Shabnam Gupta, an acclaimed interior designer known for her innovative approach and impressive portfolio, is a shining example of creativity in the field. Gupta’s talent has drawn a slew of high-profile clients, including Rani Mukherjee, Rajkumar Rao, Kangana Ranaut, Raveena Tandon, and Irrfan Khan. As chief designer of ‘The Orange Lane,’ a famous architectural and interior design business, Gupta leads projects that redefine luxury and elegance. Moreover, Gupta’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her retail venture, ‘Peacock life,’ offering a curated selection of designer furniture and lifestyle products. Her journey from humble beginnings to the pinnacles of success is a testament to her unwavering dedication and visionary approach to design.
A storyteller at heart, Gupta infuses her creations with narratives that transcend mere aesthetics. Drawing inspiration from nature and tradition, she crafts spaces that exude warmth and authenticity, earning her the reputation of a design maven with a unique perspective. In an exclusive interview, Gupta shares insights into her journey as a designer, entrepreneur, and visionary, offering a glimpse into the ethos that drives her remarkable career.
- Tell us about your journey so far in short form
I started out small with big dreams in tow, when at the tender age of 16 when it was clear to me that she was destined for design… I started The Orange Lane 20 years ago, and since then, it has only grown by leaps and bounds.
- As a prominent figure in the interior design industry, you’ve always been known for your creative and unique design approach. How has your design philosophy evolved over the years?
The first few years of my practice were spent exploring various styles while maintaining my design ethos. In the past decade, we have found a very definitive language that caters to a niche audience.
- “The Orange Lane” has been instrumental in transforming spaces for various clients. Can you tell us about any recent projects or initiatives at your firm that have made a significant impact?
We recently transformed a family villa in Hyderabad into a furniture retail showroom for my brand Peacock Life… a villa with multiple rooms was transformed into a seamless open space…
- Social media plays a crucial role in showcasing your work. How has it influenced the way you interact with your clients and how they perceive your brand?
There is no ignoring social media… so while our clients have found us elsewhere, it does help us in taking our work to a much wider audience than without social media.
- Sustainability is a growing concern in the design industry. How have you incorporated sustainable practices and materials into your recent projects, and what’s your vision for sustainable design in the future?
Sustainability is necessary to ensure a better tomorrow, whether we accept it or not. We as a practice source locally as far as possible. For projects in remote locations, we prefer working with local material. We work with recycled wood, and instead of getting everything new we try to repurpose whatever is on-site, or is already available with the client. It’s the small efforts that count, and it is everyone’s responsibility to be keep the environmental impact in mind while designing. We also need to educate the clients on this and when everyone starts working with this awareness, automatically we gravitate towards a common goal
- You’ve had the opportunity to design interiors for some of India’s biggest celebrities. Could you share some anecdotes or challenges you’ve faced while working on projects for high-profile clients?
I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with clients who believe in my vision… We enjoyed designing for Irrfan, who was a highly sensitive person, a small incident happened when we handed over the project. There is a water body in the middle of their living room. While he was sitting in the finished project for the first time and soaking it in, he asked us to reduce the sound of the water flow as he felt it could be torturous and drive a person crazy with the gurgle of the water not being controlled enough. We of course immediately got it done…
- As a leading designer, you must have insights into upcoming interior design trends. What do you foresee as the most significant trends for 2024, and how do you plan to integrate them into your work?
We have never followed trends per se, but I believe that we will see a shift in the overly minimalistic interiors we have been seeing of late including more of warmer palettes.
- How do you balance your roles as the principal designer at “The Orange Lane” and the creative force behind “Peacock Life”? What are the unique challenges and rewards of each role?
There are challenges in every job, especially in retail, which is an ever evolving scenario. We are surrounded by beautiful objects and artefacts, we are in the business of making each space beautiful keeping the owners personality in mind, that itself is very rewarding. My retail store Peacock Life, has grown wings, and we are in a new city now. We are catering to an entirely different clientele, which has its share of challenges, but its rewarding to see them appreciate what we have created at Hyderabad.
- Can you provide advice for aspiring interior designers who are looking to make a mark in the industry, especially in a rapidly changing world?
There is no alternative to hard work, even more so in the formative years… the biggest inspiration comes from nature and travel, both are interlinked, so travel as much as you can…
- What are your personal goals and aspirations for the next few years in the field of interior design?
My personal goals and aspirations are to have an even stronger design team to become a formidable force in the field of interiors. We have started new projects internationally, and with we have a strong team that thinks responsibly, we could be a force to reckon with.
- Finally, where do you see the interior design industry heading in the coming years, and what role do you envision for yourself and your brands in shaping that future?
Very excited and curious to understand how AI can help us in our field of interior design. As designers and brands, we work with, we would like to see more sustainable practices being adopted at every stage. I firmly believe that we need to commit to learning continuously and embrace all changes wholeheartedly.
