TAHIR SULTAN

A RENAISSANCE MAN WITH A FLAIR FOR THE OUTRÉ, HALF-KUWAITI, HALF-INDIAN DESIGNER AND CHEF TAHIR SULTAN WELCOMES AD INTO HIS BOLD AND BROODING JAIPUR APARTMENT.

- VAISHNAVI NAYEL TALAWADEKAR

TAHIR SULTAN STANDS AT THE ENTRANCE OF HIS JAIPUR HOME-ON EITHER SIDE OF THE STAIRCASE ARE POTS MADE BY A LOCAL COMMUNITY OF POTTERS, WITH WHOM HE REGULARLY COLLABORATES. THE PINKISH TONE OF THE WALLS IS A NOD TO THE PINK CITY.

ALL THE LIVING ROOM FURNITURE WAS DESIGNED BY TAHIR HIMSELF, AND EXECUTED AND UPHOLSTERED BY A LOCAL CARPENTER. THE FAR WALL FEATURES A PAIR OF WALL ANGELS" THAT TAHIR CREATED USING STRING AND BAMBOO WINNOWING BASKETS. AHEAD OF IT, A POT SOURCED FROM THE DESERTS OF WESTERN GUJARAT TAKES PRIDE OF PLACE ATOP A NAGA SIDE TABLE. TO THE LEFT, AN OLD WINDOW GRILLE FINDS NEW LIFE AS A WALL INSTALLATION. THE COFFEE TABLE, DESIGNED BY TAHIR FROM A SINGLE BLOCK OF WOOD, DISPLAYS AN ANTIQUE BRONZE BOWL ORIGINALLY USED FOR TEMPLE OFFERINGS, A SILVER FLEA-MARKET TRAY, AND A RUSTED METAL COG-REFASHIONED AS A CANDLE HOLDER-WHICH TAHIR SALVAGED FROM A CAR JUNKYARD.

THE GUEST BEDROOM FEATURES A KING-SIZE BED DESIGNED BY TAHIR, AND ABOVE IT, A WALL ANGEL. NAGA GRAIN POTS FLANK EITHER CORNER OF THE BED, WHILE A TALL POT, SOURCED FROM THE DESERTS OF WESTERN INDIA, STANDS GUARD TO THE RIGHT. THE TABLE HOLDS AN ARRANGEMENT OF OLD SPITTOONS AND NAGA STOOLS THAT DOUBLE AS CHEESE BOARDS.