Studio Nilasha’s Monochrome Villa Finds Warmth in Restraint

ByMyProperty Life 08/12/2025

Studio Nilasha’s latest villa in Hyderabad, India – Grigio Verde – proves that a monochromatic gray home doesn’t have to feel sterile or uninspired. Here, the studio transforms 6,000 square feet of shadowy tones into a richly layered retreat, building an atmosphere that’s textural and serene, turning the absence of color into its own kind of luxury.

Modern living room with mustard yellow and orange seating, glass coffee table, large windows, gray walls, sheer curtains, and potted plants.

From the moment you approach the gray, black, and white residence, there’s a sense of stepping into a thoughtfully curated world. Stone steps weave through soft planting toward the entrance, setting the tone for a home that’s equal parts sculptural and grounded. Inside, the monochrome palette expands into a study of materials: concrete walls with a velvety matte finish, dark marble underfoot, brushed metal details, and warm wood accents that elevate the minimalist design. “Our client had a strong vision – a home that felt minimal, dark, and masculine. That’s where the idea for a monochromatic palette began,” shares Nilasha. “We fused this with our studio’s signature understated aesthetic, while drawing subtle cues from industrial design.”

Modern living room with a yellow sofa, brown chair, and dark wood coffee table with a vase of flowers; a red and white motorcycle is visible in the hallway near a staircase.

Modern living room with minimalist decor, featuring a brown armchair, yellow sofa, dark wood coffee table with a plant, and large windows allowing natural light. A motorcycle is visible in the background.

Nilasha’s approach to monochrome isn’t about flattening the palette – it’s about giving neutrals their moment to shine. Natural light enters through strategically-placed openings that animate the rooms throughout the day. Morning sun turns the grays silvery and fluid, while in the afternoon, the same surfaces lean into moodier depths. Even the perimeter greenery becomes part of the palette with its soft greens playing beautifully against the villa’s cooler tones.

A black and red motorcycle is parked indoors on a polished dark floor beneath a modern black staircase with minimalist gray walls.

A red and black motorcycle is parked indoors near a staircase and an elevator in a modern, minimalist building with marble floors and large windows.

Public gathering spaces to one side of the entryway, including the informal living room, dining room, and kitchen, flow together and pop with rust and ochre-toned furnishings. Central to the home, the foyer with its shades of gray, features a staircase with a perforated black railing that connects all three floors. The space also doubles as a backdrop for the homeowner’s prized motorcycle – on display like a sculpture.

A black and red motorcycle is parked indoors next to a modern, black metal staircase with geometric lines against a gray wall.

A red and white Suzuki motorcycle is parked indoors beneath a modern black metal staircase with a minimalist grey and black interior.

Modern kitchen with dark cabinets, built-in appliances, a dining table with four chairs, and large windows with drapes overlooking a tree outside.

A modern bedroom with a low bed, neutral bedding, a potted plant, a white lamp on a black nightstand, and an abstract painting on the wall.

In the primary suite, on the opposite side of the house, walnut flooring and African blackwood paneling deepen the palette to create a cocoon-like haven. Minimal decor keeps the focus on tactility with linen, wood grain, and concrete working in unison to create a refuge from the busyness of the city.

A modern bedroom with a bed, bedside table, and decor, featuring large windows with a view of lush greenery outside.

Modern bathroom with a large window showing green foliage, a countertop with a white sink, dark wood cabinet, and a vase of dried plants.

Minimalist interior featuring black metal staircases, mesh railings, and concrete walls in a modern architectural design.

A modern wooden staircase with black metal mesh railings viewed from above, showing multiple flights and landings.

Modern home office with a desk, swivel chair, shelves with framed photos, large window overlooking trees, and minimalistic decor.

On the upper level, a small study nook catches natural light, while two guest bedrooms explore subtle shifts in tone through soft tan and sage textiles. These spaces stay true to the home’s stripped-back design but still feel cozy and mindful.

Minimalist room with concrete shelves displaying three framed abstract artworks and a small sculpture, with a round knitted pouf on a carpeted floor in the foreground.

A neatly made bed with a striped white and gray cover, green pillows, a bedside table with a vase of tropical flowers, and a window letting in natural light.

A minimalist bedroom with a neatly made bed, a side table with a lamp, a potted plant, an armchair, and a large window letting in natural light.

Modern bathroom with dark tiles, glass shower enclosure, wall-mounted toilet, and a potted plant on a ledge near a frosted window.

Modern bedroom with a loft bed, built-in desk, pink chair, two furry stools, geometric rug, shelves with decor, and abstract wall and ceiling patterns.

At the far end of this floor, the daughter’s room takes the color palette in a new direction that breaks the grayscale seriousness without abandoning the home’s design DNA. A camp-style loft bed, rope railings, and a custom mural in blues and teals turn the space into an adventure zone. It’s playful but still cohesive.

A modern loft-style kids' bedroom features two raised beds, a desk with a pink chair, open shelves with toys and books, and abstract wall designs.

A modern outdoor area with lush green plants, a small statue on a pedestal, reflective windows, and a motorcycle visible in the background.

A modern house entrance with an open wooden door, surrounded by lush green plants and wet, black tiled steps.

Modern house entrance with black tiled steps, large glass windows, plants, and a metal pergola, surrounded by green shrubs and trees.

For more information on the Grigio Verde villa by Studio Nilasha, please visit studionilasha.com.

Photography by Ishita Stiwala.
Styling by Samir Wadekar.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.