THE CONVERSATION
“Noorein is the drama; and I am the queen!” says Kumpal Vaid as she sets the tone for the conversation. Kumpal is restrained, Noorein is tenacious. Kumpal’s approach to spaces is subtle yet impactful, Noorein’s style is bold yet warm. Kumpal aces her neutrals, while Noorein is known for her audacious ways with colour and patterns. What’s evident though is their passion for design, and their drive to carve a niche in the industry.
Both their practices—Kumpal’s firm Purple Backyard, and Noorein’s eponymous practice, Noorein Kapoor Design—are a little over a decade in the industry. In a short span of time, they have created a distinct identity for themselves. In a first of sorts, we bring together two contemporaries and friends to discuss and engage in a dialogue about how they navigated the business of design, about shattering the glass ceiling, and how the design industry has evolved from being a man’s world, to a more gender-neutral universe.
An ideology Kumpal lives by is one of “constant learning and unlearning”. As the founder at Purple Backyard, her vision is to evolve through design while exploring sustainable solutions to execute them. Her fascination of minimal layering coupled with a play of refreshing materials has resulted in the creation of a unique identity of art that is visible in all her creations.
Noorein Kapoor is a psychology and interior design graduate from Rachana Sansad School of Design.
Her spaces are characterised by a strong element of storytelling. Her intrinsic understanding of psychology ensures that her spaces are reflective of her clients’ personality. A sensitive juxtaposition of complex simplicity and serene sophistication, through her spaces she creates a lucid design narrative. From her sensitive re-imagination of the Ambrai Restaurant in Udaipur that
celebrates the artistic heritage of the city of Udaipur, to her thoughtful rendition of contemporary spaces that create magic with colours, textures and patterns, Noorein is certainly a force to reckon with.
Although divergent, their meandering journeys seemed to meet and overlap at many junctures, creating an interesting synergy of sorts between the two designers. Here’s an excerpt of the conversation.
THE INITIATION INTO THE WORLD OF DESIGN
Seema Sreedharan (SS): Both your journeys have so many parallels. You both studied at Rachna Sansad. You started your solo practices around the same time. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that your studios flourished around the pandemic. Take us a little back in time, tell us about your individual journeys in design.
Noorein Kapoor (NK): My inclination towards interior design started in my childhood. I was in 7th grade when we were renovating our home. I was immensely fascinated by the work and that grew professionally as well. Choosing fabrics, discussing colour combinations, finding textures, I distinctly remember being fascinated with the nuances of imagining a space, and putting it together. That could have been the defining moment in my life. Even as a child
I was acutely aware of my penchant for concocting a space. So, I went on to pursue my Bachelors in Interior Design from Rachna Sansad. After a brief stint with
Ashiesh Shah, I decided to branch out on my own. I’ve failed many times, I even thought of giving up, but I persisted. And now, in hindsight, I’m glad I persisted. It has been a fantastic journey so far!
Kumpal: It’s interesting that you say that. I never knew why I gravitated towards design. But now that I look back at my childhood influences, I realise that’s where my initiation into design began. I come from a very matriarchal family. The women of my family, my mother, and especially my grandmother, were a strong influence on me. She was so house proud, and I think that kind of rubbed off on me. And we had this beautiful haveli in our village; the design, the art captured my imagination. I grew up listening to stories, I spent my childhood taking part in simple DIY projects. I think that those stories, those early influences left an indelible mark on my imagination. I gravitated towards design, I would say, subconsciously.
When it comes to interior design, I feel it is a woman’s world. Women are generally more empathetic, more sensitive. And that kind of reflects in your design. But then these are stereotypes, we are here to break stereotypes!” —KUMPAL VAID, Founder and Principal Designer, Purple Backyard
I hear people talk about the feminine touch. But how do you define feminine touch? I often pose a rhetoric in response… is there something called a man’s touch? Not really. I feel design transcends all barriers. In that sense, it’s neither a man’s nor a woman’s world.” —NOOREIN KAPOOR, Founder and Principal Designer, Noorein Kapoor Design Studio
My design style is something that reflects a certain personality and characteristic. It could be of the clients, of the primary inspiration, or of a city in the world. I try to understand the lifestyle of the clients and weave it into the space..” —NOOREIN KAPOOR, Founder and Principal Designer, Noorein Kapoor Design Studio
My design journey began with three years at Rachna Sansad, followed by working under celebrated architects and then a short specialisation at Central Saint Martins, UAL. Upon returning, I applied for positions in publications. Eventually, I joined my sister’s office, and in October 2011, launched Purple Backyard. Over 12 years, we’ve completed 70+ projects, exploring architectural aspects this year. We are currently working with Indian materials, mainly stones and marbles, to make pieces of interest and celebrate the creative expression via these products and art pieces under the brand name PB Home. The defining moment for pursuing visual merchandising post studies in interiors came from my passion for storytelling through spaces. Decoding narratives and enhancing my design study inspired me. This is evident in the flow and rhythm of our interior/architecture projects today.
Is it a Man’s World? Not Really!
Kumpal: When it comes to interior design, I feel it is a woman’s world. Women are generally more empathetic, more sensitive. And that kind of reflects in your design. But then these are stereotypes, we are here to break stereotypes!
Noorein: I hear people talk about the feminine touch. But how do you define feminine touch? I often pose a rhetoric in response… is there something called a man’s touch? Not really. I feel design transcends all barriers. In that sense, it’s neither a man’s nor a woman’s world.
Kumpal: Of course, there were prejudices and judgements. At times, your clients refuse to take you seriously. I’ve been told I’m too aggressive for a woman! A lot of times, I’ve been the only woman at a project meeting. Apart from these external tribulations, being a solo entrepreneur, I also had to juggle between designing sites, managing logistics, contracts and legalities, maintaining accounts—but it’s been an exhilarating experience. Things have changed now.
Like Noorein says, good design transcends all barriers.
The biggest prejudice was around my age for the longest time, instead of my experience. (Looking older was almost a prerogative at the time.) Working with labour, dealing with contractors was challenging as they wouldn’t like a woman giving them orders, especially in cities outside Mumbai. But thankfully, things have changed for the better now.
DESIGN ETHOS—A SIGNATURE STYLE
Noorein: My design style is something that reflects a certain personality and characteristic. It could be of the clients, of the primary inspiration, or of a city in the world. I try to understand the lifestyle of the clients and weave it into the space. It is indeed a reflection of them and the space narrates their stories through the designs. Curating these spaces for the clients is the reason I wake up to work every day.
Kumpal: I would say my design style is meditative with a transitional element, drawing inspiration from various styles and eras. The constant evolution of my profession with technology, materials, and diverse collaborations keeps me curious and learning.
A SWAP ANALYSIS—CONSTRUCTIVE CRITIQUE SS: Usually in interviews, I ask about the designer’s favourite projects. But let’s do it a little differently this time. Tell us what you like about each other’s work.
Noorein: That’s interesting. Like a Take Two? This will be fun! I’d like to go first.
The first thing you notice about Kumpal’s work is a sense of tranquillity in all her projects. There is a sense of calmness that is also an inherent side of her. I truly admire the way she manages to create a narrative that is reflective of her personality and her client’s. It’s not that simple. I am yet to learn that from her. She creates poetry in neutrals. Just when I think she can’t create any more layers in white, Kumpal will manage to do just that.
I would say my design style is meditative with a transitional element, drawing inspiration from various styles and eras. The constant evolution of my profession with technology, materials, and diverse collaborations. It keeps me curious and learning.” —KUMPAL VAID, Founder and Principal Designer, Purple Backyard
Kumpal: The way Noorein engages with colour is impressive. As a person, Noorein is unabashedly bold and audacious, and her spaces are not devoid of that element of drama. But there’s a certain subtlety with which she does that. A sudden pop of colour on the wall, surprising interludes of texture and print on ceilings, or just a dramatic piece of furniture or light, there’s always a sense of grandeur and drama in her spaces.
One of the spaces that I really admire is La Vie Boheme. The space exudes a feeling of zen! It’s tranquil yet vibrant.
The pop of tangerine, offset by the silver centre-table, and the ochre backdrop, it’s picture-perfect. I wouldn’t have been able to balance the colours so beautifully!
Noorein: You know…when I was working on the colour combinations I hand drew the sun, and we sampled a variety of colours to arrive at the perfect combination. The idea was to fuse styles by playing with colours.
Kumpal: And I have to mention Emily in Paris. I admire the detailing, the decorative ceiling, the combination of red and blue. It’s admirable how effortlessly she plays with bold colours! But my all-time favourite project has to be Ambrai in Udaipur. I wish I had done it! I am from Rajasthan; I’m writing a book on havelis. Heritage properties really entice me. It almost feels as if you have restored the space to its former glory. How can I not mention the ceilings... the carpet ceiling, the metal ceiling… I wouldn’t change a thing about that project.
Noorein: Eden House is one of Kumpal’s stand out projects. The pastel shades, with contrasting jewel tones emphasise the depth of space. The house demonstrates a classic interplay of rich materials and primary forms. And here, again, like I mentioned earlier, you witness a collaboration of two creatives. The designer and the client, and how beautifully it translates into the design. While we identify Kumpal with
I think authenticity is a design principle that will always remain relevant—that is what style is all about. No matter what is on trend, being true to what sparks joy for you will always prevail.” —KUMPAL VAID, Founder and Principal Designer, Purple Backyard
Designing a space allows for endless possibilities and a chance to create something unique every single time. The thought of bringing together various elements and stitching them together to form the larger space is exciting by itself.” —NOOREIN KAPOOR, Founder and Principal Designer, Noorein Kapoor Design Studio
neutrals, she works with blacks so well. Her touch is so delicate, it’s like a little sleight of hand!
Follow the Trends or Create One?
Kumpal: I think authenticity is a design principle that will always remain relevant—that is what style is all about. No matter what is on trend, being true to what sparks joy for you will always prevail. In the same vein, opening your mind and leaning into what you love will result in the most honest, timeless creativity.
Noorein: Designing a space allows for endless possibilities and a chance to create something unique every single time. The thought of bringing together various elements and stitching them together to form the larger space is exciting by itself. We design people’s spaces which are inhabited by them for most of their time and that comfort of space is something that we get to create.
Confidants or Competitors?
Noorein: We are contemporaries. We are in the same industry, and we both specialise in the same segment. So, we are bound to be competitors. There have been so many instances where we have pitched for the same project. In fact, recently, I was pitching for a project, and I later found out that Kumpal got the project. There’s competition! But there’s no envy.
Kumpal: We are confident in our own shoes. We discuss work. We discuss pitches. We discuss clients. So yes, there’s definitely competition, but no envy.
Recently we were working on a common brief for an upcoming event. When we discussed our project notes, the titles were different, the approach was different, but the thought and the philosophy behind it were so similar.