Volume 8 Issue 2

RNI NO. MAHENG/2018/75890

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EDITOR’S NOTE

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elcome to the latest issue of Luxe Code, your compass for navigating the evolving landscape of global luxury.

As we step toward 2026, the currents of design are not merely shifting—they are accelerating into a new era of cutting-edge excellence. The luxury we explore today is one defined not by volume, but by precision, purpose, and profound cultural synthesis.

Our features this month illuminate this transformation perfectly, presenting a manifesto for the year ahead. Consider the sanctuaries we highlight in “Places.” They move beyond mere opulence; they are studies in elevated calm, blending architectural precision with the spiritual clarity of Zen minimalism.

Whether it is the 7,500 square feet of considered elegance at DLF Camellias or the 10,000 square feet of serene modernist clarity in Estate de Revessa, the core principle is clear: the most luxurious space is one that is thoughtfully sculpted—a retreat that harmonises restraint with a seamless connection to the natural landscape. This is the future of living: intelligent, considered, and deeply connected to its environment.

The “Things” that will define 2026 are born from a fusion of human ingenuity and technological mastery. Look no further than Wriver, a homegrown design house that is beautifully redefining Indian luxury. Their furniture is “material poetry,” blending artisanal finesse with cutting-edge techniques to create future-forward pieces with global allure. Similarly, Porsche’s bespoke 911 Carrera T demonstrates how high-performance engineering can be a tribute to natural beauty—a perfect synergy of form, function, and narrative that elevates a vehicle to art.

Crucially, true cutting-edge design is always rooted in a powerful narrative. The fashion of Shantnu Mehra and Nikhil Mehra, which translates cricket’s rich culture into elevated everyday wear, proves that heritage is the most fertile ground for modern style. In the “Art” world, Shine Shivan transforms myth and folklore into monumental oil paintings that shimmer with the magic of alchemy. These visionaries remind us that the most innovative concepts—the ones that endure—are those that successfully blend the ancient soul with a contemporary voice.

2026 is the year where design stops being decorative and becomes transformative. It will be marked by a courageous blend of modernist restraint and material depth, where every clean line, every textured finish, and every carefully curated space is a deliberate choice.

Join us as we celebrate the pioneers who are not just following trends but are actively coding the future of luxury.

RINI MUKKATH rini@luxecode.in Insta handle: @luxecodemagazine

Printed and Published by YOGITA RAKESH AGRAWAL on behalf of WARE INNOVATIONS LLP, RAGHUVANSHI MILL COMPOUND, NEXT TO ADDRESS HOME, SENAPATI BAPAT MARG, LOWER PAREL, MUMBAI 400 013.

Editor: RINI MUKKATH Creative Head: ALOYSIUS DSOUZA On the cover R+R Architects

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CONTENTS VOLUME 8 ISSUE 2- 2026 WWW.LUXECODE.IN

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20 PITCH PERFECT Designers Shantnu Mehra and Nikhil Mehra translate cricket’s heritage and culture into elevated everyday fashion, now accessible through an exclusive shop-inshop experience.

ART 70 ALCHEMY, MYTH, AND STORYTELLING From Kerala’s forests to global galleries, Shine Shivan transforms myth, folklore, and personal pilgrimage into monumental oil paintings that shimmer with the magic of alchemy.

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26 A RETREAT IN SOFT FOCUS Quirk Studio crafts Estate de Revessa, a 10,000 sq ft holiday haven that blends quiet luxury, modernist clarity, and a seamless connection to landscape, creating a serene coastal escape for a young family.

THINGS

34 A STUDY IN ELEVATED CALM A 7,500 sq ft sanctuary at DLF Camellias blends quiet luxury, architectural precision, and sculptural furnishings to create an atmosphere of effortless modern elegance.

74 FORMOSA DRIVE Porsche’s bespoke 911 Carrera T pays tribute to Taiwan’s mountains, coastlines, and natural beauty.

82 MATERIAL POETRY A homegrown design house shaping a new narrative for Indian luxury, Wriver blends artisanal finesse and technological mastery to create future-forward furniture with global allure.

42 WARM MINIMALISM Gran Carmen by The KariGhars is a study in quiet luxury and material calm 50 A GROVE FOR GATHERING In Ahmedabad, R+R Architects craft a 6,904 sq ft sanctuary where a preserved tree, Zen minimalism, and contemporary opulence converge to create a space designed for connection, celebration, and serene immersion.

84 EMOTIONAL OBJECTS A contemporary Indian fragrance brand shaping spaces through scent, form, and experience.

60 SCULPTED SANCTUARY HS Desiigns shapes a sanctuary of quiet elegance, blending classical sensibilities with contemporary restraint.

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PITCH PERFECT Designers Shantnu Mehra and Nikhil Mehra translate cricket’s heritage and culture into elevated everyday fashion, now accessible through an exclusive shop-in-shop experience.

Photos by Shantnu & Nikhil

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or over two decades, Shantnu & Nikhil have been redefining Indian fashion, creating a space where tradition and modernity coexist effortlessly. Founded in 2000 by the visionary duo Shantnu and Nikhil Mehra, the brand has become synonymous with bold, structured silhouettes, nuanced detailing, and a couture sensibility that speaks to India’s evolving sartorial landscape.

What sets the house apart is its seamless blend of heritage and contemporary design. Each collection balances architectural precision with artisanal craftsmanship, producing garments that are as wearable as they are statement-making. Shantnu brings strategic vision and an understanding of lifestyle dynamics, while Nikhil spearheads creative direction, infusing each piece with artistry and innovation. Together, their complementary VOL 8 ISSUE 2

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strengths have established a design language that resonates across generations.

Long before Shantnu and Nikhil Mehra became synonymous with contemporary cricket-inspired fashion, they were observers of India’s most beloved sport — its rhythms, rituals, and cultural resonance. Trained in design and steeped in a love for the game, the duo launched Maison Shantnu Nikhil with a vision to bridge India’s sporting heritage with modern fashion sensibilities. Their aesthetic is playful yet refined, celebrating nostalgia, team spirit, and the understated elegance of cricket through elevated wardrobe staples.

Their lifestyle brand, Shantnu Nikhil Cricket Club (SNCC), is more than a clothing line; it is a cultural movement. It channels cricket’s values — camaraderie, discipline, and celebration

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— into a versatile, aspirational wardrobe. From boxy polos and shackets to tailored blazers and joggers, each piece is crafted for comfort and contemporary style, while a curated palette of Lords White, Blazer Blue, Sunset Over Eden, Scoreboard Slate, Pavilion Oak, Trent Green, and Ranji Gold nods to cricket’s storied fields and golden eras.

The designers’ ability to merge sport and style has made SNCC a favourite among cricketing legends such as MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Harmanpreet Kaur, Gautam Gambhir, and Suresh Raina, as well as celebrities like Shahid Kapoor, Ibrahim Ali Khan, Sidharth Malhotra, and Karan Johar. Through these collaborations, Shantnu and Nikhil have created a brand that embodies the spirit, rhythm, and cultural charm of cricket, while redefining India’s contemporary lifestyle fashion landscape.

Now, SNCC makes its first foray into mainstream retail with an exclusive shop-in-shop at Shoppers Stop, bringing the brand’s cricket-inspired aesthetic to a wider audience. The space reflects VOL 8 ISSUE 2

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the brand’s ethos — a meeting point of nostalgia, youthful energy, and sartorial elegance. “SNCC has always been our ode to cricket, a sport that unites the country through emotion, camaraderie, and pride,” say Shantnu and Nikhil. “With Shoppers Stop, we’re extending that sentiment beyond the pitch, offering fashion that is both accessible and rooted in our design philosophy.”

For Shoppers Stop, the partnership represents a meeting of culture and craft. Kavindra Mishra, MD & CEO, notes: “Through this exclusive shop-in-shop format, we are thrilled to offer customers a designer-led experience that celebrates sport, style, and individuality.”

SNCC’s new collection is now available at select Shoppers Stop stores, including GVK Mall, Hyderabad; Alpha Mall, Ahmedabad; Orion Mall, Bengaluru; BRS, Ludhiana; and Tapasya, Gurgaon, marking an exciting chapter in the designers’ journey of democratising cricket-inspired fashion.

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A RETREAT IN SOFT FOCUS Quirk Studio crafts Estate de Revessa, a 10,000 sq ft holiday haven that blends quiet luxury, modernist clarity, and a seamless connection to landscape, creating a serene coastal escape for a young family.

Photo courtesy:Kuber Shah

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frame sweeping views of the garden and swimming pool, allowing natural light to pour through the interiors while maintaining an uninterrupted dialogue with the outdoors.

Here, the architecture does not impose itself; it frees. It dissolves boundaries between the built and the natural, crafting a living environment that feels both expansive and deeply calming.

A MODERNIST ODE TO OPENNESS Drawing on a refined modernist sensibility, the home is shaped by clean lines, open volumes, and an architectural language rooted in simplicity. Floor-to-ceiling apertures on either side

A LANDSCAPE THAT BECOMES THE HEART OF THE HOME At the core of the estate lies a generous outdoor haven — a fluid extension of the interiors and the social soul of the home.

A shimmering swimming pool, an open-air bar, and a relaxed

here is a particular stillness to the coastal plains of Alibaug — a softness in the air, a quiet rhythm in the landscape. Estate de Revessa, designed by Quirk Studio, captures this essence with poetic precision.

Conceived as a contemporary retreat for a young couple and their family, the 10,000 sq ft estate transforms leisure into an elevated, sensory experience where architecture and nature move in quiet synchrony.

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lounge zone compose a landscape designed not just for leisure but for conviviality.

Whether it’s tranquil afternoons by the water or animated soirées under starlit skies, this alfresco spine shifts effortlessly between intimacy and celebration.

The architectural openness is mirrored in the planning: movement flows seamlessly, transitions feel natural, and the outdoors becomes a lived-in extension of daily life.

spectrum of coastal-inspired soft monotones that acts as a meditative backdrop. Here, quiet luxury takes centre stage: understated textures, refined materials, and curated artworks lend depth without overpowering the serenity of the envelope.

The design resists the temptation of ornament. Instead, it relies on clarity, proportion, and light to shape emotion.

PRIVATE COCOONS WITH AN INTIMATE CALM Each of the four bedrooms, along with a snug, deeply comfortable den, is conceived as a personal retreat. These private suites emphasise repose and intimacy, offering the family moments of

QUIET LUXURY EXPRESSED THROUGH RESTRAINT The interior palette is intentionally restrained — a soothing

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pause within the home’s broader narrative of openness.

Cocoon-like yet connected, these rooms balance seclusion with fluid continuity — a hallmark of Quirk Studio’s gentle, intuitive design approach.

volumes and calming tonalities. The home feels rooted, not imported; serene, yet undeniably modern.

It embodies the art of unhurried living. Mornings by the pool, long weekends with loved ones, or spirited gatherings in the open-air lounge — every moment is framed by ease, clarity, and a sense of belonging to the landscape.

In this way, Estate de Revessa transcends the notion of a holiday home. It becomes an experience of connection — to nature, to each other, and to the quiet luxury of time well spent.

A CONTEMPORARY ODE TO LEISURE AND LANDSCAPE What sets Estate de Revessa apart is not only its elegance but its attunement to context. Every spatial gesture reflects the rhythms of coastal life — from breezy transitions to light-filled

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A STUDY IN ELEVATED CALM A 7,500 sq ft sanctuary at DLF Camellias blends quiet luxury, architectural precision, and sculptural furnishings to create an atmosphere of effortless modern elegance.

Photography - Deepak Aggarwal

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here is a particular magic to The Camellias—an address where architecture, landscape, and atmosphere dissolve into one another with rare harmony.

Within this iconic enclave, Atelier 13 Architects and interior designer Ravish Vohra craft a residence that transforms contemporary living into an artful, tactile experience. Curated with restraint yet rich in detail, the 7,500 sq ft apartment is shaped by a language of serene opulence, expressive materials, and a sculptural approach to form.

display, and personal style is elevated into a curated showcase.

Transparency is the defining emotion. The space feels approachable yet elevated—a place where functionality and refinement coexist seamlessly.

MATERIAL HARMONY THROUGH SCULPTED WALL PANELLING The home’s architectural language continues through the wall panelling, a thoughtful composition of natural veneer, brushed metal, and solid wood. The veneer—distinguished by delicate grainwork and a vintage brass finish—anchors the palette with texture and warmth. The result is an enveloping backdrop that quietly enhances the room’s architectural proportions, whispering luxury rather than announcing it.

A GALLERY WARDROBE CONCEIVED AS A SPATIAL STATEMENT The home’s design journey begins in the Gallery wardrobe, imagined not as a conventional closet but as an open-plan dressing environment that celebrates lightness and clarity. A sophisticated cantilever system introduces a sense of visual levitation, while floating shelves and suspended hanging elements create balance through negative space. Here, organisation becomes

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A LIVING ROOM SHAPED BY SCULPTURAL QUIETNESS The residence’s living space embodies tactile luxury. At its heart sits the Sistine Sofa, upholstered in rich Loro Piana fabric—its

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softness and structural poise defining the atmosphere of calm sophistication. Opposite, the sculptural Palladio Coffee Table introduces a sense of grounded artistry, anchoring the room with geometric presence.

Completing the space, the Gilded Bookshelf rises like a vertical art piece. Its metallic accents offer subtle luminescence, acting both as a functional display and a punctuation of visual rhythm. Together, these elements form a living environment that is elegant, composed, and deeply personal.

Every line feels intentional. Every surface breathes. The result is a dining space that is both pristine and welcoming, allowing form, function, and atmosphere to align effortlessly.

A CONTEMPORARY OASIS SHAPED BY LUXURY AND LIGHT This Camellias residence is more than a beautifully designed home—it is an exercise in spatial serenity. The palette remains understated, the furnishings sculptural, and the materials quietly luxurious. Clear spatial organisation ensures that each zone, from wardrobe to living room to dining area, evolves naturally into the next, maintaining continuity without sacrificing individuality.

It is a home that embodies a new expression of modern Indian luxury: international in its sensibility, grounded in craftsmanship, and timeless in its elegance.

A DINING ROOM OF GRACEFUL RESTRAINT The dining area continues the home’s poetic minimalism.

Sistine Dining Chairs, distinguished by their refined contours and artisanal detailing, strike a balance between comfort and sculptural appeal. Paired with a minimalist dining table, the ensemble exudes modern clarity—free of clutter yet rich in tactile nuance.

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WARM MINIMALISM Gran Carmen by The KariGhars is a study in quiet luxury and material calm Photography - Nayan Soni

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n Sarjapur, Bangalore, Gran Carmen unfolds as a refined meditation on calm living. Designed by The KariGhars, the 4,800 sq. ft four-bedroom villa is rooted in the Japandi philosophy, where Japanese minimalism meets Scandinavian warmth, interpreted through an Indian lens that feels both contemporary and deeply grounded.

Rather than leaning into visual excess, the home embraces restraint. Clean lines, muted tones, and tactile materials work in quiet synchrony, creating interiors that feel composed, breathable, and intuitively lived-in. The brief from the homeowners was precise: a home that is minimal but not austere, cosy yet uncluttered, designed to support slow, intentional living. This clarity finds a natural ally in The KariGhars’ design ethos, which privileges spatial flow, material honesty, and sensorial balance over ornamentation.

materials soften the glow, while automation systems modulate lux levels throughout the day, responding intuitively to natural light. The result is a home that subtly shifts mood from morning to evening without disrupting its visual quietude.

Clutter is consciously avoided. Storage solutions are concealed, and custom furniture remains minimalist in form, supporting both visual clarity and mental ease. At the entrance, a tailor-made shoe closet is seamlessly integrated into the foyer.

Functional and discreet, it aligns with the home’s understated design language.

SPATIAL RHYTHM AND CULTURAL NUANCE Set within a gated, pedestrian-only community, the villa draws from its tranquil surroundings to shape an interior experience that feels equally composed. Zoning is handled with finesse, balancing communal and private areas while maintaining continuity. Transitions are gentle, marked not by doors or barriers, but by subtle shifts in material, scale, or light.

One of the home’s most striking moments emerges in the dining area. A stone-clad, double-height feature wall reinterprets traditional Indian patterns through a pixelated lens. It is a quietly powerful gesture that bridges cultural heritage with contemporary minimalism.

Elsewhere, walls remain organic and breathable, reinforcing the project’s eco-conscious undercurrent. In the media room, a concealed projector system sits behind custom panelling, delivering a cinematic experience without disturbing the home’s calm visual rhythm.

A PALETTE OF CALM An open-plan layout anchors the home, allowing spaces to flow seamlessly into one another while preserving their individual identities. The chromatic language is deliberately subdued. Soft whites, warm beiges, and natural browns form a cohesive backdrop, allowing texture to take precedence over colour. Organic materials bring depth and warmth. Breathable, chemical-free textured paints from Nilaya coat the walls, while bespoke woodwork featuring handpicked veneers and cane inlays introduces tactility and craft.

Lighting is treated as an atmospheric tool rather than a decorative afterthought. Cane-crafted fixtures and natural VOL 8 ISSUE 2

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Under water snorkelling by Padi

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responsiveness.

PRIVATE SPACES, THOUGHTFULLY LAYERED The master bedroom balances texture and stillness. Wood panelling adds warmth, while bold, contemplative artwork introduces depth without overwhelming the space. Luxury here is discreet. A generous walk-in wardrobe is complemented by a secondary hidden storage zone, ensuring the room remains uncluttered and serene.

The children’s room is positioned for privacy, offering independence while maintaining a sense of connection to the rest of the home. The kitchen, conceived as a closed space for focused culinary engagement, features a peninsula-style counter that encourages informal interaction and family bonding. It is functional, yet quietly social.

MATERIAL HONESTY AND DESIGN PRECISION The material palette across Gran Carmen is expressive yet disciplined. Non-toxic organic paints, natural veneers, cane detailing, and terrazzo flooring with a grounding grain come together to shape a sensory, tactile environment. Each choice contributes not only to aesthetics, but also to the emotional quality of the home.

Design challenges, such as navigating multiple level transitions between the foyer, living, dining, and kitchen areas, were resolved through blended flooring, softened thresholds, extended wall finishes, and harmonised ceiling heights. These interventions ensure continuity without flattening spatial character.

EXTENDING CALM OUTDOORS The outdoor terrace continues the home’s Japandi sensibility into the landscape. Earthy finishes echo the interior palette, while bespoke elements, including a private jacuzzi, bar, and dedicated workspace, transform the space into a multifunctional retreat.

The outdoor office is particularly considered. Designed with double-glazed glass and a jute-lined roof, it achieves thermal insulation while remaining visually connected to its lush surroundings. It is a space that negotiates comfort and nature with ease, reflecting the studio’s thoughtful approach to climate

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A HOME THAT BREATHES Gran Carmen is not a statement home. It is a thoughtful one.

Its luxury lies in what it resists: excess, noise, and visual clutter.

Instead, it offers balance, tactility, and a sense of stillness that feels increasingly rare.

In its quiet elegance, the project reflects The KariGhars’ commitment to crafting spaces that resonate beyond the visual. Homes that support wellbeing, invite pause, and elevate everyday living through design that is intuitive, restrained, and deeply human.

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A GROVE FOR GATHERING In Ahmedabad, R+R Architects craft a 6,904 sq ft sanctuary where a preserved tree, Zen minimalism, and contemporary opulence converge to create a space designed for connection, celebration, and serene immersion.

Photography - Ishita Sitwala

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garden radiates around it, creating a meditative threshold where stillness welcomes celebration.

Organic geometries, fluid curves, and expansive glazing dissolve edges, establishing a seamless continuum between inside and out. Light filters through the void in shifting patterns, transforming the tree into a sentient sculpture—an emblem of harmony, presence, and timelessness.

A TREE AS ANCHOR, A VOID AS SKY The spirit of the project rises—quite literally—from a preserved tree piercing through a circular roof opening. This extraordinary gesture becomes the architectural and emotional epicentre of the design: a living column of calm, grounding the structure in biophilic philosophy. A Zen-inspired raked sand

A SOCIAL RETREAT SHAPED BY PLAYFULNESS AND POISE Designed as an enclave for revelry, the space balances polish with personality. Every element reflects the client’s exuberant, stylish charm: the architecture is fluid, the atmosphere warm, and the design gestures spirited without ever losing elegance.

A sculptural stone bar anchors the social zone, its raw tactility juxtaposed with refined surfaces. Nearby, a floating

here are spaces designed for living, and then there are spaces designed for becoming—becoming alive, becoming present, becoming connected. Gathering Grove, by R+R Architects, belongs decidedly to the latter. Conceived for a Los Angeles–based client with a penchant for joyful gatherings, this Ahmedabad retreat reimagines the idea of an outhouse as a sculptural sanctuary where the boundaries between architecture and nature blur into an exquisite dance of materiality, mood, and movement.

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staircase rises like a ribbon of sculpted light, enhancing the interplay between solidity and levity. Throughout the interior, jewel-toned furnishings, gilded accents, and bold lighting infuse contemporary opulence into the minimalist shell—creating an ambience that feels both energetic and elevated.

The palette resonates with the project’s contextual dialogue: earthen tones meet polished marble, timber blends with glass, and metallic moments introduce subtle brilliance. Each material is chosen not merely for its appearance but for its sensorial contribution—texture, warmth, reflectivity, depth.

modern vibrancy without overwhelming the serenity.

These dualities—stillness and movement, rawness and refinement, nature and luxury—coexist effortlessly, forming the poetic backbone of Gathering Grove.

A CHOREOGRAPHY OF SCULPTURAL INTERIORS Inside, the architecture becomes a symphony of contrasts.

Stone and marble converse across surfaces; sleek lines play against organic curves; sculptures integrate seamlessly into functional design. Luxury here is crafted not from abundance but intention—every gesture is considered, every finish deliberate.

The dining space epitomises this ethos. Fluid curvatures shape the room, tactile wood softens the crisp geometry, and dramatic lighting acts as a sculptural punctuation. Circular motifs introduce playfulness, creating a tableau built for conversation, reflection, and shared culinary rituals. The space feels intimate yet atmospheric, contemporary yet timeless.

WHERE ZEN CALM MEETS MODERN LUXURY Every spatial transition is an invitation to slow down, observe, and exhale. Minimalist detailing ensures that nature remains the protagonist. Rounded glazing, organic forms, and gentle tonal shifts echo the quiet sophistication of Japanese Zen gardens. Yet the interiors pulse with a contemporary rhythm: bold chromatic inflections in mustard, teal, and powder blue add

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CONTEXT AS MUSE Local climate, light, and cultural nuance inform every design decision. Breezy tonalities and moisture-resistant finishes nod to coastal inspirations, while urban sensibilities introduce clarity and structure. Craftsmanship—rooted in cultural heritage—grounds the project in authenticity, ensuring the space feels of its locale rather than imposed upon it.

Lighting becomes the final architectural tool—sculpting shadows, articulating surfaces, sharpening the contrast between raw earthiness and polished luxury.

A SANCTUARY WHERE ARCHITECTURE BECOMES EMOTION Ultimately, Gathering Grove is more than an architectural intervention—it is an emotional landscape. A space where nature is a collaborator, materiality is storytelling, and atmosphere becomes the unifying thread.

The preserved tree beneath the circular skylight is not a feature; it is a philosophy. The space is not an outhouse; it is a sanctuary for connection. Here, architecture does not rise above the landscape—it rises with it.

Gathering Grove is a celebration of harmony, of contrasts, of presence. A sculptural retreat that feels alive, grounded, and quietly transcendent.

DESIGNING THROUGH CHALLENGES, ELEVATING THROUGH CRAFT The ambition of the project demanded both creativity and adaptability. The client’s desire for bold social spaces required strategic flexibility, transforming constraints into opportunities for reinvention. Smart zoning ensures fluid movement; multi-functional furniture responds to varying needs; integrated technologies enhance ambience without intruding on serenity.

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SCULPTED SANCTUARY HS Desiigns shapes a sanctuary of quiet elegance, blending classical sensibilities with contemporary restraint.

Photography - The Endless Form - Yagnesh

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n the dense and ever-evolving design landscape of Mumbai, HS Desiigns presents Eastern Grove — a 1,600 sq ft residence that reads as both a retreat and a statement.

Completed in 2023, the home is a study in grounded elegance, where classical sensibilities quietly intersect with contemporary restraint. Rather than relying on overt grandeur, the design embraces nuance: thoughtful textures, sculptural gestures, and a palette that speaks in hushed, confident tones.

A DRAMATIC FIRST ENCOUNTER The spatial journey begins at the entrance corridor, which sets the tone with an unexpectedly theatrical flourish. Brutalist-inspired figures — sculpted directly into the wall — hold polygonal lanterns that illuminate the passage with a soft geometric glow. More than a corridor, this threshold functions as a gallery in motion, where concrete textures and minimalist wall cladding build a sense of rhythm and monumentality. It’s a bold but controlled first impression, signalling the home’s ethos: quiet drama, intentionally measured.

A LIVING ROOM COMPOSED LIKE A STILL LIFE The living room extends this sculptural language through a refined layering of materials and forms. A deep green tufted sofa anchors the space in plush sophistication, while paired

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sculptural chairs in warm brown create a sense of curated eclecticism. An oversized, clean-lined centre table introduces a contemporary edge, balancing the surrounding organic textures.

Herringbone wooden flooring lays a classic foundation, its directional pattern offering subtle movement against the boldness of black marble accents. An industrial-style ceiling fan adds a utilitarian note, offset by sheer drapes and floral curtains that soften the room, diffusing natural light with gentle restraint. The effect is a high-impact, low-noise aesthetic — luxurious, but never loud.

DINING AND KITCHEN: ROUNDED FORMS AND REFINED CONTRASTS The dining area continues the dialogue between softness and structure. A circular marble-topped table is surrounded by curved-back chairs, echoing the home’s fondness for rounded silhouettes. Fluted panelling and custom-designed screens shape the space, offering visual definition without compromising openness.

The kitchen leans into bolder contrast. Sleek grey cabinetry meets terracotta-toned shutters, with black granite countertops grounding the palette. It is a practical yet visually striking composition — one that speaks to the designers’ ability to marry subtle tonal shifts with confident accents.

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BEDROOMS THAT TELL QUIET STORIES Each bedroom at Eastern Grove offers its own narrative while remaining anchored to the home’s broader language of calm refinement.

The master bedroom is serene and contemplative, defined by soft fabric tones, clean-lined furniture, and a sculptural circular wall art piece that serves as a gentle focal point. Another bedroom features a hand-carved wooden panel depicting two cranes beneath a tree, framed by dark fluted partitions — a poetic ode to craftsmanship and storytelling. The third bedroom leans into classical charm with a four-poster bed and refined mouldings reminiscent of a European boutique suite.

A HOME THAT REVEALS ITSELF SLOWLY Across the residence, HS Desiigns masterfully balances richness with restraint. Textures, shadows, proportions, and handcrafted details work in harmony, resulting in a home that doesn’t seek attention — it earns it. Eastern Grove is less about spectacle and more about serenity. It is the kind of space that reveals its depth gradually, inviting inhabitants to discover new layers each day.

In a world that often rewards the loudest visual statements, Eastern Grove stands apart as an exercise in poetic quiet — timeless, intentional, and elegantly grounded.

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ALCHEMY, MYTH, AND STORYTELLING From Kerala’s forests to global galleries, Shine Shivan transforms myth, folklore, and personal pilgrimage into monumental oil paintings that shimmer with the magic of alchemy.

Photo courtesy: Sakshi Gallery

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n Paaras, Shine Shivan embarks on a new chapter of his artistic journey, extending his enduring engagement with myth, folklore, and the stories that traverse generations. Named after the legendary touchstone that converts metals into gold, Paaras is both metaphor and method: the act of painting itself becomes an alchemical gesture, translating and reimagining the narratives and myths that Shivan encounters.

For Shivan, storytelling is a living, breathing practice.

Across his career, he has traversed a remarkable range of mediums—from taxidermy and performance to pastel and video—always in pursuit of a distinctive visual language. With Paaras, he turns to oil for the first time, executing monumental works that root themselves in ancient myths yet speak in a vibrantly contemporary voice.

Each canvas is a convergence of experience and memory.

Shivan draws on his personal journeys of pilgrimage and his vast repertoire of visual references: Persian miniatures, Indian painting traditions, colonial works, and Chola bronzes are woven into compositions that feel singularly his own. These influences, filtered through his painterly language, manifest as richly layered narratives, where themes of doubling, identity, and fluidity echo devotional and poetic traditions. Love, transformation, and form intermingle with an effortless lyricism, offering a contemporary meditation on timeless human experiences.

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tions of nearby forests nurtured an intimate connection to the natural world—a source of inspiration that has remained with him, even after his family relocated to Faridabad, Haryana.

Over the past decade, this sensibility has crystallised into a visual language that is at once charged and personal, blending the mystical with the tangible, the historical with the contemporary.

Shivan’s work has garnered international attention. His paintings and installations have been shown at the Tate Modern, London; Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Taipei; Prague Biennale 5; and Kastrupgårdsamlingen, Copenhagen.

He has received numerous accolades, including the Culture and Education Society National Award, the Ravi Jain Annual Fellowship, the Lalit Kala Akademi Scholarship, and a shortlist nomination for the ŠKODA Prize Twenty.

Recent solo exhibitions have further cemented Shivan’s reputation as a compelling contemporary voice: Nidhivan (2022, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai), IN-CULT (2019, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai), and Finding India (MOCA, Taipei, 2010) highlight his evolving exploration of myth, memory, and alchemy.

With Paaras, Shivan invites viewers to step into a world where stories, objects, and histories are transformed, much like the mythical touchstone itself. The exhibition is a meditation on the power of narrative and the magic of transformation, proving once again why Shine Shivan occupies a singular place in contemporary art — a space where folklore, pilgrimage, and personal vision coalesce into luminous, transformative paintings.

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FORMOSA DRIVE Porsche’s bespoke 911 Carrera T pays tribute to Taiwan’s mountains, coastlines, and natural beauty.

Photo courtesy: Porsche

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orsche has unveiled a one-of-a-kind 911 Carrera T from its exclusive Sonderwunsch programme, celebrating Taiwan’s breathtaking landscapes with a masterful fusion of performance and artistry. Aptly named “Formosa” – the “Beautiful Island,” as christened by Portuguese sailors in the 16th century – this bespoke creation captures the essence of Taiwan’s mountains, coastlines, and iconic rock formations.

A SYMPHONY OF MOUNTAIN, STONE, AND SEA Taiwan’s compact geography is a canvas of dramatic contrasts: soaring peaks, verdant valleys, jagged eastern cliffs, and the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Porsche’s design team drew inspiration from this natural interplay. The exterior’s Ipanema Blue Metallic evokes the surrounding ocean, while Suzuka Grey Metallic details – from the Porsche rear lettering to the engine lid slats – mirror the island’s rugged coastal rock formations. Completing the visual story are 20-/21-inch RS Spyder wheels in Suzuka Grey with Vanadium Grey inner rims, alongside bespoke Exclusive Manufaktur HD-Matrix Design LED headlights and tail lights.

INTERIOR CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT TRANSCENDS THE ORDINARY Step inside, and the narrative continues. Paldao wood trims echo Taiwan’s lush mountain greenery, while full bucket seats

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in bi-colour Truffle Brown and Black leather are accented by Night Green stitching. For the first time, Porsche introduces the “Formosa” chequered pattern in Night Green, Black, and Cream White, gracing the seat inserts and leather-lined front boot, which proudly bears embroidered “Formosa” lettering. Illuminated door sills read “Formosa x Sonderwunsch,” and headrests carry an embossed “Formosa” logo – a delicate blend of ocean waves, mountain peaks, and the 911 Carrera T silhouette.

PERFORMANCE MEETS PERSONAL EXPRESSION Beneath its bespoke skin, the 911 Carrera T “Formosa” remains a purist’s dream: lightweight construction, sport-tuned suspension, and a manual transmission deliver a driving experience tailor-made for Taiwan’s thrilling roads. Yet, the Sonderwunsch programme ensures every detail – from new chequered patterns to custom embossing – reflects a singular vision.

SONDERWUNSCH: WHERE DREAMS MEET DESIGN Porsche’s Sonderwunsch programme, a revival of its late-1970s special wishes offering, allows clients to co-create one-off vehicles with Porsche’s expert design team. Paint to Sample Plus offers an entirely personalised exterior colour, while interiors and exteriors can be tailored to the smallest detail – for new or classic models alike. Restoration, too, is part of the offering, making Sonderwunsch the ultimate expression of automotive individuality.

The 911 Carrera T “Formosa” is more than a car; it is a statement of personal luxury, cultural homage, and driving pleasure – a bespoke masterpiece that honours Taiwan’s extraordinary beauty.

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MATERIAL POETRY

A homegrown design house shaping a new narrative for Indian luxury, Wriver blends artisanal finesse and technological mastery to create future-forward furniture with global allure.

Photo courtesy:Wriver

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A PRESENCE ON THE WORLD STAGE Wriver’s momentum is echoed in its active presence at some of the design world’s most influential cultural events. From India Design and the AD100 Awards to Delhi Contemporary Art Week and Downtown Dubai, the brand’s showcases reflect a confidence and maturity rare in such a young label. Its visual language—minimal yet evocative, experimental yet timeless— resonates effortlessly with both local audiences and global tastemakers.

This expanding footprint is complemented by extensive media recognition, with features in over 100 leading publications, including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Architecture + Design, The Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and India Today. The brand’s commitment to uncompromising quality has also earned prestigious accolades, among them the Trends Excellence Award 2023, DNA Paris Design Awards 2024, Kyoorius Design Awards 2024, Edida Awards 2024, A’ Design Award & Competition 2025, and the SIT Furniture Design Awards 2025.

ome brands furnish a space, while others redefine it.

Wriver belongs unapologetically to the latter. Born in Gurugram yet globally attuned, the luxury furniture house is a study in contemporary refinement— where sculptural silhouettes, tactile materiality, and precision engineering converge to reshape the vocabulary of modern interiors.

An extension of the distinguished furniture brand Alsorg, Wriver emerged from a shared vision between co-founders Sajal Lamba, Kapil Bharti, Sudhir Verma, and Jitender Singh, who recognised a profound gap in India’s luxury design landscape. Their ambition was bold yet essential: to create a world-class furniture brand that proudly embodies the ethos of ‘Made in India’ on the international stage. Today, that vision manifests in collections that seamlessly merge aesthetic audacity with technological innovation—each piece a quiet rebellion against the ordinary.

A NEW LANGUAGE OF INDIAN LUXURY Since its inception, Wriver has grown with deliberate elegance. Its flagship store in Gurugram, alongside experiential centres in Mumbai, Pune, Gurugram, and Hyderabad, offers immersive environments where design connoisseurs can encounter the brand’s meticulous craftsmanship first-hand. Yet its reach extends far beyond India’s design capitals. Wriver’s ascent on the global circuit has been both organic and impressive, establishing the brand as a compelling new voice in contemporary furniture.

At the heart of this evolution lies the Wriver Design Studio, the brand’s in-house creative nucleus led by Co-Founder Kapil Bharti and Principal Designer Harjot Singh. Here, design is not merely conceptualised but engineered—driven by experimentation, material research, and cross-disciplinary thought.

The studio’s collaborative ethos has birthed partnerships with some of the most insightful minds in the industry, including Studio Sumeet Nagi, Morphlab, MuseLAB, and Hive. Each collaboration enriches Wriver’s design DNA with fresh perspectives, varied stylistic sensibilities, and bold innovation.

THE VALUES SHAPING WRIVER INNOVATION AS INSTINCT At Wriver, innovation isn’t an aspiration; it is foundational.

Every collection is shaped by a forward-looking sensibility— timeless yet distinctly contemporary—responding fluidly to evolving lifestyles and global design conversations.

DESIGN THROUGH COLLABORATION The brand thrives on shared creativity. By partnering with leading architects and designers, Wriver nurtures a culture of intellectual exchange that keeps its collections fresh, relevant, and genre-defining.

CRAFTSMANSHIP IN THE DETAILS From the precision of a joint to the curve of a contour, each Wriver piece is a testament to fastidious detailing. The brand believes that beauty lies in nuance, and it is this devotion to perfection that gives every design its unmistakable identity.

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EMOTIONAL OBJECTS A contemporary Indian fragrance brand shaping spaces through scent, form, and experience.

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Photo: RAD LVNG

AD LVNG did not begin in a factory or a design studio. It began at a dining table. Founded in 2020

by Vineet S Arora and Seemaa Aroraa, the brand emerged from a deeply personal engagement with scent, wax, and intuition. Seemaa Aroraa, Vineet’s mother, played a foundational role in its earliest days, overseeing production, pouring, and process. What started as a familyled craft practice gradually evolved into a direct-to-consumer brand, built with equal measures of emotion and intent.

From the outset, RAD LVNG positioned itself against the growing sameness of the lifestyle and home fragrance market.

Rather than treating scent as a decorative layer, the brand approached fragrance as an emotional medium, one capable of shaping atmosphere, memory, and the lived experience of a space. This outlook was shaped by Vineet S Arora’s observations of global lifestyle and hospitality environments, where scent is often used to create intimacy and identity. In contrast, the Indian market appeared polarised between mass-produced offerings and distant, elitist luxury. RAD LVNG was conceived to occupy the space in between, grounded in the belief that modern luxury should feel expressive, intuitive, and human.

Candles became the brand’s first point of expression.

Working with natural soy wax and carefully balanced fragrance blends, RAD LVNG prioritised mood over novelty and depth over trend. Each candle was imagined as an experience rather than a product, designed to unfold gradually and leave a lasting impression beyond the flame.

As the brand evolved, so did its approach to form. RAD LVNG moved beyond conventional candle designs, introducing sculptural silhouettes and decorative pieces that function as objects of presence even when unlit. This marked a shift in design philosophy, where scent and form became inseparable.

Colour, texture, and shape were treated as narrative tools, allowing each piece to carry character and emotional intent.

Branding and marketing have been approached with similar restraint and clarity. RAD LVNG has remained committed to a consistent visual and emotional language, favouring longevity over momentary hype. Cultural relevance has been built through selective collaborations and considered storytelling. A notable example is the collaboration with Dolly Singh, which resulted in a distinctive collection that resonated strongly with younger audiences and achieved wide visibility across social platforms. Another defining milestone is the Candle Café collection, featuring blends such as Cold Brew, Rose Latte, Lavender Latte, Matcha, and Iced Matcha Latte. These café-inspired fragrances have become some of the brand’s most recognisable offerings, extending its presence across major online marketplaces and quick-commerce platforms.

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beyond products into participatory formats. The brand introduced live perfume and candle-making workshops across Indian cities, inviting participants to engage with fragrance as a creative process. To date, these workshops have reached between 5,000 and 7,000 people, spanning public sessions, corporate off-sites, and private luxury events. RAD LVNG has also curated scent-led experiences for high-end weddings and largescale celebrations, integrating interactive fragrance stations into environments traditionally shaped by décor and entertainment. These activations reflect the brand’s belief that scent is not simply worn or placed, but actively experienced.

In parallel, RAD LVNG built a broader home fragrance universe. Moving beyond candles, the brand introduced Mood Stick incense, fragrance tablets for wardrobes and drawers, reed diffusers, aroma oil blends, and essential oil compositions designed for ambience and wellbeing. Together, these categories allow fragrance to be layered across spaces and moments, creating a sensory ecosystem that adapts to daily rhythms and emotional shifts.

This philosophy finds its clearest expression in the brand’s latest multi-category collection. The launch introduces six distinctive fragrances, each imagined as a character and a visual world, including Tangerine Thief and The Botanist’s Secret. Rather than adhering to traditional perfume hierarchies, the blends are guided by mood, imagery, and instinct. What sets the collection apart is its coherence, with a unified design language flowing across candles, incense, diffusers, and scent objects. It marks RAD LVNG’s first fully integrated sensory universe.

At the core of the brand lies its guiding idea, “For Your Senses and Your Nonsense.” The senses speak to ritual, depth, and conscious presence, moments of pause shaped through scent and atmosphere. The nonsense embraces the quirks, contradictions, and emotional textures of real life, playful, imperfect, and human. Together, they define RAD LVNG’s approach to luxury, not as something pristine or distant, but as something lived in and emotionally resonant.

Looking ahead, RAD LVNG aims to deepen the relationship between fragrance, design, and experience. With plans to expand its product universe while strengthening its presence through workshops, collaborations, and immersive installations, the brand is positioning itself for a global audience.

Rooted in emotion and driven by design, RAD LVNG represents a contemporary Indian voice in fragrance, guided by instinct rather than convention.

RAD LVNG is not about objects that simply decorate a space. It is about shaping how a space feels to live in, offering a slower, more expressive way of inhabiting the modern home.

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Elegant House Raghuvanshi Mills Compound, S.B. Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai-400013.

T: +912224939676

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Airtport Showroom Plot No. 2099 Western Express Highway, Vileparle (E) Mumbai- 400099.

T : +912226150120 87

WORKS : E-7, RIICO Industrial Area, Abu Road - 307026, Rajasthan- India.

T: +91 2974 294792

VISIT OUR ABOVE STORES FOR A SPECTACULAR RANGE OF GEMSTONE COLLECTION.

What if you could stack your dinnerware to make a sculpture?

Pivot transforms your table into a canvas. Stack vertically for drama or arrange horizontally in rhythm. Designed for play and built for versatility, 88 VOL 8 ISSUE 2 it invites you to reimagine the art of setting the table.

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89 at wareinnovations.com Shop The Pivot Collection

Tableware for Modern Homes!

Ware Innovations, a Mumbai-based design house and table decor brand, that is reimagining the things that surround us everyday. wareinnovations.com

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@wareinnovations

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