It's a wild world

WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF THIS AND THAT, SHABNAM GUPTA'S WORK AS A DESIGNER, AND FOUNDER OF PEACOCK LIFE, IS A LAYERED RENDITION OF COLOURS, PRINTS, TEXTILES, ART AND HEIRLOOM PIECES

- PRAGNYA RAO

A quiet, pebble-lined walkway leads you to a scarlet framed door, which swings open to reveal a flight of stairs that leads to the mad, mad world of Shabnam Gupta. I pass by her room, a deep red cocoon, which she has turned into a shrine for all her favourite things. There's a lingering fragrance wafting through (which I later found out is something Shabnam is trying to pin down the source to). The waiting area is equally layered, and I must add a masterclass in mix and match. Here, two brick red, chequered sofas sit against the Prussian blue wainscot and custom-pigmented, lime plaster walls. Across it, are two Indian mooda chairs brought to life with some artistic painting. The space is brimming with art and accessories, and yet, not once does it overwhelm you. It's an absolute riot-boisterous, unapologetic and brimming with joy. "Your space reflects how joyfully you live life," says Shabnam as she walks in wearing the warmest smile, and a delightful fuchsia pom pom in her hair, "I have lovely friends, every time they find something whimsical, they get me a piece of it," she laughs as she settles onto the couch.