Rooted in the Hills: A Kumaoni-Inspired Retreat in Nainital
In the heart of Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand, a mountain home designed by AMU Design Studio becomes a soulful tribute to its owners’ Kumaoni heritage—featuring timeless architecture, sweeping vistas, and the quiet luxury of simplicity.
A Homecoming in the Hills
After decades at sea as a seasoned merchant navy officer, Captain Ashok Mehra felt an unmistakable pull—not toward a new voyage, but back to his roots. Alongside his wife Tulsi, both natives of Almora in Uttarakhand, the dream of returning to the Himalayan cradle of their Kumaoni heritage had always lingered in the background. So when they came upon a secluded sylvan parcel of land in the serene hills of Mukteshwar, it felt like fate had finally drawn the map home.
They envisioned a space that would not just offer a picturesque getaway but would echo their cultural lineage, creating something deeply personal and grounded. To bring this vision to life, the couple turned to familiar hands—architect Vipendra Chauhan and designer Rohit Chaudhary of AMU Design Studio, based in Noida. Having previously collaborated with them on their city home, the Mehras trusted their ability to shape a sanctuary that was both meaningful and mindful.
Where Simplicity Meets Splendour
Though modest in scale at just 2,000 square feet, the home feels expansive, thanks to thoughtful design decisions rooted in light and scale. The team at AMU employed subtle architectural illusions—oversized windows, soaring double-height ceilings, and open vistas—that dissolve boundaries between indoors and outdoors, creating the illusion of space stretching into the horizon.
The living room is a true celebration of this philosophy. Bathed in natural light and framed by panoramic windows, it offers uninterrupted views of snow-kissed peaks and dense pine forests. A custom-designed wood-burning fireplace, clad in rough natural stone and topped with a fairytale chimney, becomes the anchor of the space—a warm, inviting heart where family gathers on crisp winter evenings.
To complement the rugged surroundings, the material palette is intentionally restrained. Cement-finish limestone tiles provide a grounded texture underfoot, while soft daisy-toned walls echo the hues of mountain blooms. “We didn’t want to overwhelm the space with opulence,” explains Captain Mehra. “Simplicity was key. We wanted it to reflect the raw beauty of the hills.”
Furnishings, all custom-made by AMU Design Studio, speak a language of rustic elegance. Accents such as a 30-kilo antique chandelier and a richly woven rug—sourced from Delhi—add depth and heritage without overshadowing the calm.
Art, Culture & The Wild Unexpected
The interiors are dotted with works by local artists, reinforcing the couple’s commitment to supporting regional craftsmanship and embedding the home with Kumaoni soul. Each piece, each texture, whispers stories of the hills—from handwoven textiles to wood elements reminiscent of traditional pahadi homes.
Yet, building in the mountains is rarely without surprises. Harsh winters often disrupted the construction process, and the challenging topography required creative problem-solving—especially when it came to installing that heavy antique chandelier beneath the 30-foot ceiling.
Perhaps the most memorable episode came one night, when a mountain leopard was spotted strolling casually across the under-construction site. “We joke now that it was on a site inspection,” recalls Chaudhary, smiling. “But at the time, we were terrified. It reminded us how closely this home is tied to nature—not just aesthetically, but in every real, wild way.”
Full Circle
Today, the house stands not just as a vacation home, but as a symbol of return and rootedness. For the Mehras, it embodies a future enriched by the past—a deeply personal space where family, tradition, and landscape merge in quiet harmony.
“No matter where life takes you,” reflects Captain Mehra, “there’s something irreplaceable about coming home. This house isn’t just in the mountains. It is the mountains. And it’s us.”
With family close by and nature ever-present, this Nainital haven isn’t just a structure of stone and timber—it’s a story, a memory, and a dream finally realised.
Image source: Vogue India