India's Décor Dynasts

How the next generation is upping the game in the decor industry, pushing boundaries amidst moodboards

- – By Anushka Manik –

They grew up amidst mood boards, marble slabs, and master artisans, and now they're adding their own twist to the family legacy.

Meet four next-gen décor dynasts who are not just inheriting design empires but redefining them with fresh vision, bold aesthetics, and a flair for storytelling through spaces.

Saba Kapoor

Co-founder, Nivasa

In the world of design, few names blend legacy, creativity, and modern innovation as seamlessly as Saba Kapoor, Co-founder of Nivasa. Born into a deeply creative household, Saba's design journey began amidst the scent of fresh wood shavings and the quiet hum of craftsmanship. Her earliest memories are rooted in the factory floor, where her father, Rohit Kapoor, would tinker and toil over new furniture designs with a singular passion. “My father's admiration for India’s ancient crafts and his sharp eye for detail shaped my appreciation for the rigour and discipline behind the same”, shares Saba. A pivotal moment came during a school project when she built a model horse stable in the same factory, an experience that ignited her lifelong love for design. With a foundation shaped by India's rich artisanal legacy and a formal education at Parsons School of Design in New York, Saba brought a fresh perspective to Nivasa when she returned to India in 2016.

Her creative sensibility is both intuitive and deliberate, balancing global influences with a deep respect for tradition. Through Nivasa Contemporary, she has redefined luxury by fusing intricate traditional techniques with a refined modern aesthetic. Think corten steel dining tables suspended from the ceiling, or upcycled materials used to craft warm, luxurious environments.

Her collections often feature a thoughtful palette of organic textures like brass, wood, stone, leather; executed in designs that are as emotionally resonant as they are visually striking.