Ritu Nanda's Unique Studio Space

Much of Ritu’s designs feel like the well-put-together space of an individual interested in books, art, travel and photography. The studio, with an abundance of books and artwork, is a good representation of those very inclinations. And within her little office, the scent of coffee, which can be credited to the little red powerhouse Nespresso machine in the corner. We asked her about her space and her style.

Beautifulhomes.com: What guides your design philosophy?
Ritu Nanda: I find that I give my best if I stay true to myself. I am very careful to not pretend to know something that I don’t. My work is driven by the idea of how people would live in the home. I think about the details of their daily life—how they walk from the bedroom to the kitchen every day, what they would pass along the way, how the transition spaces affect them, how to use and enhance the quality of light, how they entertain. All these details matter a lot. It’s not just about using Italian marble or ostentatious furniture, it’s about how you would use this space.

BH: How would you describe your style?
RN: I love spaces that are not permanent, that have the flexibility to change in the way they are displayed and used because people change, their likes and dislikes change. Additionally, as a designer, I do have certain reservations about the idea of modern in India. I don’t think the modern language is one that is true to ourselves. We are a country of handmade creations and a culture of using craftsmanship and workmanship. There exists a human element to what we create, and I’d rather lean into that than avoid it. I don’t seek purity in design, I love the mix of what history has left us with.

BH: Give us a quick walkthrough of your studio.
RN: As you enter, we have one large table wooden table in the welcome area. It’s a great multipurpose space for meetings and presentations. Then we enter the main room where most of the office sits. At the end, behind fog glass panels, is a small office for me replete with a plush blue sofa by Nandini Kamdar and a cherry red coffee maker that brightens up the corner. We also have a sample room filled with wonderful pieces followed by a small kitchen and dining area. We are very fortunate to have the spatial generosity to fit in these corners. It’s a luxury I greatly appreciate.

BH: How did you turn your vision of the space into reality?
RN: I love that it is comfortable and unpretentious. While the décor is contemporary, the studio also has an old-world charm to it. Fortunately, we didn’t have to change too many details before moving in about four years ago. The space came with wooden flooring, which I loved, as well as the original exposed rafters. I did, however, want a clean, white canvas for the walls. We used a beautiful colour from Asian Paints called Raw Cotton which is the perfect backdrop for all the colours and textures we present for our projects or displays. There is also a long table that runs the length of the office which I turned into a display area for books, art, photography, music and samples. I didn’t want people to be sitting there and facing the wall as according to Vastu Shastra, one shouldn’t face that direction. So, we turned that table into an inspiration zone that keeps changing.

BH: What are the essentials in your work space?
RN: Pencils of every kind and paper. I love to sketch and I do have the ability to translate my ideas into drawings.

BH: Lastly, what would be a dream project for you?
RN: I would love to design a boutique hotel. With a residence or office there has to be a certain practicality to everything, with a hotel you can just unleash your creativity.