House Style: Charu Gandhi

Charu Gandhi was born in Delhi, went to school in Singapore and is now a Riba-registered architect whose practice capitalises on historical and cultural influences. With commissions ranging from London to Shanghai, she creates bespoke interiors for private clients and residential developers. She has worked with Savills on Elicyon’s projects at the Chelsea Barracks development.

Where do you live?
My husband and I have recently relocated to Barnes from Chelsea, where we were for 10 years, with our two young children. As we’d never lived south of the river before, we made the decision to rent rather than buy, so we could try the area before committing. We had a clear vision of what we wanted and, after months of searching, finally found a home that offers more space for our family while being close to my parents and the Elicyon studio. My husband in particular was drawn to Barnes for the villagey feel and the beautiful architecture of the houses.

Can you describe your house?
It’s a semi-detached red-brick Victorian house built in 1874, with lovely scale and proportions. We love the flow and sequence of spaces across the three floors and the quaint, unmodernised feel. Since moving in, we have worked hard to make it as cosy as possible – it will be our home for the next few years. First and foremost, we want the overall design to be a testament to our commitment to authenticity. We are also determined to avoid unnecessary waste in the redesign. 

As a result, we are sourcing most items from auctions and preloved sites or directly from craftspeople, while also taking cues from the beautiful Victorian architecture and original features. We want the house to symbolise the journey we have been on as a family, showcasing precious collections of art, ceramics, sculptures, furniture and some of the pieces I have from Indian artists. While the house remains a work in progress, our aim is to create a space that reflects our values, with each room telling a story.

Do you have a signature design style?
With every project, I aim to create considered, curated and characterful spaces. This doesn’t limit us to one aesthetic in an Elicyon scheme, but instead encompasses a standard that we use to build on our clients’ vision. Our work is inspired by the story of the property and the people who occupy it. I want to bring exquisite interior couture to life, something that really speaks to a client’s dreams and aspirations for their home, full of personality. Above all, a design must be authentic to the client.

Which are your favourite suppliers, shops and markets?
When furnishing a house, I really enjoy sourcing pieces from fairs, galleries and markets. Lorfords Antiques, 8 Holland Street and the Ardingly antiques fair are just a few of our favourite spots in the UK for giving an air of heritage to a space. 

I travel to international fairs such as Salone del Mobile in Milan, Art Basel and the TEFAF events in Maastricht and New York for unique pieces.

Any key figures who have influenced you?
My architectural background remains a constant source of inspiration, with a focus on 20th-century architects such as Carlo Scarpa, Tadao Ando and Oscar Niemeyer. My formative years at the Architectural Association continue to act as my strongest professional influence, and notable from that time is Rachel Whiteread’s work, which taught me about the void and negative space. That translates into my desire to leave space in my work: I am not afraid of it.

What’s the most unusual request a client has made?
Recently, we have been commissioned to create a parrot room – our client breeds endangered species. This has added a whole new level to the design process!

Are there any pieces of art or furniture you’d like to own?
I have a long hit list that changes frequently. I’m currently coveting a piece of furniture by the designer Khaled El Mays, a pair of 1956 Giuseppe Scapinelli armchairs and a hand-embroidered artwork by Viraj Khanna. Also on my list are a piece by the artist Isabelle van Zeijl and jewellery by Viren Bhagat.

Do you collect original art?
I have a few works by contemporary Asian artists and I love photography. I also have a small collection of artisan glass and ceramics, and a bronze sculpture created by my dear friend Diana Peyton. I am currently eyeing up a piece by Jonas Peterson, an AI artist, to add to my collection.

If you could save only one thing in a fire, what would it be?
My jewellery. I was born in Delhi and grew up around a rich tapestry of craft – most of my jewellery is traditional Indian and inherited. I’ve come to appreciate jewels as something meaningful through family stories. I also own pieces created by my mother, who trained to be a silversmith. She doesn’t sell her work, so the jewellery I’ve inherited from her is so important to me.

Elicyon

Pictures from top: Charu Gandhi; an Elicyon project in Regent’s Park; another in Chelsea; Lorfords, a favourite source of antiques; and Elicyon at Chelsea Barracks