Classic English Chesterfields upholstered with tropical prints, pickle jars converted into planters, antique Goan shell windows upcycled into a conference table... these are only some of the curious pieces that curator and designer Deena Rodrigues is offering at her brand new store in Indiranagar — Chairs & Company. “We are pretty eclectic in our curation. Nothing is imported or sourced from South East Asia. Every piece is India-inspired and made by artisans from around the country,” she explains.
After 14 years in the corporate field, as an account manager in advertising and a brand marketing manager, Rodrigues decided to pursue her passion for making furniture and interior styling. And so, four years ago, she gave up her day job and as a self-taught freelancer with an architecture firm, she began sourcing and styling for clients. The coastal influences of her childhood in Goa — plenty of natural light and greenery, earthenware accents and a fluid approach to design — are reflected in her work at spaces like Onesta’s first pizzeria in Koramangala and Andhra Kafe in Whitefield. Now, with the new store, her designs can be part of personal home decor as well.
House special
As you enter the store, Pinterest-inspired modern signage is juxtaposed with a two-storey house, complete with garden and porch. Chairs & Company shares space with Bengaluru designer brand House of Three, who have displayed their range of western and ethnic wear for men and women upstairs. Rodrigues is quick to point out that the design of the store was done keeping in mind the quirks of the house. For instance, the architects chipped away the plaster to expose the brick work within, while she hung a range of contemporary minimalistic mirrors on it. Light hangings are crafted from old doors, while the asymmetry of the space has been left intact.
Part of the ground floor is designed like a greenhouse, with glass roofing, and this is where you will spot some of their specialisations — their statement seating and range of inlay work cabinets, consoles and coffee tables. The inlay work is hand-cut and pasted in brass, bone and mother of pearl and comes in bright blues, greys and trendy black and white herringbone patterns. There is also a stunning distressed armchair with printed fabric upholstery that reminds one of Uzbekistan ikat .
Heart of the matter
Rodrigues notes that while the silhouettes are western, the heart of the products is Indian. She attributes this to growing up in Bengaluru, and spending her summers, and every other vacation, in Goa with her extended family. Among the pieces on display are large, traditional ceramic pickle jars and green glass wine jars, placed on industrial shelves. These are more than 80 years old, some from England and Spain, and sourced from her family home in Goa.
The country’s vibrant colours take the place of staid leather and dull colours on a Chesterfield sofa upholstered with printed velvet paisley and bird prints. “We have experimented with different colours, such as a mustard yellow leather, and we don’t shy away from prints either,” she reiterates. The walls currently feature city-based artist Shirley Mathew’s work. Industrial style lighting seems to be the design of choice, but you can also pick from wooden hand-carved lamps, minimalist pendant lamps and vintage tube-lights.
One area of the store is a nod to the millennial obsession with pink. Look out for modern mirrors in dainty glass frames — ‘Memory Keepers’, in which you can stick dry flowers or photos — and multi-functional shelving, great for entryways. Mid-century modern style acacia wood entertainment units and a quirky wooden cabinet made with BMTC bus plates are other highlights.
Custom design
Head upstairs to sample the store’s wallpaper offerings. You can also get a glimpse of their customisation services. Have an old cabinet or chair from grandma? Breathe new life into it here. While a conference table made of Goan shell-lined windows (popular before glass was prevalent) is still in the making, Rodrigues shows us two other finished examples. One is an 80-year-old seat, which has been repurposed into a wall shelf, with its original wood carvings.
The good news is that the prices here are not formidable and you can pick up a statement piece without breaking the bank.
Chairs & Company is located on 11th Main Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Appareddipalya, Indiranagar. Bengaluru. Prices range from ₹780 to ₹2,70,000, excluding GST
