Archana Rao and Nikhita Alluri’s Banjara Hills outlet reflects their aesthetic taste
The exterior view of the store. Customers are often seen hanging out here.
When designer Archana Rao and her partner Nikhita Alluri took possession of their Banjara Hills store, it looked like a “kabaadkhaana”, says Nikhita. Today, the 4,700 sq. ft space is a reflection of Archana’s aesthetic taste and her want for a homely ambience.
The structure, which used to be a nursing home earlier, had been abandoned for a long time. In February, they turned the place into a workshop with Archana’s office and the rooms for the hand embroidery work while the machine work is done downstairs.
There are two entrances to the back workshop space so that the workers can easily walk into the space, without disturbing the customers. Archana and Nikhita worked with interior designers Megha Rao and Raveena Chitturi for the designing the space. Archana says, “My vision for the store was to have a non-commercial space, like a studio area where people could come in and experience my label and the ideology behind it. The space is decorated in a humble manner with a few quirky details here and there.”
A beautiful sit-out area with a lotus pond welcomes one into the store and it was done to give a “homely” look to the store. “We tried to keep the outdoors as natural as possible. I’m a nature-loving person so we wanted this green spot outside the store,” says Nikhita.
The store has a vintage look to it with an old Britannia box on a shelf or the gramophone that has been with Nikhita’s family since ages. “I’m a big collector of vintage items and we displayed them just perfectly along with the merchandise. Some of the furniture was even sourced from thrift stores,” says Archana.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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