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

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 Photographs, Home Interior Photographs Bangalore, Interior Design Photographs, Interior Designers in JP Nagar, Modular Kitchen Photographs

What is a Modular Kitchen, what you will need to install one and how it compares to its traditional counterpart

My first article on this blog in the year 2010 was on the same subject. To make it more relevant

Art for Home Interior Design, Art for the home, Home Interior Designers

Planning to decorate your walls with Art – Here are some best practices

This article comes to us from our partner Artburt. Artburt has been passionately promoting the cause of Digital Photography as

Interior designer bangalore

I AM

The idea for this post came when, during a design discussion, the lady of the house said “I AM a
furniture build or buy, Furniture in Bangalore, Interior Designers in Bangalore, role of interior designer

Organised furniture retail and the changing role of the Interior Designer

My article on whether to build furniture or to buy it from the market and how organised furniture retail will

Interior Designers in KANAKAPURA ROAD, Purva Highland Interior Pictures. Economy Interiors

A few photographs of the Eco Package (Budget Interiors) executed recently at Purva Highlands Kanakapura Road, Bangalore

I wrote about the Eco range of interiors for 2/ 3 BHK apartments sometime back. Here are a few photographs

Acrylic, Duco Paint, Hi Gloss Finish, Hi Gloss Laminate, Modular Kitchens

Acrylic Versus Hi Gloss Laminate Versus Duco– Which one to use for that perfect Hi Gloss finish for your Modular Kitchen, Wardrobe and other Furniture

I have been getting a number of questions around Acrylic versus Laminate finish, where to buy Acrylic Laminates in Bangalore

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

Kitchen Design, kitchen interior design, Modular Kitchens, Vaastu for Kitchen Design

Home Design Vaastu Shastra – Episode 2 – Best practices in Kitchen design

One of the most tricky spaces at home in terms of design is the kitchen as it needs to be
Nandita Manwani's Interior Design Masterclass

Masterclass on Interior Design Best Practices for new Home Owners

Announcing the second edition of our “show and tell” masterclass on Interior Design Best practices for Home Makers The masterclass

Island Kitchen,Kitchen Design,kitchen Interiors Bangalore,Modular Kitchen,Magazine

Kitchen Design: B&I Magazine & Siemens India Interview excerpts

Building & Interiors Magazine in conjunction with Siemens India published my interview on the subject of Kitchen Appliances for the

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

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

Interior design, Interior Design Experience Center, Interior Designers in Bangalore

Some Pictures of our Interior Design Experience Center in Bangalore

We recently started hosting clients at our Interior Design Experience Center and it is a whole new feeling to do

Interior Designers in Bangalore, interiors in bangalore, Material for Home Interiors in Bangalore, Material to use for Woodwork

So what is the Right material to choose for Woodwork?

So you have made your first visit to the market to decide on your interiors, visited @Home, HomeStop, Hometown, Home
Stone Finish

Natural Stone Finish for Walls: Stacking Stone and Newer Alternatives

Stacking stone and stone in general has been extremely popular with home makers and home interior design in general across

Interior Designer

Radio City Recognises The Studio by Nandita Manwani as Bangalore’s Leading Interior Designer

The Studio by Nandita Manwani recognised by Radio City as Bangalore's Business Icon and the Leading Interior Designer in Bangalore.
Interior Design Trends, Wainscoting

Wainscoting: The Latest Trend in Interior Design in India: Should You Follow?

A functional lining of the bottom portion of walls that started as a technique for wall protection and retaining heat
Sliding Wardrobes, Sliding Wardrobes Bangalore

Sliding Wardrobes Bangalore – Launching “The Studio” Range of Hi End Designer Wardrobes

Dear readers…this is just a short announcement that I am launching my own range of Hi End DesignerWardrobes under the

Related Articles

Scroll to Top
Thank you icon

Thanks for your Interest

We will get back to you on this shortly