time tested DESIGN

Surrounded by art and architecture as a child, Sarah Sham went on to take the family antiques business in a new direction through her interior design venture

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When were you first drawn to design?

SS: My great-grandfather founded Essajees, an art and antiques dealership in Mumbai, over 106 years ago. I have grown up in a fourth-generation family business and have always been surrounded by the most beautiful items and objects; so, the design was very innate to me. I did my Bachelor's from Duke University in North Carolina, US. My time there was very influential because I studied art history and was always surrounded by lots of art. At Oxford, where I was a visiting student, I studied 19th-century French art; looking into the nuances of art and design was very important to me.

What is the story behind Essajees Atelier?

SS: I worked with my dad in the family business for five years, and it was during this time that I decided to become an interior designer, as it would be better than selling furniture. I decided to pursue interiors because of a client of Essajees who really encouraged me to take the leap - she saw I had great understanding of design. This made me go back to school to pursue a Diploma in Interior Design, and then I started my own studio, Essajees Atelier, in 2014.