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She has designs on people
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The exterior of a building leaves her cold, but the interiors excite her endlessly
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PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY Vinita Chaitanya: `It is important to have a sense of pride in the work we do' PHOTO: MURALI KUMAR K.
"What really pleases me is when the clients think they have done the interiors themselves!" says interior designer Vinita Chaitanya, and one is stunned by the paradox. Having designed and executed the interiors, shouldn't she feel she should get the credit for the effect? "You see, that's actually a compliment — we talk to our clients, understand their tastes and suggest a design that would suit them and make them feel totally at home," says the designer whose clients list reads like a Who's Who of Bangalore.
Vinita Chaitanya's lovely office opposite Mahaveer Jain Hospital is an endorsement for the designer's talent. The narrow passage of Prism, the interior decor firm started by Vinita in 1988, takes on a special charm thanks to the tastefully embellished walls. The stairway leading up to her office is a visual feast too. So one is not really surprised to find Vinita sitting in a well-furnished office with delightful artefacts adding character to the room.
Exacting job
"Many people think interior designers are people who suggest what paintings, artefacts, furnishings and furniture a house should have. But the job actually involves visualisation, a lot of detailing and precise measurements and calculations. Some clients come to us when they are just breaking ground, so we get to work closely with the architect too," says Vinita, whose own apartment was recently featured in a design magazine.
One of Prism's most dramatic projects has been a home where one of the bathrooms has steel and chrome washbasins. "We decided to clad the wall too with a single sheet of steel. The plumbing had to be perfect before we covered the wall. Can you imagine the mess if there is ever a problem with the concealed plumbing!" exclaims the lady who comes up with such out-of-the-box ideas.
Lucky break
After completing a diploma in interior design in Kolkata, Vinita worked for The Oberoi Hotels in their design department. That was a lucky break since she got to work with Sunitha Kohli, the first interior designer to have been awarded a Padmashree. After Vinita's marriage, she came back to Bangalore, and her lucky streak continued — McDowells offered her the chance to design their office on Cunningham Road.
In the 16 years since Prism was set up, Vinita has travelled a lot, and sources accessories for her projects from all over the world. "London is the best for high-end designer material, while Mumbai and Delhi have a fantastic range for everything else," reveals Vinita. Always a practical person, she sticks to materials and designs that are easy to maintain and long-lasting.
"My clients know exactly what they are getting and even a small corner is given its own personal detail. I achieve this quality because I work on only six projects at any given time."
Prism's clientele includes Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, UB Divisional President Vijay Rekhi, Reva's Sudarshan Maini, Badminton ace Prakash Padukone, offices for Gokuldas and Max Page, retail outlets for Shyam Ahuja and Tencel, and the just-finished Southern Star Hotel in Mysore, and the 300-room hostel for Infosys.
Columnist too
The designer who has been a columnist has worked with architects such as Anila Alexander, Sandeep Khosla, Kabir Hira and Edgar de Mello. "It is important to have a sense of pride over the work that we do. I'd never take up a project that paid me well, but did not allow me the freedom of design — fortunately, my clients come to me based on my earlier work!" says this mother of a school-going daughter. "The exteriors of a building leave me cold. But the interiors, ah, my mind conjures a hundred ways to make it interesting and comfortable within minutes!"
For details, log on to www.vinitachaitanya.com, or call Vinita at Prism on 22205000 or 22205111.
This column features all those who go against the grain in pursuit of their beliefs.
MALA KUMAR
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