Light streams in from the arched windows of fashion designer Jayanti Reddy’s store in New Delhi and illuminates this monochromatic space that’s peppered with varied textures and an array of intricately designed couture.
The retail outlet is ingeniously planned by architect Mouna Reddy for her sister in law such that the attention of visitors doesn’t waver from the apparel.
Reclaimed antique carved stone pillars and bases are sourced from South India; Photographs by Pankaj Anand
Having said that, the discerning design eye is bound to be attracted to the many details that have been incorporated. Hand-finished textured walls, Carlo Scarpa inspired terrazzo flooring, customised brass hardware, iconic midcentury furniture as well as reclaimed antique South Indian stone pillars and carved bases are the key highlights.
“The space is designed to be timeless and age gracefully. Right from the treatments seen on the walls and floors as well as the furniture and accessories, everything has been chosen to exude understated luxury,” says Mouna.
Close up of an antique carved base; Photographs by Pankaj Anand
In the face of wilting hope and optimism, Sabyasachi Mukherjee digs into his bag of ingenious tricks to revive the human spirit for his third association with Asian Paints.
The collaborators recently announced the launch of the Sabyasachi III, Heartland collection, which promises discerning homeowners a chance to move away from the abruptly stilled 2020 into the Indian heartland with immersive and colourful narratives.
Asian Paints x Sabyasachi for Nilaya furnishing
The collection includes three vivid themes—Baug, Udeypore and Indienne—that pay an ode to the ateliers of Vrindavan, the master painters of Murshidabad, the delicate prints of Coromandel textiles as well as the magnificent art and architecture of India’s palaces. Website: www.asianpaints.com
Moody Blooms by artist, designer and former EDIDA India Designer of the Year Alex Davis are life-sized, sculptural works that convey the iridescence of Himalayan irises. This series of stainless steel installations traverses the colour palette—going from dusky mauve to deep plum, inky indigo to an intense purple. The transparent pigments retain the natural luminescence of steel, lending the organic floral forms an ethereal quality. Four of these limited edition pieces are being showcased as part of Lokame Tharavadu (The world is one family), an exhibition organised by Kochi Biennale Foundation and curated by Bose Krishnamachari. Website: www.alexdavisstudio.com
Cane you do it? (see scroll above)
This pair of statement accent chairs are part of a furniture collection by Bengaluru based Cane Boutique, which combines oak in distressed finish, sustainable and eco-friendly wicker as well as linen. The seaters are light, long-lasting and durable, and render an old world charm in modern settings. Website: www.caneboutique.com
Oval the moon
To pay an ode to Indian artisans, Orvi Surfaces recently collaborated with iconic creatives in the country. One of our favourites is the Aurae Table by father-daughter duo Jimmy and Pearl Mistry, whose carved marble top is inlaid with coloured glass that’s shattered and then reassembled to achieve a glass mosaic effect seen in Europe’s medieval churches and cathedrals. Website: www.orvi.com
(Don’t) Throw in the towel
Perhaps one of the best accessories to invest in during this balmy season is the luxurious Earth Line collection of towels by Etisha Collective. These are made using tightly woven, 100 per cent GOTS certified organic cotton and a fringe-tying method. Interestingly, the 17th-century technique employed in the making blends 26 colours to produce a modern, harmonious look. Website: www.etishacollective.com
It’s all smooth sitting (see scroll above) The latest furniture range from Chanya Kaur and Dalbir Singh’s venture The Pure Concept Home includes Nami, a simple bench made of solid ash wood. Its clean lines and light structure makes it a perfect addition in homes as well as offices. Website: www.thepureconcepthome.in
Tea-rrific (see scroll above) Bring home this minimalist Ash Gray Set from Teabox to treat yourself and your loved ones to a refreshing cup of chai. Taiwanese designer Chun Tso Liu has artfully crafted this ergonomic tableware to be as ornamental as it is functional. We love that the double-wall structure of the cups allows you to hold the hot beverage comfortably even without a handle. Website: www.teabox.com
Top brass (see scroll above) Add a vintage touch to your morning tea routine with this classic, tin-coated teapot from P-TAL, which pairs perfectly with borosil fitted teacups. Website: www.ptal.in
Paper, paper, on the wall
Renowned fashion designer Elie Saab forays into home decor with an array of wall coverings in gold and metallic shades under the supervision of Italian manufacturer Zambaiti Parati. Available at UDC Homes. Website: www.udc-homes.com
Safety x style (see scroll above) LG Electronics ventures into the health and hygiene genre with the Styler. Open the ebony glass front, place apparel, bed linen and even toys in, choose the ideal setting on the touchscreen control panel—and voila! The items will be 99.9 per cent cleaner thanks to the use of the innovative TrueSteam technology. Website: www.lg.com
Relax your senses
A washbasin from the White Tulip series by Philippe Starck
At the recently concluded, digital edition of Duravit Design Days, the bathware giant unveiled two collections: The D-Neo range designed by Antwerp based Bertrand Lejoly, and the White Tulip series by the iconic French creative Philippe Starck. “D-Neo offers four variants—Minimal, Monochrome, Boho and Pop,” says Asutosh Shah, MD of Duravit India, “Meanwhile, expressive and timeless with high-class workmanship and cutting edge technologies best describes the White Tulip series.” Adding to this observation, Starck shares, “It gets its name from the oral muse; it is sophisticated, ergonomic and, above all, delicately designed and produced.” Website: www.duravit.com
Starting with a raw shell at an ongoing construction site allowed designer Ravi Vazirani and his namesake studio to configure a workplace layout that would adhere to all of Rohan Parikh’s requirements.
A critical need was that of a fluid and inspiring space, so the principal designer conceptualised an open plan peppered with indigenous natural materials.
Oak floors and exposed concrete walls in the director’s cabin act as an ideal backdrop for the Pierre Jeanneret chair, a coffee table from Rohan Parikh’s collection and customised pieces such as a stoneware vase and cocktail table from Ravi Vazirani Design Studio’s (RVDS) Qit.a series; Photographs by Pankaj Anand
The resulting 3,500 sq ft office is layered with formal workstations, co-working zones, an interactive lounge and an ideation corner, such that it promotes communication without visual barriers but also provides privacy when needed.
A bespoke console and hand-turned teak lamp are seen near a Casegoods rosewood desk; Photographs by Pankaj Anand
“We were tempted to use primary colours initially since the office is made for an educational institute. Instead, eventually, we chose to play with the abundant daylight that streams in, laced with a combination of exposed concrete, wood and black slate-like tiles,” Vazirani adds.
The exposed concrete wall is offset by a shelving unit, which holds an RVDS stoneware vase; Photographs by Pankaj Anand
When asked which was the section he most enjoyed designing, the creative immediately mentions the director’s cabin. “It has expansive windows that spill light onto the wooden floors and concrete walls. The area also boasts a coalesce of custom made and iconic furniture pieces.”
View of the capacious workstations with laminated cabinetry and furniture by Ajay Shah’s Rubberband; Photographs by Pankaj Anand
Another interesting space is the monochromatic discussion chamber with a Rewati Shahani artwork on the wall and tables in back-painted graph glass for sketching and ideating.
The common workspace uses Chickoo stone, IKEA chairs and a desk from Rubberband; Photographs by Pankaj Anand
“Spaces we design usually lend an air of calmness and soulfulness, putting into practice the ‘less is more’ theory. I’d like to believe this office is an extension of that vibe,” Vazirani shares.
The Sensasia Stories Spa at the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Dubai unfolds like a soulful hymn and is a haven of respite and tranquillity. The brief was clear: To not just design a spa that looks good but also create an experience that feels unforgettable.
So, for the Pan Asian brand of bespoke spas, I turned to the architectural typology of varied regions of the continent, including Thailand, Bali and Vietnam, for inspiration.
The bolon flooring clad women’s spa courtyard is illuminated with the help of 5m high LED arches in mesh detail; Photographs by Oculis Project
The consequential aesthetic of the venue is a modern, contemporary version, which is a tribute to all of these cultures. The 4,000 sq ft space is layered with textures and illuminating drama, responding to all senses alike.
This nook in the spa features a cushy seating arrangement, upholstered in Carnegie fabric; Photographs by Oculis Project
It houses eight treatment rooms and an express spa, each of which is agile and flexible. We created three architectural statements. First of them are the 5m high, illuminated arches that dominate the men’s and women’s courtyards for a theatrical finish.
Pivot wooden doors separate the express treatment area that’s clad in bronze-toned walls and Mirodec glass; Photographs by Oculis Project
The next is the parametric form that dots the shop front to lure window shoppers in from the mall. And finally, the material palette, which is replete with brown-hued bolon flooring, grey basalt stone, slate, exposed concrete paint and hessian finishes, lend the spa good acoustics and a soothing appeal.
Seen here is a women’s treatment room with display shelves and a spa bed in Carnegie fabric that looks up to the dramatic custom bronze i-mesh ceiling; Photographs by Oculis Project
Considering its location, the spa receives no natural light, so we worked with a consultant to give the space just the right amount and type of illumination.
Parametrically designed retail arches in rose gold finish are spotted near the reception; Photographs by Oculis Project
To add some drama, for example, strip led lights were attached to the arches. we also celebrated the ceilings, which are often neglected but we figured that in a spa, you spend a lot of the time on your back! So we clad the ceiling with a gorgeous bronze i-mesh structure!
LED-lit steps lead to the plunge pool with ice fountain and mini rock garden in the women’s spa bath; Photographs by Oculis Project
When every corner in your home is state of the art, your kitchen should be no exception! Spruce up your kitchen with Nolte! Dating back to 1923, Germany based Nolte Kitchens is known for classic kitchens and have products distributed over 60 countries and adorn over 10,000 Indian households.
The brand’s newest Neo Classic Kitchen is a fusion of architectural art deco and modern minimalism. Designed to be durable and bespoke, the range is one of a kind, conventional and contemporary.
The intricacies of the collection include slender pilasters that create elegant corners, clean-cut cornices and delicate pelmets that exude a minimalistic charm. An array of open, closed, and display storage alternatives are available in a multitude of dimensions, while the tall cabinets have arrangements for the installation of appliances as per
one needs.
Bronze-tinted handleless glass and manganese bronze frames add charm and a chic sideboard allows ample storage space. Encased in Torino Lack Lava is a futuristic island —an illustration of creativity and innovation, this is a take on a past era.
Smooth lines and sleek fronts add allure and arresting art deco knob handles complement the suave countertop, highlighting the individuality of the space. Almost every piece in this selection, from the framed doors to the handles to the taps is cloaked in an extraordinary manganese bronze tint, offering a sense of sophistication.
Oak pinot veneered real wood drawers add a touch of warmth against a serene lava soft matte grey shade and black flocked anti-slip mats and authentic black ash wood cutlery
pieces. An alternative finish to the Neo-Classic kitchen is done up in Torino Lack White.
Honestly, we’ve loved #WFH and why wouldn’t we? Our “office” has been mere steps away from our bedrooms and having lunch that’s freshly prepared is one of our favourite things to do. But now that we’ve come across these workspaces, we’re really wishing these WFH days would end and we could work out of these smart offices!
Office by P&D Associates Devang Patel and Pratik Siddhpura combine trendy interiors, flooring and open spaces for this office (see scroll above). The minimalist space is dramatically enhanced with the innovative use of patterns, artworks and (surprisingly) the colour black. Our favourites include the the reception desk, where a large Henri Matisse cutout painting is placed as well as the central passage for its use of Bharat Flooring tiles.
Dalamal Tower by Kumpal & Associates This whole office (see scroll above) seems to have a concrete appearance, thanks to the use of a softer shade of veneer and splashes of colour. Kumpal Mittal has emphasised straight lines and grids that are carried over chamfered glass, which are offset by a black metal accent.
The office belonging to and designed by Kyrra Studio
Photographs by Photographix
Coral fluted walls and brass railings set the stage for this extravagant gallery-style office by and for Shivani Sanghani’s practice. A sense of drama with a bold colour palette unfolds in this workplace, which is split into three sections—a wide lobby, staff workroom and Sanghani’s work zone. We love the use of midnight blue on the walls that contrasts with white ceilings and wood-meets-brass accents.
This 900 sq ft, Ahmedabad office by Noopur Shah and Chinmay Patel features a main chamber and common room that’s segregated by a vast library unit (it can hold over 800 books and journals!). The designers have played with wood and veneer to create a “House of Commons” using green in the staff storage and a “House of Lords” in crimson. The best part is that the duo have custom-made furniture pieces by merging periods and styles of architecture.
Calm, fresh and invigorating best describe this Ahmedabad workspace for Placid Hues. Designed by Vipuja Parmar and Krushnakant Parmar, this singular space takes on a monolithic appearance, which receives ample natural light. The use of geometry and symmetry across this light-hued office adds another soothing element that’s a sight for sore eyes.
For their Mumbai office, Ravi Sarangan and Sanjay Srinivasan wished for a space that would serve as a creative studio. So, the duo, along with their team, divided this open-plan into three functional zones—public, cafeteria and IT facilities. The resulting design is almost entirely void of colour, which is neutral but vivid owing to the use of unconventional materials. The element we like most is that the creative practice has employed a zero-waste flooring with grey Kandla stone contrasting with terrazzo panels.
The beginning of a new decade marks an end to 10 wonderful years at Freedom Tree Design Studio. Based in Mumbai’s industrial heart Freedom Tree, is a design and colour strategy studio.
Initially a niche consultancy firm, it has now evolved to include joyful home stores in Bengaluru, Goa, and Mumbai, as well as an online presence.
They have put together a range of versatile pieces that embrace a modern Indian sensibility while keeping in mind a global appeal.
Tweed Cushions by Freedom Tree
The brand was founded by Latika Khosla, a renowned colour consultant and advisor to both national and global brands. Freedom Tree’s print and merchandise offerings reflect her appreciation of colour and its ability to capture the spirit of the times. Since then, the brand has grown to be a favourite spot for trendy home decor, bringing delight and colour into people’s lives. Their elegant mix-and-match collections in coordinating patterns and palettes create unique and vibrant looks with artistic appeal through furniture, fabrics, ceramics, and decor.
Phoolwali Cushion by Freedom Tree
Freedom Tree is celebrating its first decade by honouring its original print designs over a span of years. Ready to make a statement all over again, they have reset a bold new collection that infuses new energy into timeless classics. Their visionary sensibility is expressed in contemporary textiles and tableware that pay homage to the past whilst looking into the future.
Spot On Katori’s by Freedom Tree
Reset, which comprises upholstery fabrics, curtains, cushions, and bedsheets reintroduces popular prints such as the geometric Kiwach and the narrative Mumbai Makers, as well as a new Patchwork print made up of motifs from a decade of classic print design. Each revival pattern has been modified with the most trendy colour palettes to add vitality and persona to the spaces they occupy.
Patchwork Upholstery by Freedom Tree
Additionally, the latest Traverse ceramics series is a fitting ode to Freedom Tree’s journey. It’s graphic and modern, with monochrome shapes and bursts of colour, and it’s designed to be mixed and matched in a number of ways. These artfully illustrated pieces bring contemporary contrast and fantasy to any table with striking monochrome forms, kaleidoscopic linework, and whimsical wildlife.
In looking back to revive their most iconic designs and stories, Freedom Tree looks ahead to the next with products that continue to inspire, encourage expression, and create relevance in the world today.
If like us, you never want to hear the word ‘pandemic’ ever again for the rest of your life, then this is one of the products that can help make that happen. The revolutionary and award-winning LG Styler believes in ‘safety first’ and ensures that even after an entire day out, clothing, bedlinen and even toys can be sanitised in it!
The Styler is a unique, premium design that extends LG Electronics’ offerings in the health and hygiene genre.
Its ebony glass front and touch control panel ensure that you can use it right in the foyer to use as soon as you walk in or even in the wardrobes at home and offices.
The LG Styler
One of its key features is its approach to care with the use of the innovative TrueSteam technology, which has gained renown for removing over 99.9 percent of viruses, bacteriaand allergens from materials.
This steam technology does away with the need for harsh chemicals or detergents that may be harmful to humans as well as pets. Additionally, the machine comes with a BAF-certified patent moving hanger system removes dust and mites from clothing, while a pants press feature is added on the inside of the door to extract wrinkles and iron.
The LG Styler
ThinQ technology is infused to allow the Styler to be controlled using an app via the Internet remotely. Users can choose from a diverse array of programmes and monitor energy utilisation (no wonder it has been hailed as an environmentally friendly product in the green laundry space).Plus, 20 additional cleaning settings can be chosen via the app alone, based on the type of material that needs to be washedor sanitised.
That’s not all though, the Styler also promises a gentle dry feature, which uses heat pump technology to dry clothes quickly and completely. Plus, it also reduces odours that typically cling to fabrics easily. This means that with this product, we don’t need to worry about cleaning up, in case we get caught up in a thunder, hail or even snowstorm this year.
Knotty Carpets fuse a centuries-old rug-making heritage with glamorous modern pieces. From weaving the fibre and dying the yarn to knotting a carpet and completing the top, the craftsmen design the rugs completely by hand.
Knotty’s objective was to establish a home decor brand that was accessible to the general populace. Hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs, as well as hand-loomed and flat-weaves rugs, all are offered at knotty.in.
Knotty’s goal is to work actively with suppliers in Bhadhoi, Agra, Jaipur, Mirzapur, and Delhi, along with artisans, to preserve the generational craft of rug making. Local craftsmen in rural India are embraced by this brand.
Mr Raghav Sikka, a former senior copywriter at JWT New York, proposed the idea of Knotty to his father, who has 33 years of expertise in sourcing handmade carpets for major retailers in the US such as Lulu and Georgia, Oscar Isberian rugs, Meherban rugs, The Persian Carpet, and many others.
He returned to India with the vision of making a brand for the Indian market with Mr Vipin Maurya, the founding partner of Tilt, a cloud marketplace for influencers and labels, after eight years of working in ad agencies.
“We believe in upholding the tradition and that the finest spaces are enhanced by meticulous attention to detail. That is something to which you can devote time and resources to. That a carpet also has a purpose instead of just putting a room together. It defines every environment.” states Mr Raghav Sikka.
Each carpet has its own distinct persona and appeal owing to the choice of the highest quality wool and silk blends. Knotty.in has a selection of rugs with diverse textural materials, spanning from delicate and flat to chunky and tousled!
Scroll to see more carpets from the brand…
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