The Sourcebook of insider favourites and finds with architect and designer, Meetu Akali

Studio Momo, an architecture and design studio tucked away in the layered landscape of Goa, essentially focuses on designing luxury villas and restoring heritage homes. Its founder, architect Meetu Akali’s work instinctively mirrors the essence of its context: quietly expressive, unhurried and grounded in material tactility. Her design approach draws its inspiration from the Japanese philosophy of ‘wabi-sabi’, which directly translates to accepting or appreciating imperfections. That principle also guides her decisions throughout the design process. Keeping the original character of a space alive, Meetu’s design language seamlessly weaves vernacular building traditions into contemporary spaces. There is a sense of ease and an unassuming simplicity in the spaces she designs, leaving ample room for light, movement and breath. We asked her to reveal her sourcing destinations, the brands, places and people that she relies on to style the spaces she designs. Note these down…

BH:  Any specific brands that come to your mind when you are looking for fabrics?

MA:I love working with organic linens, kora cotton, and bamboo fabrics. I love layering with ikat prints, kantha weaves, brocades, and suzanis. I use a lot of vintage fabrics, bedcovers, and rugs, which are repurposed to create upholstery, cushion covers and curtains. These are usually handpicked during my travels through vintage shops. I also buy cushion covers and fabrics from Good Earth India, Ekaya Banaras, Saphed and No-Mad.

BH: Places like Goa where the vernacular architecture allows for abundant natural light, what are some lighting styles that you pick?

MA:We usually custom make our lighting fixtures with various vendors. I like using lighting fixtures that are inspired by heritage chandeliers and art deco styles. We usually take inspiration from these styles and create our own minimal, contemporary take on them, which suits our design sensibility. I love walking around the antique shops in South Goa and in Chor Bazar, Mumbai, to find unique light fixtures. We get these pieces recreated if required. Other than this, we work with brands like Gulmohar Lane, The Purple Turtles and White Teak Company for chandeliers and table lamps. We love lighting made up of natural materials and source it from Oorjaa for our projects. Also, Ravi Vazirani is doing some brilliant stuff with table lamps at his studio. 

BH: What are some places that you reach out to for artifacts, reclaimed goods, furniture and decor?

MA:For reclaimed goods, I travel across the country to parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. I also buy artifacts from Nicobar. In Goa, I love Savio Jon and Ranji Kelekar’s Goa studio for artifacts, silver and vintage cutlery, Karma Collection for their vintage fabrics and rugs, Whalesong gallery for unique vintage furniture finds. Lore and Josmo are also some of the furniture studios in Goa that align with my design philosophy.

BH: Which artists come to mind when you think about sourcing?

MA:I discovered Richa Kashelkar a few years ago when I bought one of her artworks for a project. We recently collaborated with Richa on a wall mural for a personal project and she was brilliant. 

BH: Are there any artists on your wish list?

MA:I absolutely love the work and have been a huge fan of Shilo Shiv Suleman. She is an illustration and installation artist.