HELLO!: How do you feel about being felicitated for your ‘Contribution to Interior Design’?
Vinita Chaitanya: “Thank you, HELLO!, for this wonderful recognition. I feel honoured to be a part of this amazing, all-star lineup of talent.”
H!: Share some highlights of 2022.
VC: “The year was massive for me as I celebrated my milestone birthday. I turned 60 and I feel amazing! Professionally, I pushed some boundaries. I started 2022 with a huge out-of-the–box moment. In January, I hosted an awards night for a magazine’s 10th anniversary. I also completed some of my best work, including designing Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s home in Alibaug. My brand collaborations with Pottery Barn and Tarun Tahiliani were super successful, and I also renovated a heritage property in Bengaluru for Tarun. Plus, I was on the cover of a few design magazines — HELLO! being the most glamorous, of course. I even walked the ramp for the first time for Tarun at Lakmé Fashion Week. It was all good fun!”
H!: What do you look forward to most in 2023?
VC: “I started 2023 by celebrating my daughter Diya’s wedding. This turned into a major project close to my heart. The rest of the year, too, is full of promise. In my work space, I have a wonderful Spanish hacienda project and a gorgeous plantation home I hope to complete in the next six months. I’ve started working on the architecture and interiors for a contemporary classic home in Bengaluru. I normally don’t work in architecture but decided to take the plunge, so this is a huge leap for me. I’ve also signed up to curate and host a couple of very stylish events.”
H!: What’s your benchmark for success?
VC: “For me, respect from my family and my loved ones, from clients and from the design fraternity is my definition of success. While awards are hugely gratifying, it’s far more important to receive love and respect from the people you work with.”
H!: Today, achievers from South India are attracting the spotlight. Your thoughts, please.
VC: “South India has some of the most brilliant minds. There’s no dearth of talent here. It’s just that we, as a community, are understated. I’m thrilled that the world has woken up to this wealth of talent, and HELLO! has raised the bar by hosting these awards in Hyderabad. Kudos!”
H!: What drives you every day?
VC: “My love of life and my passion for what I do is what drives me. My work life is so much fun (on most days). I’m surrounded by beauty. I curate and create for this niche clientele. I enjoy all my experiences, whether it’s a simple walk in the park or just seeing the light flow onto my desk.”
H!: Who are the interior designers you believe we must watch out for in India?
VC: “There’s a lot of talent in design today. I’ve seen some lovely work by Byram Wadia and Mangesh Lungare in Mumbai. There’s also Shivani Dogra and Pure Spaces in Bengaluru who are doing some lovely work.”
This story has been adapted for the website from a story that was originally published in Hello! India’s February 2023 issue. Get your hands on the latest issue right here!
