--- title: "In Conversation: My Design Philosophy and Approach at Richa Bahl Studio" description: "Discover my design philosophy on heritage restoration and modern interiors. I share insights on creating authentic, soulful homes that tell your unique story." canonical: https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/in-conversation last_updated: 2025-09-30 --- # In Conversation: My Design Philosophy and Approach Tribe Verified · AD100 2025 recognized design studio. By [Richa Bahl](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio) · Takes projects across India; Visit Design Studio in Bandra West, Mumbai · ₹4,500 ₹ per sq. ft. (estimate) Part of [Heritage Restoration](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/gallery) Design is a conversation that starts long before we ever pick up a tool. Here, I share the stories, memories, and philosophies that help me create spaces that breathe and truly feel like home. ## Photos and videos - ![Design has always been about storytelling for me. This portrait was taken in my studio, a space that is a testament to my journey from advertising to design, driven by a belief that spaces should breathe, evoke emotion, and feel lived-in.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5e9605bd-16cd-4e62-8efb-4fcd1d954e72) - [Video: In this podcast snippet, I talk about my childhood as an army kid. Moving across the country taught me to observe the details, from the immaculate gardens of an army mess to the specific plates used for each meal. This attention to detail became the foundation of my design sensibility.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/48aadaf2-4b27-4677-8082-9443d0c6abed) - [Video: Here are four real tips for any first-time homeowner. My advice is simple: get real advice, don't overdo the lighting, invest in a good bathroom, and most importantly, make the house about you.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/52bb9980-0441-4d25-9a79-8eab2b019a68) - [Video: If you want a home with character that is eclectic, fun, and interesting, then my design approach is for you. This short clip is an introduction to my belief in creating spaces that are anything but run-of-the-mill.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7a4406cf-7bb2-497d-b34c-515b34afc7eb) - ![I'm often awkward in front of a camera, but this photoshoot was just a conversation while walking through the city. The result is a portrait that feels natural and easy, capturing a moment of connection.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/18678fb6-8910-4cca-9c60-093234cbe9e3) - ![Another shot from a relaxed photoshoot. I believe that the best work comes from a place of ease and authenticity, whether in design or in a simple portrait.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6af6d5c3-04dd-443a-a2dd-45b95ff32bf2) - ![The vibrant blue door adds a pop of color and joy. This photo captures a simple, happy moment during a city walk, a reminder to find beauty in the everyday.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dbcd7394-804d-429c-871f-6392908a99ae) - ![A silhouette captured while walking through an old arcade. I'm always drawn to the stories of old structures, the way they frame the light and the life passing through them.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/34efb79d-bca5-4e86-8a44-22d4272b6a93) - ![A quiet moment of reflection against a classic wooden door. My personal style, much like my design philosophy, is about mixing classic elements with a touch of the unexpected.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d68599c9-63ed-49f6-b0db-6f35315504cb) - ![A candid moment during a photoshoot. My journey has been about finding my own voice, and I hope to inspire others to design with courage, honesty, and soul.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e69757d9-c2d7-4a10-be3d-73b956476363) ## About In Conversation Design is a conversation that begins long before we start sketching. When I work on a home, I look for the small, honest details that make a space feel like yours, not just a magazine spread. My approach relies on keeping what works, fixing what doesn't, and ensuring every room feels like a quiet exhale at the end of the day. ### Understanding My Approach I believe in honesty in design. My journey, growing up as an army kid, meant moving constantly and learning to observe how different spaces influence the way we live. Those early experiences taught me that a home should not be a rigid, formulaic box. Instead, it should be a fluid reflection of your life. ### Why I Focus on Heritage and Soul Old buildings have a memory. When I restore a heritage space, I am not trying to overwrite its history or make it look like a showroom. My goal is to listen to the original architecture—the brick walls, the wooden beams, the light—and give it a new purpose. Whether it is an 80-year-old home or a new apartment that needs character, I look for the soul of the place. ### Practical Advice for Your Home Through these conversations, I often share practical, ground-level advice for homeowners: * **Prioritize Function:** Do not overspend on trendy lighting if it compromises the comfort of your living space. Invest in a good bathroom instead. * **Start with You:** A home should be built around the people living in it. If your house feels like a museum, you will never feel comfortable enough to relax. * **Collaborate:** The best projects come from a shared conversation between the designer, the artisans, and the family. It takes a collective effort to bring a vision to life. My studio in Bandra is a living example of this philosophy. By blending old architectural elements with modern comforts, we create environments that feel lived-in, warm, and distinctly yours. If you are looking for a space that values memory over trends, let us start a conversation about what your home could become. ## About Richa Bahl I am Richa, and I believe spaces should feel like an embrace. My work is a mix of intuition, heritage, and the stories we carry with us, always aiming to preserve the soul of a structure rather than erasing it. [See all of Richa Bahl's services](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio) ## More from Heritage Restoration by Richa Bahl - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/featured) - [Our Studio: A Story of Revival](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/our-studio-a-story-of-revival) - [The Restoration Process](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/the-restoration-process) - [A Dhaka Residence: Weaving Heritage into Modernity](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/a-dhaka-residence-weaving-heritage-into-modernity) - [A Calcutta Home: For Family and Memories](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/a-calcutta-home-for-family-and-memories) - [Homes for Storytellers: Celebrity Residences](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/homes-for-storytellers-celebrity-residences) - [International Homes: Global Sensibilities, Local Soul](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/international-homes-global-sensibilities-local-soul) - [Commercial Spaces with Soul](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/commercial-spaces-with-soul) - [In The Press](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/heritage-restoration/in-the-press) ## More services by Richa Bahl - [Architectural Design & Renovation](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/architectural-design-renovation) - [Interior Design & Styling](https://mytribe.in/richabahldesignstudio/interior-design-styling) ## Similar work from other experts - [My Design Philosophy and Process](https://mytribe.in/design_by_darshini/commercial-interior-design/my-design-philosophy-process) by Darshini · Commercial Interior Design · Studio in Mumbai; Takes projects across Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Dubai - [My Design Philosophy: How I Create Soulful Spaces](https://mytribe.in/purviishaahinteriors/hospitality-event-space-design/my-design-philosophy-tips) by Purvi Shah · Hospitality & Event Space Design · Takes projects across Mumbai, Pune, Surat & Delhi NCR; Visit Design Studio in Girgaon - [Featured Architectural Designs and Modern Interiors](https://mytribe.in/spectrearchitects/residential-architecture-interior-design/featured) by Spectre Architects · Residential Architecture & Interior Design · Takes projects across India; Studio in Greater Kailash 2, New Delhi - [Our Featured Architectural & Design Projects](https://mytribe.in/whitestudioarchitects/hospitality-leisure-design/featured) by White Studio Architects · Hospitality & Leisure Design · Takes projects across India; Visit studio in Ghitorni, New Delhi - [A Glimpse Into My Design World](https://mytribe.in/bhavna_jaiswal_official/interior-design/a-glimpse-into-my-world) by Bhavna Jaiswal · Interior Design · Takes projects across NCR and Mumbai - [Living in a Kham Design Home: Client Stories](https://mytribe.in/kham_design/sustainable-residential-architecture/client-conversations) by Kham Design · Sustainable Residential Architecture · Projects across India; Visit Studio in Chamrajpet ## Book To book Richa Bahl, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Richa%2C%20I've%20been%20reading%20your%20design%20philosophy%20on%20the%20website%20and%20would%20love%20to%20discuss%20a%20project%20with%20you.%20Are%20you%20available%3F)