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Journalism of Courage
In a pocket of London, behind the brick façade of a traditional townhouse, lies acclaimed musician Anoushka Shankar’s home. It’s a space that holds the story of her life lived across continents.
Having grown up in different parts of the world, Shankar had a clear vision when she started designing this space. She wanted her home to reflect all sides of her identity—British, Indian, Californian—and to feel, in her words, “fully like my home, in all ways, culturally and otherwise,” she told Architechtural Digest. The result is a space that’s rich with jewel-toned colours, grounded in London’s classic architecture, and softened by elements that recall California’s airy lightness.
Despite telling herself she wouldn’t buy a “doer-upper,” she laughs, admitting she ended up with exactly that, a beautiful, historic home that needed more than a fresh coat of paint. “As is the nature with these old houses, we had to do a lot more than a few cosmetic things,” Anoushka explains. “But in the end, I feel like it’s our home. And that the electrics aren’t going to burn us down, which is good!”
The home represents a growing nest for her family. Compared to her previous homes in areas like Clerkenwell and Shoreditch, this new place feels more suburban, more settled. “It feels like a gentle move towards a real family home for me and my kids,” she shares. “It’s a proper London townhouse. It feels very grown-up—but I sort of feel like I’m pretending at being a grown-up.”
Still, the house suits them perfectly. Unlike vertical city apartments, this space gives each person room to breathe. With multiple floors, there’s enough privacy so that when her kids are being particularly noisy, she can retreat elsewhere. “That’s really nice,” she says, smiling.
One of her favourite corners is a ground-floor room that doubles as a recording studio and creative workspace. From her seat, she can look out over the garden, a view that inspires the more introspective side of her artistry. “I like coming into this room for thinking and dreaming,” she reflects. “The colours and light here are soft, very conducive to beautiful thoughts.”
Shankar has been living in this house for just under a year, and though it’s still relatively new, it feels right. “I saw a lot of houses at the time,” she recalls, “but this was the one that felt warm and welcoming, like it wanted us to be here.”
From textiles that nod to her Indian heritage to the sun-soaked palette inspired by her time in California, Anoushka’s home is a beautifully layered space that tells her story without saying a word.
