Everything Shabnam Gupta touches becomes an exemplary standard; a ready reckoner of how to mix worlds, traditions and crafts, to produce something that is timeless, rooted in strong concepts and endlessly charming. Many celebrity homes and plush residences have been moulded by her astute skills yet each feels like a haven, that are extremely real, warm and easy to live in. This 7,700 sq ft, four bedroom duplex in Mumbai is one such example; a home endowed with views of the Arabian Sea, paired with Shabnam’s magic touch. While the husband and wife reside here, their two daughters visit often.
The stairwell is a vignette of carefully chosen pieces like the round table, framed Suzani and tabletop decor, all from Peacock Life, while the hanging light is from The Hesperus Store and the red trunk is procured from Nappa Dori. The wallpaper under the stairs is from Elemento Wallpaper and the lovely brass decor is a Good Earth find. The earthen pot is from Gaia Pottery; Photography by Kuber Shah
Shared dreams
“The client was familiar with my retail store, Peacock Life, and had previously purchased many products from us. During our meeting, while it was a pleasure to see how easily our styles and aesthetics matched, it was only when I finally started working with them, is when I realised, firstly, the incredible scale of this project, and how it was such a boon to work with people whose design sensibilities are aligned with mine,” says Shabnam, the creative force behind The Orange Lane, and the founder of Peacock Life.
The open plan living and dining room is drenched in muted tones, with curtains and sculptures defining scale and the home’s organic materiality. The soft furnishings are from Shades of India. The dining table along with the ceiling light is from Peacock Life, while the light above the table is from Beyond Design. In the centre of the living and dining room is a large sculpture from Purple Turtles. The mirror, mirror lights and wooden candle stands are from Peacock Life, and the brass pedestal is from Natural Interio Stonesworld. In the main living room, the sofa, artefacts above the console, coffee table and the tabletop decor, all are from Peacock Life. The rug is from Jaipur Rugs; Photography by Kuber Shah
“It also helped that the husband worked to build several brands in the country, so had a great creative eye, and a spirit to be experimental,” she adds. The duo wished for a home that not only portrayed their globetrotting lifestyle but also provided a feeling of pause; an interior drenched in Indian pride yet with an international appeal. “And, they wished for a tinge of eccentricity,” explains Shabnam.
The bar cabinet is made on site while the flooring is CMC Marble. The console artefacts are from Peacock Life; Photography by Kuber Shah
Look up and around
Scale, immense detailing, and eye to detail define the interiors. The home’s entrance with the Garuda sets the tone for what’s inside — drama, intrigue and fine craftsmanship. The lobby was designed with a keen eye too. “Since this is a transitional space, we decided to add a little more brooding quality to it with the chequered tiles and the low hanging chandelier. It gives the space an ethereal feeling,” says Shabnam.
The curtains and upholstery are from Shades of India while the bed and the bedside table are from Peacock Life.The bedside wall lamp is from The Hesperus Store. The art print has been sourced from Calcuttan Art Gallery while the art frames are from Indu Frame; Photography by Kuber Shah
There’s a lot of embellishment in the house with the contribution of craftspeople and specially sourced pieces from across the country. “One of the powder bathrooms is completely in charcoal paint with Thikri work from Rajasthan, done in a non-traditional way. We envisioned the space like a black night sky with twinkling stars. The other bathroom is made in thick, carved marble slabs with the idea of a lotus body” mentions Shabnam.
The washroom showcases panelling work in its finest. The mirror and hanging lights are custom made from Peacock Life, while the glass vase is from IKEA. The tray is from Pottery Barn and the candle holder is from West Elm; Photography by Kuber ShahThe powder washroom has a hanging light and mirror from Peacock Life, while the wall has Thekri work on it. The under counter wash basin is from Kohler while the rug is sourced from Ikka Dukka. The wall art is from Peacock Life. The plants are the client’s own; Photography by Kuber Shah
Several other areas in the home, be it the bar with the wooden ceiling, the Godfather-like study with leather furniture and veneer panelled walls, to the individualistic bedrooms showcasing each member’s unique tastes makes the home a keen design study in melding aesthetics within a unifying theme. A microcosm of Indian crafts reinterpreted in modern forms, bespoke pieces, special sculptures sourced countrywide and English tones give the home an everlasting visual semblance. Tranquil yet trendsetting, welcome to India modern.
