“We are firm about not taking projects where we do not resonate with the clients,” says Disha Bhavsar, Principal Designer of Quirk Studio. When she had first crossed paths with her now business and design partner, Shivani Ajmera, they had not imagined their venture to take off like it did. Today, ten years later, they delivered unique residential designs like Sea House and Garden Six in the dense metropolis of Mumbai. Most of all, they have the privilege of choosing who they work with.
In the past decade, modern Indian homes are becoming increasingly chic and stylistic, and Quirk Studio has worked relentlessly to establish themselves in this niche. To closely understand what makes this FORBES 30 under 45 (2023) duo exemplary, we decided to delve deeper into the layers…
“We are firm about not taking projects where we do not resonate with the clients.“
– Disha Bhavsar, Principal Designer, Quirk Studio
A Serendipitous Partnership
“We first met when we were honing our skills as interior stylists (Shivani) and writers (Disha) at Elle Décor”, Disha revealed, smiling ear-to-ear as recalled their stint at the international magazine’s Indian office. “While working on a sizable event together, we happened to have a chance conversation about our future goals and realised that our shared enthusiasm for design and aesthetic philosophies were remarkably congruent.”
One conversation – that is all it took for them to take a plunge and lay the foundation for Quirk Studio. They embarked on a journey into the unknown, without so much as a consultation from their superiors.
“This mix of spontaneity and instincts are what got us started, brought us here and keeps us going even today; it is what we are known for.“
– Shivani Ajmera, Principal Designer, Quirk Studio
“Having worked together on a couple of projects, we were privy to each other’s temperament even before the inception of Quirk Studio”, Shivani continues, where Disha left off. “This formative familiarity set the ground for the great camaraderie we share on the work front today. So essentially, we are colleagues turned partners who became great friends, and today, we are like family to each other.”
Disha is the anchor of Quirk Studio, while Shivani’s obsession with detail has come to be the main ingredient for their USP. Shivani remarks, “This mix of spontaneity and instincts are what got us started, brought us here and keeps us going even today; it is what we are known for.”
Quirk Studio finds its roots in the confluence of individuality and spunk of India’s diversity. But, at the heart of their business is mentorship. A team of senior interior designers helm design decisions and guide their junior designers to help realise their vision for projects. Concurrently, an operations unit handles the administrative aspects of the office.
Both principals stand by the idea of refraining from counting the tangible contributions of every team member in a project. They strongly believe that each team member brings something unique to the table and that everyone has their time of creative highs and lows. Therefore, instead of tallying individual inputs, Quirk Studio focuses on cultivating an environment of unity where a project is manifested as a shared vision.
“Someone who is rigid in their mindset and stifles growth with numerous ‘don’ts’ may not align with our emphasis on open-mindedness.“
– Disha Bhavsar, Principal Designer, Quirk Studio
“Someone who is rigid in their mindset and stifles growth with numerous ‘don’ts’ may not align with our emphasis on open-mindedness”, Disha says.
“We swear by our trust in intuition and instinct; we have never over-thought or second-guessed our decisions and choices beyond a point”, Shivani avers. “Without sounding too philosophical, our compass has consistently been our inner voice, and that is our story. Having said that, we are persistent and don’t give up easily. We have navigated tough challenges where many might have yielded, but we always hang on.”
Within the Walls of Quirk Studio
The workspace of Quirk Studio reflects their design ethos- a subtle elegance imbued with distinct character. Situated on the ground floor of an old building, the daily grind of Quirk Studio folks commences with a leisurely passage through a verdant front porch that guides them to the primary entrance.
Upon crossing the threshold, visitors are welcomed by a gracious waiting area and foyer, thoughtfully furnished with a cosy seating alcove basking in the gentle glow of a sunlit window. This area effortlessly transitions into the studio’s central workspace, seamlessly linked to their respective private workspaces by way of an enchanting reclaimed wood double door. On most workdays, you’ll find Shivani and Disha at their substantial six-foot-long wooden work table – unless they have on-site engagements or are in the throes of discussions with the team in the primary workspace.
The studio’s bustling idea lab is their adjacent conference room, where they actively participate in animated brainstorming sessions with the team, pooling diverse, creative thoughts. This collective and interactive creative process serves as their launching pad for projects, uniting them as a cohesive entity known as Quirk Studio. Even while designing their habitat, they retained its rustic charm but layered it with elements that rendered it personal. For instance, Disha and Shivani layered the existing wooden doors and tiled floors with nubby upholstery, vintage gadgets and buoyant art.
Designing Abodes for a New India
“We have seen a dynamic shift in the desires of a modern Indian homeowner, mainly due to the influence of globalisation on lifestyle choices”, Shivani posits. “This exposure has enabled clients to solidify their vision, reducing guesswork for designers and fostering a clear direction. Clients often entrust us because they seek innovation rather than replication.”
To that Disha adds, “A contemporary Indian home is no longer limited to a mere dwelling space but has become an extension of the individual’s persona. So, we consider it our responsibility not just to create eye-catching spaces but also to ensure that they align with the lifestyle and aspirations of the homeowners.”
The design philosophy of Quirk Studio delves into the idea of continuous evolution. But generally speaking, their work can be categorised as contemporary, modern, and minimalist creations, often sprinkled with a touch of flamboyance. They have a firm belief in shaping spaces that embody their design principles, employing a rich array of textures, colours, and diverse elements.
“We have seen a dynamic shift in the desires of a modern Indian homeowner, mainly due to the influence of globalisation on lifestyle choices. This exposure has enabled clients to solidify their vision, reducing guesswork for designers and fostering a clear direction. Clients often entrust us because they seek innovation rather than replication.“
– Shivani Ajmera, Principal Designer, Quirk Studio
Shivani has been in awe of French innovator, Phillippe Starck. His ability to infuse an element of surprise into his designs has consistently served as a wellspring of inspiration for her. On the other hand, Disha’s muse has been Geoffry Bawa’s repertoire of nature-imbibed architecture. Given these sources of inspiration, it is hardly surprising these designers concoct spaces that are breathtaking and utopian.
Their conviction lies in the ability to infuse a sense of opulence into a home through thoughtful and understated design choices. The cornerstone of Quirk Studio’s design aesthetic revolves around balancing functionality with timeless appearances, creating enduring and classic designs. Nature serves as a profound inspiration, leading them to establish a strong connection with their surroundings and weaving narratives that harmonise with the physical context.
To assume because Quirk’s Studio signature style is steeped into eccentricity and so, their work must be predictable would be wrong. “We avoid attempting to enforce a specific style or predetermined features into our designs by letting the organic essence of the space dictate our path. Whether the backdrop is an Art Deco building or a modern structure, our creative ideas seamlessly integrate these influences”, Disha concludes.
