Disha Bhavsar & Shivani Ajmera This boutique firm has its roots in the confluence of design ideologies of its founders. Disha and Shivani profess an aesthetic that fosters functionality while being classic in appearance. Luxury, for them, means comfort, design and quality. They believe that high ceilings, large windows and one-of-a-kind accessories help in creating a luxurious space. An art and design enthusiast, Disha grew up in Muscat, Oman, and moved to Mumbai for an undergraduate degree in Interior Design at Nirmala Niketan. After working with Milind Pai Architects and Beyondesign, she pursued an MA in Design Management at the Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton. Her design sensibilities that were polished there, are reflected in her work today. Advertising was Shivani’s first love, but design called more insistently. Channeling her creative energy, cultivated through a love for art, music and theatre, she went on to study Interior Design at the Florence Design Academy, Italy. Her former experience working with leading firms such as Talati & Panthaky, reD Architects and Restoration Hardware, USA paved a path to creating design solutions that add an edge. Quirk Studio, which they set up in 2013 after working together at a design magazine, offers premium spatial and interior design solutions in the residential, commercial, hospitality and retail sectors. The studio’s footprints can be found pan India in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Co-founders & Principal Designers, Quirk Studio “LuxeBook is a fantastic platform for all things design, lifestyle and luxury” Though she grew up enjoying creative activities like arranging flowers and styling outfits and spaces, Farah Agarwal failed to recognise her passion until after she completed her undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. That’s when she decided to enroll for a diploma in Design at a college in Bengaluru. In 2014, after the birth of her second child, she was able to dedicate herself to conceiving and nurturing her own studio in Chennai – Chestnut Storeys. The studio’s first independent project came with its own set of challenges – “… balancing the demands of a newborn while nursing and managing site visits meant constantly juggling between work and home, rushing back when needed.” But the passionate designer soldiered on... Farah’s designs are deeply personal, and her mission is to try and infuse spaces with the personalities of their inhabitants - creating a balance between her style and her clients’ needs. She believes that art and details give meaning to a space. According to Farah, three key elements make a space truly luxurious: “… the lighting, both primary and decorative, sets the ambience and adds depth; a thoughtfully curated collection of artworks can transform and elevate a room’s character. Lastly, incorporating layers through cushions and carpets brings warmth, texture and an inviting touch.” Chestnut Storeys is currently working on around 15 exciting projects - from city homes and beach houses to farmhouses, holiday retreats, hilltop residences, hospitality ventures and hospitals. Farah Agarwal Founder and Principal Designer, Chestnut Storeys “LuxeBook represents sophisticated storytelling in the world of luxury lifestyle, and elevates the nuances of craftsmanship” | 25 | 24
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