Navin Kanodia, founder of S.T. Unicom and a home décor and styling expert, has had a ringside view of how the industry has evolved in the country. In 1996, his company became a pioneer in creating and promoting metal iron furniture and accessories in India. S.T. Unicorn's retail brand SPACIO has for the past decade, been curating some fine contemporary high-end furniture and décor from across the globe enabling Indians to transform their living space into a work of art. Eva Pavithran finds out more about the man and the firm.
Each house is a reflection of the people who Live within its four walls, of their tastes and preferences. While Indians have
always been home-proud, and have always taken interiors and home décor seriously, over the past few years, their tastes have become much more cosmopolitan. Says Navin Kanodia, interior stylist and Managing Director, S.T. Unicom, Customers are keen on adapting international palettes and ways of living."
Kanodia should know. With three decades of experience, the ardent admirer of conceptual design has an uncanny knack for predicting trends. In 1996, his company became a pioneer in creating and promoting metal iron furniture and accessories in India. Within just five years after its inception, the brand introduced international design concepts and high-end products from all over the globe in India. Since 2010, the company has been the exclusive distributor for many Luxury and niche brands from USA, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Portugal, Spain and France. Kanodia's journey into the world of design started with a candle stand. "This was 23 years ago. What started as a mere passion, grew into an obsession and then eventually. Became what I do for a Living,' he reveals.
In 2009, Kanodia launched SPACIO, the retail brand of ST. Unicom. SPACIO has showrooms in Mumbai, Kolkata and Surat. Carrying forward the legacy of the parent company, it has not only redefined the perception of décor, but has also emerged to be one of the leading brands in the luxury sector for furniture and fine home accessories. Says Kanodia, "We are not your regular interior store. We have some 72 international brands under our wing. These brands not only bring international trends to India, but also inspire and introduce Indian artisans and product designers to world-class designing and quality products."
Indians no longer follow the traditional way of doing up their houses. They are ready to explore, experiment and ideate Products curated by SPACIO are a beautiful fusion of artistry and exquisite craftsmanship, which will help in transforming any living space into a work of art. "Our international range of products covers nearly all aspects of furniture, lighting bespoke surfaces, décor and accessories," he says.
The state-of-the-art SPACIO showrooms complete the world-class shopping experience. Kanodia states that it's their constant endeavour to keep up with the ambitions of the modern buyer. "Our collections are chosen keeping in mind the needs and desires of our discerning customers, who opt for premium products. SPACIO decided to introduce the Indian customers to how a top-end furniture, décor and accessories store should Look and feel like. Besides giving buyers honest prices, we are also changing the way people make their homes." Apart from this, the retail brand also offers bespoke design services.
SPACIO stands out with its collection of unique brands, most of which are exclusively distributed through its showrooms, US-based Artisan House provides fine-quality metal sculptures for walls, floors and table tops. Created by master artists at the firm's C. Jeré Design Studio in Burbank, California, Artisan House is among the preferred brands of celebrated architects, interior designers and art Lovers worldwide. "Our furniture collection brings Spain's Agrippa to India, which is truly unique-a brand highly recommended for those who covet all, things beautiful' says Kanodia. Crystal décor from Italys Mario Cioni is world famous, and it is said to have charmed its way into Indian homes. Utopia & Utility from Finland subscribes to the
philosophy that everything that deserves to be made deserves to be made well. From the process to the finished objects, U&U's motivation is to enrich life through beauty. Meystyle LED wall coverings studded with Swarovski crystals show how walls can become focal point. LCD textiles from Belgium are made from reclaimed technical fibres. These awe-inspiring materials are for haute couture and interior design. Nomon Clocks, the leader in indoor luxury clocks, puts into practice careful design rocesses, aiming to produce visually stunning pieces with a high functional and aesthetic Life expectancy.
Golden age: Kanodia lists out golden-age glamour as a stand-out trend for 2018. Jewel-toned fabrics with tropical foliage or Art Deco motifs are in abundance this season, and inspiration comes from early to mid-2Oth century. This sophisticated look is
back in vogue and is fully-embraced globally.
Contrasting Materials: Mixing finishes gives a more thoughtfully created look and a harmonious feel. "lt's seen in larger commercial applications like bars and restaurants. Look to layer bare iron, natural and
painted woods and stone with touches of gold and brass, which are both going to be big this year," says Kanodia. Mix different woods-old, new, hardwood, softwood, painted or natural, or light and dark wood. Go eclectic and use reclaimed and salvaged,
mix eras and styles and don't let any theme or style dominate. The secret to success lies in mixing the materials in a clever way.
Bringing the outdoors in: "Greenery has been a rising trend for a while now, with more and more people filling their homes with foliage in a bid to counteract our increasingly urban lives, but I think 2018 is going to be the year, when it really comes
of age. And I'm not just talking about houseplants; I see our need to reconnect with nature spilling over into everything from wallpaper prints to fabric patterns, as well as smaller home accessories such as ceramics and tableware." Green upholstery is
also set to become a key trend, particularly plush velvet in eye-catching shades of forest green, pine and emerald. Even the normally muted Scandinavian brands have been steadily adding these hues to their collections for this year.
for Kanodia, design is something that's beautiful rare and usable, and he aims to keep on making peoples dream spaces a reality.
Apart from SPACIO, S.T. Unicom also has an interesting concept store. Just for Clocks. How a person perceives time is articulately portrayed in their choice of clocks, believes Kanodia. 'it's fascinating to note that this untapped ability of being able to convey every mood and emotion makes clocks even more relevant in today's digital age. Just for Clocks was born to cater to that," he reveals. Today, over 2,000 designer clocks are available in the country through the brand's stores and e-portal.
For Kanodia, design is something that's beautiful rare and usable, and he aims to keep on making people's dream spaces a
reality. The company is continually on a quest for top-end international products and brands that could be introduced to
the Indian marketplace. "As in the past, we are part of renowned residential and hospitality addresses. I'm looking forward to the unveiling of some very exciting collaborations in the near future," he signs off.
Published in: The Leela Magazine Monsoon 2018
