Mad about mumbai

With our Trending pages, embark on a curated design journey across 6 Indian cities, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Faipur, Goa and Kochi. With forewords from the country’s favourite decor custodians, and a glimpse into the secret addresses, beople and places from design insiders that call it home, it is the ultimate guide to everything you need to know about these cities

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SHABNAM GUPTA

INTERIOR DESIGNER, FOUNDER, PEACOCK LIFE

Bombay, as it was called earlier, is my city of birth. My grandfather took refuge in Bombay in the ‘40s and the city has given us a lot over the years, most important of them, a place we call home. I grew up in the filmy suburb of Juhu, and since my family was also from the film industry, I grew up with many other Bollywood kids. It was a great childhood filled with memories of gallivanting around the neighbourhood, climbing trees, watching movies at Chandan and hanging out at Prithvi for plays and food... Later, I studied design at Rachna Sansad in Bandra, started my design practice from Andheri and married a boy from Juhu, further cementing my relationship with my city of birth.

To quote Suketu Mehta from Maximum City, “I have lived in Bombay, I have lived in Mumbai, and sometimes I feel like I have lived in both of them at the same time.” Bombay became Mumbai, but the essence of the city has not changed for me. I love the spirit of Mumbai and its people, the city has something to give everyone and since it never sleeps, one always feels safe here, no matter what the time of day (or night) is. And more than anything else, I love the Mumbai lingo – casual, musical and emotional, we have even used some lines in our projects!