“They are among the most humble and unassuming people,” describes Ragini Raj Karthick, opening the doors to a duplex in Bengaluru. “Despite a life filled with global experiences, there’s a quiet grace and groundedness they carry,” she adds of NRI couple Sharat and Preeti Mavinker, who recently chose to return from the United States to their home city.
Sharat, formerly the Managing Director at Citibank, had a career that took the family across the globe, “allowing them to live in and absorb diverse cultures, a richness that reflected in their collection of art and furniture. But, no matter where life took them, their hearts were always rooted here, the city where they were both raised. This home, echoing a homecoming and sense of belonging, was envisioned as a reflection of that journey: global in its influences, yet deeply local in its spirit,” points out Karthick, the founder and principal architect at Tessera Architects.
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When the couple decided to make this apartment (spread across 4,200 square feet) their permanent base, their vision was clear: they wanted a home that felt timeless, practical, and deeply personal. Preeti, who had a precise idea of how each space should function, imagined a layout that would encourage fluid living while accommodating their art and heirloom furniture gathered from years of travel. “From the start, she had a clear vision for how she wanted the home to function: practical, elegant, and rooted in the family’s lifestyle,” shares Karthick, adding, “Since they’d both travelled and lived around the world, they were drawn to homes with smart layouts, modern comfort, and thoughtful flow…and this had to be no exception.”
A Thoughtful Renewal Begins…
The 25-year-old Bengaluru apartment, however, had its limitations. “While the home had undeniable charm, its layout needed thoughtful updates,” she recalls. The team decided to completely gut the space, rebuilding everything from plumbing to electricals to HVAC. “It wasn’t just a technical upgrade—it was an opportunity to rethink how the home could truly serve their lifestyle.” A sense of openness and light now defines the main level, where spacious rooms flow seamlessly into the garden outside. Large glass-panelled shutters allow flexibility between the common space and ample ventilation through the day.
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Upstairs, the bedrooms, study, and private spaces have also been reorganised to bring in more natural light while allowing privacy. Each room opens to a balcony or garden view, drawing the outdoors quietly into the family’s daily life. The material palette—warm wood, muted textiles, handcrafted detailing—brings in a soft, tactile warmth in every corner of the duplex. “Both the husband and wife are passionate art collectors with an incredible collection of artwork and furniture gathered from their travels around the world. Each piece from sculptural accents to bold canvases and one-of-a-kind vintage finds held a story,” Karthick gestures across the living room.
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