The coming collectively of style and interiors isn’t new. Internationally, Armani, Bulgari and Versace are simply three massive maisons which have stamped their names on lodges and houses. In India, Sabyasachi’s collaboration with Asian Paints and Delhi-based JJ Valaya’s tile collaboration with FCML have allowed prospects to carry a little bit of the luxe life to their humble abode. But what about giving your complete residence the designer therapy?
Last 12 months, Mumbai-based menswear designer Kunal Rawal introduced that he was coming into the luxurious actual property house. He selected Boheim, as that they had initiatives deliberate for Goa, Alibaug and Hyderabad.
In Goa, Rawal might be designing the interiors of Finca Sagrada, a challenge in Colvale that incorporates a stream operating via the event, whereas inside designer Gauri Khan is helming the interiors of Sanctuary, a challenge in close by Siolim. Lastly, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla are bringing their maximalist method to villas in Goa, however this time in Moira. There is one other challenge as nicely, referred to as Gaia, that includes estates in Alibaug. Those who’ve visited the duo’s new retailer in Mumbai’s Jio World Plaza will agree that the veteran designers know a factor or two about immersive experiences, rooted in Indian craftsmanship.
JJ Valaya’s interiors embody customized-made furnishings.
A pandemic pivot
This just isn’t the primary time style and interiors are coming collectively, with Bengaluru-based Sounak Sen Barat, designer at House of Three, additionally working throughout each design spheres. Barat launched interiors as a brand new vertical in the course of the pandemic and hasn’t appeared again. Today, he makes time for each style and actual property initiatives and says, “We also work B2B in collaboration with niche luxury builders in the luxury second homes market.” Clearly there’s a rising demand for all issues designer authorised in the residing house. Samarth Bajaj, director at Boheim, says his firm is aiming to do issues in another way, prioritising the surroundings, and hoping to champion craftsmanship, whereas additionally working with a few of the greatest names in style design.
The Bajaj household has run Shiv Shakti Constructions for the reason that Sixties, with initiatives in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. About tying up with these style designers, Bajaj notes, “So, the idea came from the fact that I’ve seen the spaces that they’ve designed for themselves, in terms of their homes or their retail stores, and I’ve absolutely loved what they’ve done.” He elaborates, “I think that people who are not formally trained in a particular field have the liberty of bringing in a fresh perspective. Sometimes when you’re professionally trained, you’re bound by what you’ve learned.”
Samarth Bajaj and Kunal Rawal
In the previous, designers reminiscent of Delhi-based Tarun Tahiliani and Valaya have labored on villas for personal purchasers and builders. Valaya notes, “My process involves creation as well as curation,” and so his interiors embody customized-made furnishings anchoring different parts reminiscent of antiques and carpets. He goes on to elucidate that although aesthetics is what folks see first, any residence should be architecturally sound, and to that finish, he works with an structure agency that ensures the technical drawings might be executed as nicely. Tahiliani has additionally labored in Goa on villa leases such because the AIS Glass Villa.
Playing to their strengths
Every designer has their very own signature, as Barat factors out. “We create an industrial/Brutalism-inspired base and layer it with a combination of colonial, Bengali, Dravidian and Indian heritage elements that have been customised or sourced from across the length and breadth of India,” he explains. With Boheim, each Jani and Rawal admitted to being excited to department out as they play to their strengths: seeking to work with conventional crafts, whereas creating useful areas. As Khosla places it, “It’s a home, so we can’t over-clutter it with too many things.”
Sounak Sen Barat
Even although luxurious now typically includes automation, Khosla has loads to say about what we’re dropping as we surrender on tactility. “Abu and I hate this modernisation to a certain extent because putting your lights on and dimming them and putting them on too sharp… everything is at the click of a button now. Having said that, we are adapting to modernisation today,” he says.
Bajaj, who’s behind The Designer’s Class, a web based studying platform catering to these in design, explains that getting a few of Indian style’s greatest names on board for these properties was a acutely aware alternative. “Under the brand [Boheim], we have about 10 projects that are ongoing right now. So, logistically it would have been much tougher if only one designer were to execute all projects.”
Obviously nobody is complaining. Designers are excited to have totally different avenues to showcase their imaginative and prescient, with Valaya noting, “I’ve found spaces as interesting as people because there’s a complete blank canvas and you start working on it, whereas when it comes to people, it’s about incorporating a person’s individuality into what you’re creating.”
Boheim plans to ship three of its 12 initiatives this 12 months, with the primary handover scheduled for June.
Secret chambers
Each of the designers we spoke with appeared to take pleasure in totally different elements of placing collectively a design. For Valaya, who’s a maximalist designer, it’s no shock that he seems ahead to the detailing, “from the right kind of art to the right kind of carpet, the right kind of artefacts”. Barat, alternatively, revels in creating hidden areas. He says, “[It] could be the kids’ room or a hidden study, library, your personal speakeasy hidden bar, or a fully loaded walk-in wardrobe through a hidden door that is probably a bookshelf. The trick is to hide it in plain sight, perhaps make a focal point wall fixture into a secret door.” Lastly, Rawal champions performance, and notes, “Men often gravitate toward spaces that are practical and efficient. Think smart storage, multi-use furniture, and layouts that make sense for everyday use whether that’s lounging, working, or entertaining.” When designing, Rawal retains in thoughts that, “A home should reflect how it’s used; every corner should hold intention, every space should serve a purpose.”
Published – May 30, 2025 05:49 pm IST
