Shalini began her career as an architect. After qualifying from the Delhi School of Architecture and Planning (SPA) in India, she moved to New York to study Urban Planning at the University of Columbia. The next destination in Shalini’s career was London, where she completed her Masters in Virtual Reality in Architecture at the Bartlett School of Architecture. Not long after settling down in London, Shalini started designing homes for friends, which marked the beginning of her career as an interior designer. How would you describe your personal interior design style? Maximalism inspired by mid-century modern and Art Deco. Where does your design inspiration come from? People I meet whilst travelling. From the Maasai tribe cultivating the age-old customs in Kenya, fearless guides in the Amazonian forest in Peru all the way to the charming owners of local taverns in Greece – all these people have incredible stories to share, interesting angles from which they observe everyday life. It’s like a kaleidoscope of different gazes looking at the same picture yet seeing different images. I am often inspired by my clients. A lot of them come from interesting backgrounds. When you start working on a project you develop a unique connection and I am always grateful for the opportunity to learn from others. One client, for instance, is an art collector and it is thanks to her that I discovered some brilliant artists and galleries that I collaborate with in my current projects. What products/services could you not live without when designing? A sharp pencil, tracing paper, scale ruler, plenty of daylight and fresh coffee, of course. In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense? Sustainability, self-expression and conceptual interpretation of what surrounds us – this triptych will certainly define the next decade of design. When it comes to the future of design in hospitality, we first need to acknowledge some lifestyle changes that happened over the course of last two decades. People have very limited personal time, yet they still crave the same richness of experience as they used to in the past. We may not have enough time to visit a baker, a grocer, a fishmonger and a newsagent all in the course of a short lunch break but we still yearn for this kaleidoscopic experience. Understandably so. That is why eclectic concept stores and restaurants have enjoyed a wave of popularity in recent years as they allow individuality and accessibility to thrive under the same roof. In this light, the aim
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of design will be to make navigation around these places a unique and seamless experience; from delineating the overlapping zones dedicated to different experiences to assuring the uniqueness of each of its components. How important are The Design Awards as recognition of talent and achievement? Having your work recognised with prestigious awards, such as The Design Awards, is certainly an important moment for every interior designer. This year, I couldn’t have been more grateful to design et al for awarding us the Design Society International Designer of the Year and the Best City Space awards. These special moments give me a chance to pause, reflect and fully appreciate the wonderful journey I have shared with my team, clients and family. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months? In the next year, I look forward to expanding our portfolio into new business areas and geographic locations. We are already growing at an amazing rate with wonderful creative projects worldwide, including a farmhouse in Delhi, a luxury resort in Sonoma, California, a 26,000 sq ft villa in Dubai, several houses and restaurants in London, and apartments in New York. Expansion into boutique hotels, flagship designer stores and offices are also in our plans. Final thoughts – tell us a little more about yourself… Your favourite place to travel to in the world? Peru and the Amazonian jungle. I fell in love with the great wealth of cultures and traditions of this vast country and its otherworldly natural reserves when I first visited it with my family. Second time round, I discovered more of its varied folklore present in traditional textiles, dance and music, which convey a sense of thankfulness for growth and interconnectedness with the natural world. Your favourite food and drink? I take an active interest in wellness and this also translates into my favourite food and drinks. I enjoy food that is nourishing, satisfying and bursting with nutrients. A combination of avocado, coriander and roasted pumpkin seeds on rye bread is one of my favourite morning recipes. I do have a sweet tooth too; I love Turkish baklava and halva as well as freshly baked French pastries.