In a passionate translation of the robust flavours and fluid temper of coffee, a new caffeine-centric outlet has materialised in Abu Dhabi. Dubbed Drop Coffee, the space in its design glossary is all that coffee stands for (and doesn’t), thanks to the inventive minds at Roar, an interior design studio helmed by its founder and creative director Pallavi Dean.
Minimalist at one glance but a canvas of diverse interior observations coming together, Drop Coffee in Abu Dhabi is the first of its kind and the second outlet for the brand founded by Emirati duo Mahmood Al Khamis and Ghanim Al Qassim.
A monochrome play of tones flows seamlessly from one corner to the other, outlining an ambience free of clutter and chaos, where sipping on one’s favourite brews, working or even idling away time is an experience worth indulging in.
Spilt coffee motif used as a textured paint on the bar counter at Drop Coffee Abu Dhabi; Photographs by Oculis Project
As one ambles into the cafe, a backdrop wall inside reveals a grey concrete textured paint, applied in a rather rough finish and astutely synergised with natural oak wood accents.
Meandering through the space, placed right at the nexus of the cafe is a long brushed stainless steel communal table. A pièce de résistance if you may call it, the curvilinear table sets the design grammar right for all its accompanying furniture and seatings.
Cleverly peppered hints of greens and wood elevate the minimal canvas, extending a sense of warmth to the space.
A sombre but eye-catching palette of grey concrete textured paint commands attention at Drop Coffee Abu Dhabi; Photographs by Oculis Project
As one turns eyes towards the main bar area, a striking glimpse of a unique design thought captures attention—traces of spilt coffee mimicked through textured paint on the counter front.
Pallavi muses, “We were in the studio and started playing with the idea of using split coffee as a motif within the scheme, which we thought would be a fun nod to the brand’s name, Drop.” On a large piece of paper then, coffee was dripped and its droplets were dragged around with a mug.
A cool grey canvas inside Drop Coffee is splashed with hints of oak wood accents in form of furniture. The ceiling with the embedded mirror shards peeks through from above; Photographs by Oculis Project
This impromptu, abstract pattern was next photocopied and magnified to be used as a textured motif at the bar as well the booth joinery against the wall!
Bespoke stools in a grey palette twin with the stainless steel table and concrete paint on the walls; Photographs by Oculis Project
Moments of awe don’t stop here. Look up and the ceiling grips you with its dome-shaped design that is covered in textured paint with mirror shards embedded within, luminously reflecting the floor’s chipped terrazzo tiles in a play of light and forms. Coalesce these diverse design ingredients with the bodied taste of caffeine and you have a timeless recipe that manifests in form of Drop Coffee in Abu Dhabi!
Taking an acrobatic leap of faith, BigTop by Multitude Of Sins is a farm-to-table eatery brewing a quintessentially Indian cauldron of unconventional upcycled visuals.
Christened ‘The Circus Canteen’ as a part of the premises of Bangalore Creative Circus, the 2,134 sq ft cafe pieced together by principal designer Smita Thomas unfurls one man’s treasure in what was another man’s trash.
Moulding together a miscellaneous mosaic of eccentric elements sourced from city-wide waste donation drives, salvage markets, and dump yards the canteen comprises less than 10% of its material garnered afresh, showcasing sustainability at its best.
Upon entrance, an electric pole salvaged from a scrapyard is decked with kaput appliances such as a television, radio, speaker system bathed in pastel shades; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
The scarlet door to the cafe is embellished with an octet of hand-horns and a throng of bicycle bells; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
Manifesting a mischievous mood board of bright hues, bold materials and bespoke upcycled installations the project represents as a beacon of a pressing environmental message.
Retrofitted with a reborn play of tints and textures, the original door alters into an eye-catching ensemble of octet hand-horns and infinite bicycle bells. A streak of vibrant teal toned scrap metal arches welcome the customers into the space with a zesty energy right from their entry.
Illustrated by artist Shunnal Ligade, the Snitz’s merry mouth splits wide open unable to contain his roaring laughter by the entrance; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
The kitchen service window is framed by obsolete cassette tape box covers; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
Illustrating an imposing presence, the passageway axis is decked with grunge chandeliers made up of bike chains, metal filings and refurbished vehicle headlights.
Adjacent, an electric pole salvaged from a scrapyard accessorised with inanimate electric appliances bathed in peppy paints makes for an unexpected art installation.
Multitude Of Sins moulds together a miscellaneous mosaic of elements sourced from city wide donation drives, salvage markets and dump yards; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
Each table and section at the eatery narrates a unique nostalgic story, exhibiting an exclusive transportive experience for the diners like never before; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
Paying a humble homage to ‘haathgaadis’, a fleet of custom-built food carts finished in pastel tints embody the cafe’s produce-to-plate notion in a new light.
A peculiar tetris-like puzzle, the eatery’s flooring features an assemblage of discarded display samples from ceramic stores and the active sites of other fellow designers, stitching together an inimitable tapestry.
A glass partition system stands out at the perimeter between the dinette and community desk space on the upper level; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
A motley melange of discarded display samples from ceramic stores and excess unused tiles from active sites of fellow designers makes up the restaurant’s one-of-a-kind tetris-like flooring; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
Peeking through the glass lined periphery of the cafeteria, are glimpses of the kaleidoscopic dining section. With each table in the two-storied joint encapsulating an exclusive transportive experience, the diner may select any nook that their curious journey may feel compelled to take as they devour the delectable carte curated by Chef Nayantara Bagla.
The corporate section features High-back chairs refurbished with new fabrics sporting Gingham checks and pinstripes, with a playful finish in hand-illustrated doodles on the coffee tabletop; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
Stealing the show in the dining section, the mammoth community table section finished in whitewashed reclaimed pine wood and one-of-its-kind refurbished chairs exhibits an eclectic visual palette.
Embellished with paint brushes portraying illustrations of posh damsels by artist Kamesh Bhagatji is the artists section. Table graffiti art by Shunnal Ligade; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
The focal point of the canteen’s facade, an accent collage wall modelling a mishmash of e-waste, sanitary fixtures, and discarded furniture assembles a whimsical work of art.
The Circus Canteen represents a beacon of a pressing environmental message with its creative use of upcycled materials; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
On the upper level, the magnum opus of the milieu, a partition system that stands at the ambit amidst the dinette and community desk space looks over the striking interiors of BCC.
Graced by the artistic community at Bangalore Creative Circus, The Circus Canteen narrates a nostalgic trip inspired by unshackled creative expression. Reimagining an artistic amalgam of aesthetics entwined with utility in its regenerative culture.
Scroll down to see more glimpses of The Circus Canteen by Multitude Of Sins:
The artist’s section is an ode to the unfettered creative souls of the creators at BCC; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
The single seater chairs in the artist’s section exhibit eccentric sketches of ever so posh damsels, art by Kamesh Bhagatji; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
Less than 10% of the material used in the cafe’s interiors and decor was garnered afresh, embodying sustainability at its best; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
Set within the premises of Bangalore Creative Circus, the cafeteria is inspired by unshackled creative expression; Photographs by Ishita Sitwala
As an avid believer of retail therapy, we are convinced that shopping brings ultimate joy and delight. The first few seconds a shopper lays eyes on a store decides if they will be interested to dive in or walk away without a second thought. Structure and environment of a shop plays an important role in influencing customers to make the decision of shopping. New cool stores in India with aesthetically pleasing designs are certain to make people stop and shop.
Elle Decor brings to you an edit of new cool stores in India that manifests the brand identity creatively with strategic displays, optimal layout and tactical lighting detail for your shopping sprees and store inspirations.
Designed and conceptualised by Shani Himanshu of 11.11/eleven eleven and Celldsgn and Milan-based Conzatti Solanki Architects, Good Earth apparel floor incorporates a series of clusters representing each individual designer, coming together as one cohesive whole. The design sustains the building’s original features — natural daylight, airy volume, industrial concrete and stone floors.
Moulded and shaped into rails reminiscent of ribbons, brass contrasts against delicate fabric chandeliers, rustic flooring, and screens of natural cotton, hand-printed by local artisans. The ageing of brass over time mirrors qualities of longevity and endurance inherent to Good Earth’s apparel curation. The apparel floor represents dynamism and fluidity. Garments hang on an incline, individual designer areas are circular, and the movement from one to another is intuitive and fluid. With its own presence, each product seamlessly fits in as part of a larger universe in this apparel floor.
Representing dynamism and fluidity is Good Earth apparel floor by eleven eleven & Celldsgn
Kimora, Surat
Kimora, a traditional wear fashion house in Surat merges the chaos of shopping with the serenity of nature. Dipesh Kheni of Design Ritmo crafts a canvas of subtle colours with ease of display. With a play of textures on walls, the space features corrugated sheets, planters and rough finishes. The lighting design has been indigenously created to obtain precise directional light on the products. Design minimalism highlights Kimora’s vivid collection of apparels with the focus on distinct materials and ambient lighting.
Kimora by Design Ritmo focuses on distinct materials and ambient lighting; Photograph by Photographix India
Kimora by Design Ritmo features corrugated sheets, planters and rough finishes; Photograph by Photographix India
SHIVAN & NARRESH, Mumbai
Uniting elements of discovery interspersed with notable influences of Art Deco and contemporary design, the holiday wear brand SHIVAN & NARRESH reinforces historical relevance through restoration of an iconic 1940’s Deco building in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai. Flushed with pastel pink and warm white flutes, the store brings to life the concept of ‘Art of Holidays’ entwined with intricate layers of urban elegance and sophisticated lifestyle.
Sleek geometric and stylized forms display bold lines alongside the chic marble inlay flooring that compliment the fluid tropical space. Deep elliptical arches forge opulence while the graphic staircase spreads into a vintage L-shaped mezzanine housing celebration and couture styles. The store exhibits a wide array of clothing and accessories synonymous with five distinct holiday lifestyles – swim, resort, cruise, safari & ski through a potpourri of powerful prints and silhouettes that seamlessly capture the onset of escapism for the tropical city.
Deep elliptical arches forge opulence in SHIVAN & NARRESH store by Divya Aggarwal; Photograph by Pankaj Anand
Shankh Couture, Surat
Designed by Mitesh Champaneria & Jaba Champaneria of Kuryaat Spaces and Art, Shankh Couture is a designing studio that caters to the bride and groom’s wedding day ensemble. Made of lime plaster and terrazzo, the store is an amalgamation of traditional partitions with a modern art sprinkle. Each furniture piece of the couture is made from teak wood and brass to accentuate the design. The colour of the lime plaster is dyed in shades which allows the outfits to highlight themselves. This 600 sq. ft. land witnesses tears of joy and the happiness one feels when their dream outfit comes out right.
Exploration desk assembled from teak wood and brass metal at Shankh Couture by Kuryaat Spaces and Art; Photograph by Ishi Sitwala
A hand embroidered fabric functions as a partition in Shankh Couture by Kuryaat Spaces and Art; Photograph by Ishi Sitwala
Bulgari store, New Delhi
Speaking of the brand’s affinity to its Roman and Grecian roots, the Bulgari store facade features a black Grand Antique marble portal, used in contrast with white Travertino Navona round columns at the entrance. Following the concept and artistic direction of the celebrated American architect Peter Marino, different furniture pieces such as the Mangiarotti table, Oswaldo Borsani sofas, complete the store’s seamless blending of classic and contemporary. The brand DNA is further brought to life with artworks by Andy Warhol. This redesigned Bulgari store is truly an escape — a space to indulge in all things luxurious.
Bulgari store by Peter Marino is a space to indulge in all things luxurious
Zavaana – “The silhouette”, Mumbai
The 650 sq ft fashion boutique Zavaana is a concoction of local and exquisite elements and monochrome earthy palette which brings the essence of the brand and its purpose. Bricks, raw wood handle, customised metal and thread chandelier display the authenticity of the brand. Designers Mukti Rathi and Nidhi Chaudhary of Studio Muktinidhi blend a combination of interiors with the character of the designer, her exquisite approach and thoughts that allow one to experience the creativity and ethos of the clothes on display.
Zavaana by Studio Muktinidhi displays bricks, raw wood handle, customised metal and thread chandelier; Photograph by Sameer Tawde
Soulspace, Bangalore
Engulfed in the colour salmon, with soft arches, delicate brass accents and repetitive linear mouldings is this bed & bath linen store on MG Road, Bangalore. Designed by Akshita Mehra, Principal Designer at Studio Goya, Soulspace flaunts a clean minimalist aesthetic. Merging different zones together with curvilinear forms, the space features plain finishes and linear fluted textures that modulate the quality of light and impart depth.
Curvilinear forms, plain finishes and linear fluted textures shape Soulspace by Studio Goya; Photograph by Yash R Jain
Outhouse, Mumbai
Monolithic forms with delicate designs, the Outhouse flagship store in Mumbai integrates the idea of casting and carving, similar to their pieces of jewelleries. Organic forms, minimal undertones and clean modernism combine with free-flowing idyllic islands to narrate the beauty of Cyclades. Vritima Wadhwa of Project 810 accentuates this jewellery store by Kaabia Grewal and Sasha Grewal with salmon pink terrazzo flooring, striking art deco mirrors and subtle hues of warm white in earthy minimalism.
Outhouse store by Project 810 integrates monolithic forms with delicate designs; Photograph by Surabhii and Saloni
Outhouse store by Project 810 features subtle hues of warm white in earthy minimalism; Photograph by Surabhii and Saloni
Cultivo, Aurangabad
A hydroponic store in Aurangabad, Cultivo is a compact 615 sq ft green grocery shop designed by Sheetal Patel of Studio noya. Spruced up in a colour theme of dandelion yellow and Amsterdam green and an open-layout dominated by french windows, the design blends the ambience of a quaint European cafe with the vibe of a farmer’s market. With the use of metal partitions, potted and ceiling plants, wooden accents and socialising nooks, the premise promotes a holistic lifestyle.
A hydroponic store spruced up in dandelion yellow and Amsterdam green is Cultivo by Studio noya; Photograph by Hemant Patil
Cultivo by Studio noya blends the ambience of a quaint European cafe with the vibe of a farmer’s market; Photograph by Hemant Patil
The Anushree Reddy Store, Hyderabad
A saga of colour, texture and sensorial design, this luxury couture store is a penchant for detail, heritage and modern undertones. Monotone employment of colour reigns the interior spaces of The Anushree Reddy Store, wherein hues and textures make a debut through Indian materiality—locally sourced stone flooring, stained natural wood, and a peppering of earthy artefacts. Sona Reddy of Sona Reddy Studio pieces together all the segments of the layout in a sense of continuity.
A saga of colour, texture and sensorial design—The Anushree Reddy Store by Sona Reddy Studio; Photograph by Pankaj Anand
The White Teak Company, Bangalore
A retail space for lighting and home decor in Bangalore, this store for The White Teak Company represents curves through arches and lines through planes in an attempt to incorporate geometries. With display panels and arched niches, the number of lights visible at once is controlled. Gaurav Sareen, Principal Architect of Choreography of Spaces furnishes the space in a plain and textured grey colour palette, wooden floor, golden metal frames and subtle inserts of green and pink.
Store for The White Teak Company by Choreography of Spaces furnished in a plain and textured grey colour palette; Photograph by Shine Parsana
Pinklay, Bangalore
A collective of 7 distinct rooms that come together as one, the Pinklay store designed by Divya Devatha, Raajan Sharma, and Soundarya Madhav is an exploratory and transitional journey through the spaces. Finding its roots in Rajasthan, colour and block-prints are the core of their collection, be it clothing or home decor. Keeping true to the brand’s casual vibe, the store features 3 dozen arches, ivory walls, pebbles, kota stone, wood, intricate murals, mirrors and a hint of jewel tones rendering the whole space in a beautiful laid-back vibe.
With colour and block-prints as the core of their collection, Pinklay store finds its roots in Rajasthan; Photograph by Ridhi Vijay
You’ll agree, there is this mutual hobby amongst all of us that often isn’t said out loud when talking about our wishlist or things we love doing. No, it’s not collecting cool kicks or Netflixing and chill. It’s that endless itch to discover the best cafes in India (or wherever you live) where a great cup of coffee, delish desserts and savouries are served generously with superb aesthetics.
To save you the time of digging the depths of the internet and asking recommendations on Instagram, here is your checklist for the best cafes in India to bookmark now.
Brewing pure Arabica in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh is ARAKU Coffee. Crafting a unique social distribution model wherein farmers and agricultural experts work together, Araku Coffee cafe brings to the table an authentic seed-to-cup experience. With its flagships in Bengaluru as well as Paris, the award-winning coffee house also offers organic range of coffees and contemporary coffee accessories to stock up on.
Photograph courtesy ARAKU Coffee India / Instagram
Beyond Designs Bistro, New Delhi
Hosting a modern dining experience, Beyond Designs Bistro in New Delhi is where fine food meets fine design and art. With a pre-existing menu serving recipes and coffees day to night, the bistro has also launched an appetising selection of pre-packaged meals called Breakfast in Bed. A rather pampering way to kick start the day, the concept combines artisanal baked goods and other healthy foods prepared with fresh ingredients delivered directly to your doorstep!
Photograph courtesy Atul Pratap Chauhan
Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru amongst other Indian cities
Experimenting with artistic approaches to farm-fresh coffee at the harvest level is Blue Tokai Coffee. With a mission to make crisp and enticing taste of estate coffee along with a menu of fresh bakes, desserts and breakfast bites accessible to all, the artisanal roastery chain has its charming cafes across India in Mumbai, New Delhi, Gurgaon, Bengaluru, Hyderabad amongst other cities.
Photograph courtesy Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters / Instagram
Cafe de Meet, Surat
Located in Surat is Cafe de Meet designed by Studio M’s principal designers Moiz Faizulla and Samad Sheikh. Illustrating a one-of-a-kind design identity, the cafe unveils a comforting escape for coffee lovers and even those who could use a tasteful break in calm away from the daily chaos. A befitting pairing to their brews is a hearty menu of avocado toasts, hummus bowl, ricotta bagels, pancakes along with other indulgent breakfast options.
Photograph courtesy Cafe de Meet
Something’s Brewing, Bengaluru
A dedicated destination addressing the needs of all coffee enthusiasts with everything coffee is Something’s Brewing in Bengaluru. Featuring a curated collection of brewing tools and a trove of coffee ranging from Bili Hu, Third Wave Coffee to Araku and many more, the experience cum retail centre exhibits ‘Be your own Barista’ initiative allowing customers to choose their own beans, grind them and brew their own blends behind the counter.
Photograph courtesy Something’s Brewing
SUBKO, Mumbai
Spotlighting a straight crop-to-cup java encounter is SUBKO in Mumbai. Making it to our list of best cafes in India, both its outposts, in Bandra and Byculla are known as speciality coffee roasters and a bakehouse. With interiors modelling a modern yet traditional design outlook, SUBKO is evoking a newfound passion amongst coffee connoisseurs to experiment and savour coffees originating from the Indian subcontinent, sourcing export quality grounds from across India including Chikmagalur and Ampthill Downs in Tamil Nadu.
Photograph courtesy Kuber Shah
The Flat White Coffee House, Surat
Crafting a soothing conversational space is The Flat White Coffee House in Surat sketched by Neogenisis+Studi0261 nested as a spruced-up bungalow bistro that strikes a seamless balance between modern and minimal design. Complete with a barista’s coffee bar and a bakery offering scrumptious selection of sweet and savoury treats, the outlet is an ideal hub to reset from the bustling crowd of the city.
Weaving snug stories of art and culture in spaces around the world, rugs retain a rather irreplaceable quality in the realm of interiors and decor. Just like the ‘magic’ carpets we often hear of in tales and folklores, rugs truly hold the power to revamp any and every space they adorn. With a focus to imbue abodes with the sheer craftsmanship and beauty of luxury rugs, Cocoon Fine Rugs helmed by Aayush and Smriti Choudhary rolls out the celebratory carpet with ‘Bohemian Spirit’, the brand’s new collection of limited edition rugs.
Illustrating vivid but sophisticated visuals in the spaces the rugs are decked at, the traditional handwoven tapestries exude an essence of allure. Embodying the finely honed skills of master craftsmen from Jaipur, the collection reveals an effortless melange of ethnic and modern elements in its designs.
The Bohemian Spirit collection by Cocoon Fine Rugs imbues an artistic semblance in living spaces around the world; Photograph courtesy Cocoon Fine Rugs
Amalgamated and layered with a soothing plethora of earthy colours, the rugs model hues of deep browns, greens and grays teamed with purple, orange, and blue, conjuring a subtle pop to create a statement-making effect in no time.
Each rug embodies the finely honed skills of master craftsmen from Jaipur in their ethnic designs; Photograph courtesy Cocoon Fine Rugs
Narrating intriguing fables of the country, the artisan and his inspiration, the rugs are handcrafted to engage the onlooker in their stories. Bedecking living spaces with Bohemian semblance, the bespoke collection channels a bold but sober character of self-expression and freedom. Every piece is crafted with New Zealand wool yarns, handwoven using one of the oldest techniques of rug making. The result is intricate patterns and beguiling colours that you can’t help but gaze at for long. Lighter and flexible, the rugs are ideal for living rooms, entryways, verandahs or even outhouses and can be maintained with just a vacuum without any hassle.
Embracing an eclectic mood board, the latest limited edition by Cocoon Fine Rugs strikes the eye of those who seek one-of-a-kind luxury to bedizen their home.
The limited edition Bohemian Spirit collection by Cocoon Fine Rugs is handwoven with New Zealand wool yarns using the oldest run making techniques; Photograph courtesy Cocoon Fine Rugs
The designs of the Bohemian Spirit collection by Cocoon Fine Rugs display a diverse mix of ethnic and modern elements; Photograph courtesy Cocoon Fine Rugs
“This limited-edition collection is a diverse mix of ethnic as well as modern design elements which will surely appeal to those who are keen to add a unique feature to their living spaces. Combining and layering colours is what makes this style exclusive,” sums up Aayush Choudhary of Cocoon Fine Rugs.
The magnificent collection by Cocoon Fine Rugs is available for sale in all their retail outlets across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Jaipur.
A bedroom that you never want to leave. A bedroom you want to take a double look at every time you enter. A bedroom that brings you closer to getting that perfect beauty sleep every day. These are a few sleep-perfect goals that Boutique Living plays with at its core. Decking the bedroom in a striking play of vibrant stripes is the latest Stripe Tease collection by Boutique Living, an exclusive lifestyle and home linen-focussed endeavour from the house of Indo Count Industries.
Stripe Tease collection by Boutique Living is equal parts colourful and sophisticated
The celebrated company boasts bold, gorgeous linens with its recent boutique bedding series belonging to the brand’s Vogue Living range.
The linens extending from 300 thread count to 1,000 thread count, the brand sports a superior selection of bed sheets, comforters, pillows, towels, coverlets,and fitted sheets in both bolder and subtle styles as per the customer’s preference.
Stripe Tease collection by Boutique Living models prime percale pure cotton textile
Patterned from prime percale pure cotton textile, Stripe Tease collection introduces an elegant ever-classic energy modelled in a contemporary character in every chamber.
Inviting appeal and allure, the collection’s design expresses an adventuresome yet sophisticated aura. The trendsetting assortment of classic comforters and bed linens model a magnetising sense of aesthetic, offering consumers style-forward inspirations to upgrade their bedrooms attractively.
A medley of colour schemes ranging from red-blue, baby pink-grey, bright orange-red-black to even a grey-blue, dark blue, the linen set offers options for every bedroom
Forward on style and technology, the bed linens from the Stripe Tease collection are distinctly artsy
Warranting an unparalleled experience of catching a satisfying shuteye, Boutique Living reiterates Indo Count’s ethos in classy and comfortable beddings for the Indian market. Featuring airy featherweight pure fabrics that flaunt anti-viral and skin friendly properties, the Stripe Tease collection is also fade and shrink resistant ensuring an ethical element in its enduring material.
Stripe Tease collection is craftes with airy, pure fabrics with anti-viral and skin friendly properties
Unveiling a playful palette in a sundry of colour schemes ranging from red-blue, baby pink-grey, bright orange-red-black to even a grey-blue, dark blue, the linen set offers a selection for every bedroom setting.
High fashion and absolutely snug, the bed linens in the Stripe Tease collection make every bedroom ahead in the linen game
Tracing trendsetting styles, adding the perfect amount of opulent oomph to the bedroom, Boutique Living’s Stripe Tease collection uses percale in its design story.
The linens at Boutique Living feature 300 thread count to 1,000 thread count
“Strip Tease is truly the essence of the high fashion and trailblazing range that is meant to be Vogue Living. Stripes are a classic piece of statement fashion that can never go wrong when paired with bold and bright colours,” shares Rajiv Merchant, President, Domestic Retail, Indo Count Industries Limited.
The spring flowers have blossomed to its fullest, the weather softly but swiftly transitions from cool to warm, the landscape around oozes brighter colours than last month and before we know it- Holi arrives.
The famous festival of colours probably means different things to different people. Some like to go all out with their hands full of gulal, while some of us only wait to gorge on mithais, artisanal but desi at core.
To help you savour the best artisanal mithais in India, check out our curated edit of the glacé sweets, you’ll probably want to overdose on (at your own caution!) Happy Holi.
Bright and bold, the green tea fudge by Barfila is probably the best of both worlds, with generous tinge of matcha flavour and concept of barfi moulded into one artisanal mithai.
The classic motichoor gets a stunning spin laced with lavender extract that gives its a striking purple tint that neither your taste buds and your eyes will forget!
If you can’t be in Kolkata, let the city of delectable sweets come to you. Bombay Sweet Shop brings its luscious take on handmade Nolen gur-coconut kheer kadam, rolled into adorable balls of malai ped, stuffed with palm jaggery-infused rasgulla and touched up with desiccated coconut!
With a palatable portfolio of Indian artisanal mithais, macarons and brownies, too, Saugaat by Bikanerwala is a sweet destination to bookmark. However, our eyes are fixated on the lemon de leche, a rich blend of smooth milk solids and that electrifying tang of lemon.
When your favourite things are splashed with delightful colours, the joy of savouring it doubles up. Khoya introduces pink coconut ladoo, made of coconut, filled with dry fruits and then rolled on a carpet of coconut again!
A staple during Holi, gunjiyas are a favourite at every home, and Gur Chini wants you to add some twist to it with their special wild rose and honey gunjiya. Deep red hued and stuffed with taste-tickling mixture, these sweets are sculpted into gorgeous compact shapes that you’d have a hard time deciding whether to gorge on it or not!
We have no intentions of separating the timeless bond of Holi and thandai and Pooja Dhingra’s Le15 Patisserie thinks alike! Available until 18th March, from the ever inventive kitchen of the brand emerges delightful macarons imbued with flavours of Thandai, white chocolate ganache and some colourful splatter.
Sculpted, crisp, moist and saccharine, gujiyas effortlessly embellish the Holi platter. Saltt restaurant in Karjat is plating up scrumptious gujiyas curated especially for the festival of colours, made with green apples, oats, raisin and deep fried in ghee and draped with rose sugar syrup. Available until 20th March at the outpost!
In a world full of compromises, we make none! Especially when it comes to our little ones, the hands that rock the cradle, rule the world and leave no stone unturned to give the best of everything. Underlined with a sense of innocence in sync with mindfulness, the need to build a safe, playful sanctuary for the little ones becomes paramount in their first few years! Leading this cuddlesome conversation in the right direction is the online platform Baby Jalebi—that guiding light for parents who are always eyeing for essentials for their kids!
The SwitcheRoo-Baby Nest is ideal for transitioning into a bed when your toddler is ready; Photographs courtesy Baby Jalebi
A curated edit of made in India products and founded by then childhood friends and now sisters-in-law Gunia Chopra and Rati Nehra, Baby Jalebi launched online in 2015 giving the parents from across India ample reasons to add to their carts with ease. After all, shopping is well done only if it is hassle-less and more fun, like gorging on those piping hot, sweet jalebis, isn’t it?
Then of course, the quirky brand name is rooted in an evidently sweeter narrative! When co founder Rati had her first daughter Leela, she realised how parenting and being a new mom makes you feel an immense amount of love and sweetness but also sometimes finds you whirling around in spirals. Hence, Baby Jalebi was coined. A mingle of indian and international, the brand name inspires the never ending, all consuming love you experience those first few months.
To be used over baby’s crib, bassinet, or just as a feature in any corner, Rainbow Canopy dramatically changes the look of your nursery; Photographs courtesy Baby Jalebi
Reversible cot bumpers bring coordinated, stylish design to the kids nursery; Photographs courtesy Baby Jalebi
“Our generation and new parents have so much access to information, they know exactly what they want and never compromise on products for their children. Watching the brand’s growth over the last few years has been inspiring for us and keeps us going. We love receiving customer photos and feedback!” divulges Nehra.
The latest sleep station has been made keeping the first year of a baby’s life in mind; Photographs courtesy Baby Jalebi
Give me more!
At the outset of the birth of Baby Jalebi, beds and beddings found the limelight. Over the years the brand bloomed into a big box of adorable essentials, from diaper bags, changing station and caddy to newborn must-haves like bibs, swaddles, burp clothes, bassinets, backpacks, storage bags, playmats and more.
In 2020, Baby Jalebi introduced kids’ face masks, too, with their recent addition being Boondi, a winsome clothing line for children aged 0-3 years.
Create a safe, secure and comfortable space for your baby while co-sleeping; Photographs by Baby Jalebi
The celebrity club
With a new tribe of parents in the Indian entertainment industry, including names of Sania Mirza, Kareena Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Kalki Koechlin, Sameera Reddy and Soha Ali Khan, Baby Jalebi is gaining ground for its kid-lectic variety as the need for holistic baby-friendly brands mushrooms in India!
Click here to shop from their exquisite collection!
There’s no alternative to coffee. Coffee is the alternative to everything else. These wise words of sweet (or bitter) awakening come from the clucking of my keyboard while I indulge in my cup of routine caffeine.
If you’ve been looking to stock up on some good dose of coffee brews to get through the work from home hours or while enjoying your solitude, check out this curated edit of the best coffee blends in india and equipment that you can use at home with ease and finesse.
Bili Hu
Grounded in the essence of India, unique palate-tickling coffees by Bili Hu, a brand founded by Bharat Singhal, sources from plantations across India. From a selection of coffees, including Harley Estate, Mysore Nugget Extra Bold to Monsooned Malabar and more, the roasts are available for hot and cold brews, both.
The brand also curates its own at-home-perfect coffee equipment, from a hand grinder, reusable cold brew coffee bags and Chemex filter paper to wooden collar Chemex to mokapot!
There’s good, better and then, oh-so-good! El Bueno Coffee Roasters by Manvi Gupta exemplifies the latter, where the brand name translates to ‘the good’ in Spanish. Making coffee a rather fun experience, El Bueno christens its blends as Hello, Monday, Bloombae, Sweet Sangria and suchlike. Besides its blends, it also offers coffee equipment and speciality coffee concentrate!
El Bueno Coffee; Photograph courtesy El Bueno Coffee
Nandan Coffee
The winning goal at Nandan Coffee spells the joy of indulging in quality coffee while being conscious of the environment. A brand run by Yahvi and Parthivi Mariwala, Nandan produces intriguing coffee blends such as Royale, Gold and L’lmore working in tandem with coffee expert Sunalini Menon, dubbed as Asia’s first lady of coffee.
Coffee but make it easily available and double the fun! SLAY Coffee founded by Lakshmi and Chaitanya, is where certified baristas whip up the tastiest brews from freshly roasted and ground premium coffee beans. They call it coffee outside the cafe, or the cloud cafe, curating not just the delicious coffee blends, but also their prosonalised packaging, merchandise, instant freeze dried coffee concentrate and more!
Inventive and well, taste-tingling, Toffee Coffee Roasters founded by Nandini Shrivastava and Rishab Nigam birthed in Bandra back in 2019. With a focussed thought to only brew and serve the most freshly roasted coffee, the brand has bolstered to offer not just coffee blends but a host of coffee equipments, a coffee blog to help you learn your java better and some specialty blends and microlot coffees that are defining the coffee trends today!
We particularly are also eyeing Toffee Coffee Roasters’ Cabernet Sauvignon-Wine Barrel Aged Coffee, coffee sourced from highest hills of Karnataka laced with the ageing process in Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Barrel. Heady but delicious, sounds like your next cuppa?
Where nature meets tradition, Ellementry founded by Ayush Baid doesn’t just fence off at advancing products but also inspires lifestyles. Rooted in wisdom and adapted to modern sensibilities, all of the brand’s creations are an expression of function and love for the environment.
Specialising in homely luxury through handcrafted homeware range, Ellementry’s modern Masai Brass coffee sets and Filters in gold emanate the taste of traditional South India with every sip.
Ellementry Home; Photograph courtesy Ellementry Home
KC Roasters by Koinonia
Shannon D’Souza, founder of KC Roasters aims to reframe the closed conception touching on Indian coffee by promoting present-day international practices in partnership with our farmers.
Apart from brewing batches of hand-selected specialty coffee roasted in their top-of-the-line Roaster, the coffee house also crafts its own clever equipment in its pursuit of creating a united culture of great Indian Coffee.
KC Roasters by Koinonia; Photograph courtesy kcroasters.com
Nykaa Home
There’s only one thing that goes with the best coffee blends in india and that’s a good home-friendly coffee equipment. Consistent in its commitment to curate a luxe lifestyle exhibiting exceptional taste and style, Nykaa Home offers an assortment of smart coffee machines from international outfits like Nespresso, Solis, Budan, and Wacaco with a series spanning across Nanospressos, Minipressos, and other portable machines in a mélange of shades to suit every mood.
Celebrating the nuances of Indian spices and sustenance, Ekaa Restaurant in Mumbai is centred around bringing out individuality of the recipes and ingredients. Ekaa that recently opened up in a quaint lane of Azad Maidan in South Mumbai is helmed by co-founder, Sagar Neve, and head chef and partner Niyati Rao who bring to their patrons an interpreted cuisine that intrigues with nostalgia.
Sagar, a restaurateur for a decade, joined hands with Niyati, who has impressive cooking and curating experience in and out of the country. The latter was driven by her brief stint in Noma, Copenhagen and on returning to Mumbai, she wanted to use her insightful experience in a way that impacted the Indian culinary world.
Chef speaks
In her words, “This is an ode to my motherland. The chefs at Noma make optimum use of what is available to them and create magic. How they focus on a humble local ingredient and celebrate it to the best of its capability is a work of art itself. That is probably why the world respects them, because they respect what is around them first. Our country has so much to offer, and many indigenous ingredients and techniques remain untapped.”
Key characteristics of Kitab Mahal tie the restaurant to its context and history, imbuing rustic vibes; Photograph courtesy Ekaa Mumbai
The menu at Ekaa: Spice and sustenance
The menu at Ekaa does not adhere to any particular cuisine. An interpreted menu, where the ingredients are protagonists, liberalises the chef’s creative constraints and also aids in curating non-niche dishes that are as unique as the visitors. Three different experiential menus, namely a Tapas Menu paired with the Bar Menu, A la Carte menu and a 10-course Chef’s Tasting Menu grant visitors the reign to steer their experience at Ekaa.
The Chef’s Tasting Menu features fresh, fun, and inventive dishes. The A la Carte menu presents textures and combinations of flavours in a single offering, with variants for every palette, dietary requirement and food preference. The Tapas Bar inspired by Indian Ecosystems serves as a backdrop for relaxed settings.
Retaliating with over-the-top aesthetics, Ekaa Mumbai takes ‘less in more’ to heart; Photograph courtesy Ekaa Mumbai
A private dining area facilitates intimate gatherings and unlimited culinary experimentation; Photograph courtesy Ekaa Mumbai
Designer speaks
Adopting the ‘less is more’ Japanese and Nordic style of architecture, a clean and minimalistic space that does not take the focus away from the food fuses with the context. By retaining 131-year-old architectural characteristics, the natural charm of Kitab Mahal (est. 1890) stays intact. Creamy ceramics and wall installations compliment the earthy tones of handmade wooden furniture and moulded lamps crafted by local artisans.
Unwinding and switching-off level up at the Bar and Tapas setting at Ekaa, Mumbai; Photograph courtesy Ekaa Mumbai
Ekaa has an open kitchen space that lets guests walk in and interact with chefs. The Tapas and Bar area has an intimate setting that catalyses unwinding. The restaurant also has a private dining room for people who like a private dining affair and exclusively curated experiences for an occasion.
