INSIDE A LIFE WELL-GATHERED WITH PRIYANKA KHANNA

Every collector has a tell. A way of looking at a room that others don't quite share.

The Story of Things is an invitation into these intimate worlds of collecting. Each chapter follows a custodian of objects, uncovering the stories hidden within works of art, heirlooms, curiosities and handcrafted pieces that have come to define their lives. It is less about ownership than about kinship, the instinct to preserve, to seek, and to surround oneself with objects that carry meaning and soul.

Entrepreneur, curator, the mind behind various luxury ventures, Priyanka Khanna has spent her career reading rooms, building experiences, and understanding what makes a space hold attention. But inside her Chhatarpur family home, that instinct turns inward. Here, curation isn't a professional exercise; it's autobiography, told through objects rather than words.

“I have spent a part of my childhood here - an ideal getaway from the hectic social
Delhi life…we call it the farm life.”

Priyanka’s family home in Chhatarpur, tucked away from the pace of New Delhi, has been part of her story since childhood. Once a weekend retreat, it became her parents' permanent residence after the pandemic, drawn by its generous gardens and slower rhythm. Today, the house continues to gather three generations, its rooms filled with the traces of shared lives and celebrations.

I love spending a lot of my time in our family den which I feel is the warmest corner of the house. Filled with our holiday memories - it makes me reflect on all the time spent together over three generations.”

The family lounge remains her emotional centre; a room lined with photographs from decades of travels that chronicle the family's journey. By afternoon, the formal living room comes alive with conversation, where friends and family gather, surrounded by artworks and collectibles amassed across auctions, palace sales and travels.

“Entertaining feels less like hosting and more like extending the home's ongoing story. Surrounded by all the things I love, the living area is a treasured sanctum for me.”

“Some heirlooms are meant to be shared over generations. This dinner set by Royal Doulton is one such collectable piece.” 

Some of the most enduring memories are formed around the dining table. A Royal Doulton Country Rose dinner service, purchased during a family trip to London decades ago, continues to mark celebrations across generations. Once the backdrop for special gatherings, it now returns to the table as her own daughters gather friends around it, carrying rituals from one generation to the next.

“Art in our home is a reflection of our cultural values. It brings us closer as a family, inspiring us daily, making the house truly feel like a home.”

Art forms the emotional fabric of the home. A collection of M.F. Husain works, including paintings from the artist's Mother Teresa series and a Saraswati acquired by Priyanka’s mother, has watched over family conversations for as long as she can remember. Their significance extends beyond artistic value; their worth enhanced further by Priyanka's own encounter with Husain in London.

A gallery wall of reverse glass paintings featuring royal portraits, equestrian scenes, and Indian court themes framed in weathered wood - slightly mismatched - turns the powder room wall into a miniature gallery, lending the space the feel of a Maharaja’s antechamber.

"Most of the pieces in my home have found me over time…through travels, auctions, and chance discoveries. I collect instinctively, choosing objects that resonate with me rather than following any particular style."

Her appreciation for craftsmanship extends to architecture itself. A restored fireplace carved from Banswara marble, salvaged from a Rajasthani palace over two decades ago, anchors one of her favourite spaces. Carefully restored by artisans while preserving its original detailing, it reflects her belief that beautiful objects deserve stewardship as much as admiration.

"My favourite spot in the house is the little inward-facing patio at its centre. It's where I naturally find myself during the day, and the white peacock sculpture brings me a sense of pause."

Perhaps the quietest moment in the house unfolds around a white peacock sculpture. Positioned where she catches sight of it throughout the day, it offers a moment of stillness amid a busy life, echoing the real peacocks that wander the gardens and have become part of the family's daily rituals.

If there is a philosophy that binds her collection together, it is one of permanence. Priyanka believes heirlooms should be preserved rather than replaced, trends should never dictate taste, and every acquisition should earn its place over time. "Collect with intention," she says. "Choose pieces that can outlive you and become part of the next generation's story."