My Space, My Mind
Region’s prominent architects and interior designers on the latest trends that are ruling the home decor scene.
TRENDING NOW Amanat Grewal, 26 Interior Designer, Chandigarh
Grewal feels that trends in interior design now seem to mimic those on fashion runways, translating themselves on to fabrics, wallpapers, and cushions, etc., thereby transforming homes into style statements. “The entire plethora of green, from lime to emerald, is highly visible. Textures are in and can be seen across mediums—from furniture, fixtures, fabrics to wallpapers. Marble and brass continue to dominate as materials of choice for both kitchens and bathrooms,” she says. The interior designer says that an increasing number of house owners are asking for quirky lighting, vases and lamps. Grewal is happy that designers are getting to assert themselves. “Thankfully, uniqueness is becoming a norm and
nobody is asking for design ideas that are indiscriminately repeated in home after home. This helps us push boundaries of interior design,” she says.
TRENDING NOW Monita Bhardwaj, 41 Interior Designer, Chandigarh
Bhardwaj is witnessing a detox from digitised expressions in design to embracing of naturalness and imperfect forms, both in terms of materials and spaces in contemporary times. “And thank God for that. I always have clients who are asking for signature interiors. I am glad that more people are approaching me and asking me to experiment with materials that are earthy and close to nature in their living spaces.” Pointing out that many people in Punjab and Chandigarh are moving away from materials that shout ‘I am expensive’ and are looking for age-old patterns and weaves incorporated in fabrics and art work divorced from over-the-top elements.
TRENDING NOW Gauri Sharma Chandigarh/Andretta (Himachal
She makes it clear that she is an artist first. That she does not take instructions from clients.That design is an offshoot of art. “I don’t give them what they want, but what they need.” The artist/interior designer says that more and more people are now divorcing run-ofthe-mill ‘pretty ideas’, and want spaces that reflect their personalities. “Shades of pink, greys are ruling in more eco-friendly spaces which boast of organic structures, less material and more of nature. Clear backgrounds and intense colours thrown around are popular. I like the fact that people are open to bohemian and poetic display and want to create a page straight out of romanticism. Frankly, surreal
Living working spaces are not just structures but things which meaningfully touch all sensory impusles. PREETI AGNIHOTRI
spaces flanked by individually crafted pieces are what people are looking out for,” she says.
TRENDING NOW Noor Dashmesh Singh, 36 Architect, Chandigarh
Singh says that over the years, he has noticed a shift in the way people are making design choices. “People have developed an appetite for environmentally-conscious designs which are rich by virtue of their design detailing and not just expensive materially.” Stressing that even the cash-rich belts of north India are now open to letting go of expensive wood veneering on wall surfaces, Italian and other imported stone claddings, etc, Singh adds, “As compared to a decade ago, it is encouraging to see clients asking for a sustainable and ethical approach and local sourcing to creating soft, soothing and rich spaces rather than a mere assembly of brands.”
TRENDING NOW Preeti Agnihotri, 53 Architect, Chandigarh
“I have a no fluff approach with integrity towards the process of shaping an idea realised through the understanding of the essence of the project at hand. So, I am not really sure if I am the right person you have approached,” says Agnihotri. The architect laments that man clients come with their own outsourced deisgns treating architects like draftsmen. However, she adds that the saving grace is that today, many of the clients are looking beyond fads and understanding that any building which is conceived and realised in response to its location, surroundings, and the needs of the people who are going to use it will be the in vogue and remain ‘fashionable’ for all times to come.
TRENDING NOW Name Badrinath Kaleru, 30 Architect, Chandigarh
“People are fast opening up to sustainable architecture. Clients are demanding courtyards in their spaces and asking for interlinking of inner and outer spaces to provide fresh air and breakout spaces for the users in terms of both visual and functional break,” says Kaleru. The architect also says that more people are demanding multilevel car parking’s for commercial malls, etc. “Thanks to the fact citizens in this part of the country are well-travelled.” Kaleru adds, “Building designs are no longer monotonous with single tones but boast of options for cladding systems ranging from vertical gardens to natural stones in different finishes to clay tiles and exposed brick facades.”