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    Aditi Kothari Kapadia: Designer of the week

    APR 1, 2016 | By Tasneem Merchant
    CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT The open, cubicle-less office features custom made community desks which according to Aditi “helps one better appreciate the work done by a colleague”; Aditi loves working with wood. In another project done by her, she uses teak wood and walnut veneer for the cabinets while the basin was carved from a salvaged tree trunk; The mesh and frosted glass cabinet doors in the work area. Colourful tiles in the bathroom help induce colour in an industrial style setup; The patina on the mirror frame is a customised finish, the inspiration for which comes from the floral tiles. The dark flooring helps inject a feeling of warmth into the office; The patina on the mirror frame is a customised finish, the inspiration for which comes from the floral tiles. The dark flooring helps inject a feeling of warmth into the office; Keeping an area clutter free and using minimal artefacts is part of Aditi’s style. In this living room, she used upholstery in light coloured cotton blends and dark wood to form a harmonious space; The mesh and frosted glass cabinet doors in the work area. Colourful tiles in the bathroom help induce colour in an industrial style setup.

    From designing homes and styling interiors to creating set designs and consulting with architects on projects, Aditi Kothari Kapadia has accomplished a lot in past 15 years. The Sophia College alumnus, Mumbai kick started her career under the mentorship of Phirosa Neterwala and 10 years later, branched out to start her own consultancy.

    Her design philosophy

    For Aditi, the client has always been of utmost important. “I like to see my clients personality reflected in the space,” she says. “I’m very hard on myself and don’t cut corners at work.” She describes her aesthetic as “a blend of Indian and western” and she likes using a strong blend of native materials and products against a modern backdrop.

    Her most recent project

    Recently, the Mumbai based creative embarked on the mission of designing ELLE DECOR India’s Mumbai head quarters. “Actually, it was a brief chat that sparked the project. I was told to share some ideas and I instinctively shared a plan which did not include cubicles as I didn’t want the people to feel constrained. The office has beautiful large windows and everyone should be able to enjoy them.”

    Once the walls were taken down, a large open space with high ceilings revealed itself, presenting the problem of a cold and impersonal space. “The trick was to use a dark floor that complemented a grey and white industrial colour scheme. Elements such as floral knobs and colourful tiles in the bathroom were used to bring in personality and reduce the edge of the look.”

    Frosted glass and the use of mesh or jali screens is further stressed on the industrial look. “The mesh was a centre point of our mood board. Everything else took off from there. We spruced it up with a dusting of black powder and varnish. It enables one to see what’s stored inside every shutter. I think it makes an interesting and fun contrast to the handmade glass fit on the other shutters.”

    Another contemporary facet of community tables was introduced. “I think it is a fabulous way to work. An open office is the way forward as it increases productivity at large. It also helped that the client was on the same page as it made the entire process smoother.”

    Comparatively, was the experience designing for a decor magazine different? She answers candidly, “I tried to be as normal as possible. I over saw everything, as I am a very hands on person. However, there was a lot less convincing to do as all decisions were made unanimously. Designing for a client who understands your sensibilities is an absolute pleasure!”

    Website: www.facebook.com/Aditi-Kothari-Interior-Design