings are beautiful as the sunset is spectacular from this spot.” The attached bath is in white tiles with modern fittings.

The bedroom that belongs to Rohit’s mother Dolly, continues the Zen theme translating into white, calm and tranquility. A small pooja area stands at one corner of the room, next to the wardrobe and mirror. Since the Roys have tailored nearly every room to suit their needs and maximize the scenic view, the outcome is a beautiful home radiating peace and harmony where one can be oneself without the nagging feel of tresspassing on something precious!