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Ever wondered what a 150-year-old house looks like when the light hits it just right?
At 4:17 pm, the balcao comes to life. The oxide seating turns golden, and the plants by the pool lean into the warmth of the setting sun.
It is as if the house, in its own rhythm, syncs with the time of day.
Have you ever felt that your home has its own pulse? A natural rhythm, just like us?
That is when the light hits the balcao just right.
And if you listen closely, you will hear the pool ripple and the neighbor’s chicken complaining about something.
We once caught a frog chilling on the oxide seating - do you think he noticed the groove pattern?

Material trivia: The cement floor has a matte finish with a subtle tactile grain. No polish. Just patience.

Words by @arshita.mehta
Photographs by @mareena_m_

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GOA VILLA FOR SALE
Toybox is a contemporary restoration of a 150-year old Portuguese house in in Aldona village in North Goa, located adjacent to the river Moira.
Register your interest here.

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Older homes have a way of keeping to themselves. Like they’ve seen enough of the world and would rather stay curled up. The windows at Toybox were no different — shy little squares, peeking out but never quite stepping forward.

So, we had a quiet conversation with the house. Asked it to open up a little.

We didn’t barge in. We coaxed it. Gently.

Now, there are large sliding-folding teak doors that open wide to the verandah. Custom-built to fit the nearly 24-inch-thick walls - because yes, these walls were built before insulation had a name, and somehow still do a better job.

We carved out light wells and surprise skylights. We added a sculptural window in the kitchen that looks like it might float away. Every new opening is still rooted in the original soul of the house - just a little braver now.

Words by @arshita.mehta
Photographs by @mareena_m_

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GOA VILLA FOR SALE
Toybox is a contemporary restoration of a 150-year-old Portuguese house in in Aldona village in North Goa, located adjacent to the river Moira.
Register your interest here.

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On one of our Villas in Goa sites for Grounded Villas, we faced the need to cut down a few teak trees onsite. Instead of letting this valuable wood go to waste, we saw an opportunity and decided to reuse it creatively.

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Working with a local craftsman, Nereus Drego in Goa, we designed the teak into custom-made furniture pieces. The furniture pieces are a long country table for the eat-in kitchen for Toybox, along with two uniquely designed center tables.

These furniture pieces not only stand out for their beautiful design but also hold sentimental value. It's crafted from the very trees that once were a part of the site, creating a lasting connection. It's our little effort to savor the precious resources of the environment and the trees in Goa.

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A post shared by Grounded (@buildgrounded)

Using natural materials in our interiors aligns with our philosophy of ecological design by blending indoor spaces with nature. One of the center tables is interactive and designed for a family that opens up into small storage for display. The long table in Toybox's kitchen serves as a focal point, as the double-height kitchen space is the heart of the house. Toybox is about to launch soon! Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about Toybox and our sustainable design practices.