About the project
The Shibani & Vipul Jain House is more than just a residence it’s a home filled with life, surprises, and a deep connection to India’s rich cultural tapestry. Every room in the house tells a story, blending age-old crafts with a modern twist to create spaces that are as warm and inviting as they are visually stunning.
Client Brief
The family behind this home are enthusiasts of art and culture. They wanted a space that reflected their love for crafts and celebrated the eclectic, curious nature of their everyday lives. The brief was all about creating areas that express personal stories and passions making each room a statement of surprise and delight. Whether it’s the husband’s choice for the bar area or the study that unfolds the family’s narrative, every corner was designed to echo the vibrant spirit of its residents.
Design Process
The process was as fluid and collaborative as it gets. We spent a lot of time chatting with the family to really understand what makes them tick. Artisans from across India came on board, working side by side with us on-site. This hands-on approach allowed us to marry traditional crafts with modern ideas seamlessly. For instance, in the study, we replaced a typical chandelier with a dome ceiling that features a Garudaa unique twist that brought together the old and the new perfectly. Every decision was made with the goal of making the home not only beautiful but also deeply personal.
Artworks & Material Highlights
Textile Embroidery
Inspired by the Rumi quote, “Wherever you stand, be the soul of that place,” the living room is a showcase of light and reflection.
This textile mural was brought to life by skilled Aari embroidery artisans from Gujarat. Co-created in collaboration with contemporary artist Anila Govindappa and architect Kavan Shah
Thikri Ceiling
The ceiling features an intricate Thikri mirror work, where the traditional Indian craft of inlaying mirrors creates ever-changing light patterns across the room.
Blom Chandelier
This regal light piece brings a heady bouquet of Heliconia flowers, Orchids and tropical plants into the space it adorns. Cascading Copper metal flowers with rich mauve patina, red copper blossoms and green patina tropical leaves come together in this abundant, profuse, botanical beauty.
Copper Enamelling
The focal point here is a creative reinterpretation of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, realized through Copper Enamel techniques. This deconstructed artwork features backlit pieces of glass infused on copper, creating a luminous, star-like effect that animates the space and offers an innovative interpretation of the classic painting. This artwork not only serves as a visual spectacle but also enhances the ambiance, making the bar a captivating area for entertainment.
Sozani Textiles
The master bedroom blends innovative design with traditional motifs, featuring a backdrop of Sozani Textiles sourced from Jaipur. These textiles are renowned for their vibrant embroidery and intricate patterns, providing a lush, tactile backdrop. Complementing this is a Jain Yantra, symbolizing philosophical and meditative elements, which adds a spiritual layer to the room’s decor.
Silver Leafing & Fine Painting
This room transforms into a tranquil yet sophisticated space through the use of silver leafing on the walls, paired with hand paintings that draw inspiration from the grandeur of Banarasi Mahal. The technique, reminiscent of traditional fresco painting, took nearly a month to complete, offering an innovative twist to classical aesthetics. The silver leafing provides a luminous, reflective surface that enhances the hand-painted details and creates a subtle interplay of light.
Leather Shadow Puppetry
Dedicated to narrative and tradition, this room features an elaborate display of shadow puppetry based on the Mahabharata. Antique leather shadow puppets, each over a century old, are arranged in three layers of glass, creating a dynamic and multidimensional effect that brings the epic to life. This setup, when lit, reveals the depth and movement of the scene, offering viewers an immersive experience of the ancient storytelling art form.
Mosaic Art
In the son’s bathroom, innovative art meets traditional craftsmanship through a marble inlay technique that includes a custom-designed, suspended basin. The room also features a large-scale tiger mural, assembled from 840 individual mosaic tiles, illustrating the adaptation of digital design into traditional mosaic art. This mural, initially designed on Photoshop, represents a bold fusion of innovative digital art techniques with classic tile work.
Challenges & Solutions Implemented
One of the biggest challenges was balancing all these diverse elements without overwhelming the space. Bringing together traditional crafts like Thikri work and silver leafing with modern materials required careful planning and a lot of creative problem-solving. Working directly with artisans on-site helped us fine-tune every detail, ensuring that every piece from the dome ceiling to the bar’s starry reinterpretation blends perfectly into a home that’s both innovative and deeply rooted in cultural heritage.