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At Work With Shabnam Gupta

DEC 20, 2019 | By Sakshi Rai
(L-R) In Gupta's cabin, a bespoke wooden table with elevated handles is paired with striped armchairs; A pivoting wooden screen with varying mesh patterns; Metal shelves hold tiles in varying sizes and patterns; Photography by Bajirao Pawar
(L-R) A banyan tree, potted plants and custom crafted tiles are seen at the entrance; Colourful player flags line the ceiling while quirky, laser cut hashtags are seen on the reception counter; A wall lined with colourful origami paper boats; Photography by Bajirao Pawar
(L-R) Gupta peeks out of a frame in the studio's facade; The open and informal meeting area on the upper level is furnished with textured sofas and floral cushions; Painted, metallic hanging birds surround an overhead lamp; Photography by Bajirao Pawar
The design studio features patterned bricks, select artworks and a vintage gramophone ; Photographs by Bajirao Pawar
Gupta peeks out of a frame in the studio's facade ; Photographs by Bajirao Pawar
Suspended fibre bulbs designed by Peacock Life, Gupta's lighting, furniture and decor brand mark the entrance of the design studio ; Photographs by Bajirao Pawar

The oldest inhabitant of designer Shabnam Gupta’s interior and architectural studio The Orange Lane in Mumbai, is a towering banyan tree, the presence of which first helped the creative fixate on this location nearly 10 years ago. Greeting you at the entrance and ushering you inside, its outstretched and entwining branches flow across cutout frames in the maroon painted facade. When envisioning her own workspace, Gupta chose to create a cosy and quirky cocoon.

Designer Shabnam Gupta at the doorway of her cabin, beside which is a quirky scooter fashioned into a bench ; Produced by Akshita S, Photographs by Bajirao Pawar

DREAMING IN COLOUR
The creative realised it was important to conceptualise an open and connected work environment that helped induce the whimsical and offbeat designs that are quintessential to her practice. Within, the two levels house Gupta’s cabin, a large design studio, the accounts team, reception and a small pantry on the ground floor, while the conference area and another design studio are located on the mezzanine. The eclectic interiors are defined using stained glass panels that serve as partitions while still allowing visibility, ceilings adorned with vibrant patterns as well as a sloping industrial roof decorated with prayer flags, a double ended vintage scooter remodelled into a bench and a spunky reception counter with laser cut hashtags.

A banyan tree, potted plants and custom crafted tiles are seen at the entrance ; Photographs by Bajirao Pawar

A KITSCHY AFFAIR
Rediscover the meaning of an art infused space, as design and creativity spruce up every corner of the studio—whether it is walls lined with red and blue paper boats, funky graffiti inspired posters or a pair of miniature wooden giraffes watching you ascend the stairway. Gupta’s personal space also follows this perky design rhythm with a double heighted ceiling, bespoke brick walls, her personal collection of artworks and her son’s experiments with pottery. The furniture includes an interesting medley of wooden benches, printed and textured upholstery, metallic folding chairs, desks with expandable stools and sleek white cabinets with imprints of her favourite architect Geoffrey Bawa’s floor plans painted on them.

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Colourful prayer flags line the ceiling. Also seen is the reception counter with laser cut hashtags and the way to the studio and informal meeting area upstairs ; Photographs by Bajirao Pawar
In Gupta’s cabin, a bespoke wooden table with elevated handles is paired with striped armchairs. The walls are decked with art from her personal collection ; Photographs by Bajirao Pawar
The open and informal meeting area on the upper level is furnished with textured sofas and floral cushions ; Photographs by Bajirao Pawar
A pivoting wooden screen with varying mesh patterns ; Photographs by Bajirao Pawar
Painted, metallic hanging birds surround an overhead lamp ; Photographs by Bajirao Pawar
A wooden partition screen, with windows that can be opened in sections or together is placed beside a wall lined with bright origami paper boats at the far end ; Photographs by Bajirao Pawar
A handpainted sketch of a polar bear ; Photographs by Bajirao Pawar
Metal shelves hold tiles in varying sizes and patterns ; Photographs by Bajirao Pawar
Photographs by Bajirao Pawar
Photographs by Bajirao Pawar