The Born Identity

Erika and Peter Born are global nomads with a taste for art, and a talent for rapidly turning houses into homes with warmth and personality. visits their Mumbai residence

- Genesia Alves

They say some people can ‘read a room’—but Erika Born can also author one. In the last few years, the Born residence has become as much a hub for intimate sit-down dinner parties, as a chance for guests to delight in their home’s gorgeous aesthetic, which includes the couple’s formidable art collection featuring contemporary artists from across the world.

Erika is admired for her ability to conjure up wonderful menus, fantastic environments, and to seat the table with a fine balance of individuals and their interests for optimum mutual curiosity and maximum conversation. She makes it look easy, but as a self-confessed nomad, she knows—when you land in a new city, it all begins with the house.

The Borns have honed the process to perfection. Four weeks of intensive house hunting, four weeks to furnish it, from carpet to chandeliers and there you have it—it is time for a housewarming. Erika says, “I go into an apartment and know exactly how it will look in less than half an hour—how it has to be, what has to be changed. I make very quick decisions. The space always turns out exactly as I imagined it.” This precision has drawn gasps of envy. Erika chuckles at the memory of a guest who said, “I can’t handle this! You’ve only just moved in but everything looks like it was made for this home. I’ve been living in the same place for years and nothing fits!”

TRAVEL DIARIES