Designed to IMPRESS

Why did you decide to name it The Charcoal Project?
I think to light up a space is like burning a charcoal and creating some sort of fire to bring in brightness… and I’d like to bring that quality to the homes of my clients. That’s why I called my project The Charcoal Project.

What is so unique about The Charcoal Project vis-a-vis other run-of-the-mill design stores? What do you have on offer for people?
It depends on what style and type of furniture for which they are hunting. We have done a strong eclectic mix of many design worlds. That’s something that I always envisioned. That’s why I took a long time to buy a place. I wanted the height, the tall ceilings and the space that could provide a canvas I had imagined. Since I had never spoken of my ambitions,people were a little shocked by the scale of my enterprise. They weren’t aware that I was doing anything like this. But,I was always of the opinion that I should show them what I have done rather than prematurely talk about what I am doing. God has been kind and everything shaped out the way I had planned and imagined.

What was the inspiration for this project?
The inspiration was to create a concept-driven design store that provides more than just furniture. It provides a theme and a story to each setting so that the client is more aware of how to put things (interiors) together. And we also offer a service whereby we specify and space-plan for a client who has bought a certain amount of stuff from us. We help them place it in their homes. We like to provide them with solutions for the best accessories.

How long have you been working on this?
The store is definitely something that I have been trying to put together for a very long time. It has a very strong sense of design and it’s also been a part of my interior world. I wanted to do something that was very different to what was available in the markets.

But you never spoke about the store.
I’m a very private person. I cannot openly express what’s playing in my mind. I also don’t like to talk about what I am doing till it is in place.

So,why is it different now?
Because now I want to talk about The Charcoal Project. I want people to be aware of my store and of what it has to offer and that they could come here and find solutions for their spaces and homes. I felt that the correct time to talk was after the store was launched and not before that.

Is the store just for celebrity clients?
No. The store is for everyone and we have a varied range of products and prices.

Are you sometimes tempted to escape from all these multiple responsibilities?
Never. I really enjoy what I do. I’m very passionate about my work,and about being a mom and a wife. I think that when you enjoy everything that you do,it becomes a kind of a norm. I don’t feel different to any other mother or working woman.

What about designs…don’t you ever want to move away from all those geometric shapes and colours?
It’s a creative expression and because I enjoy what I do and have been very crazy about the world of design that I’m never bored. I have always been a strong student of design and I’ll always remain one. It’s a lovely space … there’s so much to learn and so much more to provide to the people. When you enjoy what you’re doing,working is a creative relief. So I have been blessed that I have the support of my family,my husband and my teammates at work. I think that it’s a combination of all those energies that has made me come this far.

What is your take on star-wives having starry airs?
I take myself very simply and humbly and don’t look at myself as someone married to a very successful actor. I think it’s all about how we look at things that eventually shapes us. I am thankful for everything that I have got and I don’t want to bring ego into any of my aspects. That’s something that I have learnt from life as well as from my parents.

Which celebrity-home would you love to design?
For me,all clients are equal. It’s not about what they do in their lives or whether they are famous,wealthy or not. My passion is to make the best of my abilities and about bringing out the best in that place.

What’s next?
God willing,we’ll keep expanding and getting better. We’re working on new collections and on in-house dinnerwear and bed- linen that will be very original.

Favorite 4

The star-wife-turned-entrepreneur is passionate about animals. Three of her four favourite installations in her store,The Charcoal Project,throw light on her attachment to them.

* Guiding eagles: Right at the centre of the store,Suzanne has positioned a pack of metallic eagles,creating a staircase pattern that leads to the lower section of the store. The eagles are meant to denote the flow of direction so that people know there’s more to the store than just the upper level. It’s an indirect way of guiding the customers and one of Suzanne’s favourites at the store.

* Twin gargoyles: The carved stone gargoyles lend a Gothic feel to the interiors. They are influenced by the architecture of the New York State Building. The gargoyles face each other,accompanied by a pair of man-eagles that are placed at either end. The gargoyles’ teeth and eyes are made of pure silver foils while the structure is of fibreglass.

* Waterfall: The installation that comprises huge metallic taps with chains was entirely Suzanne’s concept. When she set out to design it,she had never imagined that the end-result would turn out so good.

* Gorilla: Each part of the 8×5.5 feet gorilla is made of car-parts. This installation is also hubby Hrithik Roshan’s favourite. At the store launch,the actor pleaded with his wife to let him take the installation home,but in vain.

anita.aikara@expressindia.com