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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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Packing a punch, I have found a tiny old Portuguese house for sale in Goa from around the 1860’s that I have snapped up to house my young family and my studio. For anyone moving to Goa or looking to live in Goa, finding an old house and restoring it is a dream. It may be tiny but is full of character, the simple character of space and light, not any opulent details. The land is only 600 sq.m. but has two full grown Mango trees, one Chikoo tree, two Coconut trees and one Bimbli tree.

The idea of the house is mainly for my two young daughters to connect with the land. For them to pick fruits from trees, watch birds, count butterflies and pet snails. We will be restoring this home as simply as possible. The design will be focused on creating ‘play’ opportunities for my kids. There will be a slide inside the house for my kids (an idea that has stuck with me when I saw a slide at Nisha’s Playschool designed by Gerard de Cunha some 25 years ago). There will be swings hung on the mango tree. The house will also have a tunnel and a crow’s nest.

Restoring an old house in Goa is a fun project. Keep an eye out for further updates.