She embraces a simplified life, drawing inspiration from profound wisdom in books, dedicating herself to a sustainable lifestyle and adhering to an unwavering design mantra. HELLO! meets the interior designer at her beautiful south Delhi farmhouse to chat about her many passions in life.
A Successful Union of Aesthetics
Located just off the main thoroughfare that connects New Delhi to Gurugram, her family’s spacious farmhouse is a haven in the midst of constant hustle and bustle. In this space, Saba effectively applies her design skills to achieve an unlikely yet successful marriage of different aesthetics.
The beauty of Indian craftsmanship shines through in the common portions of the home. A classic style preferred by her in-laws is exemplified by a large green boat from Kerala repurposed as a planter, with three playful baby Buddhas presiding over their green kingdom.
A mere step away from this enchanted space are the private quarters of Saba and her venture capitalist husband Ishaan Khosla, newly constructed after their marriage last year. They are as distinct in colour scheme and vibe from the common areas, as chalk from cheese. Serene hues of white and beige decorate the sitting area, bar, pool, bedroom and bathroom. Discreet panelling hides cabinets and wardrobes and muted accessories make an impact. Everything is in order, with not a hair out of place. It’s Saba in her element.
“That’s just who I am,” she says earnestly. “I was inspired by the book Atomic Habits by James Clear. I make sure that everything is organised, so our private space is pristine and calm at all times.” Marriage has only strengthened this quality. “I think over time, we both have grown to be like this individually and as a couple,” she adds.
Calm and self-assured she certainly is. One sees it in her demeanour, as she sits confidently on her custom-made couch of a peculiar semi-circular shape, designed thus to encourage conversation amidst those who occupy it. One also sees it in her dog-eared copy of Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia’s Ikigai, tucked away in a corner of the couch.
“I love reading books on new age philosophy. My obsession began when I read The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma. It really impacted my life. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari was another book that changed my life,” she declares with fervour.
Sustainability Is The Way Forward
Another passion Saba holds dear is the cause of sustainable living and the protection of our planet. Elements of nature are prominently strewn throughout her home. She prefers to decorate with antiques sourced from around the country and stalks of wheat instead of fresh flowers that live only for a day. She has also adorned the walls of her living room with tiny metal homes and structures repurposed by artist Abhishek Dodiya from the remnants of an old ship. Using solar panels and electric vehicles are other ways she strengthens her commitment.
“Sustainability is the only way forward,” she asserts while speaking about a recent trip to Bali where she learnt to build with bamboo.
Travelling around the world, whether for work or pleasure, is second nature to Saba, though wildlife reserves are what she loves exploring most. A precious memory from last year is of a trek in the jungles of Uganda to see the majestic silverback gorillas. The avid travel buff nurtures a dream of running a wildlife resort of her own someday.
Saba also loves to dance, is a keen fashionista, and frequently entertains friends and family at home, a practice she learned from her sociable parents.
Reflecting on the importance of the latter, she ends our chat with, “What are we if not community? In this AI-driven generation, I believe it’s more important than ever before to understand the value of human beings.” Amen to that.
Interview: Noor Anand Chawla; Photos: Deepak Aggarwal; Hair & Make-up: Gayatri Sharma; Creative Direction: Amber Tikari
This is an excerpt from an interview from HELLO! India’s October 2023 issue. To read the full interview, check out the latest issue right here.
