STATUS
Completed 2021
STORY
This project is a collaboration between Umber and Divya Runwal – a fashion designer turned art director. We approached the house as a series of sets. I brought a love of Corbusier’s paintings to the table, and Divya brought a love of kilims and earthy hues. This, combined with our mutual love of mid-century furniture, set the tone for the design. The design responds to the existing rustic palette with subtle and refined pieces that fit into the existing aesthetic without repeating the theme.
This project was motivated by care – care for people and the planet. Despite the pandemic, we found ethical and sustainable sources for all the pieces we put together. We gave orders to small businesses for furniture and lights, and commissioned independent artists for paintings and ceramics. We worked with local artists in between lockdowns on the lamps above the staircase. We engaged rural handicraft clusters to make dhurries and bedspreads at a time when it was difficult to even get in touch, let alone predict delivery times. We refurbished objects of personal history from our clients, and sourced decor from old antique shops and gave them a second life.
It is not just a collection of objects bought off a catalog, but a carefully curated engagement with small businesses in real need through the pandemic
Umber 