In an ambitious four-year endeavor, Architectural Digest 100 designer Darren Jett of Jett Projects undertook the transformation of a Tudor Revival residence in Ohio. Tasked with harmonizing his clients' Indian origins with a modern American sensibility, Jett crafted a dwelling that is both grand and intimately personal. The project, spanning 8,000 square feet, involved extensive renovations, including a significant reduction in the number of bedrooms and the incorporation of bespoke artistic elements that tell the family's unique story.
Initially approaching Jett for their Manhattan apartment, a career opportunity for the wife necessitated a relocation to Ohio, prompting a shift in the project's scope. Jett assisted the couple in acquiring an early 1900s Tudor Revival home in Bexley, near Columbus. Drawn to its architectural character and historical charm, the house presented a formidable yet inspiring canvas for the designer. Its original layout, characterized by numerous bedrooms and a convoluted flow, called for a comprehensive reimagining to suit the family's contemporary lifestyle and cultural narrative.
A key aspect of Jett's design philosophy for this residence was achieving equilibrium between opulent scale and cozy comfort, and between Eastern and Western influences. He restructured the home, reducing seven bedrooms to four, creating two primary suites, a nursery, and a dedicated wellness area complete with a gym, sauna, and a prayer and meditation room. The exterior also saw a significant enhancement with the addition of a 2,000-square-foot vegetable garden, grounding the home within its natural surroundings.
The interiors are a testament to the family’s heritage, featuring a nearly 60-foot-long built-in sofa in the sunken living room, upholstered in a collage of saris passed down through generations. These textiles also inspired the home's color scheme, transitioning from deep jewel tones in communal areas to warm, spice-infused shades in the primary suite. This palette was deliberately chosen to create a sanctuary that offers comfort during harsh winters and vibrant energy during warmer months, responding to the clients' desire for a home that feels alive and connected to nature.
Art played a pivotal role in personalizing the space. A mural artist spent two years adorning the walls with custom scenes. The morning room, for instance, depicts the wife's ancestral village in Chennai, including a poignant image of her mother bathing with elephants. The kitchen murals celebrate local Ohio wildlife, while symbolic snakes, representing good fortune, are a recurring motif throughout the house. The nursery, a new addition following the couple's son's birth during the renovation, features custom Voutsa wallpaper teeming with jungle wildlife, offering a whimsical departure from the murals.
Jett's immersive approach extended to the auditory experience of the home. He curated playlists that included Iranian pop icon Googoosh and Indian rock legend Nandu Bhende, setting the mood for the renovation process. In the prayer and meditation room, a subtle speaker continually plays a religious chant, echoing the homeowners' Hindu beliefs and emphasizing the spiritual dimension of their dwelling. This seamless integration of personal histories, cultural elements, and artistic expression resulted in a deeply meaningful and exquisitely designed living environment.
The meticulous four-year renovation reflects a harmonious blend of cultural narratives and thoughtful design. From the repurposed saris that adorn the furniture to the hand-painted murals depicting personal and regional landscapes, every detail contributes to a cohesive and deeply personal aesthetic. The careful balance of luxurious finishes with sentimental elements creates a home that truly encapsulates the family’s journey and values, making it a unique sanctuary that transcends conventional design boundaries.