The Studio by Nandita Manwani

Think Outside the BOX !

Interior design versus modular furniture, Interior Designers in Bangalore

Chapter 1: It’s not the box babe’ – it’s your Life
The boxes have taken over, where we live – BOX, our entertainment – BOX (think TV), our breakfast – BOX (think breakfast cereals, tetrapack milk), our lunch – BOX (think Swiggy), our travel – BOX (think Car), Our work space – BOX (think Cubicle), our gateway to the world – BOX (think cellphone). The other day I was asking a client her requirements for interior design and not surprisingly she said Kitchen (BOX), Wardrobes (BOX), TV Unit (BOX) and Foyer Unit (Another BOX). “So, do both you and your husband have a 9 to 6 job”? I ask. “& who cooks at home”? “What about the kids – how old are they”? Do your parents stay with you? no”? “How often do they visit and how long do they stay”? A little offended with the questioning she says “Why are you asking me this”? and I say “it’s not the box madam, I need to design your house based on your life. The boxes will come, but much later.” While we had a great discussion after that, what was clear was that the general impression of Interior Design too in minds of home makers is sadly – BOX

 

Chapter 2: Raw wine in fine bottles – The maturing of the Interior Design Industry
We had a different problem 10 years back when I started in the Interior Design Industry, the industry was fragmented, unorganized and it was difficult to find someone to do the job professionally. A part of that problem today has been done away with angel funds churning the wheels of young startups in the field of modular furniture and service aggregators. The young ones have deep focus and hunger to capture the untapped potential in this so called “high margin” business and slogans of “we do it in 45 days or pay you rent” and “get a lower quote and we will match it” are not uncommon. But dig a little deeper and one finds that in the hunt for hypergrowth, new investors and the desire to be acquired by an IKEA, the output of these startups remains restricted to delivering modular boxes and basic services. The appreciation of the lifestyle needs of the residing family and the accompanying design element beyond just the boxes still remains a far-fetched dream.

 

Now%2BWhat%2B2

 

Chapter III: What Now??
Now that that the “cat is out the bag” or as the pic shows – the baby croc has broken its shell – you are left wondering what you as a home owner should be doing. I think it finally boils down to awareness. Once you are aware what you are missing and ask for it then the industry in the long run is bound to cater. The fact that customers are fine with factory made modular boxes & expect no more from service providers reflects the state of maturity of our industry and customer expectations and only time and awareness can change that…time and awareness that will turn the baby croc into the big crock it was always meant to be…
 
I would strongly encourage you to read the 3 posts below that I had written some time back on related subjects.

Happy reading
Signing off
Nandita
 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Articles

An interior Designers perspective, home interior best practices, Interior design best practices in Bangalore, Interior Design Masterclass, Interior Design Trends

Interior Design and the Pandemic

The Pandemic has brought profound changes to the way people live – be it the requirement of constant sanitization, the

Future Interior Designers,Interior Designers,Internship

Future Interior Designers – Join our Internship Program in Bangalore starting Jan 2021

We are shaking off the Covid stupor and launching our Internship program for 2021. Interested 3rd year Interior Design Students
Maintaining Home Interiors

Maintenance tips to keep your home running like a well oiled machine

Here is something that I had written sometime back that saw the light in Deccan Herald today for the

Modular Kitchen

Stainless Steel Kitchen or a Regular Modular Kitchen in Wood? Which Should YOU Choose for Your New Home

Stainless steel kitchens are gaining popularity in Indian homes, known for their durability, hygiene, and modern aesthetic. While traditionally seen
Home Interior Designers, Sliding Door Wardrobe

The DIY Interior Designer Series Bangalore: Home Interior Design Best Practices Revisited

This blog is now over 7 years old and over these years a lot of what I have written about

Apartment Home Interior Pictures, Interior Design project Bangalore, Interior Designers in Sarjapur

Interior Design Project at Sarjapur Road Bangalore – Some Pictures

Here are some pics from a recent project at Sarjapur Road Bangalore. Hope you like them.  

Bangalore Home Interior expert, Newspapers

My “Expert Corner” in Deccan Herald – Starts today

Deccan Herald has started an “Ask the Expert” section in their Friday Homes & Interiors segment where I will be

Home Renovation

A Home to Redesign, Renovate and Refurbish

Life stage based interior design is a concept that I have discussed on this blog multiple times but it will
Home Interior Designers, Home Interior Photographs

Home Interiors – Some photographs of my latest project @ Elita Promenade

The design of the Bookrack was the highlight of this project. It was an industry leading design at the time
Interior designer bangalore

The Interior Designer – it’s not just the person stupid – it’s the team.

If you have not seen the “matka painting” pictures on our facebook page then do click here to check them

Furniture for Home Interiors – The Build versus Buy dilemma & the changing role of the Interior Designer.

With the unorganized furniture retail market in India touching approx. $20 Billion, early bird online furniture retailers like Pepperfry, Urban

home lighting, LED Lighting, LED Lighting Bangalore, lighting for home

Lighting Design for Homes – Interior Design Done Right

Lighting Design fundamentally determines the personality of the space and how people perceive it, feel in it and how they
Designing hi end homes, Interior Designers in Bangalore

A Car is not “Just” a Car – The element of “Design” in Interior Design

The thought and the topic of this post came up during a recent drive to Ooty with my sister’s family.

Lifestyle based design,Proud,interior design

Be Proud to be You

Lifestyle based interior design…Going beyond just making a style statement A couple of incidents in these past few months set

Furnishing, Decor Shops in Bangalore, Home Interior Shops in Bangalore, Interior Designers in Bangalore

Shopping for Interiors?? – Recommended places in Bangalore

The question about which are the best places to shop for stuff for home interiors in Bangalore has surfaced in
Interior Designers

Why Interior Designers need to think Beyond the Box.

I had written on this topic some time back on this blog, an updated version of the post was published

Interior Design,Interior Costs in Bangalore,Interior Decorators in Bangalore,Interior design best practices in Bangalore

The 5 Most Googled Questions on Interior Design

Google sends us a monthly report on what posts on this blog get the most attention and readership. Over the

An interior Designers perspective, Interior design, Interior Design Trends

Pandemic & Perspective – The Interior Design Challenge

The Pandemic is forcing Interior Designers to think differently. The doubling up of the home as an office is inducing

Modular Kitchen Photographs, Modular Kitchens

Interior Design Project Pictures – This one is a stand alone Modular Kitchen in Bangalore

While this project was completed quite a while back, we were able to take some good pics just last week.

home interior best practices, Interior Designers in Bangalore, lighting for home

Interior Design Masterclass on Home Lighting & Automation

We are all set to host our second Residential Interior Design Masterclass – this one will be on Home Lighting

Related Articles

Scroll to Top
Thank you icon

Thanks for your Interest

We will get back to you on this shortly