Design
9 exquisite stores for a design enthusiast’s dream shopping spree
NOV 7, 2024 | By Disha Kalyankar
Stepping into a beautifully designed store is more than a shopping experience; you are transported into a world of creativity and craftsmanship. Picture yourself channelling your inner Emily in Paris, discovering charming shops that make you fall in love with retail all over again. From high-end shoe stores reminiscent of Italian gardens to ateliers straight out of a Wes Anderson production, here are 9 stunning boutique stores in India that transform shopping into a delightful design spree.
Ahujasons Store, New Delhi by groupDCA
GroupDCA has designed the interiors of this four-storey retail space to celebrate India’s rich craftsmanship through a contemporary lens. Each floor, draped in textured beige, tells a unique design story, with the neutral palette serving as a backdrop for the intricately handcrafted elements. On the ground floor, circular volumes pierce through the upper levels, offering glimpses of the store’s rich offerings.
Comfortable lounges and consultation tables on the first and second floors create a personalised, leisurely environment for visitors to explore the exquisite designs and luxurious fabrics. Display features are framed by ornate wooden doorways on the ground and third floors, blending modern innovation with the richness of heritage. The third floor, reminiscent of an antique almirah with its wooden trays and brass handles, houses collections for special occasions, inviting customers to discover timeless treasures.
Aisha Rao, New Delhi
Inside Aisha Rao’s store, it’s as if The Grand Budapest Hotel had a love affair with a globe-trotting couturier. Spread across 650 sq ft in DLF Emporio, the boutique is a curated haven of applique lehengas, saris and cocktail dresses, where traditional craftsmanship meets a vibrant palette. The interiors are a voyage in themselves, whisking you away to 15th-century Europe and Morocco through terrazzo and ‘araaish’ floors, while metallic doors whisper tales of Rao’s college days in Spain.
Nostalgia dances with contemporary flair in Art Deco accents reminiscent of Le Corbusier, creating a space that’s equal parts old-world romance and new-age chic. From poetic arches and custom palm leaf chandeliers to rugged, rustic walls and vintage mirrors, every corner surprises with an eclectic symphony of artistic movements and architectural charm. Anchored by a Wes Anderson-inspired colour scheme, the boutique allows its bold ensembles to shine as the true protagonists in this dreamlike, travel-inspired oasis.
Arjan Dugal, Kala Ghoda by Amina Bhatia
Much like the lanes that surround it, the Arjan Dugal flagship store spread across 1,100 sq ft in Kala Ghoda melds old-world charm with modern sophistication. Arjan Dugal’s bold ‘CIAO!’ installation at the entrance becomes a symbolic centrepiece, infusing the space with artistic energy while championing sustainability and social empowerment.
The original teak doors and windows, alongside preserved 120-year-old Burma teak rafters, underscore the project’s respect for heritage. Thoughtfully curated black-and-white photography and personal touches, like a feathered hat from the designer’s collection, create visual focal points, turning the store into a layered experience of refined elegance and modern ingenuity.
Aquazzura, New Delhi
Stepping into Aquazzura’s inaugural store designed by Marie – Anne Oudejans in India, bathed in its iconic blue, is akin to entering a charming Italian garden. The space is alive with blooming flowers and vibrant fruits, all intertwined with the trellis motif that defines the brand’s aesthetic. The ceiling is a canvas of this motif, where colourful branches adorned with flowers, oranges, and lemons weave through the gridwork, creating a mesmerising visual.
On either side, four pineapples, the emblem of Aquazzura, add a playful touch to the scene. The garden theme continues in the aqua displays, which are enhanced with green marble accents and golden-bordered shelves, casting a warm glow over the cool, light palette. These displays are festooned with hand-painted branches, echoing the ceiling’s design, while shell-shaped stone ornaments at their base add a touch of elegance.
Mortantra, Ahmedabad by Studio Patternmaker
The Mortantra store in Ahmedabad, goes beyond the regular retail experience, showcasing Indian craft and culture to create an emotive experience. Parthavi Patel, founder of Studio Patternmaker, collaborated with local artisans, particularly from Rajasthan, to add intricate details to the store. The monotonal palette highlights the jewellery, with the interior design providing a minimalist yet soulful canvas. Warm beige textures create a serene ambience, while copper elements and a custom-made chandelier punctuate the design.
This thoughtful use of materials ensures the space feels inviting and luxurious, aligning with the brand’s ethos. The design subtly celebrates Indian heritage through the choice of materials and intricate details in the furnishings, ensuring the store reflects the rich culture of the country. The design focuses on creating an environment that allows the jewellery to shine. The strategic lighting plan, combining natural and artificial light, enhances the visual appeal of the intricately crafted jewellery.
Payal Khandwala, New Delhi
Stepping into the Payal Khandwala store, you are cocooned in a 4,000 sq ft meditative space. Payal Khandwala, the Creative Director along with Saurabh Dakshini of Studio Organon added large, fluted windows that create an intimate ambience, allowing soft light to contrast with the earthy interiors. The journey from Kyoto to Bombay is reflected in the melding of Indian and Japanese design sensibilities, creating a space that soothes both the eye and the mind.
The black monochrome colour palette acts as a slate, highlighting colourful garments and art. This dark backdrop and earthy tones provide a serene setting that not only cleanses your palate but also instils a zen-like atmosphere, offering visitors a calm and immersive experience.
PRANAAH, Kochi
This store designed by Varsha Rakesh, principal designer at Chestnut Home Stylists embodies understated luxury while showcasing PRANAAH’s off-white handloom garments. A warm and inviting atmosphere is created with an earthy palette of browns and beige. Reused and refurbished furniture, adds an organic charm to the space, while instilling eco-friendly values. This holistic approach ensures that the store is not just a retail space but a reflection of PRANAAH’s ethos and dedication to sustainable luxury.
Sapna Mehta Jewellery
A minimalist yet multifunctional space designed by Deepal Parekh, founder of Deepal Parekh Design Studio, Sapna Mehta’s design studio in Mumbai is nothing short of a dream. With ‘Monolith’ as the theme, the space is a unified, neutral space from floor to ceiling, enabling the colourful jewellery to take centre stage. Crafted in micro-concrete, a continuous interior shell envelops the floor, walls and ceilings, while white oak, veneer, cane and stone elements in complementary shades add warmth and texture to the space.
Sarah & Sandeep, Mumbai
Co-founders & Directors Sandeep and Sarah Gonsalves of Sarah & Sandeep’s new atelier in Mumbai, a masterpiece designed by Jason Wadhwani, is a beautiful blend of understated luxury and meticulous craftsmanship. “We embraced a neutral palette to amplify the intimate ambience and let the intricate craftsmanship shine,” shares Jason Wadhwani. “Every element was meticulously curated, from bespoke materials to the thoughtful integration of the fashion house’s signature pintuck pleats and asymmetrical geometry, ensuring each corner narrates its own story.”
The atelier’s palette of greige and bronze, complemented by textured walls, bouclé furniture and houndstooth wardrobes, crafts an intimate yet sophisticated atmosphere. Expansive windows flood the space with natural light, while lush greenery softens the geometric design, underscoring modernity. Unique touches like a top hat-inspired chandelier, scissor-shaped door handles, and pintuck pleats pay homage to the brand’s tailoring ethos. Every detail—from custom materials to asymmetrical lines—testifies to the brand’s dedication to understated elegance, creating an immersive experience where modern design meets traditional tailoring techniques.
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