COLOUR AND PATTERN COLLIDE IN A SPECTACULAR FASHION AT ECRU’S THE BUNGALOW

Nur Kaoukji’s magical store - The Bungalow features her eclectic lifestyle range amid vintage design gems inspired by the Pink City.

When it came to designing her boutique, Ecru’s creative director Nur Kaoukji put as much care into choosing décor objects that adorn the space as she does into creating her haute lifestyle collections. Photograph: Prarthna Singh
Nestled amidst the crème de la crème of the design darlings of Jaipur is The Ecru Bungalow – love child of creative visionary Nur Kaoukji. The entrance of the store opens into a ‘Living’ space, with a ‘Diwan’ occupying an important part of the showroom – a place for clients to feel at home and immersed in the world of Ecru. 

Though Nur does have a sunny yellow option in the Diwan that occupies the main section of the store, she decided to go with a blue option which proves a perennial classic. Photograph: Prarthna Singh
Bathed in a palette of fresh and delightful hues that can only be described as a Rajasthani-Wes Anderson aesthetic, the space breathes the spirit of the brand. Fitted out as a parlour housing Ecru’s lifestyle range, the Living area leads to the ‘Boudoir’ section, which houses women’s apparel, bathroom accessories, and table linen.
“We love working with different artisans throughout the city, and all over India…so naturally, the progression was to open a showroom to showcase our collections in my adopted hometown, Jaipur. The result is a bungalow!”

The ‘Boudoir’ section houses women’s apparel, bathroom accessories, and table linen at the Ecru Bungalow. Photograph: Prarthna Singh
The store’s vision was informed by the same concept that underlines the brand’s collections. A Moroccan riad meets an Indian haveli meets a Lebanese matjar, the Ecru Bungalow is a sanctuary to shop the brand’s signature collections, as well as exclusive pieces. 
The building that the boutique is now housed in was previously a dormitory, spread over two storeys. Kaoukji broke down its walls, built new passageways and arches, and decorated the space in a compendium of delightful details.

Multicoloured mirrors in Ecru’s signature shapes adorn a special section of the Ecru Bunaglow. A wall to reflect the light and to showcase the powder room accessories. Photograph: Prarthna Singh
When Ecru first set up a studio in Jaipur 7 years ago, customers could visit by appointment only. “We decided to open a boutique because, although we had distributed within India, we wanted to share the experience of the Ecru universe”, says Nur Kaoukji, creative director of the brand, and one of the partners (the other two being childhood friends Noor Al Sabah and Hussah Al Tamini).

A looking glass into the entrance to the dressing rooms at the Ecru Bungalow. Photograph: Prarthna Singh
Kaoukji loves to mix colours and textures, a penchant endorsed in the store’s tessellated offerings that speak to Nur’s passion for adding art from people whose work she admires and loves.

This showcase section is centred around a beautiful sculptural table by Idli by Thierry Journo, a brand beloved for its whimsical, artisan-made pieces. Photograph: Prarthna Singh
“I want people to enter and feel like well-received guests”, says Kaoukji, before adding, “and like they’d want to stay awhile.” Bringing one beyond borders with its exquisite design, Ecru is about friends, family and the community. You may visit the store at:
B-8, Bhawani Singh Rd, Durgadas Colony, C Scheme, Ashok Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302001