India’s design scene has come of age and how. From cutting-edge concept stores like Clove in Mumbai’s art deco quarter, the Swedish giant Ikea in Hyderabad to Delhi’s new, minimalist Studio Objectry, the retail landscape has evolved tremendously. Our country now boasts of design, home and lifestyle stores that are at par with those in Amsterdam, New York and Tokyo. We at AD have compiled an exhaustive and exciting list of shops across seven Indian cities which will elevate your shopping experience to world class standards. Start scrolling now.
MUMBAI
This city is not called ‘India’s capital of cool’ for nothing. Mumbai has an impressive variety of design stores from large format showrooms to artistic, small shops. Clove is a lifestyle store expertly curated by Leela Hospitality’s Samyukta Nair and exclusively showcases young Indian designers across fashion, design and craft verticals. Look out for their novel collaborations; they’ve previously paired architect and designer Rooshad Shroff with clothing label Saaksha & Kinni to create an exclusive collection titled ‘PIXEL.’
NEW DELHI
Known as the foremost shopping destination in India, New Delhi boasts of the biggest retail market. Lifestyle brand Nicobar, has 13 stores across India and the Chanakya outpost may be their best offering yet. The new outpost stocks stylish collections of clothing, home textiles and lifestyle goods in addition to their café collaboration with Caara.
Gautam Sinha just exported his leather label, Nappa Dori to central London and we highly recommend his Dhanmill compound branch for vintage trunks, desk accessories and chic bags.
BANGALORE
The garden city has an impressive array of standalone home stores which are curated with a keen eye. Start at Cinnamon, concept store housed in a grand, century-old structure selling gorgeous artefacts and attractive fashion. Owner Radhika Poddar selects each item personally and is also happy to offer her advice where needed.
Those who love bohemian aesthetic will really dig Sunshine Boulevard in Koramangala which specialises in distressed furniture, sustainable lighting and garden accessories.
For a younger crowd, we recommend you hop over to The Purple Pony nearby. Their ‘grammable planters, animal artefacts and carved furniture will make you feel like you’ve stepped into fairyland. Our last recommendation in Bangalore is Varnam, a design studio by Karthik Vaidyanath which uses the ancient craft of channapatna lacquer toys to make contemporary toys, jewellery, lighting, kitchenware and more. Varnam has two outposts in Bangalore and is making special efforts to bring back a dying Indian craft.
JAIPUR
The city’s rich history of arts and crafts have lead to the mushrooming of several retail stores that celebrates Jaipur’s heritage. Our favourite gem is the C Scheme-based AKFD Storey started by Ayush and Geetanjali Kasliwal that has won numerous retail and design awards. The exquisite furniture and home goods are modern with an Indian soul.
Princess Bhargavi of Udaipur has been running Ashka in the buzzing Narain Niwas Palace compound. This luxury, lifestyle store sells clothing by Polo Factory, home accessories like colourful jute baskets and mother-of-pearl inlay coasters and celebrates all things Rajasthani. IDLI Design is a store headed by French designer Thierry Journo who translates India’s vibrant textiles into Parisian-style furniture and fashion.
Finally, Jaipur Modern is a temple of craft with inlay flooring, embroidered walls and a café serving sumptuous Italian cuisine. All their home linen, fashion and accessories are made by prized karigars—they also curate a great selection of niche Indian labels
PONDICHERRY
This ex-French colony has always had a Parisian flair and the stores here follow suit. Start your shopping at Domus, an antiques and home décor store on Surfcout Street. You’ll find lovingly restored colonial armchairs and pop-coloured dhurries, among other artefacts. Further down on the same street you’ll find an outpost of nation-wide product design chain, Playclan. Their, quirky Indian motifs adorn home décor items and their art make for great collectible items.
GOA
This beach-state has a thriving design scene. Anjuna’s hottest new restaurant, Mahe has a lifestyle store founded by designer-duo Arpan and Aarushi of Kassa. The space is a pleasure to browse through and their most popular items are the magic wallet, lunar jewellery and geometric table lamps
Paper Boat Collective is located in Salgonda and you can spend hours here and leave with empty wallets. From indigo patterned chinaware, vintage chairs to a bohemian collection of clothing and accessories, you’ll want to pack everything into your suitcase.
Freedom Tree’s flagship store is also located in Salgonda—they make gorgeous floral chinaware, graphic rugs to inlay furniture (check out the new Secret Garden collection currently in store).
Fuel up at restaurant Mustard next door where you can never tire from shopping. Founder Anjali Modi opened And So in Porvorim last year and it has something for all design and home aficionados. Their collection is extensive. Think futuristic lamps, funky planters and a wide variety of trendy furniture.
HYDERABAD
When Ikea chose to open its first Indian outpost in Hyderabad last year, it placed the city on India’s design map. Make the trek to Gachibowli to access to their range of affordable home design products. Apart from Ikea, there are other great standalone home design stores in the city. Case in point: Sona Reddy’s Room Therapy. Reddy has impeccable taste and uses Indian craftsmanship to create furniture and home accessories that have an international aesthetic.
If you’re looking to add a pop of colour to your space, Yellow Verandah is an apt shop. Their tiffins, tumblers, masks, scented candles, vases and wall plates are vibrant and easy on the pocket too.
