THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT
Celebrity designer Sussanne Khan, known for larger-than-life, edgy designs, recreates the spirit of the season and reveals her best kept festive design secrets
As a five-year-old, Sussanne Khan skipped hopscotch and toys to accompany her interior designer mother Zarine Khan to her project sites and observe colours and combinations that enthralled her. “My first inspiration came from my own home because my parents are very creative people who enjoyed the good moments of life, be it travel or food or décor,” says the 44-year-old interior designer and entrepreneur. Khan recently won an award as Asia’s Most Influential Designer at the Designer of the Year Awards in Malaysia. A self-confessed perfectionist with “an OCD for having everything done perfectly well”, she ensures that each piece by her brand—from the biggest installation to the smallest furniture— is approved by her. “I have learnt that I have to put my head down and work if I want to achieve and contribute to the world of design,” she says. Khan forayed into designing at the age of 21 with a row house for a doctor family in Thane, outskirts of Mumbai. Twenty three years later, she is refurbishing the same house for them, an example of the close rapport she maintains with her clients. “I go by energy and vibes while deciding who to work with. If they share the same emotions as I do, we work together,” says Khan.
WHAT’S IN STORE?
Her massive design store in Andheri, Mumbai, The Charcoal Project, celebrated its eighth birthday this year and Khan’s professional journey has evolved from designing homes to combining and creating new materials and working with metals. “When Charcoal launched, it was a big risk. It had my edgy chic design philosophy. People were wondering if I was only a celebrity or a serious designer,” she says. Khan enjoys working with materials that have a raw, natural look and feel. So, her furniture, lamps and accessories see a lot of wood, brass and stainless steel. Currently, she is in the process of developing moulds to cast metals in different shapes and creating new materials and fibres for her in-house line. “Inspiration can come from anywhere,” says the designer who spends her family time drawing with her two young sons.
WINTER WONDERLAND
Known for her ability to transform any space, Khan shares tips for the winter months. “Recreate the setting with every season change. For winters, add softness and warmth with bed and sofa linen and casual throw pillows. Go with red and green and gold colours and bring in some elements from the summer such as straw and woven baskets, candle holders and hurricanes made of bamboo,” she says. An easy way to spruce up the space is to add green balls and spray silver and gold at the corners and place them in a metallic tray. “At Christmas time, the tree is very special but don’t go for the conventional. Make a themed tree using elements from what you as a family enjoy. You can have a tree with only white and gold, or a tree with different kinds of reindeers or forest animals. Develop a theme that the family likes,” says the designer, adding, “Don’t forget the fragrance because the sense of smell is important during winters and holidays. Go for apple cinnamon and cut it with cedar wood or fig tree. Pick houndstooth woven fabric with gold and grey and turn it into a throw. Since it’s neutral, it won’t mix with various other colours.”
Pick things that are neutral, metallic colours and natural shades like white and brown add warmth without making the space looking over crowded.