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

Environment,Interior Design Best Practices

Interior Design for Total Environment Homes

In all Total Environment projects across Bangalore, you will notice a set of general principles around which their homes are

Houzz Magazine

One of our Interior Design Projects in Bangalore featured by Houzz Magazine

One of our projects was recently featured by Houzz Magazine. Read all about it here 30 Kitchen Cabinets With Contrasting

Interior Design Theme, Themes in Interior Design

Dark Theme For Interiors – the lure of BLACK

The recent fetish for Dark as well as the younger generation’s desire to try out new and different concepts for
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.

Best Interior Designers in Bangalore, Interior Designers in Bangalore, Modular Kitchens, Sobha Interior Photographs

Photos of work done at Sobha Sunscape & my own Kitchen at home :)

Our first few projects, this was way back in 2010
Home Interior Designers, Home Interior Maintenance

Home Interiors Maintenance Tips – The “Anti Wrinkle Cream” for your home

After spending a bomb on interiors in terms of resources, time and love – it’s painful to see things slowly

Getting the maximum value from your interior designer, Interior Designers in Bangalore

The “missing“ REAL value of an interior designer.

Sometime back on this blog I wrote on a couple of topics, one around whether you really need an interior

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

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

Interior Design Trends

Interior Design Trends 20 – 21

The Redfin Blog recently requested inputs from leading Interior Designers across the Globe on the major trends in Interior Design

Art for the home, Murals Bangalore, Newspapers, Partitions Bangalore, texture painting, Wall decoration Bangalore, Wall Paintings

Objects of Art for the Home

My article above was published in Deccan Herald today. You may read it here http://www.deccanherald.com/content/535128/art-homes-sake/ However…..since, as readers of this

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

best practices, kitchen Interiors Bangalore, Modular Kitchen, Modular Kitchens

Kitchen Design – Best Practices Consolidated in One Single Article

The article on the left was published in today’s Deccan Herald. It encapsulates and consolidates all the Kitchen Design Best

Home Interior Maintenance

Lockdown & “Home work”

I was wondering what to write next, sitting home under lockdown when my daughter recommended why not write something on

Home Interior Designers, Home Interior Photographs, Modular Kitchen, Sliding Wardrobes

Photographs of my recent Home Interior project at Yelahanka, Bangalore

It is a beautiful penthouse – top floor, some 3000 sqft with a huge kitchen, party area and the works.

Elder friendly Interior Design, Interior Designers in Bangalore

Elder Friendly Home Interior Design

This subject has been close to my heart and I had written this article a long time ago. Glad to

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
Best Interior Designers in Bangalore, Interior Design Center

Honored to be recognized as the Top Interior Design Firm of the Year 2022

Two updates that happened over the last few days which we are very exited about The Architecture & Interior Design

Interior Designers in Bangalore, Light Fittings Bangalore

Shopping at Chickpet & City Market Bangalore for Lighting for Home Interiors

Found my way to Chikpet/ City Market today after many many years. All this while I have been doing my

Blog

My Interior Design Blog on Times of India Online

Times of India Online will now be featuring my Interior Design Blog. I have named it “The Culture of Space”

Related Articles

Scroll to Top
Thank you icon

Thanks for your Interest

We will get back to you on this shortly