What Sonam Kapoor’s Mumbai apartment teaches about layering craft and comfort
Sonam Kapoor’s high-rise Mumbai home could have been a cold, glass box. Instead, she filled it with Indian craft—frescoed walls by artist Vikas Soni, Thanjavur paintings, antique textiles turned pillows, handmade tiles in the kitchen, and heirlooms restored by artisans. It feels lush and lived-in because every layer tells a story. This is how to build that feeling at home.
Let one artisan lead the room
Kapoor’s murals—whimsical, traditional, and deeply local—set the tone. Pick one handmade element to anchor your space: a block-printed curtain, a clay pendant, or a hand-knotted rug. Then repeat its palette in two smaller places so the look reads intentional. Craft pieces deserve breathing room; don’t pile twenty in one view.
Mix heritage with a little European clarity
She balances Indian craft with European touches—think Pierre Frey wallpapers and classic forms—so the apartment feels collected, not museum-like. You can copy this by pairing a carved wood console with a clean-lined lamp, or draping an antique shawl over a plain linen bench. The tension between ornate and simple is where the room comes alive.
Turn textiles into furniture moments
Kapoor turns jamawar shawls and old dhurries into cushions and ottoman covers. If you have an heirloom textile in a closet, give it a job. Frame a portion as art, upholster a stool, or sew oversized floor pillows for movie nights. Preserve the story but put it where hands can touch it.
Commission small, local work
The kitchen features custom tiles by a Mumbai artist, and the apartment includes restored vintage pieces. Take that cue locally: a tile maker for a small backsplash panel, a woodworker for a narrow bookshelf, or a glass artist for a pendant. Even one commission builds a relationship with your town and gives the room a soul you can’t buy off the shelf.
Plan for entertaining the way you actually host
Kapoor’s space is built for dinners and parties, not stand-back looks. If you host weekly, create a “party kit” cabinet: runners, tea lights, a lighter, and a labeled bin for serving pieces. Keep a folding table in the closet for buffet nights. The design wins when it removes friction from how you live, not when it nails a photo.
Give kids a magical corner without plastic overload
Her child’s room is hand-painted with a jungle mural and anchored by a few standout pieces, not a pile of toys. Copy the idea with a single wall mural decal, a canopy, or one oversized stuffed animal that doubles as sculpture. Then store the rest behind doors. Calm rooms make playtime longer.
Layer stories, not clutter
There’s a difference between layered and busy. Group related items—a trio of brass vessels together, textiles on one bench—and leave negative space on adjacent surfaces. Add one fresh branch or marigold garland to honor the handmade things around it. When you can point to why each item is there, the room feels edited and rich.
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*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
