Fantasy and Function: Pennyroyal Tea Residence in Chennai by Multitude of Sins.

In the sun-drenched Indian coastal city of Chennai, Multitude of Sins (MOS) has unveiled the most epic residence that’s been meticulously crafted by more than 200 skilled artisans over two and a half years, comprising 80% custom-designed furniture, light fixtures, and art. Wowzer! We’ll be honest—this project differs from the usual type of home we feature on Yellowtrace (even though ‘usual type’ or ‘style’ isn’t something we subscribe to, if you catch our drift), and while not all of it here may be our cup of tea, the final result feels like taking a peek into an entirely new world— and what is design about if not to expand one’s horizons?

The Pennyroyal Tea is a home for a vibrant family of four, spread across two levels and a whopping 1,100 square meters. The striking facade sets the tone with its double-height entry, featuring a curved brick jali wall adorned with hand-painted kolam patterns—a nod to local cultural traditions. A carved wooden door, set within a soft grey and green marble frame, welcomes visitors with playful flower motifs and striking black-and-white marble inlay. This attention to cultural context and craftsmanship establishes the design language that flows throughout the entire residence.

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Step inside, and the foyer immediately captivates with its Modern-Indian printed mural and soaring ceilings flooded with natural light from glass panels and a skylight. A custom 400kg chandelier—a cascade of wooden beads suspended by deep mauve metal rods—creates a dramatic focal point. The shoe unit accommodates nearly 100 pairs, reimagining traditional shoelaces and eyelets through wooden shutters and criss-cross leather loops.

The ground floor holds spaces for connection. There’s the living room with two distinct seating areas, unified by centre tables with intricate inlay work. An informal lounge area introduces an L-shaped marble lounger beneath a whimsical canopy reminiscent of an overhead garden. The dining space celebrates colour and texture, featuring moss green, sky blue, and custom-printed tiles.

“We designed each nook and cranny to make everyday rituals feel extraordinary,” explains MOS’ principal designer, Smita Thomas. This philosophy manifests throughout, most notably in the art studio created for the family’s 12-year-old daughter. The studio entrance features double doors inspired by a deconstructed easel stand. The floor features a mosaic border with the Tamil word “KALA” (Art) at its centre, while the walls showcase a collaborative effort—the lower section splattered with paint by the young artist herself.

Sin City: A Stranger Things-Inspired Interior Design Studio in Bangalore by Multitude of Sins.

Skeletons on the wall. Kilt-clad ninjas. Dragons with 'Slinky' breath. Everything about this office should give you the creeps. And yet, nothing does.

Upstairs holds private spaces for each family member. The master bedroom suite includes a serene yoga room with custom-coloured micro concrete flooring and a feature wall clad in stone. A metallic tree with aqua-blue leaves reaches toward a skylight, its branches supporting illuminated crystal birds. Both children’s rooms are designed to nurture individual interests and spark imagination. The son’s bedroom captures F1 racing excitement, while the daughter’s space brings fantasy to life with whimsical wildlife elements, including a Yayoi Kusama-inspired mushroom cape and a hand-painted clay snake light.

Throughout the home, the material palette celebrates Indian craftsmanship, featuring locally sourced materials and traditional techniques reinterpreted in contemporary ways. The attention to detail extends to custom furniture pieces, lighting fixtures, and architectural elements that blur the line between function and artistic expression. We don’t know about you, but for us—this has been a peek into another world, indeed.

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Embracing materiality from the inside out, Gallery House balances contemporary construction with the town’s historic fabric. Taking cues from Bengal’s prevalent terracotta temples...

[Images courtesy of Multitude of Sins. Photography by Ishita Sitwala.]