(R) in the tiled foyer of their studio Photograph by Gokull Rao Kadam; Photography by Bajirao Pawar
Bandra is an emotion, I think we’ll always be in Bandra,” laugh the founder-designer duo of Quirk Studio, Disha Bhavsar and Shivani Ajmera as they sit in their office nestled in the quiet bylanes of Bandra. The studio saw its initial phase on Disha’s dining table (at her home), and has now evolved into their fourth office space. The present-day studio is nested on the ground floor apartment of an 100-year- old building which opens into a whole different world altogether, away from the chaos and cacophony of the city.
Disha grew up in Oman, Muscat, and was always sure that it was design that she wanted to study and follow. She made her move in pursuing it academically, with a post-graduation in Design Management from University of Southampton. On the other hand, Shivani, who lived in Mumbai since childhood and has a background in theatre, was always inclined towards art and design. She made her switch after completing her Mass Media degree to go ahead and study interior design in Italy. The duo met each other in the ELLE DECOR India office and eventually joined forces to co-create Quirk Studio.
OLD MEETS NEW
The concept was always clear to them—it had to feel like a home away from home. “It was after COVID that we found this place and absolutely loved it,” muses Disha as she speaks about the serendipity of chancing upon the property, especially because it has an adjoining garden, a rarity in Mumbai. “Only add, not take away,” muse the partners as they lay emphasis on approaching the space with sensitivity and nuance. This connotation translated in the design language is experienced throughout the office—be it the old beams or the hardwood distressed door. By retaining the original floor plan that dates back to the 1900s, the office space manages to keep its primary bones intact.
OFFICE WITH A QUIRK
There is a pop of colour paired with indoor plants in the nooks and crannies. As the foyer puts visitors at ease, the former living room is now the common work studio. A bedroom from the initial floor plan is converted into the main cabin whereas the other bedroom now functions as a meeting room. The kitchen is converted to a pantry, a small yet functional space, making way for the washrooms that are quietly tucked away in the back of the space.
Disha and Shivani have an aligned sense of design but with distinct personalities. The office too radiates a similar coherent style—minimal yet quirky. It borders on raw, that is almost rustic with an old-meets-new charm and home to laughter, creativity and a place that shapes dreams into reality—a la la land of design!
