Just the term ‘Goa' can induce a multitude of emotions—joy, peace and a reassuring feeling of reclusively. Hoping to get some much needed ‘me time', I made my way to the sweet, sweet place gilded with golden sands and uninterrupted views of the sea. All I needed was a weekend away from the frenzied city life—a few days in a world drenched in history and natural beauty sounded more than appealing. What I didn't expect was all of the above to converge into a superlative luxurious experience...a trip that was one-of-a-kind.
A Hidden Gem
Post the touchdown in Goa, I took in the freshly laundered air, heart-filling sights of the blue sea and the emerald landscape. We purred along the long, winding roads, right into the eco-friendly Vianaar Homes, in Vagator. The 4,150-square-metres property is nestled inside a quiet lane, appended with lush greenery and dotted with 9 villas. The beach is close by and a slew of new bars and restaurants are just a few minutes drive away. Truly, a microcosm of Goa exists at the boutique hotel, and unrestrained, understated luxury wafts through spaces.
The Creative Two
Vianaar Homes is owned by brother-sister duo Varun and Naina Nagpal who founded this company with a vision to create luxurious homes with the perfect blend of aesthetics and design that optimises the use of natural light and space. Naina, who is the creative head, studied architecture and wanted to start a company that offered design and good value to people. “At Vianaar our core principle is to design for the comfort and well-being of our home owners. La Maroma villas are designed to maximise the vistas of the greenery surrounding the homes and the large floor-to-ceiling windows welcome in fresh Goan breeze. Our homes are a haven amidst the natural flora of Goa which helps the homeowners relax and reconnect with nature in complete luxury,” she says.
Delightful & Indulgent
The spacious villas, floor-to-ceiling windows, patterned flooring, white brick walls, open kitchen, modern art and a private pool are reflective of a nuanced design approach. The furniture and décor have been curated by a team of in-house designers. The cane beds, dining table, the quintessential shell window of Goa, fabric upholstered beds are custom-designed and then fabricated with the help of local skilled craftsmen. The company supports Indian designers and handmade products, which is why you will find ample accessories, curios and cutlery from brands like AndSo, Gulmohar Lane, N Square Studio. “Artisanal products are our favourite. Goa has a treasure trove of concept design stores which are a delight. Here we have sourced products focusing on craftsmanship—Nicobar, Rangeela, People Tree, The Flame Store and Freedom Tree are a few of the brands you can find here,” says Naina.
Intricate Details
Careful detailing add to the overall aesthetic. Take the flooring for instance, which is made with hand-made terrazzo tiles. The patterns and designs were created especially for La Maroma. The bespoke tiles are inspired by nature and pay homage to classical patterns as well. The modular kitchen with high end finishes, glossy surfaces, the bathrooms with jaccuzi, shower stalls, to even the lighting pieces—each element has its pride of place, carefully chosen for the property.
Sustainable Living
Each villa is nestled amidst the lush verdant natural landscape. Rain water harvesting is a rich source of water in a precipitation-rich environment like Goa. Even the plumbing at Vianaar Homes is designed in such a way that all the water goes straight into the harvesting pit. All the garbage is segregated such that the organic matter can be used in the composting pit. Even the drinking water in each room is ph-balanced. Sometimes you wonder—isn't this just the perfect living situation? Bliss! “Living in harmony with nature, to live better lives while they are in this cocoon has been one of the guiding design philosophies when we were creating these homes,” says Naina.
For those looking to find a moment of peace, for those looking to substitute sounds of the city with the chirping of birds and, most times, the sound of silence will find this property ideal. A holiday wrapped in inspiring design and quietude awaits. As for me—an encore please!
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