Out of the Box

Beyond the gates of 174B in Sector 9 lies a tranquil zone,very different from the bustling road that leads to it. The property boasts of not just dense foliage and an enviable collection of potted plants including bonsai but also houses well-known designer Karishma Singhal’s studio. The designer now has company with her equally talented sister Vatsala,who is marking her debut with a design studio and a gallery.

A sparkling white pebbled pathway leads us to InBloom (quite aptly named). The first thing that strikes you here is the array of lamps that dot the interiors. Styled like a living room — rugs and pouffs on the floor,funky lamps in corners,and shelves lined with interesting artifacts — InBloom does offer eclectic options for home decor. “I have always been fascinated with doing up interior spaces but was mostly disappointed when it came to the choices that Chandigarh offers,” says Vatsala. It’s hard not to agree with the young entrepreneur when she makes that remark. There are just a handful of stores that offer anything different from the usual,and looking for a house warming or even an anniversary gift is quite a back-breaking task. It’s for such occasions that InBloom is a winner. The prices too are pocket-friendly and start at Rs 150.

“Most of the products have been customised for InBloom,” says Vatsala,as we walk through the studio eyeing a wooden bench,black metal bowls in varying sizes with neon accents to large brass thaals and platters. “We often come across interesting products in interior magazines but can’t find them here in the city. That’s where I would like to step in,” says Vatsala who customises products for young couples setting up their home to those looking to give their interiors a makeover. The lamps are quite an attraction here and have been sourced from a German couple who specialise in product design. “We will be adding to our catalogue almost every month and will also bring in labels that so far aren’t available in the city,” says Vatsala. In that list is avant-garde jewellery designer Suhani Pittie,whose offbeat designs will be showcased next month. “I love to travel and most of the wooden artefacts that you see here have been brought in from the Northeast,” adds Vatsala,as we notice the custom-made stools made from brass and finished with silver plating.

Mixing traditional elements with contemporary designs seems to be Vatsala’s forte and here’s hoping it only blooms with time.