Journals

THE HOUSE OF THINGS X IRA UDAIPUR

We’re rushing headlong into that time of the year again – party season, and we all know how planning the perfect soiree is a labour of love. Entertaining is an art, and you’re the artist. With the festive season upon us, we’ve rounded up the best tips and tricks from design experts to create the perfect entertaining canvas, that can just as easily apply to an afternoon tea or formal evening do.

Festive table styling tips by design stalwart

Nur Kaoukji

Creative Director of Jaipur-based lifestyle brand Ecru, Nur Kaoukji amalgamates her Lebanese roots and a passion for India into a classic tale.

No longer falling under the realm of formal events, the ‘tablescape’ has raised the bar to become a fundamental component o

Shabnam Gupta's enchanting little vacation home stay, Peacock Life Living in Karjat, makes a case for slow living. All photographs courtesy Kuber Shah. Styling by the Orange Lane Team.

Designed by Shabnam Gupta, Peacock Life Living is an enchanting little vacation home stay composed of two cottages enveloped by a serene valley and lush greens. Making a case for slow living, it is situated in the small town of Karjat, just two hours’ drive from the thriving behemoth that is Mumbai. Largely untouched by urbanism and hyper metropolitan environs, Karjat is a microcosm of biological diversity and verdant hillsides coupled with fertile red soil and affable weather.

Peacock Life Living is located in one corner of a vast piece of land, a 2-bedroom, single storey cottage is reminiscent of Gupta’s “concept of ve

Kavya Sheth of Studio Ruh contrives a culturally rich home for art connoisseur and curator Radeesh Shetty.

Spread over the second floor and terrace level, the Open-Plan Residence is the resultant of a tryst with Tropical Modernism. Adding much-heightened character to the outdoor terrace are a bespoke red cow sculpture and suspended bronze horse figure alongside furniture by Beruru and The Purple Turtles.

All photographs are styled by Samir Wadekar and shot by Gokul Rao Kadam. Content reference: Lavanya Chopra

At Studio Ruh, every design journey is speckled with a myriad of experiences, a penchant for impeccable detail, and the zest to create sensorial narratives. Founder Kavya Sheth pursued her Masters in Interior Design at her alma mater Scuola Politecnica di Design, Milan. After being mentored in the light of industry stalwarts across Milan, Reggio

BON APPÉTIT

A Summertime Table Setting
“We are breathless, but we love the days. They are promises.”

- Nina Riggs

A languid summer soiree, a celebratory dinner, or a magical evening in the garden – The House Of Things team shows how to set enchanting alfresco tables for you and your loved ones this summer.

Palettes of leaf green, mango yellow, and pristine white come together on a summer table, accented with handcrafted marble vessels, shimmering brass cutlery, and glistening glassware in transient hues. For an elevated look, we have uplifted the table with fresh fruit placed in shallow bowls and light-as-air table linen.

STYLING TIPS UTILIZED:

1. For a chic style statement, we have employed a mix and match of unique dinnerware by ceramic design house Khanoom.

2. To uplift the table décor by using elements from the outdoors, we have employed leaves and ripe mangoes to add a hint of freshness to the summer tablescape.

3.

AN INTRODUCTION

Born in France, multi-faceted designer Dom Jean Lavabre escaped the corporate life before establishing his eponymous design studio in 2016 - ASTANA Dom Jean Lavabre Design Studio. 

Enchanted by India’s colors, spirituality, energy and myriad of cultures, the artist found his home in an old haveli, amidst the narrow streets of Udaipur’s old town. The artist’s residence along with his lifestyle is a reflection of his love and appreciation for heritage and history. 

Being a self taught designer, Dom’s style molds around the relationship between the object and its enveloping environment. For each project, he follows a keyword as his guiding principle, to create spaces that narrate a story. From France to India, one thing that remains common in his design adventures is his ability to reconstruct every corner with a historic charm. His aesthetics transcend functionality, as each element in his design participates in crafting an experience.

AN INTRODUCTION

Globally renowned architect and interior designer Bill Bensley is known for his “the odder, the better” philosophy. The Bangkok-based designer has designed over 200 properties in 30 plus countries, including the world’s first edible golf course at Belle Mont Farm, St. Kitts, Art Deco-inspired boutique hotel, The Siam, Capella Ubud, and the Shinta Mani Wild Tented Camp in Cambodia.

The Good life Guru, Sustainability Sage, Hospitality Hero, and all-round Design Darling - Bill Bensley is a lover of all things whimsical, wild, and wacky. Raised in California, the Harvard graduate took off for Asia upon graduation and after working in Hong Kong and Singapore, set up BENSLEY in Bali in 1990. Assisted by a team of 150 interior designers, architects, landscape designers, and artists, as well as his partner – designer and horticulturist Jirachai Rengthong, Bensley has become known for integrating sustainability in all his designs.

BAAN BOTANIC

A kaleidoscopic mix of colour, textures, and culture, the colourful, richly layered environs of Ganesh Emporium leave us awed into silence.

Resolutely Indian while also being aesthetically wide-ranging, textile phenomenon Vipul Shah’s store Ganesh Emporium is the go-to haven for textile buffs, heritage enthusiasts, and design connoisseurs from distant corners of the world. And oh yes, antiques galore!

The location of Vipul’s charming store is Instagrammable perfection thanks to a rich textile history and design legacy. Situated in the heart of Udaipur, Rajasthan, the space is a heavily-restored 17th century haveli characterized by majestic archways, high ceilings, intricate mirrored windows, and expansive courtyards.

Vipul Shah’s love for rare, heritage textiles and antiques dates back as far as he can remember. “My family has bee

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 optio

Interior designer Shonali Mahajan creates warm, layered spaces that are at once eloquent and unfussed. Her Mumbai-based firm, Studio Wodehouse showcases her signature style in all her explorations. Having worked with award-winning firms in both India and Milan such as Matteo Nunziati, Pinakin, and Neterwala, Mahajan is well known for her synthesis of diverse genres.

For a limited time, we invite you to shop a selection of exceptional pieces handpicked by the star interior designer. As our official guest curator, Shonali Mahajan trains her expert eye toward our collection, combing through it to bring you the very best listings – from furniture to art.

SHONALI'S TOP PICKS FROM
THE HOUSE OF THINGS

Discover th

The world of cinema doesn’t only have masters of films, acting, or cinematography; there are also masters of design. Meticulous, playful, and eccentric – filmmaker Wes Anderson has an adroit finesse in capturing a deliberate visual perspective in his works. From The Grand Budapest Hotel to The French Dispatch, Wes Anderson laces throughout his films, nuanced elements of design and visual drollery – little pearls that inform the viewer’s mood.

The three mainstays of his movies are an impeccable colour palette, an innate gift of proportions, and beautiful symmetry in each shot; not to mention, the palatable nostalgic feel.

PART NOSTALGIA. PART DOLL-HOUSE. ALL PERFECT.

Who doesn’t want to live in a Wes Anderson film? The artist’s incredibly visual approach and vivid storytelling becomes instantly desirable. As part of this month’s décor inspiration, get the look of his most iconic movies in our latest story.

INTRODUCE A WHIMSICAL COLOUR PALETTE