Esha Bhandari is a distinguished Design Professor and Interior Decorator & Designer who has been making significant strides in her field for the past five years. With a B.Sc. in Interior Design, a Master Diploma in Kitchen Designing, and a Certified Set Designing course under her belt, Esha has successfully blended academic knowledge with hands-on experience to explore and implement various design principles and techniques. Her journey into the world of design was inspired by a deep-seated passion for art and creativity. The intricate patterns on walls, the beauty of nature, clothing designs, and wall decorations always captivated her. Creating home decor products started as a hobby and soon blossomed into a career, driven by her desire to transform spaces into something both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
When embarking on a new project, Esha places a strong emphasis on natural lighting. She believes that understanding how light interacts with a space is crucial as it significantly influences the placement of furniture and the overall ambiance. Her primary goal is to ensure that the space is comfortable and meets the client’s requirements, making them feel genuinely at home and at ease. Balancing functionality with aesthetics is achieved through meticulous attention to detail. Every element, no matter how minor, is carefully considered to ensure it aligns with the functional needs while enhancing the visual appeal. Esha consistently incorporates the principles of rhythm and balance into her work, creating harmony and a sense of cohesion within the spaces she designs.
Esha’s creative process begins with extensive case studies, market research, and literature reviews to stay abreast of current trends. Once ideas are gathered, she creates inspirational boards for the client. The next step involves detailed designing of each furniture piece, ensuring it adds value and enrichment to the space. After finalizing all drawings, including 2D, 3D, and animations, the execution phase begins. Once the furniture is in place, Esha focuses on the decor, which she considers the most beautiful part of the design process. Adding elements like art and plants brings the final touch to the site, creating a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing environment. Her sources of inspiration are diverse, ranging from patterns found in nature, clothing, and jewelry to various forms of art. Esha often sketches these patterns and incorporates them into her designs, creating unique and personalized spaces. She also stays creatively engaged by continuously creating home decor products and selling them. This practice helps her stay in tune with market trends, understand what people are looking for, and identify the latest preferences in design.
A common challenge Esha faces as an interior designer is the influence of Pinterest. Clients often have unrealistic expectations based on what they see online. To overcome this, she educates clients about the practicalities of their vision, providing visual examples and detailed explanations to help them understand the feasibility and potential outcomes of their desired designs. One particularly challenging project involved a client insisting on an island kitchen with a sink within a cramped 8’ x 10’ space. After exploring various solutions like breaking walls and extending backyards, nothing seemed feasible. Ultimately, Esha drew the plan on the floor and asked the client to move within the outlined space. This practical demonstration helped the client realize the impracticality of their idea, and they were able to find a more suitable solution together.
Esha observes several emerging trends in architecture and interior design. Bold wallpapers paired with simple interiors are becoming popular due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of customization. The use of curves in design brings a modern and joyful atmosphere to spaces. Mirrors are also a significant trend, repurposing old scraps to create larger interior views and utilizing space more effectively. Esha is particularly excited about kitchen gardening, which offers a blend of functionality and sustainability that she is eager to learn more about and incorporate into future projects.
Sustainability is a crucial aspect of Esha’s designs. She prioritizes reusing and renovating old furniture using paints and materials like jute. Adding plants as decor elements also enhances the sustainability of a space. Modular furniture is a top priority for her due to its flexibility and mobility, which allow for easy relocation and reuse. This practice ensures that furniture remains functional and aesthetically pleasing, even after moving to a new space.
Esha’s approach to collaborating with clients involves getting to know their family, hobbies, and lifestyle. By understanding how much time they spend in different areas and their expectations, she can tailor the design to meet their needs effectively. One notable project involved a client who needed a family room with a mirror for her daughter’s Kathak classes, an art area, and ample storage. Esha designed a storage unit with sliding shutters. When open, the shutters revealed the mirror; when closed, the unit displayed two wardrobe shutters with family images and pin boards for art displays, meeting all their needs in one multifunctional space.
One of Esha’s favorite projects was a collaboration on her first freelancing project, “OMKAR.” This project holds a special place in her heart as it allowed her to use all her skills to their fullest. Each furniture piece was enhanced with details, and no area was left empty. The space featured curves, pentagons, cane, and metal artwork, creating a unique and intricate design. Esha advises aspiring designers to create their own works, arts, and patterns. She emphasizes the importance of continuously sketching out ideas and building a portfolio of unique creations. While taking inspiration from other websites is fine, she encourages aspiring designers to develop their own work and patterns. For those starting out, she recommends focusing on sustainability and modular designs, as these practices are increasingly important in today’s design landscape.
Esha hopes that people take inspiration from the decor elements of her work, understand why certain elements were introduced, and gain a deep understanding of the art. She is currently excited about finalizing her first Restro-Bar project, which marks her first venture into restaurant design. This project presents new challenges and opportunities to innovate, making it an exciting next step in her career.
