As entrepreneurs, Priyanka and Vishal Shah thrive on life in the fast lane—so much so that sometimes, whether they like it or not, the hustle follows them home. Architects Kasturi Wagh and Vineet Hingorani can attest to this. When the Shahs approached the founders and principals of the Mumbai-based design studio kaviar:collaborative to design their new Mumbai home, they came up with a realistic vision but a less-than-realistic timeline. “Seven days,” says Wagh, to whom the couple was introduced by mutual friends. “We designed the entire home in seven days!” It’s a good thing that neither she nor Hingorani was ruffled by the challenge, even if it meant a whirlwind of late nights, caffeine-fueled mood boards, and rapid-fire decision-making. “We were so deep into it that at one point, I caught myself trying to feng shui my coffee cup for maximum creativity,” Wagh jokes. “But somehow, powered by late-night lattes and pure adrenaline, we brought it all together—though we may never look at coffee the same way again.”
Contrasting Personalities
Luckily, it took only one presentation to get the green light from the Shahs. “Our biggest challenge was convincing them to take a leap and try something different from their old place—we didn’t want the Mumbai home to feel like a copy of the last one. But they were wonderful. When we presented the design and 3D models, they were instantly on board,” says Wagh. While they were comfortable giving Wagh and Hingorani free rein in terms of design, they did have a few overarching caveats: firstly, to keep things stylish yet homely, and secondly, like most Mumbaikars, to make sure every square inch was put to good use. However, arriving at an aesthetic balance that was half Priyanka and half Vishal was easier said than done. “They’re quite different from each other. Vishal is more reserved, thoughtful, and practical—he carefully considers every decision, while Priyanka is expressive and pours her heart into everything,” explains Hingorani. But despite their creative differences, the couple shared a clear vision for their home—a simple yet elegant space full of warmth, character, and soul.
A Lesson In Opposites
Maybe it was a play on the couple’s contrasting personalities, or the notion of somehow subverting Mumbai’s frenetic, bombastic pace, but something inside Wagh and Hingorani told them to look beyond the Maximum City for inspiration. “The idea was to create a serene and grounding sanctuary that provides a peaceful retreat from bustling city life,” Wagh notes. Manifesting calm meant manifesting memories—a crystal-clear lake on a drive up to Alibaug, a childhood picnic beneath a banyan tree, the sky on a blameless summer day—postcards from the Shahs’ past that the architects attempted to recreate with soft curves, luxurious marble flooring, rattan furniture, warm oak tones, and tranquil blue accents.
Cookie-Cutter Conundrum
The Shahs were hands-on, working closely with the architects to bring their vision to life. But that didn’t mean there were no challenges. “Given the limitations of the standard builder plan—where bedroom and kitchen placements couldn’t be altered—our task was to work creatively within those constraints,” says Hingorani, who teamed up with Wagh to establish a cohesive design scheme. Vishal amusingly cites himself as another obstacle. “Trying to challenge the placement of every object in the house led to Kasturi reminding me, ‘Vishal, you’ve hired us for a reason—let us help you!’” he recalls. Wagh recounts the inclusion (or lack thereof) of colour as another point of contention. “We had to convince them that we couldn’t possibly have bright pops of colour in their bedroom—or anywhere else for that matter,” she laughs. As for whether all that effort paid off, Priyanka nods emphatically. “We’ve got so much love for our new place from friends and family, and we owe a big thanks to Vineet and Kasturi for their patience and open minds. The final result is about 95% of what we originally envisioned, which is pretty impressive.” No easy feat indeed.
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