1. What is the inspiration behind your design firm’s name?
I have always been inspired by art and design. Post studying architecture at the Pillai College of Architecture, I pursued urban design at the master’s level. While working at various architectural firms, furniture designing piqued my interest, especially woodwork. I was fascinated by wood and started designing furniture and creating pieces showcasing local Indian teak. My husband, Dhwanit Parmar, and I set up Alankaram in 2013.
Alankaram, in Sanskrit, means ‘the art of decoration or ornamentation’. The studio customises indigenous, minimalistic designs with precise joinery details, combining the strength of solid wood with a modern range of upholstery. Incorporating traditional design elements into our products by authenticating provincial roots with global design influences, Alankaram aims to redefine luxury for modern lifestyles.
2. What is that one design book/movie you found inspiring?
I found The Architecture of Happiness by Allen de Botton to be motivating and inspiring. The book took me on a beguiling tour through the history and psychology of architecture and interior design. In this book Alain de Botton explores one of our most intense but often hidden love affairs- with our houses and their furnishings. I can absolutely relate to the author when he asks questions like ‘What makes a house truly beautiful?’ or ‘Why are many new houses so ugly?’
3. In what ways does your personality reflect in your designs?
I firmly believe that design is a very personal choice and reflects the personality of the occupants. Keeping this in mind, we create products rooted in tradition with a touch of ‘Indian-ness.’ At Alankaram, our products are an ode to our heritage and culture and yet imbibe a contemporary luxe element. These are conceptualised keeping in mind functionality and attention to detail, especially precise joinery. Apart from being detail-oriented, we ensure that our pieces resonate with the likes and preferences of our clients.
4. What inspires you in your day-to-day furniture studio practice?
Alankaram is a brand driven by values and ethics, and we embrace the same in our day-to-day practice. When we started in 2015, we were just a home-grown furniture design studio with a small 7,500 sq. ft. workshop and a handful of skilled artisans. We don’t create or build for the sake of it. Instead, every element incorporated in the product design has an intention and a purpose, making the furniture robust, durable and honest with materiality. Our entire team, including my husband and me, are actively involved in the minutest of design decisions and joinery details, which is also the USP of our products.
5. Who is your favourite architect/furniture designer?
Sam Maloof
6. Do you have a signature style?
Fusion or blending tradition with modern is what I love. Our products intend to redefine luxury for the contemporary consumer by imbibing traditional design elements. All of this is enabled by authenticating our provincial roots with global design cultures. Our furniture is precisely sized and styled to meet the home’s requirements resulting in a practical design scheme. Alankaram’s bespoke designs are made from sustainable, responsibly sourced materials and have a feel-good vibe, which induces positive energy into the house.
7. The one design philosophy you swear by?
Our design philosophy is based on the triad of Aesthetics, Utility and Strength. In tune with the same, every furniture piece we craft is guaranteed to be visually pleasing, utilitarian and strong. For us, it’s quality over quantity all the time. Moreover, our designs are considered an offering to the world; hence, our creations aim to connect with the people. At Alankaram, we believe in creating furniture designs that have indigenous roots but speak a universal language. As a result, our products permeate a local essence with contemporary finesse.
8. The one design quote you find timeless?
Design should not dominate things, should not dominate people. It should help people. That’s its role.
- Dieter Rams
This quote by Rams remains true in every facet of design. Like timeless design it shifts from the paradigms of restrictive trends and focuses on functionality and aesthetics.
9. A hobby that sets you apart?
There are a lot of things I enjoy doing, including singing, dancing, cooking, travelling and learning. I would not say that any of these set me apart, but it sure makes me happier and adds to my everyday learnings. Discovering something new about myself daily through a hobby boosts my creativity and productivity.
10. A message to those few young practising Architects/designers out there?
Follow your intuition and unique design style rather than going by trends. Trends indeed come and go, but design sensibilities are timeless, so one should follow the same.
11. Which design blog/page/handle do you follow avidly?
None as such.