Sarita Handa, has opened the doors of a new store in Ahmedabad, signifying yet another milestone in the brand’s three-decade evolution. Located at Sindhubhavan Marg, a tony locality underscored by the finest in hospitality, dining and wellness, the store exudes all the markings of the brand — grandeur with a touch of understated luxury. New juxtapositions of colours, shapes, textures and finishes that mirror the artisanal approach of the brand are expressed across sumptuous ranges of bed and bath linen, precious objets d’art, lighting, rugs, furniture and décor collectables.
Stepping away from the conventions of a traditional showroom, the sprawling store presents an immersive, impactful and interactive retail experience for the discerning aesthete. It is thoughtfully designed to inspire through the comfortable display of every product category. Set behind an imposing double-height glass façade uplifted by blackened wood, the 2,400 sq. ft. sun-drenched space is infused with an elegant blend of pristine whites and neutral, earthy tones. An interplay of taupe checkered flooring and arches of varying sizes incorporated as a recurring motif across the store further the delicate balance between tradition and refined, modern design.
At the helm of the store design, designer and long-time collaborator Amith Chhabra of Studio LCD arrived at a modern-classic aesthetic to reflect the immensity of the house of Sarita Handa. “For the Sarita Handa store in Ahmedabad, we’ve intentionally kept the design clean and simple. We specifically opted to go with white walls and very neutral colours since they act as the perfect canvas to truly reveal the exceptional craftsmanship, tactility of textiles, and richness and depth of the embroidery”, says Chhabra.
The idea of lifestyle is conveyed the moment one sets foot in the store, where the eye is drawn to a plush reception area with lounge seating. Here, a singular monolithic front desk crafted from a large block of polished Indian stone sits in front of a statement wall. An artful installation in itself, the accent wall puts forth the first glimpse of the brand through a profusion of framed fabric swatches from Sarita Handa’s iconic textile collections.
Meandering through various ‘spaces within spaces’, one is engaged with a visually rich narrative that encourages the spirit of discovery. The experiential journey takes visitors through concept rooms designed to resemble a living area, dining room and two bedrooms. These presentation spaces—luxuriantly furnished with a delightful plenitude of sofas, side tables, art objects, rugs and shelves adorned with Sarita Handa’s unmatchable cushions—effectively express and interpret contemporary design and styling in signature Sarita Handa style.
“Every nook and corner across the store is well-planned in terms of design. We’ve made the space feel like it’s your own. It then becomes easier for a client to engage, understand and visualise their home,” Chhabra explains.
Over the last three decades, the eponymous brand and vision of veteran designer Sarita Handa has been positioned and resolutely established as a leading brand in luxury home decor. It has inspired the world with a fresh and contemporary take on Indian crafts as it continues to supply some of the foremost global retailers. Now in its tenth year as a retail venture with five stores in India — Two in New Delhi and two in Mumbai — the House of Sarita Handa has been responsible for shaping design sensibilities and leading the way for a more design-forward future.
The launch of its fifth store in the heritage city of Ahmedabad is eminent and felicitous. “Ahmedabad is the hub of creativity, textiles, design and business. Besides, Gujarat itself is a state of cultural heritage. We just knew we had to have a presence in this state, as this is something that the brand truly represents and resonates with,” says Sarita Handa, Founder and Creative Director, Sarita Handa.
