DESIGN RAPID FIRE
Meet power couples who have a combination of creative power that will inspire everyone everywhere
Eight power couple share insights from their life and work
Describe what you make...
We make bespoke furniture pieces for specific projects and also develop designs of our own. Ceramics have become an important part of our collection. Our large ceramic planters are quite unusual and use a high level of skill.
The most important thing you’ve designed...
That truly depends on where one is coming from. We have always had at the forefront of our thinking - job creation. So, the collections we have created for the export market, which have created literally thousands of jobs are most important to us. We are known for our inventiveness, quality and integrity.
A project you are working on...
A prestigious farmhouse in Delhi, with a lot of bespoke furniture designed and made by us. We have also used a lot of Indian craft based work in the house to celebrate the local craft industry.
What you do when not working...
Spending time with our daughters is the biggest stress buster for us. As they don’t live at home anymore; we are either traveling to see them or they come to see us. Family comes first.
Sources of inspiration...
We are constantly talking husband and wife team. For inspiration, we look up to the finest example of Charles and Ray Eames, and their inspired designs and philosophy.
We make people’s lives richer by our unique aesthetic and perfect balance of beautiful surroundings, functionality, and comfortable living. We make furniture, we design lighting, and plant gardens.
The most important thing you’ve designed...
Every project is important, because it involves a large amount of our time and energy; but, if we had to pick one it would be our home in Jodhpur - a never ending work in progress. Not only is it the place where we live as a family, it is a source of inspiration for our clients.
A project you are working on...
We are designing a modern day, palatial red sandstone mansion in Jodhpur using local materials and Rajasthani inspired architecture to reflect the client’s heritage. Beautiful jalis, discreet courtyards and moghul inspired domes give this home a magical feeling.
What you do when not working...
When we are not working, we travel to new and interesting places around the world. The beauty of new places, new faces, and new architecture is exciting and refreshes the soul. Seeing how other cultures live, provides us a new outlook on life and is a constant source of inspiration.
Sources of inspiration...
Travel is the main source of our creative energy. Moving around and seeing things differently helps put things into perspective. Allowing your mind to visit different possibilities can be an important part of a designer’s growth.
Describe what you make... Priyank:
As a restaurateur, I aim to identify locations that are spacious and conceptualise the restaurants theme, food and decor.
Natasha: I am into online furniture and home decor e-tailer, offering premium quality modern and contemporary furniture and quirky home decor products at an affordable price.
The most important thing you’ve designed...
Priyank:
The most exciting project is always the next one. For me conceptualising all projects have been exciting, as all of them are equally important.
Natasha: One of the most important thing that we have designed to date is our house. The idea behind the project was to create a house with maximum functionality keeping the touch of basic design alive.
A project you are working on... Priyank:
I am working on Lord of the Drinks located at Kamala Mills in Mumbai. It is the longest island bar in Asia, and includes two more restaurants namely, Plum by Bent Chair and Rocky Star Cocktail Bar. I am also working on Dragonfly, a nightclub in JW Marriot, Mumbai.
Natasha: In association with Priyank, I am working on Plum by Bent Chair, which is a restaurant-store concept coming up in Mumbai.
What do you do when not working...
We like to spend time with family as work doesn’t allow us much.
Sources of inspiration... Priyank:
Natasha inspires me with her design sense as she always remains extremely involved in her projects and supports me with her ideas. Natasha: I draw inspiration from everyday objects, patterns and designs around me.
Describe what you make...
We are super enthusiastic about the work we do. Always looking at the ways to experiment with our designs and work systems. We think that creativity should be shared and spread. We are strong believers of hard work; nothing should come the easy way.
The most important thing you’ve designed...
One of the most important things that we have designed till date is our own office space. It is important to us and we were extremely conscious about it while designing.
A project you are working on...
Currently its Louvered House. A residential project for a young and dynamic couple. We have used many new technologies in this house. The whole house’s electrical and digital part works on a customised base automation system; and the whole facade of the house is made up of revolving metal louvers, which works on automation.
What you do when not working...
We both cook together. Cooking is a stress relieving activity for us.
Sources of creative envy...
For us it could be anything you observe or come across in your day to day life e.g. people around you, formations of nature, other renowned designers work, your own inner instinct, etc.
Describe what you make...
Describing in short is difficult, as we are not rigid to any particular philosophy of design. We keep on changing it as per the type of project we get. We keep on experimenting with new and vivid materials and colours.
The most important thing you’ve designed...
All our projects are important to us. Cafe Hash Tag that we designed in Rajkot is very close to our heart as it was our dream to design such a place and give the city a wave of cafe culture. Currently, we are working on a retail project in Mumbai.
What you do when not working...
Its never that time that we are not working. Wherever we go or explore new places or meet new people there is always a constant thinking process at the back of our mind about how to innovate and try new things in our ongoing projects.
Sources of inspiration...
We always wish to be more and more creative in our work, and always try to work hard on our every project.
Describe what you make...
Sahar: I make my design works under the name of Chamak Patti. It has a range of home decor, homeware and fashion accessories.
Dhiraj: I am an abstract artist and I use my painting concepts on different things like furniture, fashion accessories under brand Dhiraj Singh.
The most important thing you’ve designed...
Sahar: A massive metal shutter of the size 20 feet by 22 feet that I did for the Heritage Transport Museum, Gurgaon. Since my brand is originally a medium for road and vehicle signage, this particular work fits very well in a museum of transport. It is dedicated to the lives of truckers who suffer from sleeplessness, back problems, missing home and suffering from AIDS.
Dhiraj: A traditional jaali with three panels called Trapped In Air. I made it with laser cut red acrylic sheets embedded with X-rays of different body parts. It has been exhibited inside the Amer Fort, Jaipur.
A project you are working on...
Sahar: I am in the process of creating Chamak Patti planters and garden-ware. Apart from this, a new series of Chamak Patti decorated children’s car model of the original Jaguar XK 140 Roadster.
Dhiraj: I am working on a line of statement chairs that work both as single pieces of art as well as furniture. They are inspired by my Nature Squared series that is abstract and floral, and is made from an exuberant palette.
What you do when not working...
Sahar: As a curator, I am executing multi-disciplinary performances as a special tribute to my grand uncle Talat Mahmood’s music. As a news anchor, I do my bulletins everyday. As a mom, I am leaving behind a digital legacy for my six year old son in the form of short travel documentaries that feature him.
Dhiraj: I have a selfie project called Urban Shaman, where I create different stories and concepts with myself as the subject and the protagonist playing the role of a shaman, but in an urban context trying to visually explore and address various urban conditions like high-rise living or the explosion of vanity, courtesy the social media. It’s not structured or a time bound project, but is more of a work in progress.
Sources of inspiration...
Sahar: I envy his conceptual thinking, how he can come up with ideas, themes and names for the different things he’s doing.
Dhiraj: I envy the focus and dedication she brings into a project. She doesn’t rest till the work is done and done well.
Describe what you make...
We, at Elvy, represent the best from the world of lifestyle and home decor. Elvy is a premium home decor brand and it embraces the products that redefines gracious living.
The most important thing you’ve designed...
We have expertise in many different materials, some of which are leather, mother of pearl and horn. These products are handcrafted keeping in mind fine detailing and quality.
A project you are working on...
We have a tie-up with many corporates, fine hotels, luxury suites, sample apartments and many well-known builders. The latest project is of a celebrity home, which was furnished by us.
What do you do when not working...
I am an avid golfer besides my passion for work. Besides Elvy, which is her foremost passion; Vandana is a home-maker, mother and an avid reader.
Sources of inspiration...
We love travelling. Any home store is a must visit during our travel for inspiration and international mood boards.
Describe what you make...
As husband and wife team, in the past five years we have discovered a joint passion for all things design. We stumbled into woodworking with what began as just a weekend coffee table building project, and have learned to combine our love for woodworking, textiles and interiors into different areas of building and design.
The most important thing you’ve designed...
The most important, as well as fun project we’ve made to date we’d say would have to be the triple bunk-bed cave room, which we designed for our three little boys.
A project you are working on...
The one we’d say we are the most excited about, is the closet turned Nursery Project we are currently working on. This project is all about maximising current and available space for families, while maintaining the function and need for clothes storage (for the parents) a priority.
What you do when not working...
The activity we enjoy the most and love to do when we are not working is adventuring with our boys. We love the outdoors. Hiking and exploring places we’ve never been before is on the top of our list. Cuddling together on the couch, while watching a favourite movie is another favourite too.
Sources of inspiration...
Scandinavian design is a place we draw a lot of inspiration from. Modern lines combined with minimalism and neutral tones really speak about our love for small space design.