This post was originally published in the April 2020 issue, which you can read for free here.
The multi-award-winning interior and architectural designer Shalini Misra curated the apartment with an eclectic collection of art pieces that encompasses a variety of forms. A qualified architect who specialised in Urban Planning at Columbia University in New York before studying Virtual Reality in Architecture at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London, Misra has been creating spaces in her own multifaceted practice for over 20 years.
Misra’s design philosophy involves a holistic approach where old and new items are fused together and lighting, texture and pattern are layered. Because art plays a central role in all her interiors, she works with artists and galleries, imbuing each space with individuality and creativity, all in accordance with the client’s needs and vision. No two of her projects are ever the same.
Known for always seeking the unusual, Misra collaborates with internationally known artists and craftsmen as well as young graduates who are working with new technologies in innovative formats. She mixes these contemporary pieces with vintage items and the owner’s own beloved pieces to add layers of materials that play within the volumes of space. As in all this designer’s creations, there will be an element of surprise that intrigues the mind and delights the eyes.
The two-storey, four-bedroom Cheyne Place luxury apartment features an open-plan layout on the ground floor. The large space allows for the creation of visual vignettes comprised of carefully selected objects that are meant to be read together. The different perspectives of each element are considered in the placement of beautiful and interesting objects, so the eye is tempted and enchanted, no matter where it wanders or from which vantage point the objects are viewed.
For example, the wave-like, three-dimensional glass sculpture by Danny Lane rests upon a bespoke glass console that allows people to view it from various vantage points. It is placed to overlook the void to the dining room, thus generating maximum impact. A nearby solid bowl by Objet de curiosité lends balance to the transparency and translucency of the glass sculpture. People will pause and admire the changes that occur as they view, from various perspectives, the 3D bespoke metal artwork by Rana Begum showcased on the large staircase wall.
Misra’s love of travel and her ability to absorb the subtle differences in cultural designs is reflected in the eye-catching yet useful accessories she chooses. Handmade pots from Hidden Gallery in India are filled with living greenery to provide artistic interest on the outside terrace, alongside copper trays by Haidee Gallery. All decorative pieces are chosen to accent the tones and materials both of the owner’s own furniture and new pieces selected by Misra. The client’s own furniture in the dining room is enhanced by paintings by Soonthron Suikiew, table linens by Claudia Barbari, reflective, striped crockery by Richard Brendon, and cutlery by Bottega Veneta.
As well as ensuring delicious treats for the senses, Shalini Misra incorporates wellness into her designs in order to promote a healthy, successful lifestyle. Wellness relates not just to interiors but also to the wider concept of environment. Sustainable materials, including repurposed vintage and owner pieces, are used extensively, as is flexible lighting for different moods and tasks, and the latest technologies to ensure efficient energy usage. Natural light and air flow help create quiet, peaceful zones, while bringing nature indoors and efficiently organising spaces has created a smooth, healthy environment. The impact of these vital considerations is greater than the initial impression when entering a room. It is also the special moments resulting from art, the views through the windows and within the internal spaces, and the colours and textures that provide the perfect environment for the client’s desired lifestyle.
