Project posted by Aniketh Bafna

Credits

From Aniketh Bafna

While most of our projects begin with drawings and mood boards, this one began with exploring fabrics.
From the very start, our intention was clear — to design a space where the fabrics and wallpapers would be the hero. Not just a backdrop, but the starting point of the entire narrative. Our aim wasn’t just to build a beautiful space — it was to build a boutique that tells a story and drives meaningful engagement with the products. A space that positions the brand as a bespoke, design-forward studio in the furnishing world.

The site was a compact 1000 sq ft studio in the heart of Bangalore. A long, narrow shell — with more length than width — and that layout became our first clue. Instead of fighting the linearity, we leaned into it. We divided the space into a series of smaller zones, each with its own identity and feel.
This allowed us to style each section differently — to play with mood, colour, and texture — while also creating more vertical surfaces to display our products and ideas. As you move through the space, there’s a sense of unfolding… something new to discover around every curve.


Once we had a good sense of the client’s product range and their strengths, we started building the moodboard for the space.

Much like the layout, the moodboard was divided into zones — each one capturing a distinct idea, a different expression.

But while we wanted every zone to feel unique, we also wanted the entire space to flow seamlessly. That’s where the idea of the arched entries came in — soft transitions that led from one zone to the next. Instead of using conventional wood or plaster arches, we decided to frame them using fabric. It felt instinctive, especially for a furnishing boutique — and that simple experiment eventually became one of the most recognisable features of the store.

With the concept in place, we moved into 3D modeling to visualise how each element would come together — the colours, textures, lighting, and detailing.

And post that is when the real work began — shortlisting fabrics, wallpapers, and developing surface textures.

From custom embroidery to tufting experiments and fabric moulding — this stage was the most intense, but also the most rewarding part of the process.


As you approach the studio, the first thing that catches your eye is the door — a fabric-panelled arch framed in glass. We always believed that the entrance should feel like a prelude to what lies inside, so we took it as an opportunity to push the envelope.

Instead of a conventional material or finish, we wanted the door itself to tell a story — to introduce the space through texture. After several brainstorming sessions with the client and exploring different techniques, we landed on 3D printing on fabric.

Once the base fabric was finalised, the client’s team worked on developing a floral motif — something delicate yet strong enough to translate through 3D printing. We went through a few rounds of colour and texture sampling until we arrived at something that felt just right.

The final print adorned each half of the double doors, coming together to form a large, soft bloom. At its centre, we placed semi-circular brass handles — the perfect punctuation to this sculptural entry.

The result was striking — a grand, unconventional door that didn’t just open into the store, but set the tone for the material exploration that lay ahead.


As you step inside, you enter the first zone — a contemporary setting that sets the tone for what follows.

We chose a layout here that includes: a suede sofa embroidered with delicate stem-like patterns, paired with an armchair upholstered in two contrasting fabrics — a quiet nod to the power of mixing textures and prints.

Behind it, the brand wall. Rather than treating it like a logo display, we framed it with layered curtain fabrics — solids and embroidered sheers forming soft arches. The centre panel, where the branding sits, was stitched in a contrasting technique to gently stand out.

The rug beneath was customised to echo the palette and textures of the space, tying it all together. A soft-textured wallpaper wraps the walls, providing a neutral canvas.

One side wall features a fabric mural — a play of three embroidery and stitching techniques, backlit to bring the textures alive. It quietly becomes the hero of the space.

Even the chandelier was customised, wrapped in fabric chosen to complement the zone’s palette — another reminder of how deeply fabric runs through the design language of the studio.


Moving from Zone 1 to Zone 2 is a soft, tactile transition — quite literally. Instead of conventional wood or rigid frames, we experimented with fabric-wrapped arches.

These weren’t just aesthetic elements — they were technically complex to execute. This one detail became our most ambitious experiment. From the curvature of the arch to the exact feel of the fabric, every inch was laboured over — countless brainstorming sessions, precision sampling, and a meticulous layering of techniques.

We selected a highlight colour for the base fabric, one that also extended to the ceiling, creating visual continuity throughout the studio.

What followed was weeks of trial and error — embroidery, embossing, zari detailing — until we finally struck the right balance. And just like that, this one arch turned into the boutique’s signature moment — a sculptural piece of textile art, designed to be remembered.


This next zone was compact, but we saw it as an opportunity to create something intimate and full of charm — a boudoir-inspired nook, designed to showcase the best of the client’s collections. We leaned into the French aesthetic — floral wallpapers, muted elegance, fringes, and tactile layers that felt delicate yet decadent.

We wainscoted the walls into upper and lower panels — the base in a soft blue textured wallpaper, and the top in a champagne-toned floral print that wrapped the space in warmth.

On one side, we designed a custom mirror framed in pleated fabric padding, colour-matched to the wallpaper. To elevate it further, we embellished the frame with raffia-crafted twigs and netted flowers, hand-sewn into the fabric. Soft, fabric-shaded wall lamps flanked either side, creating that perfect boudoir glow.

A few customised pouffes in this zone were upholstered using mix-and-match techniques — layered with plush textiles that demonstrated how curation and customisation can transform something simple into something special.

On the opposite wall, another mirror — this time designed with a fabric-padded inlay — added a new idea to the conversation: how fabric can find its way into even the most unexpected corners of a design.

And finally, a bespoke rug — designed to flow organically from wall to floor — grounded the space in a rich oxblood tone, adding drama and elegance in equal measure.

This zone, like every other, became a soft invitation — to pause, feel, and imagine the endless possibilities of fabric in interiors.


Zone 3 opened into a larger footprint — and with that came the opportunity to make it a client interaction zone. A space where conversations, planning, and creative dreaming could unfold. But true to the spirit of the boutique, this wasn’t just another discussion table. It had to feel rich, expressive, and deeply rooted in the language of bespoke.

At the heart of the space is a large, custom-designed table. We wanted it to anchor the room with a statement — so we cladded its base in alternating panels of rich red and teal woven fabrics. Topped with an Udaipur green marble, the contrast brought out a refined drama — bold yet elegant.

Hovering above the table is a custom chandelier, designed with a striped fabric canopy in tones that tie the entire palette together. Every piece here was imagined as a conversation starter — from the head chair, a swivel seat upholstered in embroidered fabric with fringe details, to the visitor chairs that carry a hand-embroidered monogram ‘M’, subtly reinforcing the brand’s bespoke identity.

The other side of this space features a carved wooden daybed — upholstered in carefully curated fabrics and adorned with layered cushions that echo the maximalist styling of the space.

To frame it all, we used dramatic drapery with a structured valance at the window and wrapped the ceiling edge in an ornate cornice. For the cornice detail, we even customised a wallpaper border that weaves around the space like a ribbon, finishing the envelope of the room with thoughtful embellishment.

But what truly steals the spotlight in this zone is the artwork behind the boss chair — a custom creation that speaks of patience, detailing, and experimentation. We selected a burnt orange grasscloth wallpaper as the canvas, and worked closely with artisans to sample beaded embroidery over it — iterating until we found the perfect balance of subtle shimmer and tactile richness. The result: an embroidered wall art that’s both regal and unexpected.

Zone 4, expansive like the one before, takes on a distinctly different mood — one that draws from the elegance and glamour of Art Deco. Here, every line, texture, and surface is an ode to the style’s timeless geometry and richness.
One side of the zone is designed as a plush seating lounge — centered around a curved sofa upholstered in a soft mauve velvet, flanked by nested tables in a rich black and brass finish. A structured rug beneath, woven with bold geometric patterns, anchors the setting. Behind the sofa, we introduced a foldable partition — a bespoke creation draped in a specially crafted fabric, embroidered and embellished in gold tones. It adds both visual drama and flexibility to the space. Overhead, a decorative chandelier casts a gentle glow, adding warmth and intimacy to this opulent corner.

Across from the lounge, the mood shifts slightly — here, a wall installation of geometric panels, each upholstered in carefully curated fabrics, forms a textured mosaic that becomes the statement feature of the space. In front of this wall sits a sleek bar-height table accompanied by three custom bar chairs — each one designed to reflect the play of materials, pattern, and polish that defines the Art Deco language.

Completing this zone is one of our favourite elements — a bespoke bar cabinet. Cladded entirely in an artisanal fabric on the outside, and finished in wallpaper on the inside, it showcases just how transformative fabrics can be. A regular bar unit becomes a sculptural piece, one that holds both utility and art in equal measure.


This studio isn’t just a showcase of fabrics — it’s a journey through textures, moods, and stories. Every zone was designed to inspire, surprise, and reflect the true potential of bespoke design. From embroidered walls to fabric-clad furniture, the space blurs the line between utility and art. It’s a tactile experience — one that invites you to pause, explore, and reimagine the role of fabric in design.