Rajshri Linesh loves telling a story. Her stories are set in the backdrop of walls, floors and windows. The plot is rich with interesting textures, exotics fibres and exclusive designs that are threaded together with a unique theme or concept. The charming entrepreneur got started in 2007 armed with a course in interior decoration from Jenson & Nicholson and wallpaper collections that were exclusive to her store, The Artisan House. “I started out with specialising in wallpapers. However since clients and friends would constantly ask me to curate entire rooms – now we include solutions for your walls, floor and your windows,” says the 48-year-old who had the soft launch for her revamped and relocated home décor boutique, down Dr Radhakrishnan Salai, in July, and shares that wallpapers continue to trend.
House proud
The 3,000 square foot bungalow is pleasantly uncluttered even as it showcases racks of swatches, walls swathed with textured designs, corners strewn with statement furniture, landings that are cozy with heavy curtains and chandeliers. Stocked with furnishing collections like Romo and Black Editions by UK-based Villa Nova, the store boasts of labels exclusive to The Artisan House. “Every swatch of theirs has a designer behind it,” says Rajshri. As you saunter around the spacious showroom, do note the elegant grey-toned engineered-wood flooring by the European brand, Boen, which is again exclusive to the store. “We work extensively with the hospitality industry – besides residential and corporate,” informs Rajshri, adding that they offer fire-retardant materials too.
Window dressing
Rajshri’s passion for aesthetics has never been curbed with budget restraints. In fact her theory of focusing on the ABC (aesthetics, budget and client) has indeed served her well. A firm believer in recycling, Rajshri is known for giving a new lease of life to old curtains. “I do have to check how strong the fabric is – then it is just about adding some bright borders or converting them into contemporary blinds,” says the designer who also has set aside a space, called the Blank Canvas, in her store for showcasing pop-ups by select brands and products. With plans of starting a service initiative to maintain and clean ceiling to floor window blinds, Rajshri also assures that more global brands will continue to find exclusive rack space here.
Our picks
- From the artisanal Katran Collection, we couldn’t take our eyes off their gorgeous Love Chair. Made from ropes created from the waste from cotton mills, these brightly coloured furniture pieces are part of Delhi-based sustainable label, Sahil & Sarthak, exclusively retailed at The Artisan House for Chennai.
Rs 16,500 onwards.
- Sourced and designed by Rajshri, her range of blinds using banana fibre has our vote. Her creations combine silk, linen and other fabrics to offer unique window adornments. Rs 200 onwards per metre.
- The faux grass that works for both indoors and outdoors - few bare-footed steps on this soft surface and we were not be able to differentiate it from the real thing. Rs 300 per square foot.
At Mylapore, Details: 48506906.