Designer Interiors

by DUKSANGH SHERPA

FROM ISSUE # 170 (February 2010) | IN THIS ISSUE
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Interior designing may be a new trade in Nepal, but traditionally Nepali homes have always had a functional aesthetic.

Today, the interior designing market is growing as people have begun to realise the need and importance of creating "beautiful indoor living spaces" as Kunal Lama calls them.

Though a restauranteer, Kunal is currently helping to renovate Hotel de l'Annapurna. His own café Mitra, designed by himself, is one of the most beautiful hangouts in town.

Kunal says it is all about using creativity and technical solutions within a structure to make it functional, practical, and attractive as per the client's wish along with a touch of the designer's
own style.

"But the problem with this field is that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder," he cautions, "which means that very often, the designer and the client do not see eye to eye."
Interior designing is more of a passion than profession, and the good thing about this is that it need not be a nine to five job. Kunal Lama is very particular himself, and the paintings, carpets, furniture in his room are all positioned precisely. It is this eye for detail and harmony that has made him a recognised name in the world of Nepal's interior designers.

Siddharth Gopalan is another established interior designer. Educated at the Gujarat institute of Environmental Designing, he has been working for the past 11 years in Kathmandu. Some of his best-known works are the Roadhouse café, La Dolce Vita, Dhokaima Café and our very own WAVE office at Himalmedia.

"God is in the details," is all Siddharth has to say, and he has put this motto into practice in his designs. He is religious about good detailing, and this is apparent in the industrial, factory-like mood of his interiors.

When Siddharth started interior designing in Kathmandu, it was not considered a profession. Initially, he had his share of struggle, but now as times have changed, he believes interior designing has good potential in Nepal. He says, though its very mentally involving and stressful, its an enjoyable job. He keeps himself updated with the latest in interior décor to always produce good results. He waits for clients to give the necessary requirements, then he works on a concept/theme, comes up with a plan, visits the site and then starts designing. Different spaces have different requirement and different requirement have different concepts/themes, and Siddharth says it is necessary to first apprentice to gain essential experience.  

At 26, Varun Rana, a budding architect and interior designer, sums up interior designing as catering to the client aesthetically. The University of Washignton graduate says every designer wants the work to be his, but in reality, he has to blend in with what the client wants.

"Designing is a responsibility you have to take very seriously and who you owe that responsibility to is your conscience," says Varun. The disadvantage is that while selling designs one has to make compromises to the clients' taste. The advantage is that, you leave a little of yourself behind.

"People don't see what you do, but they feel it."  Ultimately, Varun dreams of establishing an internationally accredited designing school that will teach students how to change, transform, and beautify spaces.

Varun, Siddharth and Kunal all agree that patience is the most important characteristic that designers need. Formal education along with passion is important for more richness as it improves the quality of work. Time and payment varies from one project to another, but if you are trying to be rich from this profession then it's the wrong attitude.

Interior designers start making serious money only after they are recognised, and this will happen only after a portfolio of excellent work is created.