The Studio by Nandita Manwani

Why Interior Designers need to think Beyond the Box.

Interior Designers

I had written on this topic some time back on this blog, an updated version of the post was published on Times of India Online . I am replicating the post here for the readers of this blog


The Pandemic of the BOXES – Why Interior Designers need to think beyond the box.

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

We had a different problem 10 years back, the Home Interiors 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 furniture 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” and “get a lower quote and we will match it” are not uncommon. But dig a little deeper and one finds that the hunt for hypergrowth and the desire to be acquired by the likes of an IKEA is driven by volume and unfortunately VOLUME again equals BOX – Modular boxes of standard size and shape that can be manufactured in bulk, driving economies of scale, order books, valuations and investor wealth. 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.

So What Now??

Now that that the “cat is out the bag” – 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 boxes & expect no more from their designers & service providers reflects the state of maturity of our industry and customer expectations and only time and awareness can change that. We use this tag line in our business – “when you work with a designer then expect more than just boxes & carpentry”. I do hope that appreciation grows and the industry is forced to truly deliver on the promise of good design – that of a good LIFE

 

Signing off

Nandita

Nandita Manwani is among the leading women Interior Designers in Bangalore and is the founder of The Studio by Nandita Manwani

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.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

Related Articles

Interior Design

Deep Refurbish – Interior Design Project at Elita Promenade Bangalore

Pictures of a Deep Refurbish Design Project at Elita Promenade Bangalore
rattan shutter partition

The Return of Rattan: Why Your Wardrobe (and Your Home) Wants Cane Back

Rattan shutters aren’t just a style statement—they’re a cultural return. A small rebellion against flat-pack, modular fatigue. A reminder that
Interior Designers in Bangalore, Woodwork in Bangalore

Types of Wood & Wood Specifications for Home Interiors

Over the course of the last few years the maximum number of queries I’ve received from my readers has been

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

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
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
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

Modular Kitchen, Modular Kitchens

Deccan Herald features our article on Modular Kitchens today

You may read the full article at https://www.deccanherald.com/content/646811/a-guide-modular-kitchens/   Happy reading   Cheers Nandita

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
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

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

More Photographs – Elita JP Nagar & Brigade Gateway Malleswaram

Some project photos of our Interior Design work way back in 2010
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

Interior design advise

The Best Interior Design Advise That You Can Get

Perhaps the most valuable part of this blog lies in the conversations happening under each post. With over a thousand
Century, Fake Plywood, Greenply, Interior Designers in Bangalore, Kitply

Plywood Fakes in the Bangalore Market and a brief interaction with the Kitply Management on the same

A few days back I happened to get an email from a senior member of the Kitply Management team acknowledging

New website launch

Just Launched – www.thestudiobangalore.com

  Today being an auspicious day we formally launched www.thestudiobangalore.com. It is a master site for The Studio Kitchens, The

Home Renovation

The Home Renovation Project: Learnings from doing up The Studio’s Own Interior Design Centre in Bangalore

Home renovation is an area that most customers struggle with, I hence thought it best to pen down our experience
Home Interior FAQ, Interior Designers in Bangalore

FAQ’s on Home Interiors in the Comments Section: We crossed 1000 comments this week

Just to let you know – we crossed the 1000 mark in comments & questions under the 25 posts on

Interior Designers in Bangalore, Sofa in Bangalore

Selecting the “right” sofa for your home. My article in Deccan Herald today

The subject article was featured in Deccan Herald today. You can also read it at http://www.deccanherald.com/content/445623/selecting-sofas-safe-way/. The free text is

Interior design

Customers Don’t Trust Interior Designers. While the Industry is Booming it Struggles With A Credibility Crisis That No One Talks About

Doing up a home is a deeply emotional journey for a family, one that represents years of savings, aspirations, and
Work Schedule for Home Interiors

Doing end to end Interiors for your Home? – Here is a work schedule you should follow

A number of readers of this blog have asked questions around what work sequence one needs to follow while doing

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

Related Articles

Scroll to Top
Thank you icon

Thanks for your Interest

We will get back to you on this shortly