My Houzz: Delhi Designer Couple's Treasure-Filled Home
Custom furniture, travel finds and pieces with an emotional value suffuse designers Preeti and Mike Knowles' home with oodles of character
Aditi Sharma Maheshwari
16 April 2018
Blogger, dog mom
Preeti and Mike Knowles are interior designers, potters and the business partners in their New Delhi based furniture store, The Hidden Gallery. Both are Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts. Mike is passionate about design education and Preeti is a prolific designer.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Preeti and Mike Knowles, and Preeti’s mother
Location: New Delhi
Size: 280 square metres (3000 square feet); 4 bedrooms; 4 bathrooms; 1 powder room
Interior designers: Preeti and Mike Knowles of The Hidden Gallery
Photos by Mrigank Sharma Photography
Preeti and Mike Knowles moved from the United Kingdom to India in 2000 and spent some years at a rented farmhouse in Chattarpur, New Delhi. Eventually they decided to call India their home and have a house of their own. “During the house-hunting days, Saket wasn’t on my list of places to see, because I thought it was too congested. One day my broker insisted on showing me this house, so I made the trip and was quite pleasantly surprised. This home with two levels provided ample area for our family of five (she, her husband, two daughters and mother); plus, the lower level always remains cool; a big bonus in a hot city like New Delhi,” Preeti says. They moved into this spacious, light-filled home in 2006.
Who lives here: Preeti and Mike Knowles, and Preeti’s mother
Location: New Delhi
Size: 280 square metres (3000 square feet); 4 bedrooms; 4 bathrooms; 1 powder room
Interior designers: Preeti and Mike Knowles of The Hidden Gallery
Photos by Mrigank Sharma Photography
Preeti and Mike Knowles moved from the United Kingdom to India in 2000 and spent some years at a rented farmhouse in Chattarpur, New Delhi. Eventually they decided to call India their home and have a house of their own. “During the house-hunting days, Saket wasn’t on my list of places to see, because I thought it was too congested. One day my broker insisted on showing me this house, so I made the trip and was quite pleasantly surprised. This home with two levels provided ample area for our family of five (she, her husband, two daughters and mother); plus, the lower level always remains cool; a big bonus in a hot city like New Delhi,” Preeti says. They moved into this spacious, light-filled home in 2006.
The two-level apartment is a bright space that proudly displays many of their own furniture creations, lighting pieces and ceramics, as well as collectibles and art. The lower level houses all the formal entertainment areas, along with a guest room; the level above is reserved for private bedrooms, the kitchen, and informal dining and lounge areas.
The home’s aesthetic emerged from careful consideration. It’s a decor that’s a balance between the European style, which Preeti and Mike love, and Indian elements. A walk through the home reveals a well-curated collection of art and antiques, and custom furniture designed by the couple themselves.
Paint: Dulux; furniture: The Hidden Gallery
The home’s aesthetic emerged from careful consideration. It’s a decor that’s a balance between the European style, which Preeti and Mike love, and Indian elements. A walk through the home reveals a well-curated collection of art and antiques, and custom furniture designed by the couple themselves.
Paint: Dulux; furniture: The Hidden Gallery
The living room on the lower level has a classic, modern vibe – its white shell is dotted with eye-catching works of art, custom seating and pops of colours. “This home’s decor has been organic and it keeps changing every few months. For many years that wall behind the main sofa used to be red and I couldn’t imagine it to be any other colour. Then one fine day I got really tired of it and wanted the whole room to feel lighter, so I changed it to grey, which today is a very fashionable colour,” Preeti says.
“The neem-wood bench has a special place in my heart; it was made as a part of our Live Edge Collection almost 20 years back. This piece has seen a lot of weathering and rain over time … it was once dumped outside in the garden. I decided to rescue it and bring it back in,” she says.
The centre table was designed by Mike. “It’s designed as a white metal wrap – the table is inspired by the body of an aeroplane,” Preeti says.
Here’s how to lay out your living room
“The neem-wood bench has a special place in my heart; it was made as a part of our Live Edge Collection almost 20 years back. This piece has seen a lot of weathering and rain over time … it was once dumped outside in the garden. I decided to rescue it and bring it back in,” she says.
The centre table was designed by Mike. “It’s designed as a white metal wrap – the table is inspired by the body of an aeroplane,” Preeti says.
Here’s how to lay out your living room
The seating on the opposite side of the living room continues with the classic look.
“This Persian carpet is quite old and is a piece of my heart. I bought it from a carpet supplier in the UK who used to do a lot of projects with us … I believe it’s a soumak (a special kind of a weave). Often, I’ve considered getting it repaired but I am so concerned that it’ll start looking new again – and I don’t want that. I love the fact that it looks time-worn,” Preeti says.
Leopard painting: Kohlart Gallery; furniture: The Hidden Gallery
“This Persian carpet is quite old and is a piece of my heart. I bought it from a carpet supplier in the UK who used to do a lot of projects with us … I believe it’s a soumak (a special kind of a weave). Often, I’ve considered getting it repaired but I am so concerned that it’ll start looking new again – and I don’t want that. I love the fact that it looks time-worn,” Preeti says.
Leopard painting: Kohlart Gallery; furniture: The Hidden Gallery
Right outside the living room is the formal dining room. The table, chairs and upholstery are from their studio, and the black chandelier was found at an antiques warehouse.
“The ceiling design across the home was inherited. It featured a lot of woodwork, which I painted white. Quite frankly, I prefer simpler-looking ceilings,” Preeti says. The large painting on the wall behind the dining space is made by their friend Simon White – it’s a view of their studio, situated in a garden. “The ones on the right are done by Alan Halliday; he specialises in water colours. He’s done a lot of paintings for the Royal Ballet and Royal Opera,” Preeti says.
Take a look at these 8 stunning chandeliers
Paintings: Alan Halliday, Simon White; dining table, chairs and upholstery: The Hidden Gallery
“The ceiling design across the home was inherited. It featured a lot of woodwork, which I painted white. Quite frankly, I prefer simpler-looking ceilings,” Preeti says. The large painting on the wall behind the dining space is made by their friend Simon White – it’s a view of their studio, situated in a garden. “The ones on the right are done by Alan Halliday; he specialises in water colours. He’s done a lot of paintings for the Royal Ballet and Royal Opera,” Preeti says.
Take a look at these 8 stunning chandeliers
Paintings: Alan Halliday, Simon White; dining table, chairs and upholstery: The Hidden Gallery
On the lower level is another open-plan space used for working, lounging and enjoying coffee and conversations by the large windows.
“This is not the original layout of this space – this was earlier an external area that we took in and covered. The weather is never really right in Delhi: it’s either too hot or too cold. So we extended the walls, moved the windows out and covered this area to create a lounge space. It still feels like a semi-outdoors area because of all the glass and the courtyard with all the plants situated right outside,” Preeti says.
A compact study to the left of the slim partition wall stays bright and airy, with a spacious feel, thanks to the large window that punctures the dividing wall, connecting it to the lounge.
Painting in the study: Shantanu Lodha; furniture: The Hidden Gallery
“This is not the original layout of this space – this was earlier an external area that we took in and covered. The weather is never really right in Delhi: it’s either too hot or too cold. So we extended the walls, moved the windows out and covered this area to create a lounge space. It still feels like a semi-outdoors area because of all the glass and the courtyard with all the plants situated right outside,” Preeti says.
A compact study to the left of the slim partition wall stays bright and airy, with a spacious feel, thanks to the large window that punctures the dividing wall, connecting it to the lounge.
Painting in the study: Shantanu Lodha; furniture: The Hidden Gallery
The study overlooks the courtyard, too, and stays well-lit during the day. The black pendant was picked up locally. “I just loved how quirky it looked,” Preeti says.
Desk: The Hidden Gallery
Desk: The Hidden Gallery
The sofa and white wooden Scandinavian chair are of their own design, while the red leather pouffes were picked up during travels to Turkey. The centre table belongs to Preeti’s mother. Several works of art take up the wall space, making the room look like a mini gallery. “I picked up the embroidered Suzani artwork from Turkey; the painting of a boat was bought in Goa,” she says.
Painting: Allan Halliday; Lamp: Hatsu; side table: Eileen Grey; furniture: The Hidden Gallery
Painting: Allan Halliday; Lamp: Hatsu; side table: Eileen Grey; furniture: The Hidden Gallery
The courtyard is their green oasis, and “maintaining this area gives me great joy,” Preeti says.
Deck chairs: The Hidden Gallery
Deck chairs: The Hidden Gallery
The wall at the bottom of the staircase is enhanced with small niches lit from within. “The big ceramic pot was made in our studio. There are a lot of other such pots and planters inside the house. This is Mike’s and my personal passion, as we both were potters once … Mike still indulges in it,” Preeti says.
Check out these under-stairs planning and decorating ideas
Ceramics: The Hidden Gallery
Check out these under-stairs planning and decorating ideas
Ceramics: The Hidden Gallery
The floor above is also a smart, modern space filled with pieces designed by their budding designer daughters, who are currently studying and working abroad.
“The blue wooden chair kept on the left has an emotional value. It was made by us, and my older daughter and her friend picked it up for their school project and painted it in a pop art style. Although our daughter has moved abroad, we still keep this piece in the dining area,” Preeti says.
The dining area has a mix-and-match design narrative, accompanied by a few eclectic elements. Take, for instance, the imported white Italian chairs that are combined with the custom wooden table. Behind the dining table is a wooden console made in solid teak in light finish, which draws the eyes to the corner of the room. Along the same line of sight, the grey and cream doors stand out.
Dining light: Lightbox; furniture: The Hidden Gallery
“The blue wooden chair kept on the left has an emotional value. It was made by us, and my older daughter and her friend picked it up for their school project and painted it in a pop art style. Although our daughter has moved abroad, we still keep this piece in the dining area,” Preeti says.
The dining area has a mix-and-match design narrative, accompanied by a few eclectic elements. Take, for instance, the imported white Italian chairs that are combined with the custom wooden table. Behind the dining table is a wooden console made in solid teak in light finish, which draws the eyes to the corner of the room. Along the same line of sight, the grey and cream doors stand out.
Dining light: Lightbox; furniture: The Hidden Gallery
The lounge area outside the younger daughter’s bedroom has a laid-back, casual vibe with custom grey, white and printed sofas. The centre table is made in wood, oiled and waxed.
Painting: Shantanu Lodha; lamp: Decon Lighting; furniture: The Hidden Gallery; furnishings: Pink Elephant Studio
Painting: Shantanu Lodha; lamp: Decon Lighting; furniture: The Hidden Gallery; furnishings: Pink Elephant Studio
The younger daughter’s bedroom is a well-lit space, underlined with soft colours and dainty lines. “I wanted this space to look a little feminine … the design of this room was a joint effort by me and her. The bed with the curving headboard was specially designed by us, the trunk kept in front was sourced from a local shop and the floor mirror is from our Anokhi Range,” Preeti says. As both her daughters have moved out, the regular updates to the decor of both their bedrooms are now done by Preeti.
Furnishings: Pink Elephant Studio; mirror and bed: The Hidden Gallery
Furnishings: Pink Elephant Studio; mirror and bed: The Hidden Gallery
The older daughter’s bedroom has a light palette, lightly peppered with pop colours. The pale-green wall, beige headboard and the white sheets are given a lift with the printed cushions and the bright-red bookshelf. “This room’s current phase is my design. The red bookcase is made by us and the painting above the bed is her own – she made this when she was in school,” Preeti says.
This home is a gallery of the designers’ best works, close-to-the-heart art pieces and travel finds. Their home also answers the question: What makes a house a home?
Furnishings: Pink Elephant Studio; bookshelf and bed: The Hidden Gallery
Read more:
Surajkund Houzz: Sensitive Design Brings Together a Large Joint Family
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
This home is a gallery of the designers’ best works, close-to-the-heart art pieces and travel finds. Their home also answers the question: What makes a house a home?
Furnishings: Pink Elephant Studio; bookshelf and bed: The Hidden Gallery
Read more:
Surajkund Houzz: Sensitive Design Brings Together a Large Joint Family
Tell us:
What did you like most about this home? Tell us in Comments below.
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Beautiful home for amazing people.
Beautiful personalised home.