Gauri Khan has always been known as the better half of Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, but the star wife is shining bright on the brand new path she’s forging for herself as an interior designer. Last year, saw the celebrity designer launch her flagship design store, Gauri Khan Designs in Mumbai and she was on her toes decorating homes of the who’s who of Bollywood, right from doing up director Karan Johar’s twins’ nursery to styling actor Ranbir Kapoor’s trendy bachelor pad.
To the world, Gauri’s affinity for design seems to have come out of the blue, but the mother of three has always been passionate about design and art, studying art history in college, and lovingly decorating Mannat, her iconic sea-facing bungalow in Mumbai that the Khans bought in 2001, with pieces she collected during her trips around the world. The result was a stunningly glamorous and personal home that impressed her family and friends, including celebrity interior designer Suzanne Khan who encouraged Gauri to pursue her design dreams. The rest as they say is history. From reinventing hip new restaurants in Mumbai, to showcasing her designs at trade fair Maison et Objet, and nabbing the Excellence in Design Award in March this year at the Hello Hall of Fame Awards, Gauri Khan is on her way to becoming the Queen of Design.
When and how did your interest in interior design begin?
I have always enjoyed creative projects and storytelling through design. Its why I studied art and history in college. After we renovated Mannat a few years ago, people began approaching me for professional projects related to design. I tried a few and enjoyed them. This was the genesis of Gauri Khan Designs.
What is your design ethos and how has it evolved over the years?
My approach to design is eclectic; a mix of contemporary and classic. The lines are always clean and there is an added touch of glamour and style that comes with all Gauri Khan Designs work.
Interior design is quite a tricky job as you are giving shape to your client’s dreams, expectations and aspirations along with your design sensibilities. How much time and effort do you put in to get to know the client before you start working on the project?
It varies depending on the scope of the project. Sometimes, it could be as quick as an email or a brief meeting and sometimes, it’s a process that takes several days, or [I get to know them] throughout the course of the project.
What are some of the most unique pieces of furniture in your house? What’s the story behind them?
There are many. There is a blood red Winchester Sofa I found in London eight years ago that’s quite different.
It’s classic in design but the colour is so bold it makes it unexpected and delightful. I love art, so we have a lot of that around the house. There’s a beautiful Roberto Cavalli suspended birdcage chair that is quite unusual as well.
What’s the one interior trend you’re never going to be a fan of?
Mixing floral prints with contemporary furniture.
Where do you find the inspiration for your designs?
Inspiration can be found anywhere. Sometimes, it is art or history, at other times it’s nature or architecture, or even a conversation.
Mannat, it is said reveals a unique and distinct design concept at each level of the house. Why did you choose to design it so?
Over the years, I’ve collected unique pieces during my travels. The pieces then became the central focus of the rooms I designed. The interiors were created around these pieces rather than these pieces being fit into a pre-designed room. This is what has given each space [in Mannat] such a distinct feel.
What did you keep in mind while finalising the furniture and interiors for your beach home in Dubai?
We spend a lot of time as a family in Dubai. We’ve brought in many New Years together in that home, so it’s designed as a space for family holidays. There is a pool, an easy space for the family and beach bikes for the kids.
What are your favourite nooks in your houses in Mumbai and Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah? What makes them special?
Both Shah Rukh and I enjoy reading. So, the library on the third floor in Mannat is a very special place. It’s a classic brown Ralph Lauren colour with couches and comfortable, cosy seating, and we have a large collection of lovely books. It’s the perfect spot for the monsoon season! In Dubai, it would be the hall – because that’s where we spend most time together as a family.
Do elaborate on your favourite projects until now and what is it about these projects that makes you feel so proud of them. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while executing these projects?
I am proud of all my projects really, and every one has been special in its own way – clothes, rugs, furniture and interiors. Designing my own line of furniture and helping get visibility for traditional Indian crafts like Sankhedu (turned wood furniture) at Maison et Objet in Paris (professional trade fair dedicated to lifestyle, decoration and design) was very special.
Designing Arth, the first restaurant that we did the interiors for, was interesting and held challenges different from a residence. We’ve just completed the interiors for the new Arth [restaurant] at Pune and it has an edgy feel; classic furniture gets a bright twist with different upholstery on each chair around a table setting. Vivid wallpapers of wood blocks and brickwall with a curtain create a magnificent ambience.
And the highlight at this restaurant is what we call ‘The Pillars of Knowledge’, two massive 1.2m x 3.3m structures with a variety of books from around the world. But the most special for me was the lighting at Arth – we sourced a stunning Rex Diamond mirror (brough from England’s iconic and historic Rex Cinema) for the restaurant in Mumbai, and have placed a similar one in Pune too, inspired by that era in cinema. And a big project, of course, was setting up my own store in Juhu, Mumbai.
What design projects are you looking forward to working on in 2018?
We will be doing many more restaurants this year, as well as residences.
Are there and plans to open up a Dubai outpost of your store Gauri Khan Designs?
I’d love to open a store in Dubai some day, but as of now, I have my hands full with our new store in Mumbai!
