Let's talk Decor by Beautiful Homes

Clip: Can we as Indians Adapt to Minimalism? #ColourNext

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 06:13:23 +0000

n this clip, Beautiful Homes Editor in Chief Manju Sara Rajan, speaks with our host Rachana about realistic challenges of Minimalism in India.

Please listen to the whole episode to know more about Colour Next by Asian Paints

Clip: 2023 Interior Design Trends #ColourNext

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 04:45:49 +0000

In this clip, Beautiful Homes Editor in Chief Manju Sara Rajan, speaks with our host Rachana about 2023's top design trends to look for.

Please listen to the whole episode to know more about Colour Next by Asian Paints

Bringing back colour into your home décor. And celebrating 20 years of Asian Paints ColourNext

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 00:30:00 +0000

In this episode, we are discussing why neutral has come to signify elegance today, why is the world not a riot of colours it used to be, and why have Indians become afraid of colour in our homes. It is also the best time to have a conversation about colour because Asian Paints is announcing the Colour Of The Year and the decor trends for 2023 this month, as part of their annual initiative called ColourNext. We are talking to Manju Sara Rajan who is the editor-in-chief of Beautiful Homes India and Senior Advisor Design at Asian Paints ColourNext. First, she takes us through the purpose and significance of this initiative which is celebrating its 20 years. Then we also discuss simple ways of introducing bright colours into your home décor and the importance of the right lighting to balance these colours.

Hosted by Rachana Nakra

Produced by Nikhil Dintakurthi

Sound Partner: Smart Voice Studio

Clip: How to clean your wood furniture at home

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 06:56:57 +0000

Furniture Designer Tony talks about how to maintain the wood furniture and what all need to take care in the cleaning process.

Clip: Furniture Designer Tony talks about Tools required for DIY

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 00:30:00 +0000

In this clip, Tony talks to Rachana about, what all tools are required to star the DIY process, they explore what to buy and most importantly, what not to buy.

Tune into the episode 5 to listen to the whole conversation.

Furniture Designer Tony Kordolia on choosing the best wood for your furniture

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 06:26:02 +0000

Which type off wood is the longest lasting? Why mango wood is not the best idea for your furniture? How can you DIY simple pieces for your home? We asked Tony Kordolia, head of production at the Goa-based brand Josmo Studio, everything we could think of about wood and furniture. We also asked him about his unusual journey from MTV Roadies to industrial and furniture design. All of which started because of his love for making things, including bikes, with his own hands.

Hosted by Rachana Nakra

Produced by Nikhil Dintakurthi

Sound Partner: Smart Voice Studio

Clip: Production Designer Amrita on Making the Film Set Looking like a Home

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:30:00 +0000

In this clip, Rachana asks Amrita on What are few things you keep in mind to make a film set visually look like a home?

Clip: Production Designer Amrita on Interior Design

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 10:50:19 +0000

In this clip, production designer Amrita talks about process of taking the personality from the brief and implementing it on a Film Set.

Production Designer Amrita Mahal on using your personality as the starting point for your mood board

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 14:22:33 +0000

From Brahmastra and Kalank to Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani and Wake Up Sid, in her stellar career as an art director Amrita Mahal Nakai has made movies of every scale and size look beautiful. How different or similar is set design from home design? What does she bring from her own life experiences to décor? Bollywood’s favourite production designer Amrita tells us that as it is in life, even in film designing a space is about knowing the personality and character of the person who the space belongs to. And also, the feelings that that space is required to elicit within us, the viewers. In this episode she takes us through it all—her serendipitous journey into this career, designing sets for Karan Johar, vanity vans for Ranbir and Alia, tips on personalising your home, how to create a mood board, her favourite thrift stores around the world and more.

Hosted by Rachana Nakra

Produced by Nikhil Dintakurthi

Sound Partner: Smart Voice Studio

Clip: Lavanya Mohan on 'How to Save your Monthly Income?'

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 00:30:00 +0000

This episode takes the conversation from designing the home to running a household—it includes questions related to finances and the home that you always wanted answers to bit didn’t know who to ask.

Financial consultant Lavanya Mohan on wise budgeting for the household

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 06:05:22 +0000

This episode takes the conversation from designing the home to running a household—it includes every question related to finances and the home that you always wanted answers to bit didn’t know who to ask. Get expert advice from Chartered Accountant Lavanya Mohan on planning a budget for your daily needs and for your indulgences, dealing with inflation and recession, the best time to buy and decorate a home and much much more.

Hosted by Rachana Nakra

Produced by Nikhil Dintakurthi

Sound Partner: Smart Voice Studio

Clip: Sarah Sham on Buying Vs. Renting Furniture

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 00:30:00 +0000

On this episode we have an expert Sarah Sham, to answer all your rental home related questions. She is full of simple tips, ideas and hacks on making your rental home look and feel like your dream home while working on a budget.

Designer Sarah Sham on decorating your rental home on a budget

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 00:30:00 +0000

What are the things you should be looking at in a house before renting it? Is it possible to give a brand-new look to the bathroom on a budget? Which furniture pieces are worth buying, and which ones should you just rent? On this episode we have an expert to answer all your rental home related questions. Sarah Sham is the principal designer at Essajee’s Atelier, one of the most sought-after design practices in the country. She is the best person for this podcast not just for that, but also because we appreciate her first-hand experience—in the last few years she has rented two run-down apartments in south Mumbai and turned them into beautiful, warm homes for her family. She is full of simple tips, ideas and hacks on making your rental home look and feel like your dream home while working on a budget.

Hosted by Rachana Nakra

Produced by Nikhil Dintakurthi

Sound Partner: Smart Voice Studio

Clip: Devika Narain on Diwali vs Christmas Decorations for your home

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 04:26:45 +0000

We sat Devika down to get her expert opinion on flowers, table settings, balcony decorations, sustainable décor ideas, party games and everything that goes behind making celebrations at home with friends and family not just fun, but also beautiful.

If you are planning a Diwali card party or a Christmas/New Year bash in your home, this is the episode to listen to.

Devika Narain on getting your home party ready for the coming season

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:30:00 +0000

We are launching season two of the Let’s Talk Décor bang in the middle of the festive season. Which means we are in the thick of shopping, decorating, feasting and of course entertaining. If you are planning a Diwali card party or a Christmas/New Year bash in your home, this is the episode to listen to.

Our first guest this season is India’s best-known wedding designer, and the founder of Devika Narain and company. Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli are only one of the many celebrity couples who trusted her with their big day. We sat Devika down to get her expert opinion on flowers, table settings, balcony decorations, sustainable décor ideas, party games and everything that goes behind making celebrations at home with friends and family not just fun, but also beautiful.

We are back with Season 2

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 12:30:00 +0000

Welcome to Season 2 of Let's Talk Decor Podcast with our new host Rachana Nakra. In this season, we continue to bring you the most relevant and relatable conversations on decor and design.

Stay tuned for our new episodes, releasing every alternate Thursday.

Vinithra Amarnathan: From Banker to Interior Designer

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 01:56:47 +0000

This podcast is brought to you by Beautifulhomes.com

About Beautiful Homes:

Beautiful Homes Services brings customised interior design to everyone, allowing clients to create their dream homes with expert designers with the end-to-end project management and delivery guarantee you know you get from Asian Paints. If you’d like to know more about BHS and everything else under the décor category of Asian Paints then log on to beautifulhomes.com.

Hosted by Manju Sara Rajan

Produced by Nikhil Dintakurthi

Sound Partner: Smart Voice Studio

Become Your Own Interior Designer Part 3

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 00:30:00 +0000

Understand and accept that design takes time. The only sort of home you can move into with everything perfectly loaded up would be a show flat. Real homes take time to put together. So, exhale… and listen to this episode and learn about How to begin a Mood Board, reach for the experts and few more things that will help you get started in your design process.

Happy Decorating!!!

Become Your Own Interior Designer Part 2

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 00:30:00 +0000

In our last episode we explored why it is important to figure out your interior design style and also where to start that exploration process. Now, onward to step 2.

Become Your Own Interior Designer

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 00:30:00 +0000

Much of our show is going to be about speaking with designers and experts, but the intention is really to help those of you interested in being your own interior designer. Or even if you’re hoping to hire a designer, the starting point of creating a design is figuring out your own style.

In this episode of 'Let's Talk Decor' Manju points out the big question: How? How do I figure out my home design style.

Pinakin Patel: Icon of India Modern Design

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 00:30:00 +0000

In this episode, Manju got to ask him about his approach to design, to difficult clients, to the way he melds art into his spaces, and why, all those years ago, before anyone else, he left the madding crowd and moved away. Expect lots of sass in this conversation, Pinakin is not one to mince words.

This podcast is brought to you by Beautifulhomes.com

About Beautiful Homes:

Hosted by Manju Sara Rajan

Produced by Nikhil Dintakurthi

Sound Partner: Smart Voice Studio

Varun Duggirala, on making space for creativity while working from home

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 00:30:00 +0000

Covid is the biggest design influence since World War 2. Nothing else from the 20th century and certainly not from the 21st has had more impact on the way we live and design our spaces.

In this episode, Manju's going to be speaking with one of the rock stars of the podcasting scene in India - Varun Duggirala on how Working-from-home has changed the way he perceives spaces, consistency in be creative and many more.

This podcast is brought to you by Beautifulhomes.com

About Beautiful Homes:

Hosted by Manju Sara Rajan

Produced by Nikhil Dintakurthi

Sound Partner: Smart Voice Studio

Covid is the biggest design influence since World War 2.

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 00:30:00 +0000

If Covid has been the biggest design influence since world war 2 then work-from-home is its most dramatic result. This is a weird lovechild between an epidemic and our economic system.

Stay tuned to know more about how work from home changed our life forever and if we’ll ever go back to that time when home was for home.

Host: Manju Sara Rajan

Chef Thomas Zacharias, On How He Designed His Home Kitchen

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 04:50:48 +0000

In this episode the award-winning Mumbai-based chef Thomas Zacharias talks about what a professional chef looks for in a personal kitchen space, and how he designed his own home kitchen.

This podcast is brought to you by Beautifulhomes.com

About Beautiful Homes:

Hosted by Manju Sara Rajan

Produced by Nikhil Dintakurthi

Sound Partner: Smart Voice Studio

The Indian Kitchen Is Now More Personal Than Ever

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 00:30:00 +0000

In this short segment, Manju Sara Rajan looks at how the design of the Indian kitchen has metamorphosed from utilitarian to custom-made and the many different kinds of customisations that major brands like Sleek, a kitchen brand by Asian Paints, are now doing for customers.

Vinayak Diwan explains the work of a lighting designer.

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 00:30:00 +0000

The director of Delhi-based lighting consultancy firm Lightbook tells us what a lighting designer does, and why he advises clients to be careful while choosing dark colours for their walls.

This podcast is brought to you by Beautifulhomes.com

About Beautiful Homes:

Hosted by Manju Sara Rajan

Produced by Nikhil Dintakurthi

Sound Partner: Smart Voice Studio

Why you need to pay attention to lighting

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 00:30:00 +0000

Lighting is the single most important, ubiquitous element of design in any kind of home. It doesn't matter whether your house is big or small, whether it's a flat or it's a house. Lighting will decide how a space makes you feel, how you interact with it, even how comfortably you sleep in it. So how can you get it right?

Stay tuned.

Host: Manju Sara Rajan

Are we messy or just disorganised? with Rohini Rajagopalan

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 00:30:00 +0000

In the first episode of Let’s Talk Décor, we’re discussing the sticky problem of organising and storage. To understand the problem and how to solve for it, we’re speaking with Rohini Rajagopalan. Rohini is a certified professional organizer who runs Organize With Ease, India's leading organizing and decluttering service.

Her company works on a wide range of spaces from just wardrobes to offices and homes. Her idea came about, she says, when she kept hearing the phrase, ‘where's the space’ during conversations with friends and family. She was inspired by decluttering icon Marie Kondo to set up her business about five years ago. During this time she and her team have worked on more than 100 projects, transforming spaces and as a result, the people who inhabit them. We wanted to know how she does it, and what advice she has for people who are trying to maintain a balanced home and lifestyle as our residential spaces now have to be school, office and home in one.

Hosted by Manju Sara Rajan

Produced by Nikhil Dintakurthi

Sound Partner: Smart Voice Studio

Ep Zero. Welcome to Let's talk Decor by Beautiful Homes

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 04:10:41 +0000

Here's What to Expect

You’re listening to Let’s Talk Décor by beautifulhomes.com, India’s largest home décor platform, which is a part of Asian Paints. I am Manju Sara Rajan, the editor-in-chief of Beautiful Homes and your host on this journey through the landscape of Indian interior design. On this podcast we’ll be discussing everything you’ve ever wanted to know about home décor, from the small stuff, like how to hang art, to even questions like, ‘how can I sleep better? What do I need to know before selecting the right paint colour?’. We’ll talk to the experts on a variety of these subjects and mop up all their tips, advice and hacks. So join me every week, as we figure things out together.