The Making of Villa Vani

A few years ago I stepped into a forlorn 1970s villa, tucked away in the back streets of VV Mohalla, Mysore. The house was dark, dull, and lifeless, but even then I could see it had great bones. I was searching for a space to bring my first boutique hotel to life, and the villa felt like it was full of possibilities. 

What followed was an eighteen-month renovation. Walls were opened up to restore flow and bring light back into the house. Original features were uncovered, retained, and carefully restored—from terrazzo floors to built-in teak details—while new furniture was designed and made locally. What emerged is a space filled with calm and character, and it is this energy that guests notice the moment they enter.

I wanted to share some before-and-after photos, because aside from the building team and me, few people have truly witnessed the transformation. On completion, the villa’s original architect, now in his 80s, came to visit. Seeing his genuine delight at how his creation had been reimagined and restored was one of the most rewarding moments of this journey. 

If Villa Vani has made you curious about what's possible with a house in Mysore, or anywhere in south India, we'd be glad to talk. Our design studio, www.vanivilasa.com, takes on a small number of design and build projects each year, working with homeowners, heritage properties, and boutique hospitality projects.

With love, Nikki