A Nostalgic Kerala Home Built Around a Traditional Courtyard

Designed by Temple Town, this beautifully restored home in Thrissur, Kerala celebrates heritage architecture through antique details, reclaimed wood, and a timeless traditional courtyard (nadumuttam) at its heart. Featuring 200-year-old Karaikudi windows, customised wooden consoles, printed tiles, and climate-responsive clay roofing, the home blends history with modern comfort.

A Kerala Courtyard Home Rooted in Tradition

At the centre of this 5,000 sq ft residence is a serene courtyard framed with teak rafters and handcrafted clay tiles that help cool the interiors by up to 10–15 degrees. A bespoke wooden swing—crafted by Temple Town—anchors the space, creating a nostalgic retreat reminiscent of old Kerala homes.

Soft Carnatic notes of MS Subbulakshmi float through the antique windows, offering a warm welcome into the nalukettu-style home designed according to Thachu Shastra (Kerala’s traditional architectural science). The wraparound verandah, steep gabled roofs and tall pillars stand ready for Kerala’s heavy monsoons, adding both aesthetic charm and climatic resilience.

Design That Blends Heritage, Comfort and Function

Inside, the central courtyard opens into a cosy living room furnished with signature Temple Town pieces. A console made from old ceiling wood stands out, adorned with a repurposed temple prabhavali turned into a mirror, a five-tiered Kerala lamp, and Navaratri golu dolls.

The home was designed for a family of five—parents, their son, and the homeowner’s elderly parents—making it both nostalgic and deeply personal. Built on land inherited from the homeowner’s father, the project drew heavily from her childhood memories.

Dining Space Filled With Colour and Craft

The dining area is a celebration of Kerala craftsmanship. Canary yellow block-printed cushions brighten the wood-and-rattan dining chairs, while the walls display vintage ceramic plates collected over the years. A beautifully styled brass thali with Kasavu napkins and tulsi-and-aralipoo accents completes the traditional setting.

A green vintage-style console with concealed storage supports the dining area, blending seamlessly with the home’s old-world aesthetic.

A Collaboration Built on Shared Love for Vintage Kerala Style

Designer Meera Pyarelal and the homeowner bonded over their mutual passion for traditional Kerala homes. The homeowner spent years collecting antique columns, doors, and windows from across South India. When Pyarelal first saw the collection, it took her only minutes to envision the home they would build around these treasures.

Kitchen With Old-World Charm and Modern Ease

In the kitchen, patterned porcelain tiles create a striking backsplash paired with powder-teal cabinetry and brass hardware. The blend of old and new gives the kitchen a nostalgic yet contemporary appeal.

A Thoughtfully Designed Two-Storey Kerala Home

Visitors enter through a classic padippura (roofed gateway) into a winding verandah that opens to vibrant interior spaces. The two-storey home includes:

• Four bedrooms
• Courtyard-connected living spaces
• A dining room, kitchen, laundry room, pooja room
• A library and home office
• A family/media room on the upper floor

Every corner was meticulously planned over 30 months, down to the size of cornices and the colour of tassels.

Bedrooms That Celebrate Kerala Heritage

The master bedroom features a framed copy of Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu, discovered by Pyarelal as a tribute to the homeowner’s roots. An oil painting of MS Subbulakshmi and a vintage jewellery box repurposed as a side table further enhance the sentimental atmosphere.

In the son’s bedroom, a traditional four-poster bed with Kerala spindles stands against a pichvai-style artwork gifted by a friend.

Art, Antiques and Colourful Accents Everywhere

• A handloom textile by Saanshi adorns the staircase landing, paired with an ornate repurposed Karaikudi window.
• An antique almirah and Temple Town chair define a quiet reading nook upstairs.
• Emerald green brocade, canary yellow block prints and a cool green sideboard bring colour and character to the dining room.
• The artsy console, made from reclaimed ceiling wood, sits beneath a repurposed temple prabhavali mirror.

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Courtyard: The Heart of the Home

The most cherished space remains the courtyard: a sunlit sanctuary featuring a traditional swing and a beautiful Yashoda-Krishna mural by artist S. Suneesh. This peaceful corner captures the emotional essence of the home—nostalgia, culture, and timeless Kerala charm.

From handcrafted clay tiles to inherited antiques, every detail reflects the family’s love for tradition. The result is a soulful Kerala home that honours the past while embracing modern living—an architectural celebration built lovingly around a traditional courtyard.