Crafting homes with character: Charu Gandhi on the new era of luxury interiors

How do you approach translating a client’s identity or lifestyle into a physical space?

Listening is the most important part of the process. Before we think about colours or materials, we spend time understanding how clients live, what inspires them and how they want to feel within their home.

The answers come from personal conversations about their routines, memories and aspirations. We then translate those insights into a design language through space planning, materials, bespoke furniture and carefully considered details. The goal is to create a home that feels as though it could belong to no one else.

Can you tell us about recent projects that felt particularly significant for you?

Our recent Bar Room for WOW!house 2026, created in collaboration with Lalique, was particularly meaningful. Although compact in scale, it allowed us to explore craftsmanship, storytelling and contemporary entertaining in a highly immersive way.

We're also working on a number of residential projects where clients have given us the freedom to create truly bespoke environments. These projects are especially rewarding because they allow us to push the boundaries of design while remaining rooted in the client's lifestyle and aspirations.

You work across private homes and branded residences - how do those contexts differ in terms of your creative process?

The underlying principles remain the same: understanding the end user and creating a strong sense of place. The difference lies in the audience. With a private home, we're designing for one family or individual and can create something incredibly specific. With branded residences, we need to consider a broader demographic while still delivering a distinctive identity. The challenge is creating spaces that feel personal and emotionally resonant at a larger scale, while maintaining the level of detail and quality associated with a luxury home.

When you’re designing a scheme, what tends to guide your decisions around materials, finishes and detailing?

How are factors like technology, sustainability and wellbeing shaping your design approach in practical terms?

These considerations have become increasingly integrated into the design process. Technology is most successful when it is intuitive and discreet, enhancing daily life without dominating the experience of a space.

Wellbeing is influencing everything from natural light and spatial flow to material choices and connections to nature. Sustainability is less about making a statement and more about making thoughtful decisions so prioritising quality, longevity, local craftsmanship where possible and materials that will endure both aesthetically and physically over time.

Looking ahead, what do you think we’ll start to see less of - and what will define the next phase of residential design?

I think we'll see less emphasis on interiors designed primarily for visual impact or social media. Spaces that feel overly themed or trend-driven are already beginning to lose relevance.

The next phase of residential design will be defined by authenticity, longevity and emotional connection. Homes will become more personal, more curated and more reflective of the people who live in them. We'll continue to see a growing appreciation for craftsmanship, individuality and spaces that prioritise quality of life over spectacle.

Can you share three pieces of advice for those looking to elevate the interiors of their home? 

• Invest in quality, not quantity. A few well-made, beautifully crafted pieces will always have a greater impact than filling a room with trends.
• Focus on lighting. Layered lighting can completely transform how a space feels and is often one of the most overlooked elements of interior design.
• Add personality. The most memorable homes are those that tell a story. Incorporate art, objects, books and pieces collected through travel and experience. These are the elements that give a home character and make it uniquely yours.