My Life in Design: Raseel Gujral Ansal
Celebrated interior designer Raseel Gujral talks to Houzz about how love for art and design runs deep in her blood
This series takes a look at the aesthetics, influences and practices of some of India’s biggest names in the field of architecture and design.
Designer at a Glance
Name: Raseel Gujral Ansal
Firm name: Casa Paradox
Design style: Gujral defines her style as ‘original glamour’ with a hint of ethereal traditions.
Photos courtesy: Casa Paradox
Designer at a Glance
Name: Raseel Gujral Ansal
Firm name: Casa Paradox
Design style: Gujral defines her style as ‘original glamour’ with a hint of ethereal traditions.
Photos courtesy: Casa Paradox
Who has been your greatest influence?
Undoubtedly, it would be my father (artist Satish Gujral). At 91, he continues to work every single day. He has an open mind and has explored everything from canvas to architecture. What more can a child ask for in terms of inspiration?
What kind of projects do you like to take on?
At the moment, my ideal project would be a palace in Rajasthan or a state house in Delhi. The ideal client to accompany this project would be someone with an open chequebook.
What trends do you foresee in 2017?
I see more of a ‘fluid contemporary’ look being showcased. It is a blend of contemporary and classical elements. A popular one that is on its way out would be 50 shades of grey.
Undoubtedly, it would be my father (artist Satish Gujral). At 91, he continues to work every single day. He has an open mind and has explored everything from canvas to architecture. What more can a child ask for in terms of inspiration?
What kind of projects do you like to take on?
At the moment, my ideal project would be a palace in Rajasthan or a state house in Delhi. The ideal client to accompany this project would be someone with an open chequebook.
What trends do you foresee in 2017?
I see more of a ‘fluid contemporary’ look being showcased. It is a blend of contemporary and classical elements. A popular one that is on its way out would be 50 shades of grey.
What are the design mistakes to avoid?
The most important is to avoid amateurs. I firmly believe that if you pay peanuts you’ll get monkeys. Second, don’t try too hard. If something doesn’t come easily, let it go. Third, avoid trying to do too many things all at once. For example, making one room modern and the other traditional is a big no-no in my books. Lastly, if you’re going to use colour, use it with a lot of sensitivity. Make sure you consider the shade, its placement in the house and the accompaniments that go along with it.
Apart from that, there isn’t any real cardinal rule. You need to remember everything you know and then toss it out and do what feels right.
The most important is to avoid amateurs. I firmly believe that if you pay peanuts you’ll get monkeys. Second, don’t try too hard. If something doesn’t come easily, let it go. Third, avoid trying to do too many things all at once. For example, making one room modern and the other traditional is a big no-no in my books. Lastly, if you’re going to use colour, use it with a lot of sensitivity. Make sure you consider the shade, its placement in the house and the accompaniments that go along with it.
Apart from that, there isn’t any real cardinal rule. You need to remember everything you know and then toss it out and do what feels right.
International brands or Indian?
Indian product designers like Prateek Jain and Gautam Seth of Klove are doing a tremendous job in the lighting arena. Exhibit D by Gautam Dhawan and Diya are also doing some interesting stuff in metal. D’decor and Atmosphere are great for fabrics, but the latter is not consistent when adding to its line.
There are niche designers doing semi-precious stone slats that I find interesting at the moment. Everybody comes up with something nice now and then but there aren’t too many Indian players that I feel are consistently doing something that is of interest to me.
Indian product designers like Prateek Jain and Gautam Seth of Klove are doing a tremendous job in the lighting arena. Exhibit D by Gautam Dhawan and Diya are also doing some interesting stuff in metal. D’decor and Atmosphere are great for fabrics, but the latter is not consistent when adding to its line.
There are niche designers doing semi-precious stone slats that I find interesting at the moment. Everybody comes up with something nice now and then but there aren’t too many Indian players that I feel are consistently doing something that is of interest to me.
What’s the project you are most proud of?
I absolutely love the house I live in. I believe that when you are in any form of applied design, you have to analyse your client’s aspirations and then assimilate your own sensibilities into the design. However, when I was doing this for myself, especially after having worked on so many varied projects, it was important to synthesise it down into a true statement of all the things that move me. Hence, my personal space allowed me the freedom to truly explore my creative leanings in every way possible.
I absolutely love the house I live in. I believe that when you are in any form of applied design, you have to analyse your client’s aspirations and then assimilate your own sensibilities into the design. However, when I was doing this for myself, especially after having worked on so many varied projects, it was important to synthesise it down into a true statement of all the things that move me. Hence, my personal space allowed me the freedom to truly explore my creative leanings in every way possible.
What’s your next project?
The most exciting thing we are working on is a 70-acre project in Goa. It is for the Imperial Hotel family and we just finished designing nine high-end villas, ranging from 9,000 to 12,000 square feet. This is the first phase and we will be going to the market in June 2017. The second phase then starts off with 20 villas of 5,000 square feet each, followed by a beach house and club. This is the most interesting project on my plate as I love the client, the canvas and the design vocabulary.
Read more:
My Life in Design: Shabnam Gupta
My Life in Design: Ashiesh Shah
Tell us:
Share with us your decor preferences – opulent and vibrant, or pastel and minimalist? Write in Comments below.
The most exciting thing we are working on is a 70-acre project in Goa. It is for the Imperial Hotel family and we just finished designing nine high-end villas, ranging from 9,000 to 12,000 square feet. This is the first phase and we will be going to the market in June 2017. The second phase then starts off with 20 villas of 5,000 square feet each, followed by a beach house and club. This is the most interesting project on my plate as I love the client, the canvas and the design vocabulary.
Read more:
My Life in Design: Shabnam Gupta
My Life in Design: Ashiesh Shah
Tell us:
Share with us your decor preferences – opulent and vibrant, or pastel and minimalist? Write in Comments below.
I was born into a family of artists, so it was a given that I would end up in one of the creative fields. I started out specialising in interior architecture and then moved into furniture and graphic design. It has been a natural progression over the past 32 years.
Given your family lineage, has there ever been any pressure to succeed in the arts?
I have never faced any pressure from my family but there has always been an inner desire to succeed. I am not used to coming second, so failure was never an option.