Abu and Sandeep are now house doctors, and here's all you need to know about it

In the 40 years that designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla have been in the industry many can boast of owning outfits designed by the duo but only a select group of friends and family live in a home designed by them too Known for their Indian maximalism aesthetic even those who donrsquot follow fashion have seen a bold glimpse of their style with the decor of Mumbairsquos T2 airport a collaboration with Skidmore Owings amp Merrill SOM a NewYorkbased global architecture firm that designed the airport for GVKThe designers now want to formalise their love for designing spaces with the launch of A Wonder Room Through this the designers wish to present their curation of pieces created in collaboration with artists across genresmdash sculptors carvers metal artists fine artists even photographersWhile this project will be headquartered in North Goa ldquoWe plan to convert a home into a living gallery in Moira or Mapusardquo their first imposing project is their new flagship store opposite Metro Cinema The designers have restored the heritage neoclassical building Framjee Cawasjee Institute leased from the Institute which used to be defaced with brand flex banners that would rent the heritage space until now Art Deco doors now greet you as you enter the 20000 sq ft space with 30ft high ceiling restored to its original glory Mubarak Baug which demands multiple visits to soak in Every corner speaks of craft and art and couture pieces also try to get your attention simultaneously There are flowers made using shola craft leftover gota murals on the walls executed by Shiloh Shiv Suleman handmade brass screens and floating lamps that used 2500 kg of brass in total photographs of scenes from Mumbai by Viraj Nayar and moreAbu Jani Sitting and Sandeep KhoslaldquoWersquove been house doctors for many years If I see somethingrsquos wrongly placed in a space itrsquos going to bother me Thatrsquos where the house doctoring began And wersquove always had a passion for home interior But this flagship store presented the best opportunity to showcase our vision for A Wonder Roomrdquo says Khosla While looking for a space the designers tell us that their mandate to Reliance their partners was to find a landmark which could be restored back for the cityldquoWe honour ourselves as artists and clothes have always been the priority In our 40th year we said letrsquos make some other priorities as well We are collectors And A Wonder Room is about collection and curation maximalism done right Because people usually confuse kitsch and gold with maximalismrdquo says Khosla Money canrsquot buy you a good aesthetic feel the designers and they have a beef with the Indian design industry labelling all Indian design as ethnic rather than globalldquoIf you go to the Milan interiors fair there so many Indians buying the same Italian sofa for Rs 20 lakh instead of buying a painting by an Indian artist which costs much lesser Itrsquos because anything Indian is always called ethnic but the right direction can make it contemporaryrdquo says Khosla The crafts are very alive in India and Indian designers can help the craftsmen become a part of the international design dialogue The Taj Mahal can be made in India today too says Khosla ldquoThe artists are there you need the means patience most importantly good aestheticrdquoThe designers will work across craft clusters in India to design for the home space ldquoYou might call our ideas eclectic maximalist but the homes we have designed 30 years ago look contemporary even today Design requires editing and layering This store is original in thought and Indian not inspiredrdquoHow does one edit maximalism we ask One needs to have an eye they say to know when enough is enough ldquoOur crafts stories which have inspired artist Shine Shivanrsquos commissions for the designers offer many possibilities but we need accept them first Any home you go to today they have the same white walls with a few photos or paintings and books put together on a shelf But our crafts offer a spectacle that can move beyond clothes to our daily lives too Itrsquos about creating art and fantasy that comes from our landrdquo Khosla sums up