Design With Soul: Residential Interiors & Restoration
This is a glimpse into my design world. These spaces are built on stories, memories, and a deep love for heritage. Every corner here holds a piece of our journey.
This sun-drenched living room in Dhaka was designed to feel both grand and intimate. The high ceilings and large windows bring the outside in, while the curved sofa, custom furniture, and layered textures create a space that invites connection and conversation. It’s a perfect example of curated maximalism, where every piece has a story and adds to the soul of the home.
In this Calcutta home, the living room needed to hold the energy of a full-hearted joint family. We mixed earthy tones, worn-in woods, and vintage finds to create a space that feels generous and grounded. The elegant chandelier adds a touch of old-world charm, balancing nostalgia with a modern way of living.
A bedroom should be your personal retreat. For this Saratoga home, I designed a sanctuary with a classic four-poster bed, an intricately designed inlay console, and warm, textural layers. The vaulted wood-beamed ceiling adds a sense of rustic grandeur, making the space feel both cozy and expansive.
I believe in making a strong first impression. The entrance of the 'Inde Blue' home uses a bold, deep green to create a jewel-box effect, drawing you into the space. The classic checkered flooring and paneled walls are a nod to timeless design, creating a dialogue between the old and the new from the moment you step inside.
This is the kitchen in my own studio, a space I brought back to life from an 80-year-old forgotten structure. I kept the soul of the building intact, exposing the original stone and brick walls. The space is a testament to my love for heritage restoration, blending rustic mitti finishes with functional, soulful design.
Bathrooms are mood-lifters. In this Saratoga home, the master bath was designed to be a spa-like escape, with a freestanding tub overlooking the lush hillside. The mix of wood, brass fixtures, and textured tiles creates a feeling of quiet, functional luxury.
Designing for actor Aditi Rao Hydari was about capturing her elegant and graceful essence. This living space is a play of pattern and color, with vibrant floral fabrics and a geometric rug that feel collected and full of character. It’s a space that is serene yet joyful, perfectly reflecting her personality.
My design philosophy is 'curated maximalism'. This is not about clutter, but about creating a rich tapestry of colors, textures, and objects that bring you joy. This home in Dhaka is a journey through that idea, where every corner has a place and every object tells a story.
Even the smallest corners can hold the biggest feelings. This quiet reading nook in my studio is my personal happy place, where sunlight streams in through the window. It’s a simple corner with a few of my favorite things, a reminder that a home is built from moments of peace.
This is the story of my studio, a space that was silent for 40 years before we found it. This video shows the journey of bringing it back to life, not by erasing its past but by honoring it. It was a process of restoration, of finding a haven where we could create with soul.
About Featured
When I work on a home, I do not look for a specific style in a catalog. I look for the items you already own that make you smile, like a chipped heirloom chair or a faded rug from your grandmother's house, and we build the room around those pieces. It is the reason no two homes we design ever feel the same.
I believe that your home should not look like a showroom. It should hold the fragments of your life. My work focuses on gathering these fragments—the art you picked up on travels, the vintage furniture that has been in your family for years, and the colors that make you feel at peace—to build a space that feels like an embrace.
My Approach to Design
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Heritage and Restoration: I find beauty in old structures. Whether it is restoring a home with stone walls or keeping the original wooden beams of a forgotten building, I work to honor the history of the space while adapting it for modern living.
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Collected Maximalism: I prefer a rich mix of patterns, textures, and objects over clinical, empty rooms. It is about layering elements that bring joy. We mix bold wallpapers with hand-knotted rugs and mix-and-match furniture, ensuring every object has a reason to be there.
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The Human Process: Design is a collaboration. It involves many site visits, late-night sourcing trips, and open conversations. We work with local craftspeople and skilled vendors to ensure that every fixture and finish aligns with your vision.
Whether you are looking to overhaul a large residence or simply want to refresh a single room, I approach every project with the same level of care. From the deep greens of a jewel-box entrance to the quiet warmth of a reading nook, I want your home to be the place where you can finally exhale.
Richa Bahl
I am Richa, and I believe a house only becomes a home when it reflects the person living inside. My studio is built on the quiet conversations between light, shadow, and the memories you want to keep. We do not just furnish spaces; we help you find the soul of your home.
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