In Conversation with India’s Next-Gen Decor Dynasts  

They grew up amidst mood boards, marble slabs, and master artisans, and now they’re adding their own twist to the family legacy. Meet four next-gen décor dynasts who are not just inheriting design empires but redefining them with fresh vision, bold aesthetics, and a flair for storytelling through spaces. 

Yogesh Chaudhary, Director, Jaipur Rugs 

For Yogesh Chaudhary, Director of Jaipur Rugs, the idea of home has always been threaded with stories of artisans, of tradition, and of quiet revolutions. His earliest memories are laced with the scent of wool and the sight of carpets unfurled under the sun as his father, Nand Kishore Chaudhary, inspected them with the reverence of someone handling heirlooms. “Even as a child, I sensed that this was more than just a business—it was a movement built on trust, dignity, and craftsmanship”, says Yogesh. At 19, he left Boston and returned to Rajasthan to help write the next chapter of the family legacy, fusing tradition with bold, modern ideas. 

Today, Jaipur Rugs is a global force, operating in over 100 countries with flagship stores from Delhi to Dubai and London to Shanghai. But what sets Yogesh apart isn’t just global expansion, it’s his belief in putting artisans at the heart of the process. With the Manchaha initiative, he handed over the design reins to rural weavers, many of whom had never even held a pencil. The result? Rugs that are raw, soulful, and utterly original, proof that creativity doesn’t need credentials, just heart. Under his leadership, the brand has earned worldwide acclaim, including becoming the first Indian company to win the EDIDA (ELLE DECO International Design Award) for Floor Covering in 2025. 

“For me, luxury is deeply personal. It’s not about price tags or prestige—it’s about intention. It’s in the quiet beauty of something that’s been made slowly, with care and meaning”, shares Yogesh. He believes today’s discerning consumer seeks meaning behind the beauty: a narrative of sustainability, individuality, and emotion. And Jaipur Rugs delivers exactly that. By bridging rural India’s artistry with global sensibilities, Yogesh is quietly redefining what heritage looks like in the 21st century. 

Outside the loom-lined walls of Jaipur Rugs, Yogesh lends his strategic eye to major Indian fashion houses like Aditya Birla Fashion and Tarun Tahiliani, and mentors young startups through Warmup Ventures, the VC firm he co-founded. Whether he’s traveling the world or spending time in the villages of India, Yogesh continues to be a learner, a listener, and a custodian of culture. His journey is proof that when legacy meets innovation, and design meets dignity, the result is not just a brand- it’s a beautiful, woven revolution. 

Saba Kapoor, Co-founder, Nivasa 

In the world of design, few names blend legacy, creativity, and modern innovation as seamlessly as Saba Kapoor, Co-founder of Nivasa. Born into a deeply creative household, Saba’s design journey began amidst the scent of fresh wood shavings and the quiet hum of craftsmanship. Her earliest memories are rooted in the factory floor, where her father, Rohit Kapoor, would tinker and toil over new furniture designs with a singular passion. “My father’s admiration for India’s ancient crafts and his sharp eye for detail shaped my appreciation for the rigour and discipline behind the same”, shares Saba. A pivotal moment came during a school project when she built a model horse stable in the same factory, an experience that ignited her lifelong love for design. With a foundation shaped by India’s rich artisanal legacy and a formal education at Parsons School of Design in New York, Saba brought a fresh perspective to Nivasa when she returned to India in 2016. 

Her creative sensibility is both intuitive and deliberate, balancing global influences with a deep respect for tradition. Through Nivasa Contemporary, she has redefined luxury by fusing intricate traditional techniques with a refined modern aesthetic. Think corten steel dining tables suspended from the ceiling, or upcycled materials used to craft warm, luxurious environments. Her collections often feature a thoughtful palette of organic textures like brass, wood, stone, leather; executed in designs that are as emotionally resonant as they are visually striking. 

But her work goes far beyond aesthetics. Saba sees design as a way to empower. Working closely with over 600 artisans, she fosters a deeply collaborative environment that honours generational craftsmanship. At the heart of her philosophy is a conscious shift from the rigid definitions of luxury. “To me, luxury – in both life and design is about embracing a balanced, mindful way of living. It means seeking joy in meaningful pursuits, nurturing relationships and aligning with purpose”, says Saba. 

For the new-age consumer seeking meaning, versatility and timeless elegance, Saba’s designs offer all that and more. With pieces that celebrate tradition while serving modern lifestyles, Nivasa has become synonymous with emotionally intelligent, art-forward design. Saba’s creative risks, such as blending heritage crafts with contemporary minimalism have not only paid off commercially but also set a new benchmark in India’s décor landscape. 

Whether she’s drawing from biophilic principles or Japanese philosophies like Tsundoku, Saba’s work remains ever-evolving and deeply personal. Her belief that design should reflect the individuality of the client has become the hallmark of Nivasa Contemporary’s offerings.  

Hridik Chawla, Co-founder, Essentia Home 

Inheriting not just a business but a design legacy, Hridik Chawla, Co-founder of Essentia Home, was never just a bystander to creativity. Raised in an environment where blueprints, textures, and dinner-table design debates were part of everyday life, Hridik’s introduction to the world of interiors began early- right after school, in fact, as he made his way into the office next door, where Essentia Environments, founded by his parents Hardesh and Monica Chawla, was beginning to take shape. “I’d give inputs on everything from materials to naming collections,” he recalls. “That informal training shaped my instincts, it made me believe that good design is intuitive, personal, and rooted in integrity.” 

Now 22, with a degree in business administration from Babson College, Boston, and an eye sharpened by experience and exposure, Hridik is charting his own path with Essentia Home, the brand’s product-focused offshoot. Spread across 15,000 sq ft and supported by a massive in-house manufacturing facility, the Essentia Home Experience Center is more than just a retail space, it’s a design destination that brings 95% of its offerings to life under one roof, entirely made in India. “For years, we were conditioned to think Italian marble or international finishes were the gold standard. But Indian marble, used with the right sensibility, has far more depth, richness, and sustainability,” he says. 

Hridik’s proudest risk has been championing homegrown materials and craftsmanship in a market long obsessed with imported luxury. His approach focuses on storytelling, products that do more than look good. “Today’s customer is seeking something tactile and soulful, not just shiny. They care how and where things are made,” he notes. And he’s meeting that demand with a range of meticulously crafted furniture, furnishings, accessories, and even fragrances that are as expansive as they are curated. 

At the core of Essentia Home is a belief in timelessness over trend, quality over quantity. “Luxury, to me, is thoughtfulness. It’s how a space makes you feel, and the emotional arc every detail contributes to,” Hridik explains. His leadership signals a shift; not just generational, but ideological. With a deep respect for legacy and a bold vision for what’s next, Hridik is bringing a fresh, confident energy to India’s luxury design scene.  

Sarah Arora, Business Head – Export Sales and Product Development of D’Decor, & Founder and Creative Director of Sansaar 

In the world of home furnishings, few young leaders embody purpose-driven innovation quite like Sarah Arora, Business Head of Export Sales and Product Development at D’Decor and the Founder and Creative Director of Sansaar, the brand’s sustainable offshoot. Born into the family that revolutionized India’s soft furnishing landscape, Sarah was introduced to the rhythm of looms and the scent of freshly dyed fabric long before she understood the weight of the legacy she would eventually help shape. Her childhood memories of trailing her father through D’Decor’s factories formed an unspoken apprenticeship that laid the groundwork for a dynamic career rooted in both reverence and reinvention. “The factory has always been the heart of our business – a place that grounds me and reminds me why I’m passionate about what we do”, shares Sarah. 

At just 20, Sarah stepped into the business, and over the next few years, spearheaded D’Decor’s foray into international markets, expanding its footprint to over 65 countries. She has since overseen the launch of over 20,000 SKUs across furnishings, bedding, and soft décor. Her vision is equally bold and grounded: while she’s scaling operations at record speed, she remains deeply committed to a “people-first” culture and agile thinking, where every day is approached as ‘Day Zero’- a fresh start. 

In 2024, spotting a white space in the market for high-quality, consciously made home textiles, Sarah launched Sansaar. In under a year, the brand has grown 35% in revenue, reached over 450 stores across India, and earned a strong following for its sustainable practices- recycling nearly 100% of non-hazardous waste and reusing 50% of water in its processes. As Creative Director, Sarah has designed more than 1500 SKUs of multipurpose fabric made from sustainable yarns, combining modern aesthetics with eco-conscious methods. “For me, luxury is more about feeling than form. It’s that sense of ease, of being surrounded by things that make you feel calm, seen, understood”, says Sarah. “It’s in the details you don’t always notice at first, but create the most impact – the quiet elegance of a well-designed space”. 

Under her leadership, Sansaar is expanding further into categories like bedding and ready-mades, even as she deepens its tech capabilities- like digital tools that help consumers visualise how fabrics would look in their homes. Her creative risk of launching a massive bedding collection with over 800 SKUs has already paid off, proving her instinct for scale and timing. 

Sarah is also deeply involved in social change initiatives like Project Shiksha, which works on redeveloping schools in rural India. For her, success is not just defined by numbers, but by impact. Balancing legacy with forward momentum, Sarah Arora is designing the future of Indian décor- one thread, one story, one mindful choice at a time. 

Read the decor issue here.