time tested DESIGN

Surrounded by art and architecture as a child, Sarah Sham went on to take the family antiques business in a new direction through her interior design venture

When were you first drawn to design?

SS: My great-grandfather founded Essajees, an art and antiques dealership in Mumbai, over 106 years ago. I have grown up in a fourth-generation family business and have always been surrounded by the most beautiful items and objects; so, the design was very innate to me. I did my Bachelor's from Duke University in North Carolina, US. My time there was very influential because I studied art history and was always surrounded by lots of art. At Oxford, where I was a visiting student, I studied 19th-century French art; looking into the nuances of art and design was very important to me.

What is the story behind Essajees Atelier?

SS: I worked with my dad in the family business for five years, and it was during this time that I decided to become an interior designer, as it would be better than selling furniture. I decided to pursue interiors because of a client of Essajees who really encouraged me to take the leap - she saw I had great understanding of design. This made me go back to school to pursue a Diploma in Interior Design, and then I started my own studio, Essajees Atelier, in 2014.

How has being surrounded by antiques influenced your design style?

SS: Antiques have always been a very important part of my design ideology and style. Having spent time seeing how things were made and the proportions that they were made in, and appreciating craftsmanship, has definitely influenced how we work in our studio today.

Does the studio have a signature style? What type of projects do you lean toward?